Good News May 23, 2017

Federal Way High School's Pacific Islander Club Took Home Awards at the 3rd Annual Samoan Arts & Academics Competition at Highline College

We are so proud of the Federal Way High School Pacific Islander Club who took home multiple awards at the third annual Samoan Arts & Academics Competition at Highline College!

The club's name is Lumana'i O Le Pasefika, which means "Future of the Pacific."

Individual Student Awards:

• Student with the Highest GPA overall: Shovana Semisi, 3.85
• Scholars with the top GPA in Lumana'i O Le Pasefika, the Federal Way club are:
  • Hevenly Tuputala, 3.87
  • Alphonzo Tuputala, 3.64
• $1,000 Scholarship: Leapaagatele Atanoa
• $700 Scholarship: Raymond Westerlund
• $500 scholarship: Kaleigha Lang

In addition to these individual awards, the club won the overall competition and the following group awards:

• Award of Academic Excellence which recognizes the club with the highest GPA. The club's GPA is 3.1
• First place Royal Court
• Third place Lauga (Speech), performed by MJ Aperila
• First place Ulufale (Group Singing)
• First place Maulu'ulu (Group Dance)
• First place Sasa (Large Group Dance)
• First place Siva Tama (Group Dance
• First place Siva Teine (Girls Dance)
• Second place Taupou (Solo Dance Performance) performed by Kaleigha Lang

Lumana'i O Le Pasefika describes themselves not as a club, but rather a family. They welcome any student who wants to participate. 

We are so proud of the great leadership and effort this group exudes. This effort is in direct support of the district Strategic Plan Goal 3, Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

Decatur High School Chamber and Concert Choirs and Orchestra impress at the Anaheim Heritage Festival of Music

The Decatur High School Chamber and Concert Choirs and Orchestra made an impressive showing at the Anaheim Heritage Festival Of Music held at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland. Over forty schools from nine different states and Canadian provinces attended this highly competitive festival.

They earned the following accomplishments:

• The Concert Choir and Orchestra finished "First Place Gold" in their respective divisions.
• The Chamber Singers finished "Second Place Gold."
• All three groups were awarded the prestigious "Adjudicators Award" for scoring an average of ninety-five or above.
• The Orchestra was voted overall outstanding ensemble in all string divisions by the judges.
• The school’s music department took the overall "Festival Sweepstakes Award."

Beyond the awards, Decatur’s Director of Music, Steve Gorringe, said these scholars represented the district with great pride when they conducted themselves with the utmost dignity, professionalism and grace in their triumphs.

These efforts are in direct support of Goal 3 of our Strategic Plan, active learners: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers and Goal 4, content area competence: mastery of all subjects. Way to go Gator musicians!

Decatur High School's Marcos Santos selected as the 4A WIAA Boys Athlete of the Week

All varsity level scholars in good academic standing at their schools are eligible to receive the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week Award. 

Congratulations to Decatur High School’s Marcos Santos for being selected as the 4A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association boys athlete of the week! 

Marcos scored six goals in two games with back-to-back hat tricks versus Federal Way and Thomas Jefferson high schools. After the award was announced, Marcos scored another three goals vs. Enumclaw for his third consecutive hat trick performance. 

Marcos plans on playing soccer in college, but hasn’t committed anywhere yet. Ultimately, he would love to play professional soccer.

This effort is in direct support of Goal 3 of our Strategic Plan, Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers and Goal 4, Content Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects.  

Way to go after your dreams, Marcos! We cannot wait to see where you go next! 

Illahee Middle School's Saturday Scholars hold fishing event, "Dads and Scholars, Rods and Reels"

In April, Illahee Middle School's Saturday Scholars program partnered with community members to implement a fishing event called "Dads and Scholars, Rods and Reels” at Steel Lake Park in Federal Way.

The Saturday Scholars program includes students of color who need support with math and reading. The scholars volunteer their time to come to school on select Saturdays to learn how to be better students, plan for the future, and work towards content area competency in the core subjects of math and reading — Goal 4 of the district Strategic Plan. 

The following scholars participated:

• Elijah Jennings
• Isaiah Jennings
• Daeshani Rucker
• Dameko Rucker
• Jailen Curren-Dennis
• Arlandus Jones
• Malik Agbo
• Ahmad Zaiyyad
• Ehren White
• Malachi Hunter
• Diamond Johnson
• Josaiah Tualaulelei

On the Saturday trip, the boys were given life lessons on how hard work and overcoming failure will keep them on the path to reaching their dreams.

Our student and dads reported the fishing experience being the best of their lives! Although there were not many fish caught, being outdoors with their kids made the experience well worth the time.

We are so proud of these scholars and these supporters. We believe in you and your bright futures!

Federal Way Public Schools scholars named as finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program

Congratulations to the two students who have been named as finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program: 

• Cindy Imm of Todd Beamer High School
• Justin Kwon of Federal Way High School

To be considered a finalist, the student must have one of the highest PSAT scores in his or her respective state. In addition, the student must submit an application detailing why he or she should be chosen and identify leadership, employment, honors and awards. 

Cindy met and surpassed these requirements with very high PSAT scores, taking the maximum amount of AP courses (seven AP classes out of an eight period day), volunteering, and being president of the Todd Beamer High School National Honors Society. 

Justin also received very high PSAT scores. Justin is involved in clubs such as Robotics Club, Speech and Debate as well as Washington Aerospace Scholars. Additionally, he has won several awards in Speech and Debate. 

Out of the 1.6 million juniors that apply, 15,000 finalists are chosen. About half of the finalists will win National Merit Scholarships, earn the National Merit Scholar title, and share in the $33 million worth of scholarships. 

This effort is in direct support of two goals of our Strategic Plan. Goal Four, content area competence and Goal Five, persistence to graduation. 

Cindy and Justin, we are so proud of you and wish you the best of luck in this endeavor!