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Danville Students Win Academic National Championship |
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If, as they say, knowledge is power, then these Danville students are pretty strong.
Danville students Dowell Harmon, Rachel Newcomb, and Zaid Siddiqui from Danville Bate Ethan Robinson and Ellie Graham from DHS competed as an academic quick-recall team and won the Junior High National Academic Championship last weekend.
The competition, held in Washington D.C., saw 11 junior high - a classification that allowed the two ninth grade students to compete alongside their middle school peers - academic teams from across the country vying for top honors. It's the first year for the national championship, and Danville Bate was invited to take on the best of the best after the team won the Internet-based Knowledge Master Open.
Bate Academic Coach Tony Carney says the national championship represents yet another remarkable accomplishment his team has achieved this year.
"This year's team was really a team of firsts. We were district champions, regional champions and now we're national champions," explains Carney.
'Jeopardy' format
Because quick recall rules and regulations are different for every state, Carney says the set-up for the tournament was a variation on what his team was accustomed to, but it worked out in a positive manner. Carney described the tournament as having a "Jeopardy"-type format, with no penalty for hesitation.
Kentucky's state champion for middle school quick-recall, Edmonson County, also was present at the competition. And while the relationship between the two teams is one of admiration and friendship, Carney did say it was nice that to get to the championship match to avenge their losses and carry the banner for Kentucky by defeating the team it lost too and winning the national championship. His team beat several other teams who defeated Edmonson County.
Speaking of the championship, it was apparently a face-off for the ages. Bate faced Manheim Township of Pennsylvania in hard fought battle with a final score of 390-350.
"They were 'stoked,' to use a word of their choice," says Carney. "They were all really excited, and the trophy was big enough. They all wanted to take turns carrying it.
"It was funny, too, because we didn't know if we'd be allowed to take it in the airport. "
Carney says that being the first-ever junior high national champions is a little bit sweeter given the team is from Danville. He says that when mentioning where they were from to onlookers checking out their trophy, they received a fair amount of befuddled looks.
"'Kentucky?' they would ask," Carney laughs. "When you say you're from Kentucky and a national champion, a sort-of light clicks on in their eyes. But it feels good to be carrying a torch for our state."
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3 from DHS advance in NCFL Grand National Tournament |
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APPLETON, WI: Fourteen Kentucky entries advanced out of preliminary rounds into the awards rounds at the 57th Annual National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Speech and Debate Tournament held this year in Appleton, Wisconsin, May 24 and 25. Five thousand students and teachers, winners of sixty-five local contests around the country, participated in the event. Kentucky's competitors represented the Louisville Archdiocese in the tournament's six speech and four debate contests.
Each event held preliminary rounds for over two hundred thirty competitors on Saturday. The top forty-eight in each event advanced to the octofinals on Sunday. Semifinalists (the top 12) were Mike Bartlett (Scott County/Student Congress) and Martha Hellman (Louisville Assumption/Extemporaneous Speaking). Six Kentucky entries broke to Quarterfinals (the top 24): Alexandra Nord (Ryle/Declamation), Bobby Spalding (Graves County/Declamation), Austin Ramsey (Calloway County/Declamation), LeeAnn Kenney and Grant Wallace (Grant County/Duo Interpretation), Molly Shoulta (Louisville Kentucky Country Day/Oral Interpretation of Literature), and Lauren Wolfe (North Oldham/Oral Interpretation of Literature). Advancing to Octofinals (the top 48) were Tory Cooney (Louisville Assumption/Declamation), Derek Leach (Ryle High/Dramatic Performance), Hunter Kendrick and Sebastian Pyrek (Danville/Extemporaneous Speaking), John Liu (Danville/Original Oratory), and Will Blackford (Calloway County/Original Oratory).
For more information, consult the national organization's website: www.ncfl.org.
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Excitement, optimism undertones of Danville graduation |
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By SPENCER KIMBALL
spence.kimball@centre.edu
The subdued demeanor typical of high school graduation ceremonies did not stop families from cheering on their kin, or student speakers from challenging conventional wisdom, at Danville High School's commencement exercise Wednesday night.
Although the class of 2008 was marched onto the Norton Center for the Arts stage accompanied by the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance," and then invoked with a somber reflection through prayer, Principal Win Smith's request that the audience "conduct itself in a manner appropriate to the dignity of the ceremony" could not contain the excitement buzzing through an auditorium full of families anticipating the future.
As the easy-going days of parental surveillance came to a close, students look toward their adult lives with a self-assured embrace. Whether it is state testing and portfolios or volleyball and football scores, this is a class that has broken records and which appear ready to move on and set new standards in new settings.
"This is our time to make a difference with our votes, ideas and contributions to society," said senior class President Andrea Payne during her commencement speech.
The ensuing student speakers did not lose a beat, demonstrating a sharpness of mind shaped through their years of education. Almost as if responding to Payne's call to meet the road ahead on individual terms, student council President Natalie Wood politely turned down Superintendent Bob Rowland's offer to stand at the podium and then went on to lightheartedly question the wisdom of a three-minute speech.
"I spent four years killing myself to get to this point, and now all I have is three minutes," Wood said to an uproar of laughter. "I have three minutes to convey to you my life-altering and profound thoughts on graduation."
Although the speeches were short, they did not lack substance. Those graduating were encouraged not only to seize the future with their own thoughts and deeds, but to welcome the complexity that often accompanies such boldness.
"Never fear contradiction," said Class Scholar John Liu, who earned perfect scores on both the SAT and the ACT. "Contradict others for what you believe in ... and above all, if you err or blunder ... never be afraid to contradict yourself."
The members of the class of 2008 were challenged to break through the obvious and discover the subtleties of the lives they now enjoy and the ones they soon will lead.
"When examining your possessions, actions or friends, remember that focusing beyond their face value is the only way to differentiate between the precious and the artificial," said Class Scholar Rachel Beckman, who appeared on "Jeopardy's" Holiday Kids Week in 2001.
After listening to the words offered by students and the honors bestowed by faculty, it became clear the members of the class of 2008 will leave Danville High School as freethinking, self-confident individuals - just as any parent or teacher would want.
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Danville Teachers Honored |
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On Saturday, May 17, three teachers from the Danville Schools were honored at the Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching Awards Program. Cindy Turcea, the Danville Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year from Jennie Rogers Elementary and Michelle Wolfe, the Danville Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year from Bate Middle School were present to receive their awards. Vaughn Little, the Danville Schools High School Teacher of the Year from Danville High School, was unable to attend. He was represented by members of his family. Each recipient was recognized and presented a certificate by the university staff at an awards luncheon held on the Campbellsville University campus. Also present were Superintendent, Bob Rowland and Jennie Rogers’ principal, Danielle Dampier.
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DHS Academic Team to host day camp for kids |
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The DHS Academic team will be hosting a day camp for all children currently in 3rd through 5th grades. The camp will run from 9 am - 12 from June 11th through June 13th. The camp will be taught by DHS Quick Recall team members and is designed to teach kids the basics of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Arts and Humanities. Each session will include fun study sessions and tournaments as well as teaching strategies for competing in Quick Recall. Participants will receive a snack each day, an organized study kit, and a camp t-shirt. The registration fee of $50, which helps fund the DHS academic team, is due by June 1st.
To sign up and return your registration fee, contact Rob Kremer at Danville High School, 203 E. Lexington Avenue, Danville, Ky 40422 or call 859-462-3125 for more information. |
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Danville Students Shine at State Competition |
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Students in the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) did an excellent job at the state competition. Joesph Mann (shown with Ann Rightmyer) of DHS received first place for his web site for the Boyle County Library. Toliver made it to the finals in the showcase division. Hogsett and Bate had very good showcases. Brian Gover, Rosie Neyhouse and Diane Culbertson judged various events. These opportunities enhance the education of Danville's students.
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Danville Wins NFL Districts; 8 Headed to Nationals |
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Danville High School qualified eight students to the National Forensic League Grand Nationals in Las Vegas during the Kentucky National Forensic League District Tournament held March 21 and 22 at Centre College. DHS was also named the school sweepstakes winner at the tournament, its fourth state title in as many weeks. This is the first time a Kentucky high school has won all four titles in the same year, or ever. DHS previously captured its third Kentucky High School Speech League title at WKU March 13-15, its first ever KESDA Forum Championship March 6-8, and its eleventh straight Kentucky Catholic Forensic League title on March 1.
DHS senior Sebastian Pyrek was named the winner of the Susan Moore Congress Scholarship and also the District Student of the Year during the contest. Moore was the coach at Scott County High for 32 years and a parliamentarian at the National Student Congress for over twenty years. Pyrek placed first in International Extemporaneous Speaking and the Senate as well as second in United States Extemporaneous. He will compete in International in Las Vegas. Teammates Hunter Kendrick and Jamie Mohan also brought home three awards from the contest. Kendrick, first in United States Extemporaneous and in House 1 of Student Congress, chose to compete for Kentucky in International Extemp, in which he placed second to Pyrek, at Nationals. Jamie Mohan placed second in House 2 and in Public Forum Debate, which he will take to Nationals with partner Cole Steber; Mohan was also third in United States Extemporaneous.
Also advancing to Las Vegas from DHS are Amanda Moler, first in Humorous Interpretation; Anderson Salinas, second in House 1; and the Public Forum Debate team of Rhianna Miles and Jared Rehberg, who won their first debate tournament with an undefeated record. Rehberg also placed second in the Senate but will compete in Public Forum in Las Vegas. |
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Toolkit for Parents Now Available |
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The U.S. Department of Education has developed a toolkit for parents call the "School Box." The kit is designed to empower parents who want to be involved in their child's education. The "School Box" provides information on No Child Left Behind as well as different tips and tools designed to help parents support their child's education both at home and at school. The "School Box" is free and available to everyone.
To order copies of the School Box (order number—ED003651K):
write to: ED Pubs, Education Publications Center, U.S. Department of
Education, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, Md. 20794-1398;
or fax your request to: (301) 470-1244;
or e-mail your request to: edpubs@inet.ed.gov;
or call in your request toll-free: 1-877-433-7827 (1-877-4-ED-PUBS).
If 877 service is not yet available in your area, call 1-800-872-5327
(1-800-USA-LEARN). Those who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) or a teletypewriter (TTY) should call 1-877-576-7734.
or order online at www.edpubs.org.
The complete School Box is also available on the Department’s Web site at:
www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/schoolbox.
On request, the School Box is available in alternate formats, such as Braille,
large print or computer diskette. For more information, please contact the
Department’s Alternate Format Center at (202) 260-0852 or (202) 260-0818.
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