WINNERS: Sixth-graders lend Lynnwood PAWS facility a hand

Sixth-grade students at Hidden River Middle School recently provided community service for the Lynnwood PAWS facility.

Some 82 students spread bark on a dog walking trail around the grounds, shoveled gravel and removed blackberry weeds.

Tiffany Ong, humane educator for Hidden River Middle School, helped organize the project, which was funded by a grant received from the Monroe Public Schools Foundation. Students also received a tour of the facilities.

John Camp, facilities manager for Lynnwood Paws, who helped organize the project, was delighted with the students’ work.

Monroe eighth-grader a published author

Pierce Ronberg, a Monroe Middle School eighth-grader, recently was honored at Monroe’s first Young Authors Conference, where he shared his recent accomplishment of publishing his own book, “Pimples.”

Linda Martin, Chain Lake Elementary School principal, introduced Pierce to more than 200 fourth- and fifth-grade authors from the five Monroe public elementary schools and Sky Valley Education Center at the conference at Frank Wagner Elementary School.

Pierce encouraged students to keep writing so they, too, could see their stories in print. (See a profile on Pierce in Sunday’s Good Life)

The day-long event featured workshops on topics including fantasy writing, bookbinding and literary work with local authors, illustrators and artists.

The event was organized through a collaboration of Monroe Public Schools, the Monroe Public Schools Foundation, local PTA and PTO groups, student governments, the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation and Sno-Isle Libraries.

Stanwood fifth-grader a UW youth scholar

Travis Whittaker, 10, a fifth-grader at Cedarhome Elementary in Stanwood, recently was named a Youth Scholar with the University of Washington Search for Youth Scholars Program, operated by the UW’s Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars.

Travis was one of nearly 1,100 fifth- through eighth-grade students across the state chosen for achieving high scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning or other tests, such as the ACT college entrance exam. The students were selected based on their verbal and or mathematical abilities.

Students recently were honored by the UW at a recognition ceremony. Paul LePore, the UW’s assistant dean of educational programs for the College of Arts and Sciences, was the keynote speaker.

To be eligible for the awards, fifth- and sixth-grade students had to score in the upper 3 percent in reading, verbal or math and quantitative sections on a recent standardized achievement or aptitude test.

Everett student receives degree

Dawn C. Schober of Everett recently received a bachelor of science degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Everett senior earns Eagle Scout rank

Eric Lichneckert, 18, a senior at Everett High School and the son of Greg and Barbara Lichneckert of Everett, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Lichneckert recycled cabinets from a home remodeling project and cleaned, modified and installed them as a storage wall for Central Lutheran Preschool.

A member of Crew No. 23 in Everett, sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church, Lichneckert earned 24 merit badges and serves as vice president of his crew as well as vice president of the Venturing Officer’s Association.

Lichneckert participated in the men’s varsity swim team, men’s varsity tennis team and the pep band at Everett High. He is an active member of Central Lutheran Church and works at Buck’s American Cafe.

Sophomore serves as legislative page

David Gore, a sophomore at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, recently served as a page, sponsored by Rep. Liz Loomis, D-Snohomish. David is the son of James and Sue Gore of Marysville.

David serves at the International School of Communications Learning Center. He is active in chamber and jazz choir and participated in the Experience American Masterworks Choral Festivals at Wisconsin’s Lawrence University. He is also on the high school bowling team and also bowls at Strawberry Lanes’ Saturday Junior league.

David also attends seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints and is active in the church youth and Boy Scout programs.

Edmonds teachers, parents honored

Two teams from the Edmonds School District recently were recognized at a Washington Association of School Administrators luncheon.

Parents Marla Horne, Johnetta Moore, Gloria Sepulveda and Tiffany Sims were honored for their efforts to create Families Advocating for Students of Color, which received the Community Leadership Award.

The coalition was formed in partnership with the district, and is working to create positive change in schools.

High school math department heads Bev McNair, Edmonds-Woodway High School; Kim Verver, Lynnwood High School; Frank Worster, Meadowdale High School; Nancy Paine-Donovan, Mountlake Terrace High School, and Karin Reddecliffe, Scriber Lake High, received the Student Achievement Leadership Award at the luncheon.

The teachers also helped provide ideas for the district’s expectations of students in math and reviewed proposed instructional materials and curriculum.

Employees honored for 25-year service

The Lake Stevens School District board of directors recently honored employees who have worked in the school district 25 years.

Teachers Denise Sontra, Lake Stevens High School; Sarah Oxner, Skyline Elementary; Carolyn Job, Sunnycrest Elementary; CTE director Dan Bushnell, Lake Stevens High School; librarian Nancy Vittor, North Lake Middle School; bus driver Sharon McDowell; educational assistant Amy Powroznik, Cavelero Mid-High, and Adria DeGroot, food service worker, were honored.