(l-r) Highline HS instructor Dave Craig, Senator Karen Keiser, WAVE scholarship recipient Ajla A.

Highline Students Recognized

With more than 450 applicants for the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship grants, Highline is proud to have four students selected to receive these awards! The WAVE scholarships provide for two years of post-secondary tuition (or other educational expense) in Washington State.

The scholarship winners and nominees were honored at a special breakfast held May 10 at the Occupational Skills Center. Present to make the awards were several teachers, principals, and the legislative members of the State Education Committee. Highline's Superintendent John Welch and Superintendent Tom Murphy of the Federal Way District both offered their congratulations to the students and their families.
Superintendent Welch commented, "This is precisely the kind of competitive world we anticipate you will face both in college and as you pursue your career – and that's the driving force for our district staff as we work to implement rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares you for this 21st century world. These awards are proof-positive of your ability to excel in this environment…well done!"

Recognized for their outstanding achievement, leadership, and community service in career and technical education, this year's recipients include:

Heidi D. – Highline High School
Ajla A. – Highline High School
Alyssa S. – Global Connections High School
Ngoc L. – Evergreen High School

Also nominated were:
Will G. – OSC
Stephanie H. - OSC
Cong-Khanh N. - OSC
Nghi L. – Evergreen High School

Nominated by an instructor, each applicant must go through a screening and selection process by a committee representing business, labor, education, government, and interested citizens. From this process, 43 students were selected statewide to receive a WAVE scholarship this year.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners!

How great is that?

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Midway Elementary Hosts Event

Hundreds of students and their families joined together with community members and the Midway Elementary School staff on Friday evening, May 5, to celebrate the traditions of Mexican culture. Organized by Rebecca Brito, an ELL tutor, the event included Mexican music, jumpers, and the traditional piñatas as well as a delicious array of specialty foods. In addition to the entertainment, students received a book and a passport to the activities around the school.

Principal Ben Gauyan commented, "The real power of this event came from our parents getting involved. Rebecca mobilized the group and their ownership was apparent in the numbers of people who turned out."

"I was very happy to see my kids learn how to make piñatas," said Mary Maldonado, mother of a third and fifth grader at Midway.

ZZ Newman of the Family Center at ERAC observed, "Families from all the different cultures that are part of the school were there. That cultural intermingling, along with the laughter of all the children in the playground, portrayed what a community should look like - with the school right in the middle of it. Congratulations to Principal Ben Gauyan and the staff at Midway!"

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Well-deserved honor

Kyle C. has been named the recipient of the only full scholarship at the Art Institute of Seattle for this year. Kyle attends the Sea-Tac Occupation Skills Center (OSC) where he is enrolled in the Engineering Design class and has served as president of the SkillsUSA Chapter.

"This is a well-deserved honor," commented Engineering Design Instructor Rich Marshall. "We are very proud of Kyle's accomplishments here at OSC. He has continually demonstrated his skills, abilities, and leadership in the classroom and his work."

Kyle placed third in the state in the recent SkillsUSA Technical Drawing contest and plans to pursue a career in Industrial Design.

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2006 Earth Heroes at Schools Awards Honor Environmental Stewards

At a ceremony held on Mercer Island May 4, King County Executive Ron Sims honored students, teachers, school staff, and volunteers for the 2006 Earth Heroes Awards.
"We recognize Earth Heroes at Schools for their invaluable contributions to protecting and preserving King County's natural environment, and their education of young people about the importance of becoming committed earth stewards," said Sims. "Together we are integrating environmental understanding and protection into the education process."

The Earth Heroes at School Awards honor individual in schools as well as innovative school–based programs that are working hard to maintain the rich integrity of the region and high quality of life. Of the 13 awards in the categories of Teachers, School Staff, and Students, three were awarded to representatives of Highline Public Schools.

Superintendent John Welch observed, "This is a great tribute to the good work of our staff around the district in educating our students about the importance of environmental awareness and stewardship. Our goal is to ensure students are ready to be good citizens as well as being ready for college and careers. Environmental responsibility is an important part of being a well-rounded citizen."

"I am truly inspired by the passion, innovation, and dedication of our local heroes to make environmental preservation a legacy in King County," said Sims. "Each of our honorees is an incredible example after which we should model our own actions. Each Earth Hero exemplifies the spirit of service by working tirelessly on behalf of our environment," Sims continued. "We are fortunate to have these environmental stewards in our midst."

Awards were presented to the following Earth Heroes:

Fred Ritsema, Bow Lake Elementary School
Mr. Ritsema, an English Language Learner teacher, created school's arboretum and founded its environmental club. He obtained approval from the school district, applied for grant funding, and with the Environmental Club, identified and labeled with species information over 80 trees. In addition to caring for the arboretum, which has become an outdoor learning space, the club picks up campus litter and recycles materials from classrooms.

Sara Esrick and the Beginning Level ELL Science Students, Evergreen High School
Ms. Esrick and her 24 English Language Learner science students established a school recycling program, conducted outreach and promotion, and modeled a commitment to recycling for the 1,100 students at Evergreen High. Ms. Esrick began with an environmental unit with her students who then participated in the entire process of planning, implementing, and promoting successful paper, can and plastic bottle recycling.

Wanda Peters, Waskowitz Outdoor School
Ms. Peters has been the lead and inspiration for the composting program at Highline School District's outdoor school. Using six worm bins built by high school students and an Earth Tub, she has ensured that all compostable food waste is kept out of the landfill. The 4,000 students attending the outdoor school each year participate in a Worm Class and reflect on the ways they can bring home the practices they learn at Waskowitz.

Congratulations to Fred, Sara and her students, and to Wanda. What you are doing truly is making a difference for everyone!

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Theme "I wonder why…" Sparked Creativity

Washington State PTA Reflections Art Program chose five students from Highline Public Schools to receive awards in its annual arts enrichment program. Each of these students created artwork based around a theme that changes each year. This year's theme was "I wonder why..." The students entered their artwork through local PTAs and were chosen as award winners at their schools, as well as at the district-wide Highline Council PTSA level of Reflections, before being sent on to the state level of Reflections.

Congratulations to Erick A. of Marvista PTSA who received Award of Excellence in the film/video category; Avery G. of Marvista PTSA who received Award of Excellence in the choreography/dance category for the second year in a row; Tyler K. of Highline High PTSA who received Award of Excellence for his music composition and played his piece at the Washington State PTA Convention in May; Thao N. of Evergreen High PTSA who received Award of Excellence in literature, and Marie T. of Sylvester PTSA who received Award of Excellence in photography.

Each of these students received a special medallion at the Washington State PTA Reflections Award Ceremony held on April 1 at the Highline Performing Arts Center. Over 17,500 students from across the state participated in Reflections with only 6 students in each age division of primary, intermediate, junior and senior receiving awards at the State PTA level. All of the award winners' work will be on display in an online Reflections Gallery at the Washington State PTA Web site www.wastatepta.org.

Next year's Reflections theme is "My Favorite Place." For more information about this program, contact Washington State PTA Reflections Coordinator Debbie Thoma at 241-6150.

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(l-r) HHS Grace P., MRHS Matt P., and HHS Kristen D. received special recognition from the Superintendent and Board Members at the May 10 School Board Meeting. (Tyler K. was unable to attend the meeting.)

Music Event Highly Competitive

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and the Washington Music Educators Association hosted the annual Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg recently. This event provides an opportunity for the finest of Washington's high school music students to hear one another in a competitive situation. From the 22 regional contests, winners in each category move on to the state competition where first, second, and third places are selected. Other students receive ratings on their performances.

 

Several Highline students received Superior ratings for their individual performances: French horn soloist Matt P. from Mount Rainier High School, saxophone soloist Grace P. from Highline High School, soprano soloist Kristen D. and baritone soloist Tyler K. from Highline. Kristen and Tyler also received a superior rating for their duet in the mixed voice ensemble competition.

The ensemble contest included small and large ensembles in seven categories: woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, women's vocal, men's vocal, and mixed vocal. There are 29 solo categories, including seven woodwind categories, five brass, four percussion, four strings, six vocal, piano, guitar, and harp.

Congratulations to all!

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On Friday, May 12, Highline High School held their annual Academic Awards Breakfast to honor students for Academic Letters, Academic All-Stars, National Merit Finalists, National Honors Society members, and Students of the Year. Keynote speaker Justice Richard Sanders (class of 1963) is pictured above with the Students of the Year.

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We are very pleased to share good news about the educational accomplishments of staff members and their families:

We are very pleased to share good news about the educational accomplishments of staff members and their families:

Garrett Curtis
Graduated in December from Western Washington University, majoring in supply chain management, with a chemistry minor. He has been asked to attend this spring's graduation as the Outstanding Graduate of the Year in the Decision Sciences department.
  Son of Wendy Curtis, Parkside

Melissa Goheen
2002 Highline High grad, will graduate from the University of Washington on June 10 with a BA in economics.
  Daughter of Sue Goheen, Marvista

Joshua Olson
Graduating from Shoreline Community College with an AA and an AS. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a starter for the SCC baseball team for two years. He will attend the UW School of Business in the fall. He plans to earn his BA and then go to law school.
Jennifer Olson
Graduating from SPU with majors in both biology and chemistry. She plans to finish her cancer research and then go to medical school.
  Son and Daughter of Shelly Olson, Cascade

Heather Sankey
A 2000 Tyee grad, Heather has graduated from St. Martin's University in Lacey with a degree in psychology and a minor in biology. She is currently the assistant softball coach at St. Martin's where she was on the softball and golf teams.
  Daughter of Terri Sankey, Beverly Park

Katie Timeus
A 2005 graduate of Kent Meridian High School will graduate from Highline Community College with her AA.
John Timeus
A 2003 graduate of Kent Meridian High School will graduate from Eastern Washington University with honors, a major in management information systems, a minor in international business, and a minor in Japanese. His accomplishments also include Big Sky Track athlete of the week, school records in indoor track for 3,000 K and the 5,000 K, as well as All Big Sky Conference honors for outdoor track in the 5,000 K and 10,000 K. John will spend next year in Japan teaching English with the JET program.
  Daughter and son of Barbara Timeus, district nurse

“Bragging Rights” shares educational accomplishments of staff members and their families. We will also include this column in the June 1 District News. Please e-mail your information to Judy Balko at balkojl@hsd401.org.

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