A group of seventh graders at Coronado Middle School are making waves on the debate scene in Kansas City.

Debate students at Coronado Middle School are winning big this school year in various debate events held across the metro area.

In the City Championship earlier this month, two separate teams from Cornado Middle School advanced to the event held by Debate Kansas City, an organization that encourages students to take part in debate.

Along with the team success, individual students Aviance Battles and Angelica Strong earned individual honors.

Michelle Hogue, who's the debate coach at the school and a science teacher, said practice has been key.

"It's not a 'sit down and shut up' type of environment," she said. "We like to have fun and we practice what we do."

Students at Coronado and other schools across the metro area take part in city competitions in "policy debate" and "student congress." Among the issues the students debate include community schools and education.

"They have to research the issues," Hogue said. "They are so good. They just have this natural ability to perform well."

The Coronado students are among the youngest debaters in the city – most of their competition is exclusively eighth-graders.

But Battles and Strong apparently don't care about the age difference too much.

"When I first heard of debate, I had a different way of looking at it," she said. "Now I love doing it and giving speeches."

For Strong, debate has been a learning experience.

"I like that we keep up with current events," she said. "We've been learning more and more about the world. We practice a lot on the issues so we know what we're talking about."

For Debate KC Director Gabe Cook, hearing Battles, Strong and the other students at Coronado probably validates what he's trying to push at the school level.

The organization has grown from just a handful of schools to about 40 schools. At starting off with just two middle schools, Debate KC has expanded to 20 middle schools this year.

But Cook said the best benefit for students participating in debate is for the students themselves.

"Students who participate in debate are three times more likely to graduate from high school," Cook said, referring to a recent study on the issue. "It makes you more prepared for college and it helps with critical thinking."

A number of students on the team are on Debate KC's power rankings. Cook said the middle school team at Coronado was at the top of the power rankings at the time of these interviews.

Other schools in Kansas City, Kan., that take part in Debate KC include: Sumner Academy, Northwest Middle School, Eisenhower Middle School, F.L Schlagle Middle School, Rosedale Mildde School, Washington High School, Turner High School and Wyandotte High School.

(From BIshop Ward High School)

The Bishop Ward High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will be on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Bishop Ward, 708 N. 18th St.

This event will celebrate the accomplishments of five extraordinary individuals who in their own way represent the legacy and tradition of Bishop Ward.

Bob ’69 and Denise ’71 Beaman are the co-chairs of this elegant event. The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Induction Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $125 per person or $1,000 per table of 8 guests.

You can make your reservations now for this special evening. Sponsorship levels also are available to honor our five distinguished inductees. 

To learn more about sponsorships or make a reservation, visit cyclonecountry.org or contact Amy Nelson in the Development Office at 913.371.6901 or at anelson@wardhigh.org. 

2010 Bishop Ward Hall of Fame Class

Monsignor Michael Mullen ’54, Alumnus of the Year

BeaMarie (Mejia) Mayer ’67, Don Denney ’70 Spirit of Bishop Ward Award

Dr. Andy Harding ’81, Athletic Achievement Award

Ed Dwight ’51, Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement Award

Donald E. Wolf, Father Raymond J. Davern Community Service Award

INDUCTEE BIOS

Mon. Michael Mullen, a 1954 alumnus, is receiving the Alumnus of the Year Award. Mon. Mullen is the pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church and is a member of the Bishop Ward Board of Trustees. He has served as a priest almost 48 years, serving as a pastor, seminary educator, and director of seminarians.

BeaMarie Mayer, a 1967 alumna, is receiving the Don Denney ’70 Spirit of Bishop Ward Award. Mayer is self employed as a human resources and finance consultant. She is a member of the Bishop Ward Board of Trustees. She has previously served on several local boards, including MANA of Kansas City, Cabot Westside Health Center and YWCA of Kansas City.

Dr. Andy Harding, a 1981 alumnus, is receiving the Athletic Achievement Award. He played Center for the K-State football team from 1981-1985 and was selected for the 1985 Academic All Big Eight. He is the owner of Chiropractic Healing Center.

Ed Dwight, a 1951 alumnus, is receiving the Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement Award. He is a nationally-renowned sculptor and most recently created a sculpture of the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Dwight was also the first African American astronaut and author of his autobiography, “Soaring on the Wings of a Dream.”

Don Wolf is receiving the Father Raymond J. Davern Community Service Award. He is the lead photographer of De Cloud Studios. Wolf is a supporter of St. Theresa’s Orphanage in Croatia and several Catholic schools and parishes in Wyandotte County.

The M.E. Pearson 5th-grade Lego Robotics team presented their first place trophy to the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education on Tuesday, March 9.  

The team, made up of nine fifth grade students, competed against 68 other 5th-8th grade teams in this year’s First Lego League Tournament in Lee’s Summit, MO.  They placed first in the category of “Creative Presentation”. 

Team members are (L-R) Donny Randolf, Nestor Hernandez, Pedro Troncoso, Alonso Muneton, Elizabeth Santillan, Mariana Santos, Michel Arroyo.  Members of the team not pictured are Ariana Morales and Hector Flores. Their teacher is Britt Pumphrey.

Photo #1: Team photo - students are l-r as listed above.

Photo #2: Britt Pumphrey (correct spelling) addresses the board.

Photo #3: Nestor Hernandez shows Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cynthia
Lane the team's first place trophy.

Jarius Jones, mathematics instructional coach, presented the Math Relays Hall of Fame Plaque to Board of Education President Gloria Willis at Tuesday’s board meeting at Sumner Academy.

Members of the Math Relays Hall of Fame are individuals who earned at least four medals in various individual events throughout their years of competing in the relays.

They are guaranteed a one-time $200 scholarship award.  This year there were four student inductees. They are: Darius Johnson and Salvador Jurado, both seniors at J.C. Harmon High School; Daniel Martinez, a ninth grade student at J.C. Harmon High School; and Sean Kerr, a junior at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science.

The sixth annual Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Math Relays was held on Saturday, February 13.  1350 sixth through twelfth grade students from KCKPS 8 middle schools and 5 high schools competed in various math competitions.

Sumner Academy of Arts and Science 8th graders won the overall competition trophy for the middle school division, while Sumner 9th-12th graders won the high school trophy.

Participation trophies were won by Arrowhead Middle School and J.C. Harmon High School.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore is inviting high school artists from Wyandotte County and throughout the Third District of Kansas to participate in the 2010 Congressional Art Competition held April 16.

The competition, which will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Jack Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, Kan., will give students an opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

“I am always impressed by the work of the talented young artists from our district and I enjoy seeing the artwork by the Third District winner each time I walk through the Capitol walkway,” Moore said. “Our district always sends a great piece to Washington and I am excited to see what extraordinary work this year’s competition inspires.”

The winner of the contest will be awarded a scholarship to attend Savannah College of Art and Design, along with a trip for three to Washington for the reception.

All entries must be two dimensional, framed, and no larger than 30 by 30 inches on the outside of the frame and four inches in depth.

Eligible artwork for the contest can include paintings, drawings, two-dimensional collages, prints, computer-generated art and photography.

Entry forms for each student should be sent to 500 State Avenue, Suite #176, Kansas City, KS, 66101; by fax to (913) 621-1533 or by e-mail to alicia.hooks@mail.house.gov.

Jocelyn Quiroz, Darrell Walker, and Tevin Newton were recognized on Tuesday evening by  members of the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education as March 2010 Students of the Month.

Joceyln Quiroz is a fourth grader at Quindaro Elementary school.   She was nominated by her teacher Amy Long, who says that Jocelyn is “the definition of an all around exemplary student.” 

Her math and reading skills are above grade level, in spite of a language barrier. When she was ill this year, she completed every assignment and even logged extra reading pages.  She is thoughtful of her teachers and fellow students, often offering her assistance without being asked. 

In the conclusion of Long’s nomination letter, she said of Quiroz, “When faced with an obstacle or struggle in life, Jocelyn takes it in stride and even assists others in handling it.  Her caring and helpful spirit carry over into her home life as well.  She has faced many challenges in her personal life that a girl of her young age should not have to deal with. Yet, most people who encounter her would never know what she is going through.”

Tevin Newton is an eighth grade student at Eisenhower Middle School.  Laura Butner, his art teacher and advocate described him as “a teacher’s dream student” in her nomination letter.  With a 4.0 grade point average, Tevin is very focused and determined to do his very best.

He is in the advanced art class, and has had creative input in t he mural being planned for the entrance to the school.  When presenting him, Butner told members of the Board of Education that Tevin is the kind of young man that she hopes that her son will grow up to be like.

Darrell Walker is a senior at Washington High School.  He was nominated by Micheal Schmieding, teacher and advocate. 

Schmieding wrote of Walker, “Being respected by your peers as the most courteous and polite student they know is an attribute worth more than words.  But best of all, those descriptors are used when mentioning his name – no soliciting necessary.” Darrell is a leader, he interacts well with students and staff, and takes his classwork seriously.

Schmieding concluded his presentation saying that while he’s proud of Walker and will miss him greatly when he graduates and goes on to Fort Scott Community College next year, but he knows that the relationship that he and Walker have is one that will stand the test of time.

The Kansas National Education Association will rally early next week in an event entitled "Adequate Yearly Funding,' a spin-off of No Child Left Behind's adequate yearly progress.

The event will be held beginning at 10 a.m. at the Kansas Statehouse on March 17.

"Lawmakers keep saying they don't hear from enough people that there is support for funding public schools," said Christie Slay, a student from Shawnee Heights who originally planned the event. "We want lawmakers to understand that budget cuts to schools hurt our kids and our communities. We want lawmakers to listen and to act. They need to fund public schools first, not leave it to the last."

Expected to speak are Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson and a number of students and teachers across the state.

Speeches are expected to begin at noon. A short march from the KNEA and Topeka High Shcool buildings to the east side of the Kansas Statehouse will begin at 11:15 a.m.

It turns out Sumner Academy has another good team.

Members of the Sumner Academy forensics and debate team spoke and performed for board members at the Tuesday, March 9 meeting of the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education. 

Coach Jamelle Brown told a little bit about forensics and debate and then introduced her students.

Their names and topics are:

Rachel Marshall - What the National Forensics League Board Offers

Candace Villanueva – Original Oration Mini Performance

Khrystal Johnson – Prose Interpretation Mini Performance

Sedgwick Weaver – Highlights of the 8th Grade Debate Team’s Success

David Hutchinson – Highlights of the Forensics Team’s Success

Marcus Banks and Robert Coppage – Duo Interpretation, Mini Performance

Candace Villanueva

David Hutchinson

Jamelle Brown

Khrystal Johnson

Marcus Banks and Robert Coppage

Mia Richardson

Rachel Marshall

Sedgwick Weaver

The Schlagle Marching Stallions will be marching in a parade this weekend in downtown Kansas City, Kan

The catch?

They'll be the lone participant.

The Marching Stallions will march this Saturday at 2 p.m. on the corner of 13th and Washington Blvd. in an effort to raise more funding for a trip to Washington, D.C.

The band has been invited to participate in a Fourth of July parade in Washington.

“It will be an incredible experience to perform on the nation’s stage in Washington," said Reginald May, director of the band. "Most of our students have never been there, and many haven’t traveled far outside of Kansas City."

Starting at 13th and Washington Blvd., the band will march three blocks to the Internet Café, located at 1645 Washington Blvd.

The band is still looking for more donations to help pay for the trip.

"This trip in July is a terrific opportunity to expand their horizons and allow them to see an important part of America," May said. "But we still need to raise $25,000 to take our students and staff on this trip."

The band so far was raised about $25,000.

For more information about donating to the band's trip, visit schlaglemarchingband.com or call May at (913) 627-7544. He can be emailed at remay@kckps.org.

Students at New Stanley Elementary School recently collected $500 for a Haiti relief fund.

The American Red Cross honored the school last month for the accomplishment. Students from across the school donated to the fund.

(Photo and information courtesy of SUSAN ENLOE)

Three Kansas City, Kansas middle school students recently visited the state capitol.

The young ladies served as House of Representatives pages in the service of Rep. Louis Ruiz. 

Their visit was sponsored by Young Women on the Move, in an effort to provide real life experiences in government.  Belen Banuelos enjoyed her visit so much that she wrote a thank-you note to Rep. Ruiz. 

Here is an excerpt:

“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve as a page for you in the House of Representatives. I not only enjoyed it, I learned so much, how a bill is passed into the law or how they are vetoed. That is an experience that most kids will never get. I feel so fortunate to have that opportunity. I will be boasting about this experience to my friends and family and if they don't believe me, I have my certificate from the legislature and Governor Mark Parkinson. Once again, thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.”

PHOTO: Serving as pages for Rep. Louis E. Ruiz, Wyandotte County, District 32, in the Kansas House of Representatives provided a real life experience in government for students of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and members of Young Women on the Move. Pictured with Governor Mark Parkinson (seated) are from left: Brittany Bell, Schlagle High School; Rep. Ruiz; Belen Banuelos, Central Middle School; and Alissa Stacker, Argentine Middle School.

The Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District will hold a second public forum dedicated to the budget situation Thursday at Wyandotte High School.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude at 7:30 p.m.

A similar meeting was held Monday at Washington High School.

The district is looking at an additional $14.6 million of cuts to next year's budget and is seeking public imput.

"We have a lot of passionate people about their schools and district," said assistant superintendent Cynthia Lane, after the first forum.

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The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education will meet with members of the Wyandotte County Delegation at noon today in Topeka, Kan.

The Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District's legislative goals are among the items expected to be discussed. The meeting will be held at noon in room 784 of the Docking Building, located at 915 SW Harrison in Topeka.

Tonight's meeting at Sumner Academy will still be held, beginning at 5 p.m.