Send your name and a brief statement on why you would be a good couple to follow to arts@MyEdmondsNews.com. We’ll follow the selected couples and highlight their big night online. Upcoming prom dates are June 1 for Meadowdale High and June 5 for Edmonds-Woodway High.

According to the VFW Post’s news release, the scholarship was established “to identify and reward deserving graduating seniors who have achieved an outstanding record of academic achievement, leadership, and community service and understand and value the freedom and rights guaranteed to us all by our Constitution.”

The $1,000 scholarships were awarded to two students each from the Edmonds and Mukilteo school districts.

In addition to their transcript and a resume, students were asked to write a 500-750 word essay in which they explained the meaning of freedom to them and how the U.S. Constitution establishes and maintains a culture of freedom.

During her four years of high school, Nguyen maintained a 4.0 GPA and established an impressive record of involvement in school activities, community service, and varsity sports. She has held leadership positions and has devoted countless volunteer hours in a variety of school and community organizations. She is also a past winner of Post 8870’s Voice of Democracy audio essay contest.

Willcock has received numerous awards for his participation in varsity football and wrestling. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered his time to tutor fellow students and provide services to a variety of Edmonds youth organizations. He plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

Jay Bennett of Kamiak High School and Madison Azim of Mariner High were the winners from the Mukiteo School District.

In addition to being honored during their schools’ academic recognition programs, the four scholarship winners will be publicly recognized at the Post’s July meeting, at which tine will be reading their Freedom Scholarship essays.

– Submitted by Fred Apgar

The "Museum" cast

Saturday is closing night at the “Museum,” a comedy performed by the Meadowdale High Players under direction of Senior Drew Petriello.

The last two years of the drama program have been “tumultuous times,” according to Petriello, which makes the weekend run more meaningful than just another high school show. This group of student actors took on all jobs, from set decoration to direction, with only the help of an advisor, English teacher Alison Ersfeld.

If you enjoy over-the-top characters, this is your show. “Museum” plays at 7 p.m. at the Meadowdale High School Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $7.

Students designed the book cover and wrote the stories with the help of local author Ingrid Ricks. According to advisor Marjie Bowker, “Our authors are pretty special and are definitely very, very excited. The paperback cost is $9.95, and all proceeds will go to the Scriber Lake Writing Program, led by Ingrid and me (we’re hoping to continue our partnership into next year). Please join us for light appetizers, cake and frozen yogurt. It should be a great time to mingle with community fans of teen writers.”

An eBook will be available soon on Amazon, along with paperbacks. But to get signatures from all fourteen writers, you need to be there on June 6.

The group had several soloists recognized: Charli and Jake Houser, Nick Birkby, Cole Conefrey and Belina Seare. In addition, members of the rhythm section — Miles Laven, Cory Franklin and Amanda Cowan — were all recognized individually as soloists and the group was awarded Outstanding Rhythm Section.

The Mello-Aires won their division plus the sweepstakes award for the best jazz performance out of all 30 choirs. Eleven is a perfect score (1′s in every category) and they scored an 11 and a 10!  They brought the house down at the finals concert and received several standing ovations (including from judges).

Three years ago, the District adopted a K-5 math curriculum called Math Expressions, resulting in improved individual student growth as well as state assessment results. Math Expressions was selected for grade 6 so it aligns with the existing elementary-level materials, but the district is now looking at a narrowed list of options for grades 7-8.

On May 22, publisher representatives and members of the Middle School Mathematics Team will be on hand to answer questions and community members are encouraged to review and provide written input about the materials under consideration.

Co-producer of MDHS Arts Week, Zaira Martinez, aspiring actress Katyanna Johnston, Mason Fraker, Renee Ridderbusch of Arts and Humanities Club, and teacher Amanda Wood. (Photos by Tracy Fraker)

By Janette Turner

Meadowdale High School student art leader Mason Fraker recently told us about Arts Week, going on at the high school now.

Q: What is the Arts Week program at MDHS?
A: Each day of the week showcases a different discipline of the arts. On Monday we got the whole school involved with a pep assembly. All the others days are dress up theme days. Also tonight we have an art opening and the 3rd annual MHS film festival. Tomorrow (Thursday) is spring jazz night.

Q: What parts did you work on?
A: I was mostly in charge of organizing the assembly, all things music-related, and publicity.

Q: What do you hope students get from the program?
A: I hope that students will realize how gifted Meadowdale is when it come to arts and also that some seniors will take on Arts Week next year for their senior projects.

Q: How did you come up with the idea?
A: My English teacher was listing off ideas for senior projects early in the year and this sounded appealing to me so I spoke with my art teacher and project advisor, Ms. Amanda Wood, about taking on Arts Week for my project.

Q: Is this the first time this has been done at MDHS?
A: Arts Week is one of those events required by the school to have each year, but it changes each year depending on who organizes it and how many students participate.

Q: What are the rest of the MDHS events for the week?
A: (Thursday’s) Jazz Night is open to the public, free, and starts at 7 p.m. It normally runs about two hours and MHS has some very talented musicians. For example, last weekend Nathaniel Hendrix took home the most wins from State Solo Ensemble in the organization’s history. (Friday’s) Expression night is just what it sounds like. There is a $3 admission to hear and see Meadowdale students express themselves through art, song, dance, food, and much more!

Q: Is Art Week affiliated with any organization?

A: Although it’s not an organization, I have been working closely with the Arts & Humanities Club as well as Impressions and Jazz Band 1.

Q: Who was your mentor at school?
A: My mentor is Ms. Wood. Last summer she led a group of students to Europe for three weeks so I already knew her pretty well by the beginning of this year.

Q: What other art events have you been inspired by?
A: I’ve been very inspired by my mom (artist and gallery owner Tracy Fraker) and all the things that she’s been doing lately.

Q: What is your background?
A: I’ve been raised in a pretty artistic environment and continue to be involved in the arts both at home and at school.

Q: What are your career dreams?
A: I’m going to Western Washington University to hopefully major in history. I’ve been singing in choirs for over six years now and I might choose to pursue that on the side.

Here are the new items that have been added for Friday night:

- 3 Month Membership to Harbor Square Athletic Club
- Silver Jewelry from Silver Moon Jewelry
- $50 Gift Card to QFC
- Tropical Tan Gift Certificates $50 each
- Ordinary Things Home Consignment Gift Certificate $50.00
- 4 Hour private motorcycle riding lesson
- Stella & Dot Necklace
- Pottery Piece from Glazed and Amazed
- $25 Gift Certificate to Hamburger Harry’s

Plus here is what we already mentioned:

- Seven-night stay in a time share in Mazatlan, Mexico
- Five- to six-hour Motorcycle Riding Class
- Skippered boat trip for either Crabbing, Fishing, Clamming or Shrimping depending on the season.
- Seattle Sounders FC Tickets (2)
- ACT Theatre tickets to “First Date”
- Rat City Roller Girls Ticket package
- Cascade Symphony Voucher

Cost to bowl is $20 per person or $100 per lane, which includes up to three games and bowling shoes. Bowling starts at 6 p.m. and also includes a silent auction fundraiser. Bring your spare change and help fill the community pack.

To reserve your spot, email Lisa @lg.ventures@yahoo.com

The three-week bike safety program for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders teaches safe habits at an early age, makes exercise fun and instills healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Basics of Bicycling curriculum was developed by the Cascade Bicycle Club based on older curriculum written by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking. Throughout the school year, the program rotates from one school to another via a utility trailer of 30 bikes in tow.

“I thought the class was really fun because I don’t get to ride my bike much because at home we don’t really have space. So this is a great opportunity for me,” said Darian Conn, one of the program graduates and a featured student in a video produced to celebrate the growth of the program.

“When the program began with our first 30 cyclists, we were nervous about what could happen with so many kids riding at the same time,” said Jennie Hershey, a physical education teacher at Mountlake Terrace Elementary. “As it turned out, the students were excited to try the new bikes on the safety course and they knew this was not the time to go crazy.”

Since then, the program has grown from three schools to 13 schools. “The word about this program is spreading,” said Jenni McCloughan, P.E. teacher at Maplewood Parent Cooperative. “Now I get students, parents, teachers and principals asking me about the program and wanting to know how they can get involved.”

The Edmonds Bicycle Advocacy Group (EBAG) deserves credit for coming up with the idea for local schools. “I’m also active in the Cascade Bicycle Club and was familiar with the Basics of Bicycling program offered at other schools,” said Peter Hallson. “EBAG thought this was a great idea and we contacted Cascade and community members with hopes of raising funds to launch our own local program.”

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to educate more students about safe bicycling and help these students develop healthy lifetime habits,” added Julie Salathe, education director at Cascade Bicycle Club. “Spring is a good time to be out biking and May is Cascade’s region-wide Bike Month, featuring Bike to School Month and Day on Friday (May 18).”

In addition to financial support from EBAG, Swedish/Edmonds sponsors this program and produced the bike video.

Here is Cote’s letter to parents:

Dear parents, guardians, and Meadowdale community members,

I am completing my 7th year as principal here at Meadowdale High School.  This is my 11th year overall as a building administrator.  It is time for me to grow and serve in a different capacity.  I want to let you know that I have been selected to serve as the Director of School Support for the Juanita Learning Community in the Lake Washington School District beginning July 1, 2012.

I will be directly overseeing the schools in the Juanita region.  I will be mentoring principals in school leadership development, school improvement planning and implementation, evaluating principals, as well as assisting with operational, student and community issues.

This is heart wrenching for me because I truly love Meadowdale High School and the thought of leaving has been very difficult for me to process.  I know in my heart this is the right thing to do for my career and my family.  This has been a great experience for me and I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve you these past seven years.

Clearly we still have important work to accomplish together to finish out the school year for our students.

The Edmonds School District is currently posting the principal position for Meadowdale High School.  I have no doubt this district will work hard at selecting the very best person for this job.

Sincerely,

Dale Cote
Principal
Meadowdale High School