• Lindbergh High School senior Stephen Root has been awarded the Washington Association of Diversified Occupations Teachers scholarship and the Renton Educational Support Professionals scholarship. Root will study engineering at Washington State University.
• Lindbergh High School senior Anna Resendez recently won first place in the high school division of the Asian/Pacific heritage artist competition. Her artwork was displayed on the cover of the Asian American Journal, the International Examiner and is currently showing at City University.
• Kennydale Elementary School PTA and McKnight Middle School PTA have awarded $600 and $500 scholarships, respectively to two former Kennydale students, Michaela Kusumi and Benjamin Lucas. The two seniors were chosen for their achievements in academics, community service and leadership.
• Hazelwood Elementary School PTSA has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to two former Hazelwood students: Mandy Schendel of Hazen High School and Jordan Heide of Newport High School. The students were selected based on their essays, academic excellence and school and community involvement.
• Lindbergh High School senior Brittney Smith won second place in the National PTA Reflections competition for her choreographed dance routine entitled “I can make a difference by prayer.” As an Award of Excellence recipient, Smith receives a $200 cash award and a Reflections medallion.
• More than 16 Renton school sites will host this year’s Summer Food Service Program to provide more than 1,000 meals each day to children through the summer months. The federally-funded program includes 11 sites managed by the City of Renton and five sites hosted by the district, and offers nutritional lunches to students who might not have access to a good lunch when school is not in session. The lunches will include sandwiches, fruit, salad shakers, and other nutritious fare.
• More than 30 staff members and 35 students from all three district middle schools recently participated in a training designed to address harassment and bullying. The training, called “A Classroom of Differences,” was presented by the Anti Defamation League and promoted respectful, inclusive and safe learning environments; building understanding of the value and benefits of diversity; and encouraging personal responsibility in the promotion of equity. The training was provided through a cultural competency grant from the state’s education office. Funding is being sought for next year to allow all middle school staff and thirty students from each middle school to be trained.
• The Kiwanis Club of Renton has awarded $4,000 in scholarships to four Lindbergh High School seniors: Chad Arko and Alaska McGann each will receive a $1,000 Douglas J. Cobb Sr. Memorial Scholarship; Mercy Hoang-Nguyen will receive the Richard Clarke Sr. Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 given to a Key Club member of high standing; and Marcus Ramirez will receive the $1,000 Erling Larsen Memorial Scholarship for outstanding community service.
Randy Matheson, Renton School District
