July 1, 2005

ETA recognizes middle school students

Chaboya teacher Sara Spacek awards Melanie Wood with the ETA Outstanding Student Award. Naseem Begum is not pictured.

The Evergreen Teachers Association honored two students from each middle school in the Evergreen School District with an Outstanding Student Award. The awards were based not only on a student’s school performance, but also on their service in the community.

Chaboya Middle School
Melanie Wood received the ETA Outstanding Student Award for assisting in leadership roles throughout her seventh and eighth grade years and participating in activities such as yearbook, panoramic pictures and award certificates. She was on basketball and soccer teams and became an honors student in eighth grade. She was also known for her “happy, positive attitude—always available to help and join in activities.”

Naseem Begum, a bilingual student, participated in the English Language Development program and worked diligently in all seventh and eighth grade classes to learn English and the class content. He helped in the library, achieved success in all classes throughout eighth grade and was well-liked by all students and staff.

LeyVa Middle School
Kathryn Nomura, an honor roll student at LeyVa Middle School, participated in track and field and was recognized for her artistic ability through departmental and school awards.

LeyVa Middle School students Kathryn Nomura (left) and Briana Mercado receive their ETA Outstanding Student Awards.

She has been a member of the Girl Scouts of America since kindergarten, participating in many service projects along the way. She plays Taiko Drums and participates in karate.

Brianna Mercado, an honor roll student at LeyVa Middle School, participated in track and field in the spring and shared her skills at the LeyVa Talent Show. She is an active member of a modern dance company and performs regularly.

Quimby Oak Middle School
Matthew Koral, a 4.0 student enrolled in all available honors classes at Quimby Oak, played in the A Band and joined Quimby Oak’s cross country and wrestling teams for two years.

Matthew has participated in Scouting for eight years. Every November he and his Boy Scout troop collect food door-to-door for Second Harvest Food Bank. This year, he also collected funds for tsunami relief. Over the years Matthew has participated in the “Great American Pick Up” neighborhood clean-up, visited Regency Assisted Living Center at the holidays and volunteered at InnVision, a shelter for homeless and at-risk people.

Quimby Oak students Vincent Nhan (left) and Matthew Koral received their ETA Outstanding Student Awards from teacher Karen Ryan.

Vincent Nhan volunteers in a number of different capacities. He helps teachers at Quimby Oak and his former elementary school, and volunteers in a school project for underprivileged children called “Hands On Art.” He also volunteers by doing art work at local art festivals and participates in a variety of ways at his church.