Class Notes 04.02.15

+ Westbrooke students compete at Field Day

Students at Westbrooke Elementary School enjoyed a day of friendly competition March 19 during the school’s annual Field Day.

The day featured plenty of fun for students in all grade levels.

+ W.O.-area students attend conference

Democracy was alive and well at Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ fourth annual Youth Leadership Conference, held recently at Rollins College.

Jacobs welcomed more than 200 high school student leaders from 22 Orange County Public Schools. The half-day event taught students about their local county government, how to participate in community initiatives and how to strengthen their leadership skills.

 “We can walk through life as participants or we can walk through life as spectators,” Jacobs said. “Because you are here today, you are participants. A fully functioning government depends on all citizen participation, and this is one of the reasons why I hold my annual Youth Leadership Conference.”

Students also participated in a Youth Issues Forum with Jacobs, during which they discussed topics that were of importance to their generation. Issues ran the gamut from cyberbullying, LBGT and Muslim rights to student testing. 

This year, students were once again given the challenge to post videos on Facebook, recapping what they learned at the conference, and a chance to “job shadow” their mayor for a day. Each high school will collaborate on its video, and one school will be selected as the winner of the Mayor for a Day Challenge.

+ MVA students volunteer with Habitat

Rachel Adams, head coach of the Lady Eagles Volleyball team and a Lower-school Learning Resource Support teacher, accompanied Montverde Academy students Chavisa Dechathipat, Mami Yamamoto, Karen Arimoto, Stepan Kolarik, Lucas Fagotti, Asafhe Lucas, Chun Yin Lee and Malcolm Hinds on a volunteer trip in Oakland to serve Habitat for Humanity.

MVA never has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, so all the students were very excited to help. In fact, when given the chance to leave for the day because of inclement weather, the students chose to continue working in the rain.

“I was very thankful for the opportunity to take these kids on this trip,” Adams said. “I really enjoyed the entire experience. The entire group had such great attitudes.” 

+ WOHS to host cheer meeting

Anyone interested in trying out for cheer at West Orange High School for the upcoming school year?

There will be a pre-tryout meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the media center, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden.

Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Attendees will receive all the necessary information for tryouts and what to expect for the cheer season. Cheer tryouts will take place May 18, 20 and 21.