‘Honeywell Scholars’ visit Washington D.C.
Students from across the country and the world traveled last month to attend the “Honeywell Scholars Presidential Classroom” program.
Liberty High School student Brian Kim was among the 428 students from 31 states and 31 countries to be selected.
“What better way to get the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math than to put them in touch with inspirational leaders in those fields,” said Tom Buckmaster, presient of Honeywell Hometown Solutions.
Students met with elected officials, business leaders and government appointees to discuss global issues. They also had the chance to observe the U.S. Congress in action and visit other sites such as the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of State and Arlington National Cemetery.
Kim is a Bellevue Presbyterian Church youth servant, a praise team leader and an American league cannon baseball member, according to a press release.
Garden club district awards five grants
The East Lake Washington District of Garden Clubs has awarded Give Kids a Hand grants to schools in five school districts on the Eastside. The goal of the GKAH program is to support classroom activities in gardening, horticulture, landscaping or the environment. Funds may be used for plants, supplies, equipment or enrichment opportunities.
In the Issaquah School District, Cascade Ridge Elelementary in Sammamish and Clark Elementary received grants.
Elementary and middle schools in the Bellevue, Riverview, Northshore and Lake Washington school districts also received grants.
The GKAH program is primarily funded by a Silent Auction & Social, which will be held this year on Oct. 11, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue.
‘Mini-grants’ given to five educators
The East-King unit of the Washington State School Retirees’ Association recently presented five mini-grants totaling $1,822 to educators on the Eastside.
Cougar Ridge Elementary’s art specialist, Cynthia Moring, received funds to purchase visual art instructional DVDs and videos for Echo Glen. As a volunteer there, Cynthia recognized the real need for resources in this area and was pleased to receive partial funding to begin the process of filling this void.
Other teachers who received funds throughout the Eastside included: Leslie Vincent at Robinswood Middle School, Delia Villaneuva at Puesta del sol Elementary, Jan DuBois at Ardmore Elementary and Carolyn Williamson at Somerset Elementary.
The East-King unit of WSSRA meets monthly throughout the year and welcomes school employees and retired school employees at its meetings.
‘Earth Heroes’ at school announced
King County Executive Ron Sims recently announced that several Lake Washington School District schools, programs, staff members and students were selected as “2008 Earth Heroes at School.” The program celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing the environment.
Lindsey Parkinson, a junior at Eastlake High School, was selected for her inspirational leadership of the Cool Schools Challenge, and her exceptional personal commitment to the environment.
Poets win scholarships
The New Poet’s Society held an awards ceremony for student writers last week at Lake Washington High School’s Cadle Theatre. Students from Redmond, Lake Washington and Eastlake high schools competed against others from their school and final poetry selections were then forwarded to the New Poet’s Society to be considered for scholarships and other prizes.
The top prize, known as the Judge’s Choice Award and scholarship funds of $1,200 went to Kotomi Yamamura from Eastlake for her poem “Revelation.”
Second runner-up, Emma Heil from Eastlake, received $600 for her poem “Empty.”
Other finalists from Eastlake included Kristina Brown and Sean Tornquist.
The New Poet’s Society was created by Redmond poet, novelist and instructor R.E. Smith, who has already begun plans for the 2009 New Poet’s Society contest and hopes to increase fundraising to reward more young people for their creativity. For information, e-mail rsmith2@hotmail.com.
