As the school year draws to a close, there are many outstanding seniors preparing to graduate. Featured here are a few of those amazing young role models: Stephanie Hoag, Kianna Leafaitulagi Fola, Jose Lopez, and Anngelina Gage (not pictured).

Global Connections DECA placed 3rd at the DECA International Career Development Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. This international award was earned for the DECA chapter's Chapter Awards Program, which documents all the activities a DECA Chapter does in one year. In essence, this is a "DECA Chapter of the Year Award" based on the chapter program of work. Global Connections' student coordinators for this project were Lou Vargas, Crystal Rivera, and ToVan Nguyen. Highline High School's DECA students Nicole Sowers and Kendra Jones placed 5th in this same category.

Lupita Ayon has been recognized by Highline Public Schools as its outstanding community leader for 2007-08.

Pictured: (l-r) Mauricio Ayon, Teresa Wallace, Anita Ramos, Lupita Ayon, Bill Hopper, Rebbeca Richards, Geno Amador.

On Friday, May 30, 2008, the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence honored five outstanding individuals in the field of education. Honored were Scott McComb, Diana Garcia, Mike Castro, Alice McGregor, and former Superintendent Joe McGeehan.

Pictured are (l-r) Holly Moore, Foundation Board President; Alice McGregor, Volunteer of the Year; Scott McComb, Teacher of the Year; Diana Garcia, Administrator of the Year; Mike Castro, Classified Employee of the Year; and John Curley from KING 5's Evening Magazine.

Photo courtesy Photography by Steven.

Two Highline High School sophomores, Marckus Jacobs (left) and Andy Vorn (right), have been selected to participate in the University of Washington's Climate Quest this summer. This is a 7-day intensive course that introduces high school students to the issue of climate change. Students will create videos to translate what they learn about the basic science of climate, the impact of climate change on the Pacific Northwest and efforts to curb greenhouse emissions.

Marckus and Andy are part of Nanci Leonard's AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) class which prepares students for college admission. Climate Quest will put these students in direct contact with college mentors and will allow the students to earn college credit

The Highline Council PTSA honored staff, administrators, parents, and volunteers at its annual awards presentation on June 3. Highline Council (HCPTSA) is the umbrella organization for all school PTSA groups in our school district. Recipients of the Community Service Award were Fred Meyer Redondo, Round Table Pizza, community volunteer Ray Prentice, and Ed Kion, a volunteer at Seahurst Elementary.

Two Highline Public Schools students have been named Governor's Scholars. Mary Magdelene (Madel) Rogulj of Global Connections and Byron Maye of HS3 have received four-year scholarships to any public or private university or college in the state of Washington. In addition to the education, they will also get a mentor to help them along the way.

Superintendent Welch and the School Board honored this year's retiring employees at a reception held June 11 prior to the board meeting.

The cake and coffee reception provided an opportunity for the retirees to mingle with the board members, staff, and guests. Superintendent Welch thanked the retirees for their years of dedicated service to the students of Highline saying, "The lives of so many have been improved by having known and worked with each and every one of you."

Ninth-grade science students at Aviation High School have been working with a group of Boeing engineers to design and test wing beams. The assignment was to design and build a cantilever wing beam (in the shape of a 2x4) out of papier mache and test it to destruction. Pictured below are steps of the static test of the papier mache wing beam design entries from the Flight Test Structures and Stability and Control Analysis groups. The 'grade' was determined by an efficiency factor that is calculated by dividing the max bending moment by the mass of the beam. Only newspaper and starch could be used as materials. There were additional dimensional requirements that also had to be met.

Students at Sylvester Middle School held their third annual Fun Walk for Philanthropy on Friday, June 6. At an assembly kicking off the walk, students celebrated their participation in projects that benefit the community.

Latinos Stand Up! Movement students at Global Connections High School planned and facilitated their second annual Parent Outreach Spring BBQ on Sunday, June 1. The event was held at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac.

Mike Gregoire, husband of Governor Chris Gregoire, paid a visit to Bow Lake Elementary on June 3. The "First Mike," as he prefers to be called, came to the school in response to an invitation emailed by fourth grader Matthew Forbes.

Global Connections DECA held a reusable Clothing Drive, which collected over 3,500 pounds of reusable clothing from our community. Road signs created by Howard Graphics were seen in front of the school for several weeks, letting the community know about the clothing drive. Each person donating clothing was given their choice of a reusable Fred Meyer shopping bag, a CFL light bulb, or a water-saving shower head. These "give away" items were funded in part by Fred Meyer and a grant from the Sustainable Seattle organization. All clothing was "sold" to Value Village and a "profit" of $657 was earned. Global Connections DECA will be donating the money to the Heifer Foundation to provide farm animals for families living in third-world countries.

Aviation High School AP Language students have completed a story project based on interviews with various volunteers from the aviation and aerospace industry and community. Their final project is a book containing all the stories that will be distributed to the students and mentors. A celebration ceremony was held June 11 to honor the project participants. Guests enjoyed a reception during which they met the story project participants and viewed exhibits relating to the stories.

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

Seahurst Elementary School hosted a "Market Night" on May 15, a fun-filled night where the Seahurst gym was transformed into a Farmer's Market of fresh fruit and vegetable produce stations. Seahurst students were cashiers at the stations while Seahurst children and families came to "purchase" food with play money, building math skills, and at the same time strong, healthy bodies! Families brought home delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, and learned about the importance of consuming a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables for lifelong health. This event was a great success with over 300 in attendance.

Mark your calendars... the Class Act Restaurant at Puget Sound Skills Center is open a number of days this summer. Plan to join the summer-school students for lunch between 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on one of the following dates: June 26 or 27 and July 1 - 3, 8 - 11, and 15.