School Winners

Granite Falls class gives POW/MIA flags

Monte Cristo Elementary School teacher Debra Howell and students in her fourth- through sixth-grade multi-age class presented POW/MIA flags to the four other schools in the Granite Falls School District on Sept. 21.

Howell received the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Teacher of the Year award July 23 in Reno, Nev. She received a $1,000 donation to her individual professional development account and another $1,000 to her school. She used part of the school money to buy the flags for the other schools and one for the city of Granite Falls.

Howell has taught in the Granite Falls School District since 1984. She was a 2011 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee.

Student honored at White House

Emily Lang of Oak Harbor was recognized as a Champion of Change during the Kiwanis International Day on Sept. 21 at the White House.

Emily is a fifth-grade student at Crescent Harbor Elementary School, where she is chairman of the school’s Fill the Bus Food Drive. She also has been president of her school’s K-Kids Club, which is part of Kiwanis International’s service and leadership program for elementary school students.

Emily has earned the Bronze Junior Girl Scout Award. She also volunteers as a teacher’s assistant before school, helping the kindergarten teacher with class preparation. During lunch recesses, Emily reads to first-grade students or is a “Shelf Elf” in the school library.

The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing extraordinary work in their communities. In all, 14 people received the recognition on Kiwanis International Day.

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