Sunset Middle School (SMS) eighth grader Aaron Ting has a few good ideas on how he could change the world.  His speech presenting those ideas won him second place at the eleventh annual Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Niwot Optimist Club.  The contest was held on Thursday, March 14 at Niwot High School, and was open to area young people aged fifteen and under.  The topic of the speeches was, “If I Could Change the World,” and contestants spoke for four to five minutes each. 
 Aaron’s speech was on the theme of community.  He proposed that in order to change the world he was going to turn off his computer for one hour each week, and use that time to go out and make new connections in his community.  “Aaron argued that if others would follow his lead, they could generate millions of man-hours each week re-connecting communities throughout the nation,” said Mr. Brian Childress, Gifted/Talented coordinator at SMS.  Aaron’s conclusion was that “we don’t need a nation of connected computers, we need a nation of connected people.”

Aaron’s second place ranking came with a silver medal and a $50 gift certificate.  His achievement is particularly impressive due to the fact that Aaron was the only middle school student competing in the contest, all others being high school students.

(Eighth grader Aaron Ting placed second in the Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Niwot Optimist Club.)
 
 

If you stop by the SMS library between 2:30 and 3:30 on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, you’ll find a whole lot of homework going on!  That’s when the After-School Homework Club meets, giving SMS students a chance to work with peers, volunteer tutors and parents on some of their more challenging assignments.  The program began during the third trimester of last school year and response was so strong, the club continued and grew this year.  Lori Lindemann, who also manages the Peer Mentoring program at SMS, oversees the Homework Club and is very pleased with its progress.  She reports that close to forty students are registered to participate in the club and that, on average, at least fifteen to twenty students show up for each session.  Helping out in the program are some great volunteers, like Mr. Bill Engleking, a SMS parent who helps students with math on Mondays and Wednesdays.  In addition, five Niwot High School students work with the club on Wednesdays and Thursdays, ready and willing to help in any way needed. 

The feedback on the club has been excellent, with students, parents and teachers commenting on what a difference it has made for many students.  If you are interested in learning more about the Homework Club, please call Lori Lindemann at the SMS Counseling Office.

Ms. Lauren Rider, eighth grade math teacher, has been nominated as the Math/Science Teacher of the Year in the St. Vrain Valley School District.  The award is given annually by the Amgen Corporation.  Ms. Rider’s nomination came primarily from SMS parents, who wanted to recognize her outstanding work in the classroom.  The Amgen award winners will be announced later in the spring.

The Niwot Optimist Club announced the Students of the Month for March, seventh graders Liz Lembo and Kelly Scribner.  Liz and Kelly were recognized for their academic achievement and outstanding school and community involvement.