Hanes Magnet Recognized at International Conference

Natalie Norman and Brian Mendenhall

Hanes Magnet School has received the Program Excellence Award from the International Technology & Engineering Educator Association (ITEEA).

The Technology Education Program at Hanes is one of only 30 programs in the world to receive the award. The teachers for this program at Hanes are Brian Mendenhall & Natalie Norman. They teach the Project Lead the Way Program and coach the Hanes Dragon Technology Student Association.

Sponsored by the ITEEA and Paxton/Patterson, the Program Excellence Award is one of the highest honors given to technology education classroom teachers on the elementary, middle or high school levels.  It is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the profession and students. Schools from all over the United States and around the world compete for this honor.

Each year the Program Excellence winners are recognized at the association's conference, which is the largest conference for technology educators in the world. This year's conference was held in Orlando, Fla. 

Student Art in May 2014 Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine

By Karla De La Cruz

By Kimberly Rodriquez

By John Morgan

By Joseph Elam

On Page 93 of the May 2014 issue of Forsyth Family magazine, you will find art by four Winston-Salem/Forsyth County students.

Karla De La Cruz is a first-grader at Sedge Garden Elementary School. Her art teacher is Tara Muzzy.

Kimberly Rodriguez is in third grade at Hall-Woodward Elementary School. Her art teacher is Joanna Smith.

John Morgan is a sophomore at East Forsyth High School. His art teacher is Terri Hester.

Joseph Elam is an eighth-grader at Meadowlark Middle School. His art teacher is Elizabeth Miller.

Final Day of Special Olympics Games at Wake Forest University

The Special Olympics Forsyth County Spring Games at Wake Forest University started on Wednesday and continued through today.

Nancy Sutton, the school system’s program specialist for health & physical education, passed along some photos that she took while there.

Special Olympics Spring Games Going on at Wake Forest University

The Thursday, April 24 issue of the Winston-Salem Journal has photos by Journal photographer David Rolfe of the Special Olympics Forsyth County Spring Games at Wake Forest University.

In one photo, Colton Berry of Rural Hall Elementary School crawls through a rainbow tunnel during the opening day on Wednesday. In another, Brodie Douglass of Ward Elementary School kicks a giant soccer ball.

More than 800 elementary school students from 25 schools and 500 volunteers are participating in the annual Spring Games, being held through Friday. Events continue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Friday.

Clemmons Elementary Teacher to Study at Mickelson Teachers Academy This Summer

Jennifer Beach

Jennifer Beach, who teaches third grade at Clemmons Elementary School, has been chosen to attend the 2014 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy.

The goal of the Academy is to help teachers engage students in math and science at an early age in hopes of encouraging their interest in these subjects through college and into their careers.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and what all will unfold from this,” Beach said. “Being selected ​is such an honor and I am grateful to be able to learn new, innovative strategies for teaching math and science from phenomenal teachers around the country.  

"My hope in this experience is to collaborate with other teachers, and as a result, discover effective methods for reaching students of all abilities that I can then share with my colleagues.  It's all about making a difference in the lives of our students!”

This year, more than 1,100 teachers from across the country applied to attend the academy. The selection panel based its decisions on teachers’ qualifications, their dedication to inspiring students and their overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession.

The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy was founded in 2005 to provide third-through fifth-grade teachers with tools to enhance curricula, an opportunity to network with other educators and to help discover innovative ways to teach math and science. Since then, more than 4,000 teachers have attended the academy—impacting the lives of nearly 300,000 students nationwide. 

This year's academy will be held July 20-25 in Jersey City, N.J.

Piedmont Federal's Artizens Competition Puts Student Art on Display in Bank Branches

Each year, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank invites students in area high schools to enter a work of art in the bank's Artizens competition. The art pieces selected for consideration in the 2014 competition are on display in area branches through April 22.

“Each Forsyth County Piedmont Federal office displays five pieces from two schools in their area,” said Wanda Merschel, a Piedmont Federal senior vice president. “We invite the community to stop by and vote for the People’s Choice award. Each office will then present their respective winner during the gala.”

On April 24, the community-wide Artizens winners will be announced at the Artizens Gala, held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Milton Rhodes Center in downtown Winston-Salem. The first-place winner will receive $500 and another $500 will go to the art department at the winner's school.

You can see the art on display in the branches and find out more about the competition by going to Artizens

Students Invited to Create Bookmark Design; Winner Will Appear on 5,000 Bookmarks

                                                                        

Students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are invited to participate in the third annual bookmark contest sponsored by Bookmarks and Art for Art’s Sake (AFAS). The student who creates the winning design will have his or her artwork printed on 5,000 bookmarks that will be distributed throughout Forsyth and surrounding counties.

The contest is open to students in middle and high school who live in Forsyth County during the 2013-2014 school year. The bookmark will measure 3-by-9 inches, and all entries must use the template provided for submission, which can be found at Template

Only original visual artwork in color is accepted, including: print, drawing, collage, photo, or computer-generated artwork that relates to the theme of books, reading and/or writing. Art must be flat and may not include three-dimension. The artist’s name must not appear on the artwork and only one entry per artist may be submitted. For all the rules, go to Rules

The deadline is June 1. The winner will be notified by June 20. The winning artist will be honored in August at a reception at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts.

On Sunday, April 27, a free Art Education Event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Unleashed Art Center located at 204 W. Sixth St. Interested students and their parents will have a chance to learn more about the bookmark contest as well as meet professional artists who will brainstorm with the students and lead them in exercises to help create their artwork for the bookmark contest.

Art for Art’s Sake builds, educates and celebrates Community through Art. Arts on Sunday, held during the months of May and October, features arts, crafts, and music and is held on Trade Street in the Downtown Arts District. For more information, go to Art for Art's Sake

Bookmarks is a literary-arts organization based in Winston-Salem that engages, inspires, and connects readers with authors. This is achieved through the largest annual free book festival in North Carolina; Triad-based author talks, and the Authors in Schools program, which reached 5,000 students in 2013. Bookmarks’ 10th festival of books and authors will be held on Sept. 6 at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and in the surrounding area on Spruce Street. 

More information about Bookmarks can be found at Bookmarks

PTA Reflections 2013-14 State and County Winners

Two students – one from Reynolds High and one from Hanes Magnet – placed first at the state level in the annual PTA Reflections contest.

Haley Jacob at Reynolds placed first in photography, and Andrew Gillett at Hanes placed first in literature. These first-place entries have gone on to compete at the national level.

Locally, Reflections is sponsored by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Council of PTAs. Renee Canada and Marshalla Sitton served as the co-chairs for Reflections. Angie Vaughn is the president of the WS/FC Council of PTAs. 

A number of other students placed at the state level. They are:

Rajan “Drew” Gandhi, Wiley Middle, Award of Merit, special artist

Penelope Sa, Clemmons Elementary, second place, dance 

Alexandra Stone, Jefferson Middle, third place, dance

Grace Cronin, East Forsyth High, third place, dance

Eli Jones, Kernersville Middle, second place, film

Pearly Marley, Reagan High, second place, film

Jasmine Marshall, Hanes Magnet, second place, music

Ashley Lenhart, East Forsyth High, third place, photography

Thor Gignac, East Forsyth High, second place, visual arts

Here is a complete list of winners at the county level:

MUSIC

Elementary 3-5

1st Mayah Ding Brunson

2nd Sarah Urbanic Sherwood Forest

3rd Joah Macosko Brunson

HM Karina Macosko Brunson

HM Metabelle Schaben Kernersville

Middle School

1st Jasmine Marshall Hanes

2nd Lydia Wu Meadowlark

3rd Ethan Butler Walkertown

3rd Stephen Lemonte Johnson Kernersville

HM Matthew Gemmell Jefferson

HM Ava Napier Kernersville

DANCE

Elementary K-2

1st Penélope Sá Clemmons

2nd Megan Walsh Clemmons

3rd Felicity Resendes Vienna

HM Kalie Miller Kernersville

HM Chloe Webster Walkertown

Elementary 3-5

1st Claire Pomper Brunson

2nd Izzy Pan Brunson

3rd Sara Borschke Vienna

Middle School

1st Alexandra Stone* Jefferson

2nd Raiyona Rice East Forsyth

3rd Nijayuana Gadson East Forsyth

High School

1st Grace Cronin* East Forsyth

2nd Khris Beeson R.J. Reynolds

3rd Juliana Bohland Reagan

3rd Taylor Carter R.J. Reynolds

HM Sarah Myers R.J. Reynolds

FILM VIDEO

Elementary K-2

HM Anna Lyons Piney Grove

Elementary 3-5

1st Lilly Sellers Morgan

2nd Everett Lyons Piney Grove

3rd Janay Cammock Morgan

Middle School

1st Eli Jones Kernersville

2nd Kendall Wright Kernersville

3rd Rich Lyons Walkertown

HM Carl Marshall Walkertown

PHOTOGRAPHY

Elementary K-2

1st James Link Sherwood Forest

2nd Jack Oghalai Morgan

3rd Evan Owen Sherwood Forest

Elementary 3-5

1st Owen Bovender Kernersville

2nd Sara Kilgus Sherwood Forest

3rd Alex Howell Brunson

3rd Talia Penn Vienna

HM Alex Angel Southwest

HM Emma Charles Sherwood Forest

HM Sarah Kaiman Clemmons

Middle School

1st Madison Wondra Jefferson

2nd Meet Doshi Jefferson

2nd Trinity Shayne Maggard Kernersville

3rd Cami Bender Wiley

3rd Sydnie Cockerham Wiley

3rd Alexander Marshall Hanes

HM Dorri Luce Kernersville

HM Christopher Shell Kernersville

HM Courtney Taylor Kernersville

High School

1st Haley Jacob R.J. Reynolds

2nd Ashley Lenhart East Forsyth

2nd Charlotte Ririe R.J. Reynolds

3rd Alexandria Mock East Forsyth

3rd Susan Oliver Mount Tabor

HM Alexa Nix West Forsyth

HM Susan Oliver Mount Tabor

HM Alyssa Ramirez East Forsyth

HM Karson Sharpe East Forsyth

HM Katherine Shore R.J. Reynolds

VISUAL ART

Elementary K-2

1st Athaliah Arnolda Vienna

2nd Ipsitha Vasipalli Vienna

3rd Sarah May Sherwood Forest

HM Jessalyn Martin Moore

HM Anais Mariel Szeremeta Clemmons

Elementary 3-5

1st Bridget Marshall Vienna

2nd Gillian Pruteanu Clemmons

3rd Ilana Birch Moore

3rd Bradley Jiang Brunson

3rd Sneha Thilak Ward

HM Meghan Jumes Sedge Garden

Middle School

1st Faith Olivia Fleming Meadowlark

2nd Victoria Shore Jefferson

3rd Tatum Sobota Kernersville

HM Kinsey Lloyd Kernersville

High School

1st Thor Gignac* East Forsyth

2nd Jessica Cunningham East Forsyth

3rd Jesse Miller Mount Tabor

3rd Ruth Moffatt R.J. Reynolds

3rd Sydney Tickle Reagan

HM Katherine Bell Mount Tabor

HM Jerah Huff Mount Tabor

LITERATURE

Elementary K-2

1st Madison Tilton Vienna

2nd Gabrielle Crumpton Clemmons

3rd William Brown Vienna

HM Dylan Wang Sherwood Forest

Elementary 3-5

1st Katey Howell Morgan

2nd Colin Lee Morgan

3rd Gaby Ambros Morgan

3rd Shelby Caine Morgan

3rd Azka Khan Morgan

HM Humza Qureshi Morgan

HM Eddie Rosas Morgan

Middle School

1st Andrew Gillett Hanes

2nd Millie Schwartz Hanes

2nd Mackenzie Smoak Kernersville

3rd Alexander Beddick Hanes

3rd Lila Davidson Hanes

3rd Tristan Tucker Kernersville

HM Elena Alvarado East Forsyth

HM Juan Londono Hanes

High School

1st Elizabeth Comtois Reagan

2nd Pearl Marley* Reagan

3rd Miranda Holman Reagan

3rd Rachel Torres Glenn

HM Mia Naples Reagan

HM Adam Suddarth Reagan

Special Artist Award of Merit

Rajan “Drew” Gandhi Wiley

Twenty-four Students Accepted to Governor's School of North Carolina

Twenty-four students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have been accepted to Governor's School of North Carolina, a summer enrichment program in academics and the arts.

It is the oldest statewide summer academic program in the country for gifted high school students. It began in 1963 at Salem College. In 1978, a second location was added. The West Program is at Salem and the East Program is at Meredith College in Raleigh. Most students going are juniors this year. A few students in performing arts are sophomores.

Those accepted, their high schools and area of study are:

Noah Feldman, Atkins, social science

Jenna Albert, Glenn, natural science

John Henry Jackson, Atkins, social science

Anjali Venkat, Reagan, Spanish

Kate Watkins, West Forsyth, natural science

Grant Vegas, East Forsyth, math

Matthew Kennedy, Mount Tabor, natural science

Brandis Price, Mount Tabor, natural science

Katy Kneisel, Mount Tabor, social science

Breck Radulovic, Reynolds, natural science

Caroline Li, Reynolds, art

Karah Smith, Reagan, dance

Susan Toalson, West Forsyth, dance

Monet Beatty, Paisley IB Magnet, dance

Kamryn King, Reynolds, dance

Emily Holdsclaw, West Forsyth, flute

Jacob Weinberg, Reynolds, theater

John Tester, East Forsyth, French horn

Grahame Evans, Reagan, percussion – tampini

Parker Cecil, West Forsyth, trumpet

Leah Hinshaw, West Forsyth, English

Alexis Baril, Parkland, French

Nicholas Kennedy, Mount Tabor, English

Sarah Jennings, Mount Tabor, Spanish

For more information about the program, go to Governor's School

Meadowlark Middle Band Director Receives Award of Excellence

Matt Liner conducting

Matt Liner, the band director at Meadowlark Middle School, has received the Award of Excellence from the Northwest District N.C. Bandmasters Association. 

“My initial response to being nominated was pure shock,” Liner said. “Once the vote had been completed and it was announced that I had been selected as the Award of Excellence recipient a wave washed over me that is unlike one that I’ve ever felt - feelings of appreciation and a humbleness and excitement. 

“My thoughts instantly went to those that had instructed and mentored me over my life - to my high school band director from North Forsyth, Joe Alred, who gave so much of himself for the kids that were in his program and who was taken from us way too soon, to my collegiate directors and instructors, and to the folks that still mentor and inspire me today. These colleagues continuously impress me and motivate me to be better at my craft tomorrow than I was today.”

The award was established in 1980 to salute the musical excellence of band directors in the association. To be eligible for nomination, the band director must meet criteria that includes leading a program that provides students with many and varied performance opportunities, including those offered at district and state levels as well as, displaying a consistent record of Superior Ratings at MPA.

The candidate must have also displayed outstanding success in many critical areas of education that may include teaching skills, musicianship, leadership and consistent high level of performance by ensembles.

Each year the Award of Excellence nominees alternate between a middle school and a high school director.  Middle school recipients are invited to conduct the Middle School Concert Band at the All-District Clinic. 

For more information about the association go to Bandmasters Association

Meadowlark Middle Chorus Teacher and Students Recognized

Eileen Kress

Eileen Kress, who teaches chorus at Meadowlark Middle school, was the N.C. Middle School Choral Teacher of the Year in 2012. This year, she is the Teacher of the Year at Meadowlark.

In March, Kress took her students to the Music Performance Adjudications, which serve as an end-of-grade (EOG) test of chorus. Students did well. The Eighth Grade Women’s Chorus received Superior ratings in both Performance and Sight Singing. Seventh Grade Chorus received an Excellent rating in Performance and a Superior rating in Sight Singing. Sixth Grade Chorus received Superior ratings in both Performance and Sight Singing.

“The students work very hard all year in preparation for MPA, as well as for their concert performances, Kress said. “I am so proud of all of my students. I love teaching middle school. It is truly a roller coaster ride of experiences and emotions. It is so rewarding helping students find their voice and guiding them through the development stages as they grow during these years."

On March 29, members of the eighth-grade music department participated in the Music In the Parks Festival in Williamsburg, Va., singing and playing for judges ratings and competition. Both band and chorus received Superior ratings and came in First Place.

Speaking of being named Teacher of the Year, Kress said, “What a wonderful honor! I would like to thank my music department team mates, Matt Liner (band) and David Mullikin (orchestra) for their support and encouragement, and our administration and staff.”

The N.C. Middle School Choral Teacher of the Year is chosen by a vote of middle school chorus teachers across the state through the North Carolina Music Educators Association.

“It was an honor to be recognized, and I consider myself a representative of all the hardworking, dedicated middle school choral teachers that devote hours of teaching, preparing and providing out of class opportunities for their choral students,” Kress said.

Kress with daughter Sarah and son Josh 

Ladies of Distinction at Kernersville Middle School Work to Empower Young Women

At Kernersville Middle School, the Ladies of Distinction step and flag team sponsored several events in conjunction with Women’s History Month in March.  

Teacher Marian Wilkins is the team’s coach. The theme for the month was Girls Rising above their circumstances both locally and globally.  The quote for the month was “An educated girl can empower herself, lift her family, help her community, change her country.”

On March 15, the Ladies of Distinction and the Kernersville branch of the Forsyth County Public Library sponsored a showing of Girl Rising, a movie that, in telling the stories of nine young women in poorer countries around the world, shows what an important role education plays.    

The Phi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority also helped sponsor the public screening. 

Admission was free. People were encouraged to make donations to the Girl Rising Fund, a global action campaign for girls’ education. “A huge ‘thank you’ to Stephanie Kellum for her help and expertise,” Wilkins said. Kellum is a youth services librarian for the Forsyth County Public Library. 

“A huge thanks to Deidre James from Rock 92 for facilitating our discussion after the movie,” Wilkins said.

Tatyanna Overton

On March 20, there was a Kernersville Middle School Women’s Luncheon for the staff. A number of area businesses donated food, including the Kernersville Chick-fil-A, the Walkertown McDonald’s, Giadas Trattoria, and Cakes and All Things Yummy.

On March 25, Melanee Mills, a counselor at Kernersville Middle, and Kenyetta Richmond with the Forsyth County Department of Social Services sponsored Girl Talk Q&A at the Kernersville library.  

Other events for the month sponsored by the Ladies of Distinction included a series of book talks about the book The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake.

Kyndel Smith

A number of people on the Kernersville Middle staff offered support during the month, including Principal Pam  Helms, assistant principal James Philippart, financial secretary Anita Linville, media coordinator Ann Webb, counselor Melanee Mills and teacher Cathy Musci.

Wilkins also wanted to thank former members of Ladies of Distinction who helped: Serena Crosby-Brown and Jocelyne Alfar-Ruiz, who are freshmen at East Forsyth High, Sierra Tomlison, a sophomore at East Forsyth, and Miah Bryant, a junior at East Forsyth.

Jessie Ramirez

Southwest Elementary Students Jump Rope for Heart

At Southwest Elementary School, students raised money for the American Heart Association with a Jump Rope for Heart event.

Ava Kennedy

Students in every grade headed to the gym during their Specials periods to jump rope, twirl hula hoops and participate in other jumping activities. Physical education teacher Ben Kerth organized the event, which raised more than $6,000.

“We really came together as a school,” Kerth said. “We put a personal touch on our fundraising this year. We were raising money for one of Southwest’s own, Ava Kennedy. The students got more connected and put their all into raising money this year. They almost doubled what they raised last year. I couldn’t be more proud!”

Principal Matt Dixson said, “I am extremely proud of Mr. Kerth and the entire Southwest family for their accomplishments. It goes to show that when kids put their minds to something, they can make a big difference. We try to teach our students that the world is much bigger than Southwest or Clemmons, and this shows they are getting that.”

Ava, who is 8, has heart defects associated with Down Syndrome.

The Kennedy family said, “The America Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart provides an excellent platform for educating school-aged kids about congenital heart defects (CHD), heart health, nutrition and exercise.  Many thanks to Southwest Elementary for honoring our daughter, Ava, in this year’s event.  She is an 8-year-old heart warrior and is blessed to attend Southwest!”