School Winners

Two Granite Falls students National Merit scholars

Granite Falls High School seniors Chelaina Crews and Marissa Ogren have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Ogren and Crews placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students in the entire country based on scores from the preliminary SAT test.

Crews is applying to Harvard and Washington State University to enter the social services field. She holds a 3.9 grade point average and is the student-body president.

Orgen is applying to MIT and the University of Washington, and plans to major in astrophysics or biochemistry. She attends Everett Community College full time through the Running Start program and holds a 3.9 GPA. She will graduate with an associate’s degree and high school diploma simultaneously.

“These two young women are a great example of our student body,” principal Eric Cahan said. “They both deserve this recognition; this is truly outstanding academic achievement. We are very proud of Marissa and Chelaina and the leadership they provide to our school.”

Crews is a cheerleader, lettered four years in softball, and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, HERO, Spanish clubs, and LINK Crew. Orgen is a four-year letterman in soccer and a letterman in basketball and tennis.

Both are members of the National Honor Society and serve as volunteer coaches for youth athletic programs.

Sultan High School marching strong

The Sultan High School Marching Turks have brought home first-place awards from each of their first two competitions this season with their presentation of “The Beatles,” led by drum majors Christy Schmidt and Jo Helm.

At the Peninsula Classic in Silverdale on Sept. 26, they won their division, and came in second overall out of 17 bands.

At the Tumwater Marching Band Competition on Oct. 11, Sultan added a few new elements to their show, which resulted in a higher score than their first week out.

The 76-member squad also earned awards for Best Marching, Best General Effect and Best Music, and their Color Guard brought home Best Auxiliary for the second show in a row.

They performed at Yakima on Oct. 17, and will perform at Everett Memorial Stadium for the Puget Sound Festival of Bands on Oct. 24.

Community members may support them at the Everett show or share in the excitement at their Friday night halftime performances at the remaining home football games at Sultan High School.

For more information about the band, visit www.sultanmusicparents.com.

Harbour Pointe Students of Month

September’s theme for Student of the Month at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo was “Inquirer,” an attribute from the International Baccalaureate Profile.

The following students were selected as Students of the Month for best demonstrating the qualities of an inquirer.

Sixth grade: Daymyan Blanton, Neha Chetry, Tristen Hansen, Stephen Kertis and Lyssa Urrutia.

Seventh grade: Becca Flight, Connor Roestel, Lara Schick and Josh Tremain.

Eighth grade: Kassi Iseman, Cameron Meier, Melanie Rizzotti and Roland Upenieks.

Amy Daybert: adaybert@heraldnet.com;425-339- 3491.