Education Notes: Northwest Christian wins national K-8 chess title
The Northwest Christian Schools chess team channeled its inner Bobby Fisher and won the K-8 Under-1,000 trophy at the National Chess Championship in San Diego in April.
The chess team is Nathan Sacpopo, Kenny King, Torrey Casper, Nick Seleski, Ray Johnson and Tristan Udby. The team is coached by John Dill II.
Mead to honor immigrants
The Mead High School Choral Music Department, in conjunction with the drama department, the visual arts program and the Advanced Placement American history classes will present “Ellis Island: The American Dream” on Friday at Turning Point Sanctuary, 11911 N. Division St., at 7 p.m.
The first half of the concert will include student-written monologues, sharing the stories of immigrants who traveled through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. The music will represent the various cultures of the people who were on the ships headed to America. During intermission, members of the audience will have an opportunity to see presentations by the AP American history students on a number of topics related to the immigrants’ stories, including samples of food, stories about families, questions immigrants were asked and a mock health exam. According to a news release from Mead High School, audience members will also be able to add their own contribution to a blank canvas: a metaphor of America that every person contributes to make it what it is. The canvas will be used as a visual for the remainder of the show.
The second half of the concert will include songs such as “Wheels of a Dream,” “Soon As I Get Home,” “Crossing the Bar,” “God Bless America,” and will conclude with Neil Diamond’s “America.”
Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased in the school business office at (509) 465-7031.
National Merit winners named
The National Merit Scholarship Program recently announced the 2012 College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners. The awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the university or college financing the scholarship.
Russell Pochis, of Ferris High School, awarded by Oregon State University; Catherine Roy-Ting, of The Oaks Classical Christian Academy, awarded by Washington University in St. Louis; and Jesse Ward, of Lewis and Clark, awarded by the University of Oklahoma were among the local winners among 2,500 Merit Scholars.
Winners were picked based on standardized test scores, school and community activities, an essay and a recommendation from a high school official.
Softball all-league team picked
Spokane Catholic Schools selected players for the 2012 All-League Softball teams. The players were selected by league coaches.
The first team is Riley Barnes, Valley; Lilly Delgado, Cataldo; Kate Grossmann, St. Thomas More; Maggie Hawk, St. Thomas More; Abi Horton, Valley; Alisa Isackson, Mount St. Michaels; Erin Jones, St. Aloysius; McKenzie Kirwin, Assumption/Trinity; Shelby Kriegh, St. Charles; Alexis Orellana, St. Aloysius; Shannon Payne, St. Charles; Hannah Rieckers, Assumption/Trinity; Mary Stoa, All Saints; Annie Urann, Mount St. Michaels; Natalie Watson, All Saints; Lauren Witter, Cataldo.
The second team is Maria Adam, St. Thomas More; Genevieve Bega, Mount St. Michaels; Arianna Daniels, St. Charles; Hannah Hays, St. Charles; Shawn Jones, Cataldo; Annalisa Lodgard, Mount St. Michaels; Sarah Means, Cataldo; Tarah Moran, St. Aloysius; Allie Pinnock, All Saints; Bridget Plese, Assumption/Trinity; Jordyn Sayler, St. Thomas More; Emily Sharp, Valley; Megan Siedel, Assumption/Trinity; Sarah Tweedy, St. Aloysius; and Julieanne Young, Valley.
Teacher Robert Fulner to retire
Robert Fulner, a teacher for 38 years at St. Charles Catholic Schol, will retire June 13. Staff, students, friends and family are welcome to celebrate his retirement at a reception in the gym at the school, 4515 N. Albert St., on Sunday, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Fulner graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1964 and received a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University in 1968. He went on to get his masters degree from Eastern Washington State College. Fulner began teaching in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Jesuit Corps and also taught at All Saints Catholic School before he accepted a position at St. Charles. Fulner also served as vice principal.