Inside our schools: Two Titans head to national technology conference
Two University High School students can now travel to Florida to show off award-winning high-tech designs.
A total of six U-Hi students competed last month at the 25th annual Washington Technology Student Association Conference in Everett. Chris Maeng earned first place for his dragster design, and Erick Stirtz came in third in the computer-aided design 3D engineering event. Based on their high finishes, the juniors qualified for the national TSA conference in Orlando this summer.
Seniors Amy Rowse and Drew Schlieder were awarded fifth place in structural engineering. Also attending were junior Melissa Poppe and senior Jacob Gauche.
While in Everett, the students toured the Boeing Everett plant and saw the assembly of the Boeing 747, 777 and the 787 Dreamliner. They also visited the Future of Flight Center.
The Technology Student Association is a nonprofit national student organization. Its mission is to inspire student members to prepare for careers in a technology-driven economy and culture. TSA’s membership includes 200,000 middle and high school students in 2,000 schools spanning 48 states.
Ponderosa Slammer Jammer Shootout May 9
Ponderosa Elementary School teachers and staff will face off in the Slammer Jammer Shootout basketball game at 6:30 p.m. May 9.
The game will be held at Horizon Middle School, 3915 S. Pines Road, in the Spokane Valley.
Along with 24 teacher and staff players, other employees will serve as coaches, medics, scorekeepers, cheerleaders and security guards. The Ponderosa Recorder Pep Band and the University High School Drum Line will provide pregame and halftime entertainment. A Ponderosa Elementary School teacher will sing the National Anthem.
Funds raised from this event will benefit Teen Closet, a local charity that helps clothe teenage foster children in the greater Spokane area. Admission for the game is $1, or free with the donation of new or gently used clothing to Teen Closet. Admission is free for children younger than age 5. For more information, call 228-4450.
CV student, teacher receive diversity awards
Central Valley School District recently honored one student and one teacher as recipients of the 10th annual Diversity “DREAM” Awards.
Central Valley High School student William Davis and CVHS English language development teacher Vince Eberly were selected for this year’s awards.
The awards recognize the efforts of students, teachers and staff members who have actively supported and promoted diversity in the school community. Principals, teachers and co-workers nominated 32 students and 10 teachers and staff to be honored through a district-wide process. A team of three community leaders served as judges.
Excerpts from the nominations describe the accomplishments of the 2008 DREAM Award recipients:
“Last January, Davis was elected ASB president on a platform of unity and change. Davis wanted to see all CVHS students feel comfortable. Davis is seen everyday hanging out with all different crowds, talking and celebrating their victories in life. He is described as a person who demonstrates a willingness to appreciate and accept all people.”
Additional nomination comments said, “William reaches out … Because of his outstretched hand, we had the most diverse group at our CV Winter Camp this year. We had exchange students, new students, ELD students, and many others. These students now come to Student Council, get involved in our school activities and bring suggestions to us about how to make others in their groups feel more welcomed. On top of all of this, William is the first African-American ASB president at Central Valley High School, an honor for CVHS and Central Valley School District.”
As the ELD teacher, Eberly was described as a person in constant contact with students from every corner of the Earth. His classroom includes representatives of many countries, cultures and ethnicities. Eberly demonstrates and demands respect for all aspects of diversity. Because of his caring and supportive attitude, many of his students grow and develop into productive students as they assimilate into American culture. He has increased the awareness and appreciation of diversity throughout the school and promotes multicultural differences through his participation on many district, community and state committees that support English learning students.
Read more about the Diversity “DREAM” Awards and view a list of all nominees at www.cvsd.org/diversity_dream_award_honorees_2007-2008.asp.
Students at University Elementary raise money for Guilds’ School
University Elementary School students raised $621.40 for the Spokane Guilds’ School and Neuromuscular Center in March. They contributed spare change, collecting a different denomination each day. The school’s Associated Student Body and PTA sponsored the drive.
The classroom that raised the most money won the opportunity to dress up school principal Sue Lennick in an array of clothing items for a day. The students in Katie Haak‘s fifth-grade class won the challenge.