School Winners

Granite Falls student a Collegiate Scholar

Katie Christensen, a 2011 graduate of Granite Falls High School, has been named to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for outstanding academic performance.

A sophomore at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Christensen is majoring in political science and communication to prepare for law school.

She has been a member of the waterski team, is a current member of the excursion club and works at a tour guide for the college.

Membership to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing.

Teachers honored by Evergreen college

Teachers at Granite Falls and Marysville Arts and Technology high schools have received a 2012 Teacher of Excellence Award from The Evergreen State College. The award honors teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.

Peggy Gabrio, who teaches at Granite Falls High School, was nominated for the award by Courtney Conaway, now a student at The Evergreen State College.

Aleesha Paddleford, who teaches at Marysville Arts and Technology High School, was nominated for the award by Kristie Opel, a recent attendee of the school, who is now a student at The Evergreen State College.

Marysville School Board wins award

The Marysville School Board on Nov. 17 was named Board of the Year by the Washington State School Directors Association.

The Washington State School Directors Association every year honors outstanding school boards that demonstrate understanding of their leadership role and follow through on their responsibilities, while showing concern for the educational excellence for all students.

The Marysville School Board was recognized as Washington board of the year for school districts of 9,000 students or more.

The board includes Chris Nation, president; Wendy Fryberg, vice president; and directors Tom Albright, Cindy Erickson and Pete Lundberg.

Lakewood and Monroe school districts were also two of 23 districts recognized as Boards of Distinction at the event.

Edmonds school group gets grants

The Edmonds Public Schools Foundation has received grants from The Boeing Co. and from Campbell Nelson VW/Nissan.

The Boeing Co. donated a $22,475 grant and Campbell Nelson VW/Nissan gave $35,000.

The money from Boeing will be used to support professional development for Edmonds School District teachers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Up to 25 teachers from all grade levels will receive ongoing professional development on how to support and integrate student inquiry, research and design projects within their classrooms.

The grant money from Campbell Nelson VW/Nissan will be used to support Edmonds School District’s Automotive Vocational Program and Afterschool Study Programs for Title I Schools.

The district’s Automotive Vocational program currently enrolls up to 35 juniors and seniors from all five high schools. They enroll in a two-year, hands-on program where students spend 720 educational hours in automotive training.

Courses include basic, intermediate and advanced auto technology, and advanced students have the prospect to earn nationally recognized Automotive Service Excellence certifications as well as paid internships. Funds will be used to install a new service lift, purchase classroom equipment and provide student tool boxes and tool sets.

Rotary honors Alderwood teacher

Angel Ericksen, a math teacher at Alderwood Middle School, was recently named the Educator of the Month for November by the Alderwood-Terrace Rotary Club.

She is the math co-department chairwoman and earned her National Board Certification in 2011. For the past two years, Ericksen has worked specifically to support seventh grade English language learner students in math.

To submit items, contact reporter Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com or email newstips@heraldnet.com.