Nine St. Louis area high school students were recognized as winners in the Walgreens Expressions Challenge, where they used their talents in art, videography and creative writing to voice their perspective on issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, suicide, teen dating violence, STD prevention and teen pregnancy.
Area winners included:
- Dyamond Robinson, Parkway South High School, grade 11, Creative Writing 1st Place Winner
- Jasmine Davidson, Carnahan High School, grade 12, Multimedia 1st Place Winner
- Jason Vongnaraj, Metro Academic & Classical High School, grade 11, Visual Arts 1st Place Winner
- Dabreonna Douglas, Better Family Life, grade: 9, Multimedia 2nd Place Winner
- Chellsy Carter, Riverview Gardens High School, grade 12, Creative Writing 2nd Place Winner
- Marina Claunch, University City High School, grade 12, Visual Arts | 2nd Place Winner.
“I wrote this song [and created a video entitled “You Are Beautiful”] for everyone who has ever felt insecure or doubtful about the person they are,” said Jasmine Davidson, media arts finalist and senior at Carnahan High School of the Future.
“I once thought I was not deserving of my aspirations, but I soon realized I am here for a greater purpose. Life is about following your dreams and accomplishing your goals, while inspiring others along the way. We cannot let someone’s opinion shape our life choices. When someone hears my song, I want them to feel content with the person they have become.”
“The Walgreens Expressions Challenge gave me the confidence I needed in order to better my writing and be comfortable with people reading it,” said creative writing finalist and junior at Parkway South High School Dyamond Robinson.
“Honestly, I didn’t think my writing was good enough until I entered the contest. I feel like it greatly improved my self-esteem, and it brings me great joy to know that people have read what I had to say and liked it.”
In addition to their recognition, these teens will receive up to $14,000 in cash as a collective.
Jennings uses distance learning
The Jennings School District is encouraging its students to become global leaders through community service projects while also learning about other cultures. In addition to the local community service projects, which has included coat drives, food drives, and later this month hosting a bone marrow sign up drive aimed at the African-American community, the district has selected a school in Ghana to partner with as a sister school. Students will have a culminating project of skyping with the students in Ghana.
“With the current technology, we want to expose our students to classrooms around the world and help them learn more about other cultures,” said Jennings Superintendent Tiffany Anderson.
The district’s assessment coordinator, Monica Barnes-Boateng, will travel to Ghana at her own expense to make this project come to life. Barnes- Boateng began traveling to Ghana annually several years ago. She said, “My passion for education and desire to connect with Africans on the continent has led me to find ways to bring gifts and resources to children abroad.” Several years ago she partnered with a local St. Louis non-profit organization to deliver medical supplies to the Central Region in Ghana. After her first visit, this campaign grew to include school supplies and clothes.
This year, Jennings School District has joined in her efforts. At the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, Anderson and Barnes-Boateng planned ways for teachers to teach cultural lessons while encouraging students to donate needed supplies during first semester to students in Ghana. The school that collected the most, Jennings Junior High and Jennings Junior High College Prep, won the opportunity to use distance technology to communicate with the students in Ghana.
In December of 2013, over 2700 pounds of school supplies collected by Jennings students were shipped to Dutch Komenda Basic School in the Central Region of Ghana. Jennings students will correspond with students via Skype on Monday, March 17. Students will have an opportunity to have a cross-cultural educational experience.
“In Jennings we are teaching students to learn about other cultures and serve others in and beyond their community,” Anderson said.
SLPS names Science Teacher of the Year
St. Louis Public Schools has presented the Middle/High School Science Teacher of the Year Award to a talented, generous educator who is passionate about physics and finds creative ways to make science come alive for her students.
To earn the Middle/High School Science Teacher of the Year award, nominees must explain their teaching philosophy and approach to teaching; provide examples of classroom lesson plans; and be recommended by an administrator and a professional colleague.
Merita Haxhia, the chair of the Science Department at Gateway STEM High School, has been recognized as the St. Louis Public School District’s Middle/High School Science Teacher of the Year for using her expansive knowledge to help students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
“With her students she is passionate, demanding and caring,” said Gateway STEM High School Principal Elizabeth Bender. “She creates student-centered lessons and actively works to take learning to a higher cognitive level. Students speak of her tough classes with respect and knowledge that this type of instruction will prepare them best for college.”
Haxhia is a former recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award and the Gateway STEM Teacher of the Year award. She taught science in Albania from 1984 to 2001 and joined the staff at Gateway STEM in 2005.
The 2013 Science Teacher of the Year was honored with an awards reception, a $1,000 award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for related education materials through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.
White House announces HBCU All-Stars
The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities recently announced its first class of HBCU All-Stars, recognizing 75 undergraduate, graduate and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagement.
Currently enrolled at 62 HBCUs, the All-Stars were selected from 445 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay and recommendation. The HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative by providing outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource.
