Education notebook: Three Lewis and Clark High students named candidates for Presidential Scholars Program

Three Lewis and Clark High School seniors – Emerson Judd, Michael Lin and Maria Sharman – have been named candidates for the 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Established in 1964, this program serves to recognize distinguished high school seniors. Application is by invitation only, with a resulting 161 finalists to be named for their accomplishments in academics, arts or career and technical education fields. Students are reviewed by a committee of individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education. Finalists are selected in April.

WV music honors

West Valley School District music students received top honors from the Northeast Music Educations Association Solo and Ensemble Festival on Jan. 27.

Directed by Jim Loucks, WVHS band students Camden Moyer on baritone saxophone and Kayla Nakazawa, Kaia Nelson, Kira Smith on flute were awarded first place and will compete at the state level.

Directed by Mary Beth Wagstaff, WVHS soprano soloist Haley Jo Burghart was awarded first place and will compete at state.

The following WVHS students received either a superior or excellent rating for their performance: Cole Rosaia, Lily Goodwin, Pauline Nasset, Erik Porter, Morgan Tressel, Ikaika Vargas, Briella Bell, Tristan Clark, Carson Moyer, Elijah Pederson, Jayden Scott, Audreya Bell, Cassie Esvelt, Tara Fetters, Noel Goodwin, Kym Kratzer, Madalyn Roig, Helen Aley, Lucas Frye, Josh Anderson, Natalie Hogeweide, Cameric Wood, Michael Quindlen, Adriana Best, Kylie Willett, Sumara Milam-Sloan, Haley Jo Burghart, Alex Rodriquez, and the WVHS Chamber Choir of 11 students.

The following students of Centennial Middle School received a superior or excellent rating for their performance: Ari Albert, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Sonyia Freter, Nicole Thorne, Dylan Hoover, Mariya Balabanova, Addy Pierce, Claire Worthington, Roxy Fredericksen, Ryan Brown, Christian Moreau and Jamie McMurtery.

Co-teachers of year

Joni Chambers and Candi Jordan were named Co-Teachers of the Year at the Spokane Valley Chamber Gala for their dedication and creative teaching styles. Chambers teaches English and art. Jordan teaches English and special education. Both teachers currently teach at Spokane Valley High School.

Energy rebates

The Spokane Public Schools has qualified for more than $510,000 in energy-efficiency rebates from Avista in 2017 for its continual effort to upgrade inefficient systems and equipment. These incentives are a joint effort to cut operating costs and reduce energy consumption throughout the district.

With the aid of Avista’s energy-efficient programs, Spokane Public Schools has completed more than 300 improvement projects since 2005, helping reduce its energy costs by an expected $188,000 a year. These projects include the completion of the new North Central Commons, the new Salk Middle School and the upgrade of over 76,000 lamps to LED lights.