February 6, 2009

Evergreen SchoolScene

KOHL’S Kids Who Care scholarship program is accepting nominations

Kohl’s department stores, through its Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program, plans to award nearly $350,000 in scholarships and prizes to recognize the selfless acts of more than 2,000 youths ages 6 through 18 who are making a difference in their communities.

“In communities across the country, kids are inspiring those around them with their leadership, passion, ingenuity and generosity,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program gives us the privilege to acknowledge their accomplishments and reward them with scholarships to continue doing great things in the future despite these challenging economic times.”

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 9,000 scholarships and prizes totaling more than $1.8 million have been awarded to young volunteers nationwide. Last year’s national Kohl’s Kids Who Care scholarship winners included 10-year-old Sarosha Hansraj whose organization provided more than 250 underprivileged Afghan children with school supplies; 13-year-old Sara-Elizabeth Clark who raised more than $25,000 for epilepsy support in her community; and Michael Pesci, an 18-year-old who raised more than $150,000 to provide sports equipment to those in need. Kohl’s wants to reward young volunteers like these and encourage them to keep up the great work.

To nominate a young volunteer for a Kohl’s Kids Who Care scholarship, visit www.kohlskids.com. Nominations are accepted Feb. 1 through Mar. 15. Two nominees from each of Kohl’s 1,004 stores nationwide will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and more than 190 of them will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. Ten national winners will be recognized with $5,000 scholarships toward their post-secondary education. Kohl’s will also contribute $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on behalf of each national winner.

The Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Kohl’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl’s Cares for Kids benefits children’s health and education initiatives nationwide through its merchandise program, featuring books and plush, fundraising gift cards and the A-Team associate volunteer program. For more information or a list of past Kohl’s Kids Who Care winners, visit www.kohlskids.com.

Evergreen School District Speech Contest Winners

Ten fourth through eighth grade students from Ever-green Schools read their winning essays at the school's 28th an-nual Speech Contest Awards Ceremony. Par-ents, teachers, principals and district Superintendent Clif Black, Assistant Superintendent Kathy Gomez, Director of Human Resources Will Ector and Director of Instruction Kathy Shepherd also attended the event.

"The speeches were inspiration and the students were insightful in why they chose these men and women as their heroes and heroines, their contributions to the world in general and to the students in particular," said Ruth Stevens Radle, who ran the contest along with Gina Juarez, both assistant principals at Quimby Oak Middle School.

All the children in the district's fourth through eighth grade classes write the speeches. Of the total students, 69 decided to participate in the contest, whose subject this year was heroes and heroines. The winning entries included speeches about Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Sitting Bull, Thomas Edison, Oprah Winfrey and Mahatma Ghandi.

The competitors read their speeches to panels of judges comprised of assistant principals and community members, many from the Villages. Each panel represented a specific grade level and used specific criteria in determining two winners each from fourth through eighth grade. They winning students each read their speeches at the Jan. 21 reception.

This year's winners are fourth graders Ashna Nayyar from Dove Hill School and Claudia Bernaga from Millbrook School; fifth graders Lauren Gengarella, from Silver Oak School and Dan Truong from O.B. Whaley School; sisth graders Sarina Raghavan, from Silver Oak School and Enrique Guerra from Holly Oak School; seventh graders Cindy Wang and Priyanka Krishnamurthi, both from Chaboya Middle School; and eighth graders Esther Melton and Arushi Sardana also from Chaboya Middle School.

The winners each received a plaque from the Evergreen School District and a Barnes & Noble Booksellers $25 gift card. Eastridge Center also donated a gift bag consisting of two passes to the AMC Theatres, a $10 Sports Chalet gift card and a Cotton notebook as well as a GoogleTM notebook and pen.

Pictured above: Back Row: Sarina Raghavan, 6 - Silver Oak School; Priyanka Krishnamurthi, 7 - Chaboya Middle School; Cindy Wang, 7 - Chaboya Middle School; Arushi Sardana, 8 - Chaboya Middle School; Esther Melton, 8 - Chaboya Middle School

Front Row: Dan Truong, 5 - O.B. Whaley School; Ashna Nayyar, 4 - Dove Hill School; Lauren Gengarella, 5 - Silver Oak School; Claudia Bernaga, 4 - Millbrook School; Enrique Guerra 6, - Holly Oak School

Back Row - Teachers: Dove Hill School - Collin Miyasaki; Silver Oak School -Tammie Hoshino; Silver Oak School - Kathy Golding; Chaboya Middle School - Leslye Lawler; Millbrook School - Carla Cossy; Holly Oak School - Bryan Feci (he is standing next to Enrique in the front row)