Local students accepted into WAS Summer Residency at The Museum of Flight

Local students accepted into WAS Summer Residency at The Museum of Flight

Kent-Meridian High School’s Jovial Chakkalakkal and Kentridge’s Breanna Valdez have qualified to participate in the next phase of the Washington Aerospace Scholars Summer Residency program at The Museum of Flight.

WAS is designed to connect high school juniors in Washington and Oregon with educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through independent learning, hands-on interaction, professional guidance and site-based tours.

In December 2017, Chakkalakkal and Valdez were among the 200 who began competing for a spot in one of the WAS Summer Residency sessions by completing ten NASA and University of Washington designed lessons – Phase One of the WAS program. Students were able to register to earn five UW credits based on successful completion of the curriculum.

Phase Two is a six-day, three-session experience at the museum in June and July. In each session, four-student teams cooperate to plan a human mission to Mars with support from professional engineers/scientists, university students and certificated educators. Additionally, participants receive briefings from aerospace professionals, tour engineering facilities and compete in hands-on engineering challenges.

New piano for Excel

Excel Public Charter (Green Dot) School, was recently recognized by the Seattle Symphony for its excellence in arts when its music program was awarded with a brand new Yamaha piano.

Kyle Berry, teacher and music director at Excel, led the effort to win the symphony’s recognition by hosting students at the Ten Grands concert at Benaroya Hall on May 13. For the music program’s superior performance and its high attendance of students, Excel was selected among five local school programs to win the new piano.

The new instrument will help the school expand its music, orchestra, and digital music production classes in the coming school year.

“The arts teach students creativity and expression – both qualities that help students grow in their learning beyond the classroom. They can learn to better problem solve, communicate, and work with others when they have an education in the arts,” Berry said. “We place a lot of value on our music program especially because we know that students perform better in school when they have the opportunity to learn the language of music and share that knowledge with their communities.”

Elsewhere

Denali Federal Credit Union recently awarded $5,000 to Kentlake senior Ashlyn Greget for her college education. Greget will attend Washington State University and pursue a degree in business administration. She received her scholarship based on a combination of her academic achievements and her involvement with Distributive Education Clubs of America, associated student body, as well as her leadership, work ethic and dedication to success. Denali developed the scholarship program to reward its young members in high school who demonstrated excellence in academics, extra-curricular activities and volunteerism in their communities. …

Jerad Clark of Kent, an honor roll student, was among the 539 students who recently graduated from Western Nevada College. … Rebecca Madison of Kent has earned a degree in music at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. … Kyle Dougherty (bachelor of science, magna cum laude) graduated from the University of Saint Mary (Leavenworth, Kan.). The school held its commencement ceremony on May 12. … Kent’s Katherine Baker, Josef Matuska and Connor Riley made the presiden’t spring semester honor roll (4.0 grade point average) at Montana State University. Keeton Hersey, Wyatt Kelly, Bryanna Raap and Kyle Smith were named to the dean’s honor roll (3.5 GPA or better). … Kent’s Tamara Brockschmidt (master of science, occupational therapy profess development) graduated from Mount Mary University (Milwaukee, Wis.). … Kent’s Mason Johnson (bachelor of arts, psychology) and Nicholas Ramseth (bachelor of science, forest management) graduate from Oregon State University. The commencement ceremony is 10:30 a.m. June 16 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. …

Madeleine Grace (Louise Herrington School of Nursing) and James Taw (College of Arts and Sciences) were named to the dean’s list for spring semester at Baylor University. … Francesca Curry-Edwards (bachelor of arts, musical theatre, summa cum laude) received a degree from the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley) during spring commencement ceremonies May 4-5.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property