Good News June 28, 2016

AFJROTC Units from Todd Beamer and Federal Way High School honored with Distinguished Unit Awards

We would like to recognize the Todd Beamer High School and Federal Way High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps – or AFJROTC.

From Todd Beamer High School:

• Francine Acfalle
• Chase Carvalho

From Federal Way High School, we have the incoming 2016-2017 Unit Commanding Officers:

• Michelle DeMoss
• Esang Maidesil 

We would also like the AFJROTC instructors from each school to join the students. From Todd Beamer, Major Barry Jones and Senior Master Sergeant Wayne Lott. From Federal Way High, Major J.J. Golemboski and Master Sergeant Will Smith.

This year, both schools’ units were recipients of the Distinguished Unit Award. This award recognizes the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructors as mentors, and the support of the school and local community. 

In addition, the Todd Beamer unit has received the AFJROTC Silver Star Community Service with Excellence Award. This award recognizes the top five percent of all 892 AFJROTC units based on community service, which is a large part of the AFJROTC mission. This year, Beamer’s cadets contributed nearly 3,000 service hours to their school and community.

Thank you for that service, students. We are very proud of you, and wish you the best in your future endeavors. Thank you to the instructors, as well, for your hard work in making these programs such a success.

TAF Academy Student-Scholars Selected as Finalists in Technology Alliance Youth Apps Challenge

Two teams of TAF Academy eighth grade student-scholars were selected as statewide finalists last month in the 2016 Technology Alliance Youth Apps Challenge, earning them the opportunity to present their apps at a ceremony on June 4.

• Megan Montiel
• Kevin Vo
• Aaron Ho
• Hope Sichel 
• Lydia Solomon, and
• Najma Egal 
• Teacher Sam Rise

They made up two of just 15 middle and high school teams from across the state to be selected to share their apps with an audience of tech and computer science professionals at the University of Washington Seattle campus on June 4.

Congratulations, scholars, on this impressive accomplishment.

Thomas Jefferson and Decatur High School Theater Students Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in High School Theater

For 14 years, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater has honored outstanding achievement in high school musical theater. This year, this included both Thomas Jefferson and Decatur High Schools. Could the following students come forward as I read your names, please?

From Thomas Jefferson:

• Esther Elzinga
• Kat Elliot
• Matthew Bosley
• Caitlin Perkins
• Marissa Thompson

And will teacher Laird Thornton and community member Brian Soushek please come up.

From Decatur High School:

• Jeremy Varkey
• Chase Alm

Teacher Toby Dycus, and wife Kristin Dycus, were also instrumental.

The 5th Avenue High School Theater Awards program was created to shine a spotlight on musical theater in schools. This year, evaluators attended 104 productions, including Thomas Jefferson High School’s “All Shook Up” and Decatur High School’s “The Addams Family.”

These students, parents and staff members were nominated in multiple categories.

Congratulations to Decatur High School English and drama teacher, Toby Dycus, and Thomas Jefferson High School music and drama teacher Laird Thornton on their successes. This was, by the way, Mr. Thornton’s 25th musical theater production with Thomas Jefferson High School.

Congratulations to our young thespians and thank you, adults, for your inspired support for them!

TJHS graduate, Ruhama Berta, named by The News Tribune as one of 2016's All-Star Graduates

Since 1998, The News Tribune has embarked on an annual search for some of the best and brightest among local high school graduates. Each year, they narrow a field of 100 nominees to just a dozen who are dubbed the News Tribune All-Star Graduates. This year, Thomas Jefferson’s Ruhama Berta is one of them. She spent time in her younger years searching for

She spent time in her younger years searching for purpose and found it at Thomas Jefferson High School, where she earned the “Heart of a Raider” award. She grew into a leader and a scholar, earning a spot in the National Honor Society, serving as a senior class senator and co-chairing the Halloween food drive We Scare Hunger.

Ruhama plans to enroll at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus and is interested in studying public policy and political science.

Congratulations and good luck, Ruhama. We are very proud of you!

Federal Way Students Organize The Fed Factor, a District-Wide Talent Show

We want to recognize the students who organized the Fed Factor, a district-wide talent competition and benefit show that took place at Todd Beamer on June 8.

• Jonathan Ngyuen
• Cece Cayetano
• Anastassia Kostin
• Andrea Diep
• Tyler Lum
• July Heng

Jonathan and Cece, who are both Todd Beamer students, took the lead in organizing the Fed Factor. As musicians, they wanted to spotlight the many talented students in Federal Way schools and to support causes they feel strongly about. Jonathan and Cece reached out to other schools, resulting in representation from all comprehensive high schools in the district.

The event raised $1,800 in admission at the door, however, a total of $6,000 will go to several charity organizations because more than half of the original $5,000 donated by Wild Waves to pay for the event was left over.

Thank you all for a wonderfully entertaining event that is making a difference in the lives of others.