Good News Announcements

April 26, 2006

Renton High School senior James Bartlett has been selected as a National Merit Finalist. James was selected based on his academic abilities, skills and accomplishments, by the National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide academic competition for recognition and scholarships. James is among the top-scoring students in the nation who took the Preliminary SAT last year to qualify for the scholarships, which could amount to more than $2,500.

The Lindbergh High School Memorial Scholarship Committee has selected this year’s scholarship recipients. The scholarships are awarded based on demonstration of citizenship, community service, and leadership determined through a process of application evaluations and interviews by community members. Academic scholarship recipients are: David Rice, $1,250; Sharon Leung, $1,000; Jessica Nguyen, $750. Vocational scholarship recipients, Eddie Ramsey and Kirandeep Kaur, each will receive $500.

Six Tiffany Park Elementary School fifth-grade students in Corrie Freiwaldt's literacy block class will have their work published in the next edition of the Anthology of Poetry which provides a venue for the creativity of youth throughout the U.S. All students in the class participated by entering their favorite poem after the completion of a month-long poetry unit. The six students whose work will be published are:
· Ashley Andelin
· Vincent Babasca
· Brianna Brown
· Maria Cornell
· Kristin Grover
· Joanne Saivong

The winners of the 2006 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) have been announced. Three district high school students were selected to receive the awards which recognizes students who excel in career and technical education. The three students are:
· Stacy Davis, Hazen High School
· Michelle Nguyen, Lindbergh High School
· Andrew Santos-Johnson, Renton High School
These students will receive grants ranging in value from $4,800 to $11,000, to pay undergraduate educational expenses for two years at a state university, college or vocational school.

Sierra Heights Elementary School teacher Brian Teppner recently became a published author when his book, Science Vocabulary and Assessment, was published by PuzzleWise. This is the first of a series of books that Brian and several of his colleagues have been contracted to write. Brian is actively involved in building, district and state projects to improve science education. Brian also puts his horticulture background to work as a member of the grounds crew for the Seattle Mariners.

Lindbergh High School students in the band Cryptic Abyss recently won the all-area contest Battle of the Bands. The five-member band won $700 and a chance at a recording contract with three major music labels.