Atkins Academic & Technology High School Being Recognized as Model STEM School

Atkins Academic & Technology High School will be recognized as a Model STEM School at the Nov. 5 meeting of the N.C. State Board of Education.

Model STEM School is the highest level available in the STEM Schools of Distinction recognition program, which honors North Carolina school with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Atkins is one of two schools in the state to receive this distinction.

Three Reagan High Graduates Members of Queens University Swim Teams that Win National Championship

Lillian Gordy, Alexandra Marshall, Jay Stancliff

Three former Reagan High School students – Lillian Gordy, Alexandra Marshall and Jay Stancliff – went on to swim for Queens University of Charlotte.

In March, they were part of the women’s and men’s swim teams that won the NCAA National Division II Championship. On Sept. 18, they received their championship rings at a ceremony held at the Levine Center on Queens’ campus.

Gordy, who graduated from Reagan in 2011, graduated from Queens in May.

Marshall, who graduated from Reagan in 2013, is a junior and working to repeat the title.

Stancliff, who graduated from Reagan in 2011, is a fifth-year senior working on his last semester of nursing.

All three were stand-out high school swimmers who worked under the leadership of Reagan swim coach Ryan Michel. 

Stancliff’s mother, Sherry Stancliff, works for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as an occupational therapist in the Exceptional Children's Division.  

“Pretty exciting achievements for former Reagan Raiders in this anniversary year!!!” said Sherry Stancliff.

At the ring ceremony, officials announced that this was Queens’ first NCAA championship in any sport.

Senior at West Forsyth High Named Outstanding Male Athlete at Jr. Pan Am Championship

David Kim, who is a senior at West Forsyth High School, was named Outstanding Male Athlete when he competed earlier this month in the Jr. Pan Am Championship held in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Kim, who studies Tae Kwon Do, at Tiger Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do, placed first in his division on the way to being named Outstanding Male Athlete. Kim is the first North Carolinian to win Gold at the Pan Am Championship as well as the first North Carolinian to be honored as the Outstanding Male Athlete.

The Pan Am Championship is a multi-sport event held every two years for residents of the Americas—Canada, North America, and South America.

Now 17, Kim, began training in 2003 when he was only 5 years old. This past year has brought much success with Kim winning gold medals at both Nationals and the U.S. Open. With his eye on the Olympics, Kim trains with his coach Master Lee.  Kim says that his inspiration is his father, Master Woo Sup Kim.

The Pan Am Championship was held over two days (September 9-10) with Team USA winning 40 medals.

Carver Band Supports Schools and Organizations Throughout the Community

Under the leadership of Juan Eckard, the marching band at Carver High School has been busy, busy, busy.

The band has gone to WS/FC elementary schools, including Hall-Woodward and Cook. It has gone to events at which organizations in the community provided school supplies for students. It has played at a reunion for Carver alumni and a reunion for residents of Piedmont Circle. It was there for freshman orientation and at the National Black Theatre Festival.

It participated in a band camp at Winston-Salem State University and an expo for minority businesses.

On Oct. 10, the band will be at the community walk to prevent bullying and to promote kindness. 

Some of the Student Art at That Will Be on Display at 2015 Dixie Classic Fair

For the story about student art at the Dixie Classic Fair and about second-artists at Union Cross Elementary, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Here is some of the art that will be on display and more pictures from the story:

Union Cross Elementary

Union Cross Elementary

Diggs-Latham Elementary

Diggs-Latham Elementary

Diggs-Latham Elementary

Diggs-Latham Fifth-Grader Participates in Girls World Expo

Amanda Gordon with Yarixel Reyes

On Sunday, Diggs-Latham fifth-grader Yarixel Reyes participated in the Girls World Expo at the Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem, and a piece of art that she created was on display.

The event was a huge success, said her art teacher Amanda Gordon, who was there, along with Yarixel’s parents and siblings.

Girls World Expo (GWE) is a one-day event in cities across the nation for girls 11 to 18 years old. As promotional materials for the event put it: “At GWE, every girl is inspired and empowered to imagine and create her future. GWE participants explore college and career choices, learn to develop and maintain a healthy body image and relationships, discover empowering communities, and are trained to stay safe in life and online. Each Expo features something for every girl (and parents, too!).”

Gordon said that everyone spoke with vendors and representatives of businesses and organizations about career opportunities, health tips, shopping, and more, and they collected bags of info, give-a-ways, etc.

“They were able to get their picture taken, decorate a cupcake, see a fashion show, listen to a speaker, and more,” Gordon said.

A representative of Sawtooth School for Visual Art was there talking about Sawtooth art classes and summer programs.

“She offered Yarixel a scholarship opportunity to be able to attend one of the Sawtooth programs,” Gordon said.

It's Arts in Education Week

It’s Arts in Education Week in North Carolina.

Gov. Pat McCrory issued a proclamation recognizing Sept. 13-19 as Arts in Education Week. Should you want to read the proclamation, go to Proclamation

Not coincidentally, it’s also National Arts in Education Week.

For suggestions of ways to celebrate the week, you can go to Ideas

Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Visit North Hills Elementary

On Tuesday, members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity visited North Hills Elementary School. For the story, go to North Hills Elementary

Here are some more pictures:

JROTC Students Paricipate in First 9/11 Public Safety Challenge

On Saturday, students in the JROTC program participated in the first 9/11 Public Safety Challenge. To read the preview story go to JROTC

Here are some photos from the day:

Northwest Middle Media Coordinator Receives Award for Work with Bookmarks Festival

Ronetta Snyder with Northwest students in 2013 

“Northwest Middle and I had an eventful Bookmarks weekend,” said Ronetta Snyder, the media coordinator at Northwest Middle School. “I attended the Bookmarks reception Friday night and met several authors, including Jewell Parker Rhodes, who I introduced at the festival Saturday.

She was also delighted to see that a quote from her was featured in the Bookmarks festival program for the Authors in Schools program.

“The best surprise was I received the Bookmarks Authors in Schools Educator Award for 2015 for my work at Northwest with Bookmarks for the past 4 years,” Snyder said. “I look forward to many more years working with Bookmarks and the Authors in Schools program at Northwest.”

Clemmons Elementary Students Will Be on "The Dr. Oz Show"

Here are more photos from the story about Clemmons Elementary students being on "The Dr. Oz Show." To read the story, go to Clemmons Elementary School

Wake Forest Basketball Players Read to Fourth-Graders at Old Town Elementary

Here are some more pictures from the story about Wake Forest basketball players reading to students at Old Town, To read the story, go to  Old Town Elementary