The Chalkboard: RISE summer program, FFA state convention, Kate Collins Beta Club

WAYNESBORO — RISE recently celebrated completion of its summer school program with 30 students from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County as well as Crozet and Harrisonburg.

The Waynesboro program has a mission of giving voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak and support for the lost within the Black community. One of the ways it does that is through education, which both co-founders Sharon Fitz and Chanda McGuffin feel is so important. Among the educational offerings they provide are tutoring services, after-school programs and a summer school program, which they both lead.

"These scholars learn about Black History year-round to build their confidence and knowledge of self," McGuffin said. "This year started with the scholars studying about famous Black Americans and portraying them in the Black history fashion show held at Waynesboro High School in February."

This summer the students went on a field trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. One of the things each student found was the historical person they portrayed in February.

"The scholars felt honored to have portrayed such great people," McGuffin said. "The lesson came full circle in that moment at the museum for these young people. When they arrived at school the last day, Mrs Sharon had made a wall of fame. They went to it and saw themselves."

The students, or scholars as they are called at RISE, were given assessments for the first two days of summer school. From those assessments, the teachers determined what lesson plans could be implemented with this group of children that would make the greatest impact during the month-long session. Scholars worked in small groups based on their reading levels and, if they needed more challenging work in other subjects, they received different assignments.

"Once the scholars learned concepts and ways to get the right answer, they flourished in the RISE learning environment," McGuffin said. "It boils down to building their confidence."

She said the focus for the elementary scholars included site words, reading, skip counting, money matters, telling time and oral book reports.

Teachers this summer were Fitz, McGuffin, Lori Mier and Sonya Payne.

Fitz also led an Impact on Youth program for middle and high school students. Students in that program worked on entrepreneurship, learning finance matters and computing sales tax through math problems. They made their own logos, business plans and are preparing to launch their businesses in the upcoming future.

RISE is hoping to continue to expand that program. Applications are being taken for after school program and Impact on Youth through their website at riseorg2018.com.

Kate Collins students successful at national convention

WAYNESBORO — The Kate Collins Middle School Junior Beta Club had some members recognized at the organization's national convention held in Louisville, Kentucky.

Libby Caister represented the KCMS chapter in the visual arts painting category. Additionally, the quiz bowl team composed of Jasper McNicholas, Nilkanth Patel, Bennett Craft, and Mariana Vazquez demonstrated knowledge and teamwork throughout the competition.

"Their impressive performance secured them a coveted spot among the top 10 teams in the nation, allowing them to compete in person," a press release from Waynesboro Public Schools said. "We are proud to announce that the quiz bowl team’s efforts paid off as they secured an outstanding sixth-place finish overall."

Local FFA chapters honored at state convention

Several area schools participated in the state FFA convention at Virginia Tech June 20-23. Students had the opportunity to participate in career development events that focus on real-life skills and agricultural topics that students need if they plan to pursue careers in Virginia's largest economic industry. Students also participated in leadership workshops and met other FFA members from around the state.

WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL

• Newly activated chapter took five students to the convention for the first time in school history

FORT DEFIANCE HIGH SCHOOL

• 100% Membership

• Public Relations - Gold

• Superior Chapter Award

• National Chapter Award - Silver

• State Champion Agriscience Demonstration Team- Chloe Phillips and Allison Rhodes

• State Champion Meats Evaluation Team - Chloe Phillips, Allison Rhodes, Hailey Keagy, Tianna Lambert

• 1st High Individual Livestock Skillathon Contest - Allison Rhodes

• 10 State Degrees (Most in the State)

• 3 Proficiency Award Winners - Aiden Shiflett, Courtney Begoon, Clay Lambert

• 3rd High Individual Horse Judging - Olivia Tarbell

• State Champion Junior Horse Hippology Team - Claire McNeal, Ashley Tutwiler, Avery Brown, Olivia Tarbell

• State Champion Youth Discussion Meet - Courtney Begoon

• 2nd Place Livestock Evaluation Team - Landon Marshall, Wyatt Marshall, Jackson Michael, Dean Grogg

• 3rd Place Individual Environmental and Natural Resources - Daniel Worrell

STUARTS DRAFT HIGH SCHOOL

• 2 State Degrees

• Superior Chapter Award

• Public Relations - Gold

• State Champion Forestry Team - Steven Ramsey (1st), Will Monroe(2nd), Anna Grace Henderson, Kelli Weaver

• 5th Place Agricultural Mechanics Team - Will Monroe, Fannon Vance, Jonathan Walker, Annie Gunnell

WILSON MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

• 1st High Individual in Livestock Judging - Emily Klein

• 3rd Place Junior Agricultural Mechanics Team

• Superior Chapter Award

• National Chapter Award - Gold

• Blue Ridge Area Winner - Strengthening Agriculture

• Blue Ridge Area Winner - Top Senior Chapter

• 2nd Place Junior Meats Judging Team

• 1st High Individual in Meats Judging - Emily Klein

• 3 State Degrees - Bella Zipf, Emily Klein, Delaney Morris

BUFFALO GAP HIGH SCHOOL

• State STAR Farmer - Blake Caricofe

• 2nd Place Agricultural Sales Team - Nicole Grady, Blake Caricofe, Tyle Hohenstein, Lori Teter

• 3rd Place Livestock Evaluation Team - Emory Seal, Hannah Smith, Jason Payne, Joe Horn

• Swine Production Proficiency - Blake Caricofe

• 100% Membership

• Superior Chapter

• National Chapter Award - Silver

• Public Relations - Gold

• 4 State Degrees

RIVERHEADS HIGH SCHOOL

• Public Relations - Gold

• Superior Chapter

• National Chapter - Gold

• 4 State Degrees

• 3rd Place Team in Senior Horse Hippology

• State Proficiency in Swine Placement

STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Superior Chapter Award

• 100% Membership

• Public Relations - Gold

• 1st place Junior Horse Judging Individual - Sara Tinsley

• 3rd place Junior Horse Judging Team

• 3rd Place Junior Horse Hippology Team

• 5th place junior livestock team

STUARTS DRAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL

• 100% membership

• Superior Chapte

• Public Relations - Gold

• 5th - Agriscience Mechanics (2nd high individual)

• 5th - Small Animal Care

• 6th - Jr Horse Hippology

• High individual - Plant Science

WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Public Relations - GOld

• Superior Chapter

• National Chapter - Gold

• Blue Ridge Area Winner - Top Junior Chapter

• Blue Ridge Area Winner - Strengthening Agriculture

• Blue Ridge Area Winner - Growing Leaders

• 3rd Place Team - Junior Agronomy - Cooper Little, Nick Saunders, Connor Cline, Camden Ruleman

• 2nd Place Team - Junior Horse Hippology - Claire Batman, Kate Batman, Alexis Davis, Crimora Davis

• State Champion Team - Middle School Agriscience Mechanics and Technology - Camden Cline, Jimmy Pruiskma, Camden Ruleman, Isaac Stevens

• 2nd Place Team - MIddle School Plant Science - Jon Saunders, Jimmy Pruiskma, Beckett Ryder, Olivia Daw

• State Champion Quiz Bowl Written Test - Camden Cline, ALexis Davis, Crew Harris, Sawyer Irvine

• 2nd Place Quiz Bowl TOurnament - Camden Cline, ALexis Davis, Crew Harris, Sawyer Irvine

• State Champion Small Animal Care Team - Spencer Stout, Crimora Davis, Avarie Scobba, Olivia Fauber

BEVERLEY MANOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

• 5th Place Junior Horse Hippology

Riverheads, Spotswood grads honored

The Kappa Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of key women educators, recently awarded two $1,000 grants-in-aid to graduating seniors.

Summer Wallace, from Riverheads High School, plans to attend Bridgewater College and Braxton Jones, from Spotswood High School, will be furthering her education at Randolph College. 

They were chosen to receive the Downs-Ryerson Grants-In-Aid based on high academic achievement and community involvement, but most importantly for their quest to enter the field of education.

Susan Schuckman, representing the selection committee, made the presentation to these students at the May 9 dinner meeting.  If you are an educator and wish to learn more about becoming a member of Delta Kappa Gamma you can contact Chapter President Cheryl Sams at csamsmathlady@gmail.com.

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: The Chalkboard: RISE summer program, FFA state convention, Kate Collins Beta Club