Emily Churchwell, De Soto High School senior, places first with "Catching Dreams"

Washington, DC  - Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) announced the winner of the 2013 3^rd District Congressional Art Competition. Emily Churchwell, a senior at De   Soto High School, is this year's winner and her art entry "Catching Dreams" was completed using graphite, acrylic, gel, and oil paint. Each year, the winner of the Congressional Art Competition has their entry hung in the halls of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for the following year, among some of the best high school art work in the country. This is the second year in a row a student from De Soto High School has been selected in the Congressional Art Competition.

"I want to congratulate Emily for winning this year's 3^rd District Congressional Art Competition. Her entry Catching Dreams was chosen out of several other fantastic entries," stated Representative Kevin Yoder. "The 3^rd Congressional District has a large number of very talented young artists. I want to thank every student who submitted an art entry for their passion, and I thank our many wonderful art educators for the work they do."



"In addition to Emily, I'd like to thank and congratulate our three Honorable Mentions from this year for their exceptional talents as well : Madeline Fowler, senior at Shawnee Mission South High School, for the entry 'Orphans of Rwanda'; Jane Chaffee, senior at Shawnee Mission South High School, for the entry 'Distortion of Light'; and Kris Roller, senior at Shawnee Mission North High School, for the entry 'Catie.' All three submitted remarkable art entries and received Honorable Mention recognition for their work. Additionally this year, I added a third category, "The People's Choice Award," giving community members the opportunity to share with me their favorite piece of art. 'Catie', Kris Roller's piece won "The People's Choice Award" for this year. Thank you to all the other students who entered their work in this year's Congressional Art Competition, and to the judges who had the difficult task of picking just one winner."

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of the high school students in their districts. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition. The winning student art will hang in the U.S. Capitol with the winning art selected from all Congressional Districts across the country from June 2013 through June 2014. Emily's winning art was chosen from amongst all high school art students who entered art within the 3rd Congressional District; including public and private high schools, as well as home school students. 

Click the following link to view Emily's winning entry, "Catching Dreams," or for more information about the Congressional Art Competition:   http://yoder.house.gov/art-competition

The Mill Valley High School journalism department earned numerous honors at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association State Journalism Contest on May 4, including the school's second 5A state journalism title in the last four years.

Lead by seniors Kristina Milewski, Austin Gillespie and Jillian Mullin, the team of 14 students outpaced Wichita's Bishop Carroll to win the state title, 39-35. Mill Valley also won state journalism titles in 2004, 2009 and 2010. Click here to read more about the contest.

>> Read the full story from Mill Valley News.

Mill Valley High School seniors Coleman McCann, Skyler Windmiller, and Staton Rebeck will represent the Kansas team in the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Metro All-Star Game on June 13. The game will be played at Lee's Summit North High School.

Rebeck was also named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete. Twelve football athletes in the state of Kansas were chosen as recipients of this distinguished honor. The awards banquet is in Manhattan, Kansas, and Coach Bill Snyder from Kansas State University will be the featured speaker. Rebeck was also selected to play in this summer's 2013 KS Shrine Bowl.

The  MVHS Jaguars head football coach is Joel Applebee.

Location: Mill Valley High School soccer field

Cost: Free

Participants: Students in grades K-5 (Bring your entire team!)

What to bring: Soccer ball, shin pads, water bottle

Register for the event (space is limited): www.usd232.org/mvwomenssoccer

See the attached flyer for more information or send an email message:
jaguarcubsoccer@gmail.com

>> www.usd232.org/enrollment

USD 232 entered a three year partnership in 2012 with The University of Kansas Hospital Center for Sports Medicine to provide athletic training services for student athletes. De Soto and Mill Valley High Schools were the first high schools in the area to partner with the Center for Sports Medicine. The new program is featured in a magazine published by The University of Kansas Hospital.

Gearing up for the game
Center for Sports Medicine partners with area high schools
BeWell, The University of Kansas Hospital, May-August 2013

Game time. The minds of high school athletes are fixed on these words during practices, summer camps and conditioning exercises. Long before the first pitch or game whistle, these young but serious competitors push hard to keep their competitive edge.

At the same time, they're still growing into their roles as athletes. Athletic trainer Clint McAlister knows how important it is to make sure high school athletes stay healthy.

Training the next generation

McAlister, an athletic trainer with The University of Kansas Hospital's Center for Sports Medicine, works full-time with students at Mill Valley High School as part of the hospital's partnership with Unified School District #232, which includes De Soto and Mill Valley high schools.

>> Read the entire article in BeWell, page 8.

Four teenagers sat around in a circle and talked animatedly about one of their favorite things. They weren't talking about video games, movies, or their plans for the weekend. They were talking about their jobs.

They each took turns and spoke for about ten minutes sharing about where they work and what they do when they are there. This may not sound unusual but according to Robin Hodges, one of the teachers, it is. "They are normally more reserved when talking about themselves, but when it comes to talking about their jobs, they open right up!"

Thanks to a partnership between the district and three businesses in Shawnee, these students have a chance to try their hand in the world of work.   Country Club Café, Diva Pets, LogoKC provide a safe, nurturing environment where students can learn on the job.

The teenagers are in the Career and Community Connections class at Mill Valley High School. Designed for students who need special assistance, the class focuses on how to interview for jobs, learn new skills, and develop habits that future employers look for when hiring.

The first several weeks of the class are spent learning how to complete job applications. "We teach the kids how to create a data sheet with important information, like their birth date, address, and phone numbers for references, so when they are completing job applications the information is all in one place," said teacher Robin Harris. "Then we have them practice transferring that information to actual applications."

The next step for the students is developing good interview techniques. In class, they learn how to greet potential employers, answer questions in proper format, how to dress, how to conduct themselves and generally how to make a good impression. Then they take what they have learned and participate in mock interviews with Mill Valley teachers and support staff. They have even practiced interviewing at some local colleges.

After each trial interview, the group comes back together to discuss what went well and what skills need to be reviewed. "The self-confidence of these young people increases dramatically after every new experience. Having marketable skills and finding a job is so relevant to them and they know how important it is," said Harris. "When they prove to themselves that they can be successful at interviewing they feel so proud of themselves, and they deserve to be." That confidence came in handy when each student put their skills to the test by going through an official interview with one of the local business partners.

Brian Abernathy works at Country Club Cafe' in Shawnee, owned by Matt and Renee Rogers. Part of Brian's job includes cleaning, stocking items and rolling silverware. "There is nothing that I ask him to do that he can't handle. He is willing to try any new task I give him. He is just great," said Renee Rogers.

Millie and Bob Chapman, owners of LogoKC, are providing a great experience for Tyler Wilson who has an interest in graphic design.  The business prints t-shirts, hats, and other items. He is learning to inventory, work in a warehouse, and has become very good at the multi-step process of cleaning the screens used in printing. Like many of the employers involved in this program, the Chapmans and LogoKC have gone the extra mile. Because of Tyler's interest in the creative side of the business, they make certain that he spends substantial time with the in-house graphic designer.

Diva Pets, owned by Tania Dodson, is the perfect match for Katelyn Blubaugh who loves animals. This non-profit organization provides cats for adoption at Pet Smart. Her job includes cleaning cages and checking the food and water supply. "Working with Diva Pets has given Katelyn the opportunity to problem solve while caring for the pets," said Debbie Porter, her job coach. "One day an uncooperative cat crawled under the cages. With patience and some time, she was able to coax him out and then continued on with her normal duties."

Lindsey Sudac, a first grade teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary, school supervises Brittany Nicholson who is working as a teacher's aide. Part of her duties includes making copies, filing, and checking math papers at the end of lessons. "Brittany does so many things. She is definitely a natural at helping the students," said Ms. Sudac. "From day one she jumped right in, able to spot students who were not keeping up and helping out students who were stuck on a question. The students love having her here and miss her when she is gone."

When asked to identify the most striking element of this program, both teachers, Ms. Harris and Ms. Hodges, agree that the new skills these students learn and the interactions they have with people in the community are remarkable. However, far more significant is the sense of accomplishment and self-worth the students develop. That, say the teachers, is absolutely priceless.

Taking nature hikes and learning to fish works up an appetite and those marshmallow treats called S'mores really hit the spot! Dads and their young children pretended to hike and fish along with other camping activities at the Parents as Teachers annual Camp Out with Dads held January 16 at Mize Elementary.

Decorating binoculars with markers and searching for wildlife perched around the room were very popular activities with the tots and their dads.  The camping trip wasn't complete without singing songs around the campfire and according to PAT coordinator Jamie Fink, "The dads did a great job singing and got really involved when leading 'Going on a Bear Hunt'."

PAT sponsors monthly events for parents and their children ages 0-3 years. The program's mission is to provide the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. For information contact Jamie Fink at 913-667-3512 or go to www.usd232.org/pat.

De Soto High School had 13 students participate in Job Olympics at Johnson County Community College on Wednesday, April 3. Seven of the students earned a total of eleven medals in the annual competition.

Job Olympics is a one-day event comprised of several activities where students with special needs showcase their employability skills. More than 350 students from 23 high schools in the area competed in their choice of four of 26 competitions. In addition to the event participants, five members of the DHS LITE Team joined as peer mentors.

Job Olympics is sponsored by The Johnson County Transition Council, Johnson County Community College, Lenexa Hy-Vee, Lakemary Center and participating school districts.

Individual medals:

· Alex Hunter - 2nd place in Sorting Mail & 3rd place in phone message

· Rodrigo Garcia - 1st place in Basic Check Writing & 2nd place in Basic Job Application

· Karley Cronin - 1st place in Basic Job Application & 2nd place in Basic Job Interview

· Jamal Ruiall - 3rd place in Basic Check Writing

· Jante Ruiall - 3rd place in Basic Check Writing & 1st place in Facing/Stocking Shelves

· Lela Servos - 1st place in Facing/Stocking Shelves

· Elyssa Schmitz - 3rd place in Role Play-Job

Photo: Event participants, peer mentors and teaching staff stopped for a photo after the Job Olympics awards ceremony. Front Row: Gunnar Bondank, Devin Robinson, Katie Simpson, Elyssa Schmitz, Elizabeth Mayer, Mandy Stone, Khamerin Trotter, Jante Ruiall, Taylor Saucerman, Michael Nelson, Emily Hall. Back Row: Michele McGary, April Hicks, Terri Jacobs, Brock Opfer, Katy Sosna, Karley Cronin, Jacob Kinney, Jamal Ruiall, Rodrigo Garcia, Alex Hunter, Lela Servos.