GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY

It is important that students master the technique of “touch-typing” — that is, typing without relying on visual cues. To raise awareness of the importance of this skill, occupational therapist Jada Jack, computer skills teacher Dot Gosset and librarian Maribeth Stewart collaborated to offer the first Greywolf Typing Challenge. Students were challenged to locate home row on the keyboard and use proper fingering techniques for a one-minute typing test without looking at their fingers. Forty-eight students signed up for the challenge and here are the standout results:

Third-graders able to type 15 words per minute: Kalli Wiker and Olivia Preston, both of Shannon Green’s class.

Fourth-graders able to type 20-plus words per minute: Isabelle MacMurchie, Abbee Jagger, Jonathan Heintz, Alexandra Barden from Teresa Iversen’s class, and Kristina Mingoy from Vicki Lemke’s class.

Fifth-graders able to type 25-plus words per minute: Morgana Fergusson and Porter Funston from Louise Lemley’s class and Jinaya Brow and Zoe Rivers from Sue Gellor’s class.

The distinction of Top Greywolf Typist goes to fifth-grader Ashley Rosales from Sue Gellor’s class, at 48 words per minute! Second-place typist goes to fourth-grader Miles Van Sant from Teresa Iversen’s class, at 43 words per minute. Third place typist is third-grader Kalli Wiker from Shannon Green’s class, at 42 words per minute.

Congratulations to these students and thanks to the organizers and teachers who supported participation!

— Tricia Stratton, secretary

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Science Department would like to showcase the following students as “Catalysts” for Term Three. Just what is a catalyst? These are students who consistently display an exceptional level of participation in their science class. They ask those thought-provoking questions that extend understanding. They clearly and accurately share their observations, both verbally and in writing. They are the sparks that ignite learning! Let us recognize and celebrate these fine young scientists.

In sixth-grade, teacher Meredith Johnson celebrates the accomplishments of Tim Andrews, Andrea Albaugh and Mathew Craig. Teacher Steve Koehler recognizes Sarah Shea, Noelle Bittner and Treva Perryman.

For seventh-graders, teacher Phil Zarelli gives a standing ovation to Jordan Bentz, Melanie Warders, Dylan Perreira, Chelena Erickson, Sarah Coney, Brenden Lauritzen, Molly Earley, Ally Billings, Terrance Tveit, Amber Lamb, Cheyenne Lentzner, Margaret Ward, Taylene Eldredge, Jaycee Thompson, Dusty Wessel and Calvin Hazard. Teacher Joe Landoni tips his hat to Rylee Bender, August O’Shea, Zak Riedel, Zoie Overby, Dailey Sampson, Zachary Young, Erica Bower, Joseph Larson, Hayden Crane and Rachel Campbell.

Finally, teacher Debbie Beckett applauds eighth-graders Ryle Lindbergh, Anthony Creasey, Emily Webb, Ivan Anderson and, from her Science and Engineering Teams Class, Ian Houghton. Keep up the fantastic efforts, young scientists. You are excellent role models for your peers!

The Science Department also recognizes those fine students who find themselves “On-a-Roll.” These students were able to boost their grades for Term Three by at least 10 percentage points over their grade for Term Two.

Congratulations to sixth-graders Isaiah West, Stephanie Lemus, Dylan Moore, Matthew Warner and Dakota King.

Congratulations to seventh-graders Sven Wiker, Anthony Maghupoy, Curtis Gorr, Brandon Fundally, Abby Smith, Jayden Dale, Bradley Simpson, Seth Mitchell, Camielle Chaney, Forrest Page, Kaylee Taylor, Taylor Ballinger, Kaylynn Hardwick, Jade Arnold, Jon Copeland and Daniel Rose.

Keep on rolling, middle schoolers!

— Joe Landoni, science teacher

Once again, the Penny Wars benefiting the Jeff Katerina Foundation raged in the Sequim Middle School building. First-period classes planned and executed their strategies in an attempt to come out on top of the penny wars. The concept behind Penny Wars is that coins are “good” and dollar bills are “bad,” so classes put loose change in their own jars and dollar bills in other classrooms’ jars.

Turn-in days, which occurred every other day during the past three weeks, were drenched in anticipation, as jars were hauled to the bank and thousands of coins were tallied in the coin counting machine. Some classes opted to hit the ground running by turning in lots of change at first, only to be sabotaged with dollar bills by other classes.

Caleb Gentry’s first-period class brought in $68.54 in coins the first day, completely filling their jar. They were sabotaged by other classes, who dumped $85 in bills in their jar. They rallied and brought in an additional $107 in change, but finished in fourth place. Sad, since the top three classes received tasty prizes. To keep things fair, totals were determined as follows: Coins were added up, bills were subtracted and the final amount was divided by the number of students in the class.

When the dust (and pocket lint) settled, Rick Miko’s math class finished in third, collecting $3.37 per student, and they were rewarded with cookies and milk. Dave McInnes’ math class took second place, with $4.59 per student, and received cake and ice cream. In first place, the office and library teachers’ assistants (TAs) brought in $73.62 in coins and $24 in bills for an ending balance of $49.62, or $12.41 per student. Those four philanthropists received a movie and popcorn party!

Total collected during Penny Wars was $1,190.85. All the money will be donated to the Jeff Katerina Foundation. The foundation funds local families who must regularly travel off the peninsula for treatment for a child’s life-threatening disease. Jeff was only a boy when he bravely fought cancer. Sadly, he died during his eighth-grade year. The foundation has served many families in our community over the past 15 years. Students continue to honor Jeff’s memory with the annual Penny Wars. It’s fitting to say that Jeff lives on, and his story is passed on from year to year. This is no small thing, considering Jeff died before these middle schoolers were even born!

— Caity Karapostoles, ASB secretary and activities coordinator

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Spring Recognition assembly will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 3, in the gym. Parents are invited to attend. Students from many different programs will be recognized for their recent achievements. As an extra bonus, the recent senior student flash mob video will be shown.

Senior Ball, “Once Upon A Time”, will be held at Fern Hollow, a gathering place off Taylor Cutoff Road, on May 5 for high school seniors and their guests. The formal ball begins at 7 p.m., and in fairy-tale fashion, ends at the stroke of midnight. Seniors will enjoy royal treatment as they dine on fairy treats and spectacular entrees. After dinner, they’ll dance the night away to music provided by Kube 93 and a string quartet. A private photographer will be on hand to capture memorable moments. Deadline for purchasing tickets was April 20.

Sequim High School presents “The Music Man” on May 3-4, May 10-12 and May 17-19. All Thursday performances begin at 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. Premium seats are $12, Adults are $10, Senior citizens and students with ASB cards are $8. Tickets are available at Pacific Mist Books, Frick’s Drug and through cast members.

— Lora Millet, secretary

On April 12-14, the Engineering Technology class sent five students to compete in the Skills USA state competition in Renton. They are Skyler Lewis, Nic Seabolt, Randy Hogoboom, Amanda Larson and Nicholas Kovach. Lewis brought home two third-place positions, one in Residential Wiring and one in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC). Hogoboom placed third in Major Appliance Repair and will attend national competition in Kansas City, Mo., in June.

— William Seabolt, teacher