EDUCATION EXTRA.

Byline: The Register-Guard

ACHIEVEMENTS

Home-schooled senior a Presidential Scholar

Ross Leavitt, a home-schooled senior from Springfield, was named a Presidential Scholar last week, sharing the honor with 141 other students across the country. An accomplished saxophone player, Leavitt was one of just 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. He and other scholars will be honored for their accomplishments during the program's national recognition events in Washington, D.C., June 25-28. As part of the festivities, he'll perform in the concert hall of the Kennedy Center. He was one of 500 semifinalists selected by a 28-member commission appointed by President Bush. Scholars were selected on the basis of academic achievement, essays, evaluations, leadership, community service and - in Leavitt's case - artistic merit.

Douglas Gardens teacher honored by Wal-Mart

Douglas Gardens Elementary School teacher Mick Drath was recognized as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at the Springfield school last week. Drath has been an educator for 15 years, the last 11 at Douglas Gardens. Teachers are nominated for the Wal-Mart honor by students, parents and local community members. In addition to a certificate, Drath received a teacher gift card for Wal-Mart and $1,000 was donated to the school.

MADD's Dawn Jordan essay winners named

The winners of the Lane County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dawn Jordan Essay Contest will be honored at a ceremony Wednesday. They are Peter Kirby, 15, from Siuslaw High School, who will receive the $350 first-place award; Rachael Peterson, 16, of Oakridge High School, a $250 second-place award; Christopher Gibson, 15, of Siuslaw High, a $100 third-place award; and $75 honorable mention awards to Kayla Couts, 16, of North Eugene High School, Randy Holton, 14, Brynne Sapp, 14, and Melodie Seble, 14, all of Siuslaw High. This year's topic was "Protecting You, Protecting Me: Drive Safe and Sober." The cash awards were donated by David Jordan, the father of Dawn Jordan, a Bend teenager who was killed in 1982 at the age of 17 by a drunk driver who had 22 prior convictions.

Sheldon High student wins AFS scholarship

Michelle Spresser, a sophomore at Sheldon High School, has been awarded an AFS Awards for Excellence scholarship to study with AFS Intercultural Programs/USA next year in Thailand. She was one of 118 of the more than 1,500 students nominated to win the merit-based award. The award is based on leadership skills, community service and academic excellence.

Monroe Middle School promotes gambling awareness

Hollis Gehrett, a student at Monroe Middle School, was recognized last week for her first-place award in a statewide problem gambling awareness poster search. She earned a $100 gift card to Circuit City, and her poster will be printed next year as part of the Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week campaign. In addition, Monroe health teacher Sarah Kerr-Daly received a $100 gift card to Office Depot for her participation. Nearly 50 of her students submitted entries in the contest. Students Aimee Johnson, Bryant King, Max Faulhaber and Molly Douglas also will receive special recognition for their work.

Shasta Middle School student council honored

Shasta Middle School is one of 16 middle schools and 13 high schools in Oregon receiving recognition from the Oregon Association of Student Councils for having a high-achieving student council. In order to receive the award, councils must be involved in school and community service, activities to promote school spirit and pride, sportsmanship, student and staff recognition and involvement in leadership training and sound practices. The winning schools were recognized at a conference on May 1-2.

Churchill High senior named All-American Scholar

Kristopher Nelson, a senior at Churchill High School, has been named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy, based on academic achievement and nomination by the school's career counselor. He will appear in the All-American Scholar Yearbook, published nationally.

Cottage Grove High student headed for Washington

Josh Fountain, a sophomore at Cottage Grove High School, will attend Presidential Classroom's Science, Technology and Public Policy Program this June in Washington, D.C. Presidential Classroom provides the nation's best and brightest high school students access to the leaders who shape public policy. Participants will examine the role of government in scientific discoveries and technological advances.

Siuslaw High Symphonic Band first in Sky-Em League

The Siuslaw High School Symphonic Band took first place in the Sky-Em League competition last month, earning a slot for the second year in a row in the upcoming State Band Festival on May 12.

Marist High junior recognized for vocal ability

Libby Fenstermacher, a junior at Marist High School, was selected by the Ethos Music Program at California State University at Chico to perform as a vocalist in this summer's Van's Warped Tour '05. Selection was based on vocal ability, music writing skills and performance audition. Her band will perform in several Southern California venues this summer.