Zoom zoom, y'all! Manatee students compete at F1 in Schools World Finals in Texas

Students from Southeast High School and Lakewood Ranch High School are gathering with other young engineering and racing enthusiasts from around the country and around the world for the 2013 F1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas. 
Allegiance Racing, the team of five Manatee County high school students, have been in Texas since Nov. 8. Its members are Aly Paige Cote, Sean Martin, Sheel Patel, Joey Kamor and Merritt Kendzior.
The students are spending Veterans Day presenting their model cars and preparing to see how fast their car go in timed trials. The cars are C02-powered models made from lightweight balsa wood. They are capable of running a 60-foot track in a second.
The team finished the engineering interview portion of the event  Monday morning. Describing their car designs in intricate detail pumped them up for their timed trials. The students had been in interviews from around 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
Margi Nanney, a long-time volunteer for the Formula 1 races and the Technology Student Association, said professional engineers from around the world grill students on their designs, from conception of their cars to what equipment was used to build them. 
"It is very intense," Nanney said.  
As of Monday at 11:15 a.m., the Manatee County Allegiance Racing team stood in third place out of 38 teams, but Nanney said that is subject to change throughout the day. 
"The judges love them," Nanney said. "There has been real camaraderie between the teams." 
The competition concludes Wednesday, November 13 with an awards ceremony. 

Allegiance Racing team members Aly Paige Cote, Sean Martin, Sheel Patel, Joey Komor and Merritt Kendzior in uniform and ready for the F1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas.   

Allegiance Racing team members Merritt Kendzior, Aly Paige Cote, Sheel Patel, Joey Komor and Sean Martin.

Allegiance Racing team members Merritt Kendzior, Joey Komor, Sheel Patel, Sean Martin and Aly Paige Cote pose with classic American cars before the F1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas. 

Aly Paige Cote and the Allegiance Racing pit display at the F1 in Schools World Finals. 

Merritt Kendzior, Aly Paige Cote, Sheel Patel, Sean Martin and Joey Kamor pose for a picture in the Capitol building in Austin, Texas.

A rendering of a car designed by Allegiance Racing students. 

United Way kicks off its 'Live United Week' by helping local schools

It is still only July, but before Manatee County students know it, they will be heading back to school, and there is still much to be done in the meantime.
The United Way of Manatee County is beginning its "Live United Week" next week with  volunteer opportunities at Manatee County schools. The Giving "Back to School" Days is a three day volunteer blitz that focuses on school campus beautification projects,  including cleaning, landscaping and organizing.

United Way of Manatee County volunteers work on an outside project for the Fed Ex Volunteer Day at the Community Haven for Adults and Children with disabilities. Photo Provided.   

 Manatee District schools targeted for volunteer help include Mills Elementary, Rowlett Elementary, Able Elementary, Palma Sola Elementary, Wakeland Elementary, Blackburn Elementary, Bayshore Elementary and Rogers Garden Elementary. These schools were chosen because they responded to the United Way with specific campus project needs. This is the first time the United Way is on-site doing labor-type volunteering at local schools during their give "Back to Schools" Days. 

United Way Reading Pals volunteer Michelle Detweiler helps a student at Daughtrey Elementary. Photo Provided.

"We are working to strengthen our relationship with schools in Manatee," said Angela Moore, the vice president of resource development at the United Way of Manatee County. "This benefits the schools at a time of need. It is our opportunity to give additional resources."
The Giving "Back to School" Days are in preparation for the schools' new year beginnings in August. The volunteer effort is scheduled for Monday, July 22, Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday July 24. 
The United Way will also  launch its annual fundraising campaign with a kick-off breakfast on Thursday, July 25, at 7:30 a.m. at the Renaissance on 9^{th.
The free breakfast is in partnership with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club.
Main fundraising efforts of the United Way campaign is through the workplace campaign, giving employees opportunities to talk to representatives and make donation commitments through payroll deductions, and the residential campaign, which seeks individual contributions. 
The United Way of Manatee County is currently looking for volunteers for "Live United Week" as well as volunteers to read to students during the school year through the Reading Pals Program.}
For more information about volunteering, call the United Way of Manatee County at 941-748-1313. 

Manatee County schools sweep 2 major national technology competitions

Braden River High School students celebrate their victories with teacher and state Technology Student Association chairman Gil Burlew. 

Manatee County students may be on vacation from school, but they have not let the temptations of summer keep them from working hard.

This week, 171 students from schools in Manatee County competed in the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference.

And they represented local schools well, taking home 66 first-, second- and third-place trophies and 194 Top 10 titles.

Technology Student Association teams from Bayshore High School, Braden River High School, Lakewood Ranch High School, Southeast High School, Manatee High School, Nolan Middle School, Harllee Middle School, Haile Middle School, Sugg Middle School and Johnson Middle School represented Manatee County in one of the biggest competitive technology events for students.


The students competed in events such as animatronics, fashion design, dragster design, robotics, music production, video game design and more. They competed against students from across the United States as well as a high school team from Turkey and a high school team from Germany.

Doug Wagner, director of adult career and technical education, said this is the seventh year in a row that Manatee County schools have taken home a greater combined total of trophies and Top 10 scores than any other school district in the nation.

"The most significant thing is that this is the seventh time we have come home with the most top placing students," Wagner said. "The community should be cheering. It shows the hard work of the students, teachers and schools."

While the school district as a whole shined at the conference, students had their own individual moments of pride and accomplishment.

Eighth grader Hayden Kennelly proudly shows off his trophies that he won at the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference. The larger trophy is for first place in dragster design.

Eighth-grader Hayden Kennelly won first place for dragster design at the middle school level.
Kennelly showed off pictures of his  dragster with a huge smile.
"I designed it on the computer first and then a machine cut out my design," Kennelly said.

Bayshore High School graduate Austin Keenan with his second place trophy for problem solving.

Austin Keenan, who just completed his senior year at Bayshore High School, has been competing in the Technology Student Association National Conference every year of middle school and high school. This was the first year Keenan  won a trophy at the national level. Keenan said the best feeling was getting to walk across the stage at nationals for the first time.

 Keenan and his teammates earned second place in the problem solving event, where teams must create a solution to everyday needs out of limited supplies in a limited amount of time.
"We made a filter out of styrofoam," Keenan said proudly. "It was a challenge, but it felt great to complete it well."

The technology students must not only display high levels of math, science and critical thinking skills, but they must also have creativity for all events, particularly in the areas of design.

Braden River High School students Emily Malcom, Katherine Zimmerman and Mario Palmer receive the third place trophy for music production at the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference.  

Braden River High School students Emily Malcom, Katherine Zimmerman and Mario Palmer won the first-place trophy for fashion design.  The challenge was to design a uniform for an emergency first responder. The team had to conceptualize the outfit, sketch their design, make the outfit and then showcase it on the catwalk. Malcom, Zimmerman and Palmer interviewed certified first responders to get ideas for their winning design, which included working LED lights. The trio also won third place in music production.

'We are very proud of our students and how hard they work to continue to come out on top year after year," said Gil Burlew, the Florida Technology Student Association chairman and engineering teacher at Braden River High School.

Around 5,000 students competed in the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference. the conference was held June 28 through July 2 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.

These students were not the only ones to make a namesake for Manatee County last weekend.

For a decade now, the Manatee Technical Institute has taken home armfuls of medals at the SkillsUSA Championships, and the career and technical students continued this tradition for the 2013 event.

The Manatee Technical Institute took home 61 medals in 22 contests at the 49th Annual SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City last week. Their sweep included 18 gold, 25 silver and 18 bronze medals. 

The competition tests career and technical students around the country in occupational areas like business management and technology, engineering technology/design, firefighting, nail care, and web design.
The competition is often referred to as the Olympics for career and technical education.

The SkillsUSA Championships has been igniting a passion in students for their future career fields since 1967.

Students from every state and Puerto Rico compete.

"MTI aims to produce graduates who are able to earn national industry-recognized credentials,” said Manatee Technical Institute director Mary Cantrell. “When they win against students from other schools and states, it’s a good indication that MTI is doing a lot right.”

Braden River High School students Emily Malcom, hannah Figueras and Mario Palmer eagerly  await the results of their  events at the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference

MTI students hold special ceremony for hospitalized classmate

Traci Adams, a Manatee Technical Institute student studying medical assisting, is used to learning how to take care of others. But over the past few weeks, Adams has had to accept care as a patient during a health ordeal that put her in the hospital. 

While Adams was suffering through an emergency surgery and recovery time in the ICU, the rest of her classmates were getting ready to attend the school's pinning ceremony to signify that they are now full-fledged medical assistants.  

Adams had spent the last 13 months preparing for that moment. However, Adams' classmates had a plan to make sure that she would not miss this special day. 

A couple weeks before Adams would celebrate her accomplishment of finishing her program, she started having stomach pains. She ignored them at first, but when they became more serious, she decided to go to the hospital.  Adams was admitted to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center for major abdominal surgery that kept her in the ICU for four days. 

 Program director Jane Arnoldi said the pinning ceremony is something that is very important to the medical assisting students.

"They work hard during their time here to achieve," Arnoldi said. "It's a very fast paced course."

Adams tried to talk the doctors into letting he go to the pinning ceremony, but they said there was no way they were letting her out of the hospital early. 

That is when Arnoldi and several students and faculty decided to bring the pinning ceremony to Adams. 

This Monday, they visited Adams and her family, including her husband and parents, in the hospital to celebrate with a private ceremony.

"We are together and become a family," Arnoldi said. "Traci has been in and out of doctor appointments, but her heart was set on this."

Adams said that it is a day she would always remember, and Arnoldi said that tears were shed at the special ceremony.  

"It's all about the students. If we can do it, we try," Arnoldi said. "This was a highlight for Traci and for us, too."

MTI medical assisting instructor Jane Arnoldi pinning hospitalized student Traci Adams. Photo Provided.

Graduation Party Ideas

Tonight kicks off high school commencements as Braden River High School bids farewell to their class of 2013. And with graduations come graduation parties. So to all of you juniors out there, here are some theme ideas for your graduation party!

1. Hollywood.

Cliché sounding as it is, Hollywood is a simple and easy theme and can easily get the creative juices flowing. Keep snack items simple with movie theater inspired treats. Have a slideshow playing with your best high school memories mixed with screenshots from your favorite films. For a final touch, have guests at your party have a few moments of fame with either a photo booth or, for a more personal touch, an area where they can leave a video message for the graduate.

2. Jungle

It's a jungle out there! This theme can run with either a concrete or natural variety as you celebrate being "released into the wild." Have big plans after school? Have someone pound a drum as you reveal your college and/or travel plans as your first adult decision in the real world. Then soak in the admiration. 

3. Childhood favorites

Are you begrudging growing up or stressed about the next step? Throw a party that bids a bittersweet farewell to childhood by embracing your inner 5-year-old. Serve up food that you typically snack on at an adolescent birthday party and whip out the Disney movies and classic board games. Feature a slip-n-slide, Twister and other old favorites that have no age limits. You can also opt to end the night by doing something more adult, such as a limo ride or a nice dinner.

My time as a "teacher" in Tokyo

Japan-the land of dense population and a strong group culture. The land of 4 a.m. sunrises. The land of miniskirts and polka dotted hosiery.

This is where I spent two weeks in Tokyo's district of Noborito working with students at Senshu University, where most study business and economics.

I said before that I would be a  teaching assistant, but that term can be loosely interpreted. As with all things, I have learned to spend my days here with no expectations.

I actually spent lunch periods at the university with random students doing one very simple thing -- speaking to them in English.

In Japan, students are required to study two foreign languages, with English and Chinese deemed the most useful.

Most students at Senshu speak very limited English, but striking up a conversation was simple, as I was very well received as an American.

My "lessons," or basic conversation, with students involved finding common grounds, which usually consisted of popular culture. Favorite topics of the students include One Direction, Taylor Swift, Harry Potter and Disney World.

The Japanese students strive to impress and connect with Westerners. They are humble, and they made me feel as if every single thing I said was wildly important. I tried my best to reciprocate.

Students Daichi Kobayashi and Futaba Ikeya are some of the most advanced, and working with them had a way of making me think more about my native language, like when we found ourselves explaining to Kobayashi the difference between "planning" and "scheming" and discussing high-fives with Ikeya.

Although Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, it is known for being a lonely culture. While the youth are surrounded by their friends, it turns out that they do not have many personal conversations. The way students interact culturally is a far cry from the self-obsessed talk from America.

Stay tuned for more stories about the cultural climate in Japan. So much more grounds to cover!

 

With students Yuki Kimura, Misaki Matsuda, Maki Abe, Futaba Ikeya and Maya Momose at Senshu Univeristy. Southeastern University volunteer Gabby Valentin is between me and Yuki.

With Ririka Ogawa at Senshu University

Arriving in the Land of the Rising Sun

I arrived in Tokyo after a long flight and actually losing a day. I am a full 13 hours ahead of Bradenton and I have found that it is hard to sleep in the Land of the Rising Sun where the sun actually rises at 4:30 a.m.

I've been at Senshu University in Tokyo for the past two days talking with students and helping them with their English. Their English skills are minimal, but I have been able to talk to a couple of interesting people along the way.

So far my days have been really busy, and I am not back at the house I am sharing with other team members until about 10 p.m.

Stay with me as my body clock adjusts. I will have a lot to blog about.

(Toni Whitt posting on behalf of Erica Earl).

Sayonara, Bradenton. Konitchiwa, Tokyo! This education reporter is heading to Japan!

The Bradenton Herald is going international, as I am on my odyssey in Asia.

From May 7 through May 22, I will be volunteering in schools in Tokyo as a teaching assistant and writing a special series about all things education in Japan --  from extracurricular activities and school lunches to the emotional challenges that students face as they try to succeed in a school system with seemingly high expectations.

Here's a link to my thoughts, published in the Bradenton Herald, anticipating stories, blog posts and more.

I am anxious to explore the culture of Japanese schools from all of these angles.
Things I hope to being back with me from Japan:
1. Everlasting friendships with the students

2. More adventurous taste buds (PS- I'm vegetarian, so I'm hoping there will be plenty of options for me)

3. Chopsticks, so I can bring the experience of a cultural meal home with me

4. Tea cups and tea. I am an avid tea drinker and collector of teacups, and Japan is supposed to be home to some of the finest.

5. Pocky. These long, skinny biscuit like treats are the best. Some stores in the United States sell Pocky, so if you ever happen to come across it, try it! You won't regret it!

6. Outfits. Particularly a traditional kimono and something from the Harajuku fashion district of Tokyo.

7. Manga. As a comic nerd, I am totally planning on geeking out and getting  authentic anime to bring home, read right to left.

8. Shinso. I will only be bringing home this top-of-the-line skincare, but only if I can get it cheap. While Japan is rumored to be very expensive, I have heard from people that have been there that you can get some steals on native products. Let's hope they're right!

9. Umbrella. The Japanese have ingeniously designed umbrellas that come around the body like a bubble rather than spreading out, which is perfect for navigating crowded streets.

10. Hello Kitty merchandise. Obviously.

11. A new appreciation for the Japanese culture and knowledge that extends beyond stereotypes.

Let's get Multicultural: MTI hosting special festival

Summer festivals are preparing for take-off, but not before everyone gets a chance to celebrate the ever-important Cinco de Mayo!

The annual Multicultural Festival at Manatee Technical Institute is a free event with a packed entertainment line-up.

The upbeat and folkloric Latin festival will feature music, dancing and fresh ethnic cuisine provided by local vendors.

While the event promoting cultural diversity is free to the public, the Farmworker Scholarship Fund will be accepting donations to provide scholarships and school tuition for students.

The night will mark the 48th anniversary of the Farmworker Education Program in Manatee County.

Here is the fun line-up for the kick-off of the weekend of Cinco de Mayo:

• Eco Band
• El Guantanamero Cuban Music Band
• Manatee High School Ballroom Club
• Brazilian Capoeira Dancers
• Sarasota School of the Arts Dancers
• Mexican Singers
• Fashion Show by Purabell House of Fashion
• Silvia the Zumba Dancer
• Texcalli Mexican Folkloric Dancers
• Mango Latin Band

For more information, call the Farmworker Education Program at 751-7947 or 751-7900 ext. 1048

Behind-the-Scenes at Soup with the Supe

Here are some fun facts about Manatee superintendent of schools Rick Mills that you will not see in my article. O, and we've got pictures of him sporting an apron... 

Mills launched his first Soup with the Supe in Manatee County Wednesday at the Ranch Grill in Lakewood Ranch. it is a time for the superintendent to serve his constituents lunch and talk about the issues schools face at a personal level. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the luncheon. 

Superintendent Rick Mills serves soup, salad and rolls to community members with school board chairwoman Julie Aranibar.

Fun Fact: Mills was not only a teacher at West Point Military Academy, but he was also a football coach! He coached the 158 league, requiring all players to weigh-in at 158. The team played ivy leagues such as Rutgers, Princeton and Cornell. 

Mills served cups of soup. Note the apron!

Fun Fact: Mills has had exciting careers beyond the Chicago and Minneapolis public schools. he used to live in Jerusalem and was employed by the UN! He was assigned to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.

Mills smiles as we poses with the pot of soup. He said  he loves the apron, and I agree. 

Fun Fact: Ever the data-driven guy, one of Mills' favorite movies is Moneyball. he used it as an illustration for better budget planning at the luncheon. 

Mills describes  his leadership style at Soup with the Supe

Fun Fact: An interesting leadership principle at Mills talked about at the luncheon is Maxwell's "Law of the Lid," which states that while everyone has the potential to be a leader, an organization can only be as strong as the people at the top.

"If the leaders are only a 5 or a 6, the organization will never be a 10," Mills said. 

one of his favorite ways of demonstrating Law of the Lid? Through telling the story about the founding of McDonald's! 

Lunch is served! 

The event was a great success. In fact, it was "sold-out." Reservations for the luncheon went so fast that Mills is planning on additional Soup with the Supe events. 

Community members and media starting to gather for the luncheon

And the weather, gloomy and rainy, was perfect for soup. Mills must have magically planned that...

Top Prom Fashions of 2013

Prom: the most "magical" night of senior year, made even sweeter by the excuse to dress like royalty. However, there is a degree of stress that goes into the fun night. For guys, it's arranging the date. For girls, it's the hair, the nails and, most importantly, the dress. You don't want to look like attack of the clones, but you also don't want to look like you stepped out of a time machine.
Break out of the monotonous, floor length-one color look by exploring some of this year's top trends.
Whether you want to go bold and bright or simple and classic, there is an on-trend dress for juniors and seniors.

1. The Asymmetrical Hemline
The asymmetrical dress features a hemline that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. Even though I refer to them as mullet dresses, they have become increasingly popular, and they're fun to twirl in.


2. The Sweetheart Neckline
A sweetheart neckline, believe it or not, looks like the top of a heart. it has two curves that drop and meet in the middle of the bust. this has become increasingly more popular then dresses with necklines that cut straight across.


3. Red or White
Both colors are kind to the complexion. Red is daring and bold and looks awesome on fair-skinned people with the likeness of Emma Stone. White will make you look tanner.


4. Pastels
As spring fades into summer, fashion lines have been showing a lot of pastels, and they are a popular pick for proms this year. Think mint green, peach, pale yellow or light purple.


5. Sequence
Blame it on the Great Gatsby, but if it glitters, it's gold this prom season. Sequence is in this year, whether it is all-round or strategically placed to make a pattern.


6. Sleek, not puffy
Abandon the 1980s frills, if you haven't already, for a sleeker, form-fitting look.


7. White and off-color tuxedos
Sorry, but this is all I've got for the guys. South Beach is making its way nation-wide this year. White and unconventional colored tuxedos, particularly pastels, are in this year for a tropical, vintage South Florida look.

I don't set the trends, I just enforce them. Disagree? Let me know, and tell me what you're wearing to the prom.

Student Spotlight: New College students named Fullbright scholars

Six new College students have been named Fullbright scholars and will be taking their studies internationally.
They will travel to Germany, , Sweden, Tawain and the Czech Republic to study and to teach English.  
These students are ones to watch. Fullbright recipients often go on to significant positions in government, academia and the arts: 44 have received the Nobel Prize, 78 have won the Pulitzer Prize and 10 have been elected to Congress. 
These students are nothing short of astonishing. 
The winners representing Florida this year are: 

Claire Albiez

Claire Albiez has already built a resume of international experience. She was born in Hong Kong, has dual German-American citizenship, grew up in England and has traveled to Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. Wow! Talk about an accomplished globetrotter!  

She moved to Florida in 2001 and graduated from Pine View School, where she was in the first violin section of the chamber orchestra.

At New College, she embraced her heritage, studying German language and history along with art history. She traveled twice to Germany, studying art history and architecture. She also learned about teaching, volunteering at Children First Head Start in Sarasota and at the New College Child Care Center.  

 Albiez will teach English in Germany during her Fulbright year, and hopes to go to graduate school for a doctorate in art history, then teach at the undergraduate level.

Seth Borden
Seth Borden has built a record of leadership and  public speaking on the way to his Fulbright grant.
While studying economics and political science at New College, he also has taken four semester of Chinese language.
Outside of classes, Borden has served as a resident advisor, a teaching intern at St. Stephens Preparatory School and a reporter with radio station WSRQ.  He also trained volunteers as a community organizer for President Obama’s re-election campaign.
A hobby of Borden's outside of school is rowing.
Borden will teach English in Taiwan during his Fulbright year, where he also hopes to sharpen his understanding of the Chinese language and international relations. He plans to teach back at home in the United States before entering graduate school and preparing for a career in foreign policy.


Rosalia Maier-Katkin
Rosalia Maier-Katkin grew up in a bilingual German-English home, but for her Fulbright year she will teach English in the Czech Republic.
The interest stems from her childhood, when she traveled to the Czech Republic several times. Her father, a Florida State University professor and dean, was working there on a State Department grant to help the country develop its judicial system.
At New College, she studies International Studies, with a focus on European politics, and has studied in Germany, visited the Balkans and taken classes in German and Russian.
During study abroad at the University of Tubingen in Germany, she picked up a course in Czech language. She was determined to continue learning the language, so she found a tutor to continue her studies when she returned.
Maier-Katkin hopes to build her Czech skills as she teaches in the city of Plzen, and then study international law for a career with the International Criminal Court or the United Nations.


Amelia Nordin
Amelia Nordin already is a talented musical composer and performer, and her Fulbright research grant will let her expand her New College studies of history and music at the University of Heidelberg and the Theater and Orchestra of Heidelberg.
At New College, she has been a teaching assistant in music theory, composed two pieces performed in concert series and interned with Sarasota Opera.
Her studies have been in a field known as musicology, in which disciplines such as history, philosophy, psychology and even mathematics are used to analyze music. She also is an advanced-level German speaker.
At Heidelberg, famed for its music program, she plans to examine the political and social influences of foreign music and 18^th-century opera. Nordin expects that deeper understanding of German opera will help her with a long-term goal of working in opera management or a doctoral program in the musicological business.



Silvia Ulloa
Silvia Ulloa will travel to Sweden under her Fulbright research grant to study resettled Iraqi refugees, an experience she understands on a personal level.
As the daughter of a U.S. Foreign Service family, Ulloa spent her childhood in four countries. The family lived in Saudi Arabia when the second Iraq War began, and had to be evacuated twice. She came away with concern over the plight families face when they flee a war. So during her New College work in anthropology and gender studies, she traveled to Jordan to work with agencies that assist Iraqi refugees.

Her Fulbright grant will allow her to compare the experiences of the Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Sodertalje. The city, near Stockholm, has an established Iraqi community that has taken in more refugees than the entire United States.
She hopes to develop a framework for better meeting the needs of a refugee community, which would prepare her for graduate school in public policy and a career with organizations working in international migration.

Picasso would be proud: Nolan Middle students complete mural

The Manatee County School District may be in financial disarray, but the students never cease to display their many talents. 

Fifteen talented art club students from Nolan Middle just completed a three-month long mural project representing the Health Occupation Students of America  and future health professionals. 

 Under the direction of the school’s art teacher, Wade Smith, students used images of wholesome food production in an agricultural theme for the 9’ x 6’ mural painted on the school’s cafeteria, supporting the importance of dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables. 

Nolan Middle School HOSA advisers Pam Rahn and Michelle Boculac, secured a grant for the mural.

The mural is dedicated to health professionals and to the nationwide movement focused on fighting childhood obesity and is meant to empower kids to take control of their own health.

"The dedication of our HOSA advisors, Ms. Rahn and Ms. Boculac and FACTS advisor, Mr. Smith is absolutely incredible," said Nolan Middle principal nancy High.  "Through their coordinated leadership, we have a beautiful mural in our cafeteria that depicts the importance of good nutrition."

My times as a judge: silver-tongued students shine at speech contest

I had the wonderful opportunity Monday morning to be a judge for the Gullett Elementary 4-H Tropicana Speech Contest.
The contest is sponsored by Tropicana and provides teachers with classroom materials for educating kids about the art of public speaking.
It was my first time being a "judge" for anything, but I felt honored to be included.
I was sympathetic for the kids stepping up to the microphone because of my experiences as a spelling bee participant (I won first place at the state competition for private schools in the eighth grade , but I avoid sharing that fact so that people don't constantly ask me how to spell things).
The fourth and fifth graders fidgeted in their seats in a semicircle on stage in the cafeteria. One-by-one they shuffled up to the microphone to  speak on topics of their choice.
Speeches varied from persuasive and informative to comedy sketches. No matter what the theme, each child was lively and confident.

Working with children has a way of instantly melting your inner critic. It was incredibly hard to judge this competition because it is never easy saying a kid has done something wrong or performed poorly.
I cringed every time a student went over the time limit or lost their place and had to back track, and I had to fight the urge to ignore their mistakes
However, they all presented well, and as in all competitions, there are a few that bubbled to the top.

First place went to fifth grader Hailey Wahlers, who spoke on how to give a good speech. The topic is not wildly out-of-the-box, but Whalers stood out as she combined humor with information. Wahlers also had one of the best conclusions.
"Remember these tips when giving your next speech, or you can just hire a speech writer. I'm available!"
Wahlers gets to represent Gullett Elementary at the county-wide competition May 11.

Second and third place went to Emilio Vega and Robby Goecker. If you remember their names, it is because they had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. earlier this month to help plant the White House kitchen garden with Michelle Obama.
Surprisingly, neither of them spoke on this topic.
Vega articulately spoke about his family vacation to Hawaii and did exceptionally well for any young student, let alone an English as a second language student.
Goecker spoke about how he believes athletes' salaries are unfairly high, an astute observation for a fifth grader.

While not everyone can come out with a medal, I do have some honorable mentions:

Shea Murphy, because her presentation was so animated. Her humorous speech about life before modern conveniences, such as plumbing, also included miming.

Austin Gobcynski, because his speech about looking though the windows of other people's cars while travelling was unique and creative, and I genuinely laughed aloud during his performance.

Jaquisha Barnes, because her speech was about the downside of being rich and famous. Principal Kathy Hayes said she has heard students deliver speeches about the desire to be famous, but never about its disadvantages.

Taylor Woodring, because she committed her entire speech to memory and did not use flashcards, resulting in excellent eye contact with the audience.

Ethan McDonald, for his speech "Things I Shouldn't Do in Public." The title alone...

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this event. Every one of the 20 students today defeated one of the most common fears among people, which is speaking to a crowd.

Gullett Elementary plans on participating in the 4-H Tropicana Speech Contest again next year.

Southeast High Students have pressing questions for superintendent Mills

Southeast High School student’s show Seminole Teen Talk Live may sound light, but the students involved show serious interest in the issues of the school board, particularly the budget.
Host and creator MacKenzie Yayura interviewed Manatee County school board chairwoman Karen Carpenter and superintendent of schools Rick Mills about the school board’s top issues of the past month, particular the budget shortfall.
According to the show’s producer, junior Gillian Palino, Teen Talk has aired about 10 episodes since Yayura started it this year under the direction of the production teacher Mike Sanders.
The show normally features interviews with other students, and topics addressed include International Baccalaureate versus Advanced Placement, balancing homework and stress and technology’s role in students’ academic lives.
The format allows audience members tuning in from around the community to submit questions via email and Twitter.
Thursdays episode garnered questions from other Southeast High School students, parents in the community and even a fifth grader from Willis Elementary.
Thursday’s episode gave
Carpenter and Mills took the opportunity to visit with students and tell them on a personal level some of the issues the district is facing.
“We need to be more fiscally alert,” Carpenter said on the show. “There is nothing criminal about stupidity, but we didn’t have a comprehensive financial plan.”
Concerns raised included the future of art and athletic departments community’s investment in both high and low performing students and the reimbursement of money to schools.
Yayura also inquired about a possible student advisory for the school board, as well as the possibility of student school board members.
“We need student voices at the school board, policy-making level and in their own schools,” Carpenter said. While she said that it is unlikely, and maybe even against Florida statutes, that a student would be elected to the school board, she still wants to hear student voices.
Yayura is graduating next month, but with younger siblings in the public school system, she said that she has concerns and fears that she would like to see addressed.
“There is too much attention taken away from high performing students,” Yayura said. She added that she would like to see a change in the community’s perception about her soon-to-be alma mater, Southeast High School. “I know I’m biased, but it’s a great school, and I would like to see more community collaboration around it.”
Yayura said that she found Carpenter’s and Mills’ responses reassuring.
“Mills has an action plan, and he is ready to analyze and develop solutions,” she said. “Carpenter supports students and student voices.”
Carpenter and Mills said they enjoyed hearing the interests of students as stakeholders, and they both had broad smiles as they left the Seminole Teen Talk set.
Episodes of Seminole Teen Talk can be viewed any time at www.highschoolcube.com
Erica Earl, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081.


http://www.highschoolcube.com/profiles/setv

New Food Regulations on the horizon for Manatee County Schools

Sandy Ford, the food services director at Gullett Elementary School, is proposing a new food plan for the Manatee County School district at the school board meeting Monday night.
Ford would like to see the plan implemented as early as the 2014-2015 school year, but acknowledges that it probably will not be ready to be implemented until 2015.
Regulations she will be proposing for the school board to consider include:


-50% or more whole grain
- No more than 35% percent calories from sugar and fat
- No more than 200 calories per serving for packaged products
- 200 mg sodium limit per portion
- Limit of 350 calories per entrée
- No beverages except juice, water and milk or products that are less than 50 calories per 8 ounce serving AND not in food service area
- No milk bigger than 8 ounce

Voting on the proposal is not on the school board's agenda for Monday, but they will be listening to the proposal.

Gullet Elementary has been heralded for their efforts in promoting healthy choices. Earlier this month five fifth graders from Gullett were invited to the white house to help plant the White House kitchen garden with Michelle Obama.

SCF offering courses in Homeland Security

MANATEE -- The State College of Florida will offer new bachelor's degree programs in public safety administration and homeland security.

The college Monday released a promotional video about the classes filmed at the Sarasota/Manatee Airport Authority, which features James Carlino, police chief of Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority and SCF adjunct professor.

Coursework will include crisis and disaster issues, public safety, homeland security, management and terrorism prevention. Homeland security program graduates can find employment opportunities in federal or state government, colleges and universities and the private sector.

Employment for public safety administration includes positions such as fire chief, deputy chief, emergency management coordinator and state trooper.

Carlino said the courses were designed by professionals.

"Not only do they teach but they have done the work on the street," Carlino says in the video. "You are learning from experience."

Homeland security class

es include contemporary issues in public safety administration/homeland security, catastrophic event response planning, critical incident management and intelligence analysis.

Carlino said the program is ideal for high school graduates and adults going back to school.

Carlino said he was an adult learner himself, going back to school and working his way up the ranks to chief.

Course videos can be accessed online at scf.edu/Academics/BaccalaureateDegrees.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/04/16/4484304/scf-offers-new-degree-in-homeland.html#storylink=cpy

Attttention! Southeast High's JROTC academic and leadership teams heading to D.C.

After a victory in the regional competition, Southeast High School's JROTC Leadership Academic Bowl (JLAB) battalion will be heading to Washington, D.C. for the national competition.
Southeast was one of the first place teams in their brigade, which consisted of schools from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.The competition consisted of online play.
The competition in D.C. will take place at the George Mason University campus and requires the Leadership Academic Bowl cadets on the academic team to answer questions relating to SAT and ACT preparation. Leadership team members answer questions about organizational and professional leadership, such as how to properly treat one's subordinates.
The competition also considers battalions' community service hours and fundraising efforts.
Southeast High will be heading to the nation's capitol June 20. While the trip is paid for by the US Army, battalions are still expected to help raise funds on their own.
"We are expected as a courtesy to pay for as much of the trip as possible through fund raising," said freshman Brittani Sudbury, who competes on the academic team. "that is how we help give back to the army."
At the national competition, Southeast High will compete against several number one teams from around the country in leadership and academic events. One sole army winner will compete with winners from the marines, navy and air force.
Sudbury said that no seniors are allowed in JLAB. The leadership and academic teams each consist of one freshman, one sophomore and two juniors.
"Part of the competition is coming up with questions that may be used against other teams," Sudbury said. "This allows us to see how to come up with the answers."
Sudbury and other members train by studying after school.
"We will be very prepared for the SAT," she said. "The leadership team also gets training in social and working roles that you do not gain in ordinary classes."
Sudbury said the academic teams meets once or twice for two or three hours at a time. The leadership team meets for briefings every other day.
Southeast High School's JROTC also has a drill team and a rifle team that compete in events separately, including obstacle courses and marches.
Those teams will not go to Washington, D.C. as they are not a part of the Leadership Academic Bowl.






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New College names VP of Advancement

New College of Florida, a liberal arts honors college, has seen a fair amount of transition lately. After welcoming the new president Donal O’Shea earlier this year, the institution named Shannon Duvall as the new vice president of advancement and the executive director of the New College Foundation.
Duvall grew up in Winter Park and was accepted into New College out of high school. Although she pursued her education at Michigan State, New College left a favorable impression on Duvall.
Duvall is currently the associate vice president for development at Albion College, a nationally recognized, independent liberal arts college in south-central Michigan, where she has been responsible for prospect management and research, and staff development and training. She was also  responsible for alumni engagement and annual giving for 16 months.
At New College, Duvall will be responsible for all aspects of the College’s fund-raising program, including major and planned giving and the annual fund.
After a national search that started in December, Donal O’Shea, president of New College, and the search committee unanimously chose Duvall for her experience in securing large gifts, developing and managing giving programs and generating a strong return on investment in fund raising.
“The committee members were especially attracted by her professionalism, her impressive track record, her knowledge of all aspects of educational advancement, and her personal warmth,” O’Shea said.
Duvall said that she was more eager to start after meeting  O’Shea, the trustees, and the directors of the foundation.
“I was impressed by O’Shea’s wonderful leadership. The opportunity to be close to family again is a bonus,” Duvall said. “This is a win-win, and I think we will make a great team.”
A major part of Duvall’s position is the New College Promise, a $60 million campaign to provide necessary resources to advance the college. Since its launch in 2010, it has raised $23 million. Money is acquired through major gift giving, planned gifts and event proceeds. The money will be used for increased scholarships, endowment, student and faculty travel research grants, a new building for international studies and items for the library.
Duvall’s says her experience in development at Albion College has prepared her for the advancement position at New College.
“My time at Albion allowed me to stretch my managerial muscles,” Duvall said.
Duvall added that her time at Albion confirmed that her work brings her joy.
The vice president of advancement is a new position at New College that has absorbed the existing position of executive director.
She is replacing Clint Monts de Oca, who is retiring after serving on an interim basis after Andre Walker resigned due to family health issues.
Duvall’s vision for her position at New College is to be able to support O’Shea’s visions and provide necessary resources to keep education affordable.
Her plan is to engage alumni, parents and friends and talk about the importance of investing in college and in the futures of students, faculty and staff.
Duvall believes it is important to lead by example, and she has already given to the New College annual fund.
Duvall equated the task of fund raising to puzzle pieces.
“In one hand we have the needs of the college, and in the other we have alumni and other donors working to figure out what pieces they have to contribute,” Duvall said. “We will help those with philanthropic interests figure out how their interests fit with the needs of the college.”

Mills gets packed agenda at first Manatee school board meeting

MANATEE-- The new superintendent of Manatee schools Rick Mills will have a lot on his plate over the next few weeks. The school board met Monday to discuss issues such as the audit committee recommendations, school staff allocations, and charter schools.

Audit committee chair Bobbie Windham announced Monday that the committee approved the processes to follow up on the recommendations made by external auditors that were released March 7.

Recommendations include reviewing textbook expenditures over the past five years and confirming those numbers and meeting more often to monitor budgeting processes.

The audit committee has also approved improvements to the charter to clarify the committee's independence and function, Windham said. One improvement is making the audit committee independent from the school board, meaning that no school board members will serve on the audit committee. Other changes include meeting bimonthly rather than quarterly, clarifying terminology in the current charter, and providing an orientation to committee members to ensure that everyone understands the committee's functions.

Interim superintendent Dave Gayler even proposed that the audit committee change its name to the independent oversight committee.

These proposed changes will move on to be reviewed by the CFO of Manatee schools Michael Boyer.

External findings will be reported at the April 8 school board meeting.

"This time the guidelines will be specific and adhered to," said school board chair Karen Carpenter.

Boyer said that there are still findings to address, although the school board has reached the end of their deadline to submit a report on the findings and approve the audit committee report from June 2012.

"I feel like every time I think we can't get any lower, new levels are reached," said school board vice chair Julie Aranibar. "This is the last year we do this."

The movement to approve the budget amendments for Jan. 2013, which certified that the numbers were correct, carried 5-0. Mills is hoping to have a 2.2 percent fund balance by next year, believing that under his guidance the school board can climb out of its financial shortfall. School board members hope that he is right.

The school board also discussed the March 11 Central Coalition that brought together superintendents, school board members, and finance people from around the state in Tallahassee to talk about public education and public policy.

School board member Dave "Watchdog" Miner attended the coalition and represented Manatee County in the education appropriation committee. Miner said that it is important to get face time with legislators.

During Miner's time in the capitol, legislators unanimously passed opposition for the bill that would allow teachers and school personnel to be armed. The bill was proposed by state representative Greg Steube and called for principals in Florida public schools to designated one or more persons to carry concealed weapons while they fill their normal school duties.

Carpenter has commented previously that she feels the bill would burden school staff with responsibilities meant for law enforcement.

The school board also unanimously passed that the new student to teacher ratio be a standard of 18:1. At a school board workshop Monday, Boyer also proposed that teaching aids be cut back to one aid per every 15 teachers, ESE classroom ratios be raised from 15:1 to 18:1, and that the number of speech therapists be reduced. Boyer said that the total savings from these new allocations would measure up to about $10 million for the 2013-2014 school year.

"I do not plan on sitting here having this same conversation next year," Aranibar said.

Another topic at the board meeting concerned charter schools. The school board unanimously passed the non-renewal for Bradenton Charter school.

Part of the school board's duty is to monitor the performance of charter schools with which they make agreements. This includes a renewal and review process. A review team comprised of 32 members of completed the review of Bradenton Charter School in January and found performance to be unsatisfactory. Some findings were a matter of concern five years ago that never got resolved. According to the school board, the charter school will have 14 days to ask for a hearing and will be given an opportunity to present information on why there was a failure to meet the requirements for student performance.

Shortcomings included a governing board that "did not appear to be stable," according to the findings presented.

"They did a great job with things like parent relations and insurance," Gause said. "But from the curriculum side, the wheels were falling off."

The school board also unanimously approved the contract for the 2013-2018 school years for the all-boys' charter school Visible Men, whose application was approved in September. The school was founded by Neil Phillips and Lewis Parker.

School board member Barbara Harvey said that she is thrilled about this contract as she sees it as a sign of moving forward.

"I'm on a cloud," Harvey said.

Smaller, but still important, topics of the school board meeting included approving the revision of policy 2.5, which states that school board members must maintain residency in their school board member area from which they were elected throughout their whole term. These five residence areas, are different from the Manatee County commission district. The revision passed 3:2, as schools board members Barbara Harvey and Bob Gause found the change to policy unnecessary and confusing, but Mills recommended the change. Additional changes may be made to the policy regarding the five residence areas, but only in odd-numbered years. The school board also approved the calendar for the 2013-2914 school year.

The meeting Monday was Mills' first has superintendent.

"I have never felt so graciously welcomed," Mills said, adding that he believes that as a team the school board can make great things happen.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/26/4453694/new-supt-mills-gets-packed-agenda.html#storylink=cpy

Manatee County students get lesson in finance and business

BRADENTON -- Developing marketing strategies, scheduling appointments with clients, and printing auto insurance quotes has become part of the daily school routine for Manatee High students.

And it's a routine that could reap rewards for the students who take their "jobs" seriously.

The students, most of them seniors in an on-the-job training curriculum, are participating in an eight-week program designed to educate them about insurance plans, coverage, deductibles, and policy rating. InVest (insurance vocational education student training) is in its eighth year of teaching Manatee County high schoolers about personal finances and the insurance trade.

During the course, students are charged with creating their own auto insurance companies, complete with distinct logos and business cards. They are responsible for scheduling appointment times with other students and adult community members to rate insurance policies and print out quotes.

They also learned the factors that affect the cost of premiums.

They are required to come to class in proper business attire.

Phillip Baker, vice president of Boyd Insurance, said their classroom experience is a realistic snapshot of the jobs in the field. Progressive Insurance gave students an Agents Only sign-in code for their website that students can use in class. "They are working with real numbers that are live," Baker said. "This is real world experience."

The program is integrated into both Manatee and Palmetto high schools accounting classes and is sponsored by the Manatee County Independent Insurance Agents, including Boyd Insurance and BB&T Wyman Green and Blalock.

It is incorporated into an accounting class made up of on-the-job training students who divide their schedule between school and a job.

"This is one of the most practical things the school has been involved in," said accounting teacher Dennis Stallard.

The students will take a field trip to the commercial insurance group FCCI in Lakewood Ranch to get a closer look at how an agency is run.

"They will be dealing with insurance for the rest of their lives, so it is important that they know how to make educated decisions about it," said Christiaan Huth, vice president of insurance services at BB&T.

Manatee County Independent Insurance Agencies raised $9,000 to offer the programs free to students at Palmetto and Manatee high schools.

Part of the budget includes team and individual cash awards givens to students at a breakfast at the end of the program.

The cash awards are based on the companies the students' create and the creativity behind the and the students' cohesiveness and business success, There also will be awards for the top producing "agents."

"It is great to see them embracing it. They have really taken hold of this program and owned it," Huth said.

Huth also said that the ability to understand and explain the insurance process has given students confidence.

Senior Daniel Morrison said that this class has made him more conscious of his spending.

The class included a portion dedicated to making personal budget plans, calculating take-home pay, and practicing job interviews.

"It is important to know where your money is going and where it is coming from," said student Trey Horne.

Friday was the last simulation day of the course. By the end of the semester, students will present their final portfolios and spreadsheets before completing the course with the agency tour. Students also will be required to write a 500-word essay about the program.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/02/4416380/manatee-high-students-get-a-lesson.html#storylink=cpy