Lilac royalty finalists named
The Spokane Lilac Festival royalty selection committee has chosen 14 finalists for the 2006 Royalty Court. Candidates were from all 28 Spokane County high schools and home-schooled students.
The finalists are: Annie Caldwell, Medical Lake; Kristi Nelson, Rogers; Lyndsay Nicesmith, Deer Park; Nicolle Rose, Ferris; Maria Oliva, Gonzaga Prep; Charli Johnson, Contract Based School; Meghan Wescombe, Mead; Elizabeth Lewis, Mt. Spokane; Megan Murphy, West Valley; Zanie McMillan, North Central; Kelsey Higley, University; Shanleigh Sullivan, Lewis and Clark; Camille Troxel, Shadle Park; and Brittany Tenold, Oaks Christian Academy.
Six princesses and the queen will be chosen from the finalists.
Each member of the Royal Court will receive a $1,250 scholarship provided by Northern Quest, a Kalispel Casino.
An additional $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to the queen by the Spokane Lilac Festival Past Presidents.
The 2006 coronation, sponsored by Avista Corp., will be held at the Northern Quest Pend Oreille Pavilion on Feb. 26. For more information, go to www.lilacfestival.org.
Teachers earn national certification
Six Spokane Public Schools teachers have earned National Board Certification, the highest credential in the teaching profession.
They are Sara Devins from Hutton Elementary; Kathleen Jagoda from Jefferson Elementary; Moleena Harris and Jennifer O’Bright from Glover Middle School; Kelly Petty from Whitman Elementary; and Stacy Reich from Sheridan Elementary.
There are 27 teachers in Spokane Public Schools with this designation and 900 in Washington, making the state the 13th in the nation for the number of National Board certified teachers.
Becoming certified typically takes more than a year and includes creating a portfolio that documents a teacher’s success in the classroom as shown by their students’ learning. Candidates also complete a series of tests designed to measure their knowledge.
Successful candidates earn a 10-year certificate; receive a $3,500 annual stipend subject to Washington state legislative appropriation; have their state teaching credentials renewed to match the length of the national certificate; and will be able to apply graduate credits earned while studying for National Board Certification to advanced degrees.