SCHOOLS A6
Hilltop Press
June 2, 2010
ACHIEVEMENTS
Editor Marc Emral | memral@communitypress.com | 853-6264
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PROVIDED.
Chinese conference
PROVIDED.
Students, from front left, Sarah Hassdenteufel and Misaki Horiba; second row, Florencio Eworo Ayingono and Nan Chanyong, spent the last year attending Winton Woods High as part of the school's foreign exchange program with the EF Foundation for Foreign Study.
Exchange students look back on year at Winton Woods
From attending prom to playing sports to helping out with the spring musical, this year’s exchange students at Winton Woods High School have made the most of their year away from home. Anan “Nan” Chanyong from Thailand, Sarah Hassdenteufel from Germany, Misaki Horiba from Japan and Florencio Eworo Ayingono from Spain have all embraced their American high school experience, even if there were some adjustments along the way. Three of the four students say the language was the hardest adjustment to make. “I had trouble pronouncing some words because some sounds aren’t in my language,” said Chanyong. “I can’t always explain what I mean,” said Horiba. Ayingono said that while he earned good grades in English class at home in Spain, his parents said his English was the worst. “I’ve learned how to speak (English) this year,” he said.
For Hassdenteufel, the adjustments were to the American lifestyle. She admits that many of her impressions of what life would be like came from watching American TV shows. Ayingono agreed, saying “I had a different view of the United States before I came here, and I was wrong on a lot of things.” He said he would watch American sports and movies and would “see the fun and not the rules.” “You only see the happy sides,” added Hassdenteufel. Even with the adjustments they had to make, all of the students say they’re happy they’ve had the experience. “Don’t be stuck in one country. This world is really big, and you have to know it,” said Ayingono, who has lived in Africa, Europe and America. Hassdenteufel said exchange experiences are important because “if we know about other countries
we’re more interconnected.” Chanyong said his experience has been fun and encourages other students to “see and do new things you’ve never done before. “My highlight has been meeting new friends every day,” said Hassdenteufel. Horiba agreed. “I tried to make as many friends as I can, and I appreciate all the students here,” she said. Chanyong added that he was impressed on the first day of school with how friendly the other students were to him. He also mentioned the friends he made while playing on the junior varsity and varsity soccer teams and the varsity tennis team at the high school. Ayingono said he’s “made friends everywhere.” “This experience has made me more open to people,” said Hassdenteufel. “It’s easier to talk to people.” Horiba agrees. “It’s opened my mind and helped me find new things about myself.”
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Straight A students
Seventh-grade students in Erin Gong’s Chinese class at Winton Woods Middle School recently participated in a video conference with high school students from central China. Students discussed their school day, homework, video games, sports and music. Students from both countries performing raps for each other. Malik Williams is shown talking to the Chinese students via Skype.
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Mount Healthy scholars
The Coordinating Council of Mount Healthy City Schools awarded 11 seniors $20,000 in scholarships. The scholarship recipients are, from left, Brandon Okel, recipient of the Ethel Frost Memorial Scholarship, $3,500; Domonique Roseman, David Bechtel Memorial Scholarship, $2,000; Kara Brown, Coordinating Council Scholarship, $1,000; Todd Christensen, Coordinating Council Scholarship, $1,000; Keisha Brown, Joseph Epplin Scholarship, $1,000; Dairick Wade, Bert Barnes Memorial Scholarship, $2,000; Kelsey Berning, Teri Phillips Memorial Scholarship, $2,000; Brooke Shirley, Wendt Family Scholarship, $1,500; Kyanna Perry, Ruth Griffing Memorial Scholarship, $1,500; Joseph McKinney, Ethel Frost Memorial Scholarship, $2,500; and Jasmine Norment, Joyce Hauer Memorial Scholarship, $1,500. The Coordinating Council is a volunteer group that oversees scholarships and the Sharing Tree, a joint effort of holiday giving with the city of Mount Healthy. The scholarships are named after living and deceased people who have had a role in education in the district.
McAuley seniors win Cheviot Savings Bank scholarships Four McAuley High School seniors have received $1,000 college scholarships from the Cheviot Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. Julie DePauw, who won the award for character, is the daughter of Dave and Sue DePauw of Springfield Township. She will attend Purdue University in the fall, major-
ing in biomedical engineering. Elizabeth Helpling and Tracy Minich won awards for leadership. Helpling, who is also McAuley’s salutatorian, is the daughter of Paul and Alma Helpling of White Oak. She plans a double major of English and political science and a minor in Spanish while attending the
University of Notre Dame. Minich, the daughter of Tom and Michele Minich of Monfort Heights, is going to Xavier University next year. She will major in marketing. Sarah Weyer, who won the award for service, plans to attend Ohio State University. She is the daughter of Mike and Anne Weyer of College Hill.
The Anthony Munoz Foundation and PNC Bank recently honored 18 local high school students for their all-around achievements during the eighth annual Straight A Luncheon. Morgan Fletcher of Lockland High School, left, and Branden Nelson of Aiken College & Career High School, right, were named the 2010 Straight A winners, each receiving a $5,000 college scholarship. Fletcher earned five varsity letters in volleyball, track and cheerleading. She has a 3.98 grade-point average and will attend the University of Cincinnati. Nelson earned six varsity letters in football and baseball. He has a 3.0 GPA and also will attend UC. Sixteen other finalists received $2,000 scholarships. Fletcher and Nelson are pictured with Anthony Munoz and his wife, Dede.
Honor pancakes
Students who made the honor roll at Jane Hoop Elementary were given a special treat: a pancake breakfast prepared just for them. Pictured are thirdgraders Marcos Vazquez and Shenoa Klosinski, fourthgrader Cali McQueen and first-grader Prince Okonny. PROVIDED.
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Field trip
McAuley High School French students recently had an opportunity to experience a bit of French culture without leaving town. They took a field trip to La Petite France to eat French food while conversing in the French language. Pictured from left are McAuley students Michelle Schmidt, Abby Ceddia and Brittany Wyatt, and teacher Ellen Schaf enjoying their creme brulee.