Stonewall Jackson Elementary and J.L. Long Middle School both walked away with fifth place awards from the state Odyssey of the Mind competition held last month in Plano.
The Odyssey competition requires students to exercise their creativity and problem-solving skills in several categories.
Both schools were recognized for their participation in “The Tall Tales of John Jivery” category, Stonewall in Division I and Long in Division II. Divisions are determined by grade level.
Teams in the “John Jivery” category studied folklore and were asked to write and perform, with minimal props, their own tall tale about a hero or heroine. The tale was to explain how something came into creation.
Long received additional recognition for its tale about the creation of the West as one of the winners of the Ranatra Fusca Award, one of Odyssey’s highest honors. This award is given for exceptional creativity.
Members of Long’s team were Brad Fralick, Nikki Weiss, Tiffany Ross, Adam Zaby, James Wright and Cameron Newell.
Members of Stonewall’s team were Bryan Ackerman, Corey Fralick, David Nance, Gillian Newell, Katie Weiss and Allison Zaby.
More than 400 teams from Texas schools qualified for the state Odyssey competition, advancing from local and regional contests.
Majority-to-Minority Transfers Eligible for Scholarships
Students interested in participating in Dallas Public Schools’ Majority-to-Minority (M-M) Transfer Program next year must apply by May 23. Participants are eligible for community college scholarships.
White students attending a school that exceeds 50 percent white enrollment may transfer to schools where white enrollment is 25 percent or less; and minority students attending a school that is at least 75 percent minority enrollment may transfer to schools where minority enrollment is less than 60 percent.
For each year students are in the M-M program, they receive a $260 scholarship to any Dallas County community college – enough for one semester’s tuition or 15 credit hours. M-M students may earn up to $1,040, enough for four semesters. The scholarships are good during regular or summer sessions.
Area schools accepting minority students are Lakewood Elementary and Bryan Adams High School.
All M-M students receive free transportation to and from their home neighborhoods, including students who remain after school for extracurricular activities.
Also, students already in the M-M program planning to return to their home schools for the 1996-97 school year must ask to do so by May 23.
The M-M program is part of the district’s desegregation court order.
For information, call Judy Thomas at 989-8366.
Woodrow Students ‘Superior’ in Language Competition
Woodrow Wilson High School recently took five teams to Austin College in Sherman for the World Language Olympiad, where students were rated on their abilities in Spanish, Latin, French and German. The Woodrow students received 34 superior ratings and 23 excellent ratings.
Students who received superior ratings in Spanish were Omar Aguirre, Erika Chavez, Claudia Cedillo, Argelia Castanon, Julie Ramos, Tara Ingalls, Patricia Espinoza, Maricela Arias, Yeimy Martinez and Margarita Arias. Helene le Bescont and Stanley Barrientos received excellent ratings. Their Spanish teachers are Ben Ortiz and Betty Parrett.
In Latin, Elizabeth De La Cruz, Cashenia Thomas and Erin Armstrong earned superior ratings; Dana Dalton and Amanda Odeski earned excellent ratings; and Sarah Shepherd earned a good rating. Their sponsor is Donna Baker.
In French, teacher Monty Holamon’s students earned 16 superior ratings and 11 excellent ratings. The students were Molly Symns, Nhaila Hendrickse, Cristi Bercerra, Annie Wright, Liz Milbank, Helene la Bescont, Alex Felicetti, Knox Peden, Max Voltmann, John Pedigo, Chris Brimer, Calvin Roberts and Bill Nadalini.
In German, sponsor Gwen Bailey’s students earned a total of five superior ratings and eight excellent ratings. The students were Kelle Prosser, Markist Franklin, Robbie Cherryhomes, Libbi Baldwin, Elizabeth Fuller, Marisol Galvez, Maelena Saucedo, Adis Rodriguez, Jadranka Poljak and Hilda Diaz
News & Notes:
LAKEHILL INDUCTS STUDENTS INTO HONOR SOCIETIES: Lakehill Preparatory School recently inducted the newest members of its Golden Arrow Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society for grades 7-9 and its Warrior Chapter of the National Honor Society for grades 10-12. To qualify for either group, students must demonstrate academic excellence, citizenship, good character, service and leadership.
New Golden Arrow members are seventh graders Michael Casenave, Allison Crane, Rachel Eaton, Lauren Fay and Ben Hustis; eighth graders Krista Boyd, Veronica Glaze and Sally Street; and ninth graders Whitney Howard and Steffani Morgan.
New Warrior members are 10th graders Kathleen Booth, Justin Erenkrantz, Angelica Fernandez, Valerie Fox, Wei-Ling Jang, Amy King, Matt Krov, Lynette Page, Marian Runk and Katie Shull; 11th grader Andrew Doyle; and 12th graders David Gafford and Jessica Ferguson.
CULTURAL ARTS WINNERS: Several neighborhood students were winners in the Cultural Arts/Reflections Contest for the North Texas region. The contest is sponsored by National PTA. Advancing to state competition in literature is Dan D. Rogers student Edwin Jordan for his prose writing and Hotchkiss student Ross Losher for his poetry. Not advancing to state competition, but earning outstanding merit awards in visual arts were Stonewall Jackson Elementary students Marquette Sears for painting and Sam Clegg for photography; J.L. Long Middle School students Felipe Bueno for drawing and Kathleen Myers for photography; and Woodrow Wilson High School student Nolan Lehman for drawing. Earning merit awards were Woodrow’s Susanna Fernandez in visual arts for her photography and Long’s Jessie Aidan Hesef in literature for his lyrics.
WOODROW’S ONE-ACT ADVANCES TPO REGIONALS: Woodrow Wilson High School’s One-Act advanced to the regional level last month. Two cast members received awards at the regional contest, held in Denton. For their performances, Knox Peden earned “All Star Cast” recognition, and Macy Halford received an honorable mention. Woodrow performed “The Actor’s Nightmare” by Christopher Durang.
TEACHING STUDENTS TO CARE: The Volunteer Center of Dallas County has published a book, in cooperation with printing sponsor JCPenney Co., to encourage students to become involved in their communities. The book, “Who Cares? You Can,” lists youth volunteer opportunities at more than 100 non-profit agencies. The book tells how to find a volunteer position and offers information on transportation, attire and training. Free copies are available at area schools, public libraries and the Volunteer Center, 1215 Skiles, or can be obtained through mail for $1. Call 826-6767 for information.
FIDELITY BEAUTIFIES SPENCE: More than 200 Fidelity Investments volunteers and more than 100 faculty members and students of Alex W. Spence Academy, 4001 Capitol, recently spent a day beautifying the school’s campus. Fidelity donated funds to purchase plants, and nursery supplies and the services of a landscape architect also were donated. Coca-Cola and Tom Thumb provided refreshments to the volunteer gardeners.
PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS TO STONEWALL GROUP: Psychologist and author Dr. Lynn Weiss speaks to the Stonewall Jackson Early Childhood PTA May 9 at 7:15 p.m. about “Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child” in Stonewall Jackson Elementary’s library, 5828 E. Mockingbird. Weiss is a former KLIF radio talk show host. The presentation is free, and child care is provided for a nominal fee. For PTA information, call Karol Lyn Moore at 823-7709.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA PICNIC & CONCERT: Eddie Coker performs at the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA’s family picnic May 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lakewood Elementary, 3000 Hillbrook. Bring your own blankets.
The group’s general meeting is May 16 at Lauren Siegel’s home, 6840 Lakewood. Pediatrician Debra Burns will speak. Call Donna Gainey for information at 320-4888.
DEALEY CHEF WINS HEART-SMART RECIPE CONTEST: Neighborhood resident Noah Beaudette, a student at George B. Dealey Montessori Academy, recently placed first in the Kid’s Healthy Snack Recipe Contest sponsored by the American Heart Association. Beaudette won a $60 gift certificate for his fruit salad and yogurt recipe.
DEAN OF NEW JFK SCHOOL HONORED: Lily Dam, who has been appointed dean of instruction for the new John F. Kennedy Learning Center opening at Ross and Moser this fall, received the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award last month.
WOODROW MUSICIANS RECOGNIZED BY DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Two members of Woodrow Wilson High School’s Honor Orchestra – Leonard Allen III, first string bass player, and Tabitha Smith, first chair violinist – were among 10 City students selected for a Young Musician Scholarship from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Smith also received fourth place in the American Professional Symphony Orchestra League competition held at University of North Texas.
WOODROW JAZZES IT UP: The Woodrow Wilson High School Jazzy Cats Dance Troupe has been selected for next school year. Members are returning captain Brenda Macias, co-captain Araceli Guajardo, and line members Lupita Macias, Anna Procter, Libbi Baldwin, Mariana Vega, Nelly Cuenca, Rachel Szwed, Marisol Luna, Cecilia Nelasco, Francisca Castillo, Elizabeth De La Cruz and Mayra Lopez. Officers will attend camp at SMU June 11-14 and Line Camp will be June 26-29 at Texas A&M.
CRUSADER AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE: The 1995 Woodrow Wilson High School yearbook the “Crusader,” has been honored for excellence in copywriting and has been selected for inclusion in “The 1996 Yearbook Yearbook” published by Taylor Publishing Co. The 1995 “Crusader” was edited by Catherine Dutton and advised by Ann Conger. Books published by Taylor between Oct. 2, 1994, and Oct. 1, 1995, were eligible for honors and were judged in several categories from copywriting to cover design.
WOODROW SENIORS RECEIVE $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS: Five graduating Woodrow Wilson High School seniors were among 17 Dallas students who each recently were awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the State Fair of Texas and Exxon. They are Ramona Badillo, Emily Blue, Lourdes Ordonez, Jacqueline Thompson and Olivia Uribe. The scholarships were established to recognize exceptional Fair Park-area students.