Good News February 8, 2016

PSSC Student Cydonia Bowers Named Student of the Quarter

Puget Sound Skills Center has named Cydonia Bowers as Student of the Quarter for the second quarter 2015 – 2016 in the PSSC Animation Academy.
Cydonia says she’s always wanted to work in an animation studio to create something of her own that makes an impact on people. PSSC animation teacher Peller Phillips calls Cydonia one of his best students. She’s very detail-oriented, concientious and puts in a lot of effort into each project she does.

In the PSCC animation class, students first refine their sketching and drawing skills. Then, using Adobe Flash, they pull those sketches into short-form animated films.

Congratulations to our talented animator, Cydonia, for your accomplishments.

Kendell Harris, TJHS student and athlete, honored in Federal Way Mirror

Thomas Jefferson High School student-scholar and athlete Kendell Harris was recently featured in the Federal Way Mirror. As the article’s author notes:

“Kendell Harris has had many obstacles placed in front of him in his life. He could have stopped trying and became a victim of his circumstances. Instead, he chose to face adversity head on. He chose to succeed.”

Kendell credits his teammates and his coaches for helping him stay the course. To him, they’re more like family. They lend an ear when he needs to talk about what’s going on in his life.

Thomas Jefferson basketball head coach Kyle Templeton states Kendell is, “the most gracious kid on the planet.”

Kendell, we all want to honor you and your commitment to doing your best to stay in school.

All-Girls' Robotics Team at Lakota Give Strong Performance at Lego League Tournament Semifinals

The Lakota “All Girls” Robotics team just wrapped up their season with a strong performance in the first Lego League Tournament semifinals last weekend at Chinook Middle School in Lacey. The team is made up of six students: Mylah Lucas, Autumn Martinez, Erin Ginter, Aaliyah Butts, Lilly Tucker, and Lizveth Delgado, along with advisors Mary Beth McCrummen and Juli Arns.

These young ladies have competed in tournaments all year and make up the only Lakota team to advance to the semifinal tournament. They not only finished in the top 50 percent of teams in the semifinals, the team also received recognition from the judges for their teamwork, peer support and pride.

Congratulations, Lady RoboFalcons, and thank you for representing Lakota Middle School and Federal Way Public Schools so well.

Sequoyah Student-Scholar Scott Archer Wins First Place in State Multi-Color Championship in Archery

Sequoyah student-scholar Scott Allen is a competitive archer who has a growing collection of trophies and has won several state championships in his division.

Scott is in 8th grade at Sequoyah Middle School and is a strong student. He took up archery about seven years ago, joining his dad and brother, and has since become a serious tournament archer.

Fresh off a first-place finish at the State Multi-Color Championship, Scott traveled to Las Vegas on January 29 and 30 with his parents to compete in an international competition. Scott did well, finishing in the top third of all participants, pros and amateurs alike. The Las Vegas tournament is one of the largest of its kind with nearly 3,000 archers from all over the world taking part.

Congratulations, Scott!

Two TBHS Student-Scholars Selected for 2016 President's Scholarship from Pacific Lutheran University

Todd Beamer student-scholars Jennifer Kim and Sejin (pronounced Say- jin) Lee were both selected for the 2016 President’s Scholarship from Pacific Lutheran University.

The standards are high: students must have a 3.8-plus grade point average or an SAT score of 1,250 or higher to be eligible to apply. Of the 600 qualified applicants, around 130 received the scholarship. They are chosen for their academic achievements, co-curricular involvement, service and leadership, and their potential to affect positive change and leadership in both the academic and co-curricular life of the university.

Both Jennifer and Sejin have maintained a 4.0 grade point average and are National Honor Society members, but neither has rested on their academic laurels.

These young ladies both actively volunteer for honor society and WE Day community service projects. Both are musicians, participating in Todd Beamer bands. In addition, Jennifer is a member of the Tacoma Youth Symphony, while Sejin is a member of the Federal Way Symphony Orchestra.

The PLU President’s scholarship is worth $25,000 a year; it also qualifies Jennifer and Sejin to interview for next level of PLU Presidential Scholarships which includes just five full-tuition Regents’ Scholarships.

Federal Way Cares For Kids Honored For Their Work in Supporting Families in Need During the Holidays

It is an honor to recognize Federal Way Cares for Kids, a coalition of multiple community agencies, which serves our community’s families in need. School staff will tell you that, for a number of our students, the holidays are the most difficult time of year. Thanks to the work of those we are honoring tonight, parents and students attended an event hosted by Federal Way Cares for Kids just prior to Christmas.

Parents were invited to select multiple presents for their children and wrap them, with the help of volunteers. At the same time, students were invited to make a gift for someone important to them.

The coalition was formed to pool resources to more effectively and efficiently reach families who could use a little support. As a result of this team’s admirable work, 220 families with approximately 736 children had what so many of us take for granted. Their goal is to serve 300 families next year and, in future years, to expand services to provide support for other issues throughout the year. Thank you for your commitment to our families and children.