40 • Thursday, December 13, 2012
SCHOOLS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Altamont Inducts New Members into National Honor Societies
T
he Altamont School recently inducted 20 new members into the Basil M. Parks Chapter of the National Honor Society and 30 new members into the Elizabeth Brooks Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. To qualify for induction, candidates had to demonstrate leadership, character and service and have a cumulative grade average of at least a 90. The 2012 National Honor Society members inducted were Shadi Awad, Laure Bender, Alice Bradford, Elizabeth Anne Brown, Emory Cox, Anna Christine Crowther, John Denton, Alok Deshane, Mary Olivia Eckert, Ginny Gresham-Jacobs, Shannon Hickey, Meg Hunt, Jonathan Hurowitz, Eric Johns, Sam Monroe, Lawrence Perry, Emily Polhill, Tommy Thetford, Isabella Trierweiler and Andy Vahle. The 2012 National Junior Honor Society members inducted were Ashley Adams, Harlin Brown, Elliot Chen, Jordan Daniels, Robert Denniston, Marina Dimperio, Lydia Edwards, Gates Ely, Kemp Featheringill, Dylan Fullilove, Luke Hartman, Mitch Hungerpiller, Nicole Johnsen, Christiane Joseph, Molly Kauper, Benjamin Lasseter, Mihir Limdi, Olivia Mannon, Josie Niedermeier, Katie O’Neal, Elise Parrish, Hugh Perkins, Caroline Plouff, Inaara Rajpari, Sarah Rosenthal, Leo Styslinger, William Tang, Kaya Turan, Sinan Turan and David Warren. ❖
On the left, The Altamont Schoolʼs newest members of the National Honor Society. The new members of the National Junior Honor Society at the school are on the right. Photos special to The Journal
School Notes Pizitz Middle Honors Military Veterans
Brookwood Forest Elementary students get ready to go to camp. From left: Will Hecker, Alex Bebenek and Josh Horton. Photo special to The Journal
Brookwood Classes Go To Camp McDowell Fifth grade students from Brookwood Forest Elementary School in Mountain Brook learned about environmental science during a trip to Camp McDowell Oct. 22-25. Students attended outdoor classes that included activities such as canoeing, searching in ponds and streams for living creatures and hiking in a canyon to reach a waterfall. They participated in team-building activities and were encouraged to branch out and meet new friends from other schools during meal and canteen times. Students also learned about Native American history, including the four major tribes that lived in Alabama. They tried out a few of the tools the Native Americans made and used.
Gwin Students Commit to Drug-Free Lifestyle Students at Gwin Elementary School in Hoover learned strategies to stay drug free during Red Ribbon Week in October. Students learned about the dangers of drugs, tobacco and alcohol use while being encouraged to develop their interests and talents. Hoover High School students put
on a skit for the Gwin students Oct. 22 to demonstrate the principles of Red Ribbon Week. During each day of Red Ribbon Week, Gwin students came to school dressed in fun ways, including wearing their clothes inside out on Tuesday and in pajamas on Thursday. To mark Red Ribbon Week this year, the students gathered in the school parking lot to assemble in the shape of a giant red ribbon. Each child was given a prize pack and an education packet. They also had the opportunity to enter a poster contest and display the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Edgewood Honors Turkey Trot Winners More than 600 participants came out to run in Edgewood Elementary School’s 12th annual Edgewood Turkey Trot. Students worked hard during their physical education classes to train for the event. The students trained at least once a week and many times twice a week since the beginning of the school year. The event also helped the young runners prepare for the Mercedes Kids’ Marathon in February, taking the students closer to their goal of completing 25.2 miles before the marathon.
Pizitz Middle School had a celebration Nov. 8 to honor U.S. military veterans. Also honored where those currently serving in the military. Photos of family members and neighbors wearing their military uniforms were displayed in the school’s front lobby along with personal biographies. The display was called Hall of Fame Heroes. The program included the presentation of the colors and guest speakers, who talked to the students about their military service and experiences. Refreshments were served to the veterans and their family members following the program.
ISS Student Speaks on National TV During this year’s presidential election, Indian Springs School
Capt. James H. Edwards with his sons, Jacob and James at Pizitz Middle Schoolʼs Veterans Day program. Photo special to The Journal freshman Jaylan Jacobs made her voice heard on national television. Jacobs appeared with other teens on Nickelodeon’s “Kids Pick the President: the Issues,” a Nick News Election Special that gave participants the opportunity to express their opinions on topics including jobs, same-sex marriage, healthcare and education. The network chose Jacobs due to her association with the Montevallo Boys
and Girls Club, where she served last summer as a volunteer. Nickelodeon asked Boys and Girls Clubs nationwide to solicit potential participants, and the Montevallo chapter chose Jacobs and another student to share their opinions. After preliminary interviews, both students participated in a second, on-camera interview at the Huntsville headquarters of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. Segments from that Edgewood Elementary Turkey Trot winners celebrate their victory. Photo special to the Journal