EDUCATION EXTRA.

Byline: The Register-Guard

ACHIEVEMENTS

Willamette debate team shines in Macedonia tourney

Two Willamette High School debaters did their part to spread the debate team's powerhouse reputation internationally at the 2005 IDEA Macedonia Youth Forum, held earlier this month in the Balkan nation. Joined by debate coach Rob Bingham, both Hayley Farr, a 2005 graduate, and soon-to-be senior Rebecca Merrigan made it into the elimination rounds of the mixed team tournament, with Farr's team winning the tournament on a 9-0 decision in the final round. Merrigan's team made the quarterfinals.

The mixed team tournament was the second of the two tournaments at the forum, with students being placed randomly with two other students from other countries, working together for a few days to build cases and arguments and then debating together in a tournament. Farr was partnered with a Czech and a Palestinian; Merrigan, with a Latvian and a Serb. According to Bingham, one Romanian judge told Farr after the semifinal round that her final affirmative speech was the best he'd heard at the forum.

South Eugene grad attends national science camp

Wenqi Shao, a 2005 graduate of South Eugene High School, was one of two delegates selected to represent Oregon at the National Youth Science Camp last month. Shao joined 97 other high school graduates from across the country, along with 10 international delegates, at the prestigious three-week program. The program, held in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, integrates scientific programming with exploration of music, art and the outdoors. Shao will study mathematics or engineering this fall at Stanford University.

Scholarship awarded for academic achievement

Monica Elise Linhardt, a 2005 graduate of South Eugene High School, was awarded the Hamline University Honors Scholarship for academic excellence. She is the daughter of Julie Arendt of Eugene. The scholarship, worth between $4,000 and $8,000, is renewable for three years. Hamline is a liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minn.

Springfield student to attend leadership conference

Templeton Klos, who will be a senior at Springfield High School, was selected to participate in the National Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., this month, one of approximately 8,000 gifted high school students from the United States and 45 other nations who have had the opportunity this year.

South Eugene pair attend national youth conference

Karen Bonner and Gianna Palmer, who will be seniors at South Eugene High School, represented Lane County at the 2005 March of Dimes National Youth Conference in late July. More than 300 students from around the country attended the conference, held in Washington, D.C. Both girls are members of the March of Dimes Chain Reaction Youth Leadership Council in Lane County. The pair met with policy-makers, toured the White House and attended a memorial with Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the granddaughter of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Briggs Middle School student is All-American Scholar

Tyler Eyre of Briggs Middle School has been named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy, nominated by Kevin Webber. He is the son of Dell and Teresa Eyre.