News Briefs

Robotics

The robotics team placed 31st out of the 100 teams in its division in the First Robotics Competition (FRC). The team was also one of the three Industrial Safety Award finalists out of the 100 teams. The competition took place in St. Louis’s Edward Jones Dome, home of the St.Louis Rams on April 24-27. Over 14,000 people attended this event. The students also listened to speakers Dean Kamen, an influential inventor, and will.i.am.

World Food Prize

April 29, junior Max Su attended the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University in Ames. He presented his research paper which focused on how to solve main global challenges. He received recommendations and comments from a small group of students and faculty on his work. He also got to connect with students from across the state who have also been researching countries and identifying solutions to world problems.
There were many more opportunities for Su at the institute including interacting with global leaders, choosing among sessions to explore his interests and interactive tours.

Orchestra

The All-City Orchestra performance was the night of April 29 in the high school gymnasium. Students from throughout the district gathered to make beautiful music for a large audience packed with supportive parents, teachers, siblings and peers.

Blood Drive

Students can participate in The Annual Blood Drive by signing up in the counseling, attendance and nurses’ offices. Parent consent forms must be returned to Mrs. Gardner before May 8. The blood drive will be on Friday, May 10 in the band room.

Exceptional Effort

The Exceptional Effort awards for the month of April were recently handed out to staff and students who go above and beyond. Those included social studies teacher Chad VanCleve, senior Katie Friedel, junior Sam Ahrenholz and sophomores Beth Wells and Dominic Cipressi. Congratulations to these deserving and helpful people as they continue to reach high and work hard.

Music Concerts

The orchestra is putting on a concert Monday, May 13 at 7:30 .p.m. The band will also be having a concert on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m, and the last vocal concert of the school year will be Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m.

Earth Day

The Earth Week bud counting contest attracted teachers and students. There were 1,411 buds. Math teacher Emily Wheeler was 29 away, winning the teacher division. Three students tied in their division with a guess of 1,500 (seniors Madie Judish and Logan Lewellyn and sophomore Deanna Hudson). Judisch and Wheeler receive Earth Day T-shirts.