Foundation honors next generation of leaders
Although the 14 high school seniors selected as Leadership for
Tomorrow honorees are diverse students with varied talents — such
as tennis, architecture, medicine and music — they are all emerging
leaders.
“These students are hard workers with dedication, vision and
passion,” said Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Executive Director
Carolynn Erickson. That is why these students were selected to be
honored at the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Leadership for
Tomorrow Luncheon on March 17.
Cherry Creek High School
Carly Shira. Carla Shira epitomizes what it means to be a
leader. During her sophomore year she started a club called the
BRUINS Squad. It stands for Becoming Respectful, United,
Insightful, No-hate students. As an extension of the Anti
Defamation League, the club aims to break down barriers that
isolate students. As a member of Student Senate, Shira founded and
heads a committee that raises money for Teachers Across Borders,
Inc., which provides educational opportunities for children in
corrupt and poverty-stricken third-world countries. Shira plays
soccer for both Cherry Creek High School and for Storm Academy
Copa, where she is one of three captains. Outside of school, Shira
volunteers at the Sunrise Assisted Living Center for about six to
eight hours a week. As a youth volunteer leader, she organized the
center’s Alzheimer’s Association Fundraiser.
Matthew Iritani. Matthew Iritani has had a lot of practice being
a leader. He is the student body president at Cherry Creek High
School, and was president of his class for his freshman, sophomore
and junior years. In addition, he is president of the National
Honor Society, Key Club treasurer, and was the junior class swim
team captain.
Outside of school, Iritani actively participates in the Japanese
American Community and calls bingo at this grandfather’s assisted
living center.
Eaglecrest High School
Ashley Lewis. Being a leader is an innate part of Ashley Lewis.
Throughout her life she has felt it was important to serve her
community and to serve as a role model to others. She plans to
continue doing so throughout her life.
“I want to help young girls,” Ashley said. “As a black, Mexican
girl, I feel it’s important to help other young girls through their
struggles and hardships. As long as they keep their goals in mind,
they can achieve what they want to achieve.”
Already Ashley has a long list of her own achievements. She is a
varsity cheerleader at Eaglecrest High School. She’s been cheering
competitively for 14 years. She’s also a member of the Honors
Diploma Program, the National Society of High School Scholars and
the Spanish Honor Society.
But one of the most meaningful experiences she’s had has been
volunteering with the Special Olympic track team. “It was such a
humbling experience and it made me feel like I was really making a
difference.”
Lewis plans to purse a career in acting or public relations.
Connor Bohl. Connor Bohl uses his leadership skills to help lead
Eaglecrest High School as student body president. He is responsible
for supporting activities, programs and initiatives that bring
students together and reach the goals of the school.
In addition, he performs with the school’s top-level choir, the
Madrigals and he’s involved with Boy Scouts of America.
Academically, Connor leads by example with his involvement in
the Honors Diploma program, which provides structure and college
preparedness for high-achieving students. The program also has a
community service component.
One of Connor’s biggest passion’s is playing volleyball. He
plays boys high school volleyball and club volleyball.
Students earn academic honors at Oklahoma City
Kelly A. Bostdorff and Paige E. Tryggestad, of Centennial, have
earned academic honors at Oklahoma City University.
Hughett makes all As at U. of Nebraska
Jordan Hughett, of Centennial, earned a place on the dean’s list
for the fall semester at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Hughett earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.
McArthur earns honors at Tufts University
Scott McArthur, of Centennial, was named to the fall 2010 dean’s
list at Tufts University.
Berry inducted into Mortar Board society
Cayla Berry, of Centennial, was honored by the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln at its annual Ivy Day ceremonies April 2. Berry,
who is a secondary education major was inducted into the Mortar
Board society. Berry is the daughter of Diane and Joe Berry.
Polepeddi earns scholarship at Emporia Padma Polepeddi, of
Centennial, earned the John, Valeta, and Richard Richel Scholarship
from Emporia State University.
Biochemistry major Blomberg makes dean’s list
Rachel Katherine Blomberg, a junior majoring in biochemistry at
the University of Rochester, has been named to the dean’s list for
academic achievement for the fall 2010 semester. Blomberg, a
resident of Centennial, is the daughter of Dr. Craig Blomberg and
Fran Blomberg, and a graduate of Littleton High School.
Haywood earns honors at Oregon State University
Chase J. Haywood, of Centennial, was named to the scholastic
honor roll for the winter term at Oregon State University.
O’Donnell presents research at conference
Aryn O’Donnell, international studies senior of Centennial at
Miami University, presented research April 8 at the annual
Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European
Union at the European Union Center in Claremont, Calif.
Borchers inducted into SPURS honor society
Nicole Borchers, of Centennial, has been inducted into the SPURS
honor society at Fort Hays State University. SPURS stands for
service, patriotism, understanding, respect and sacrifice. It is an
honor society and community service organization for sophomores who
obtain a 3.0 grade-point average in their freshman year.
Willow Creek students help Japanese children
Students, parents and teachers at Willow Creek Elementary folded
more than 1,700 origami cranes to help children in Japan.
Fourth-grade students from Lisa Heaton’s class organized the
crane-folding and fundraising efforts (offering one crane for $1),
raising more than $1,800 for Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake
Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. Parent volunteers sent 360
additional cranes to Students Rebuild Japan, and the school will
keep 1,000 to create a memorial decoration.
The idea for the crane project originated with Heaton’s class,
which recently began a unit on Sadako and the Thousand Paper
Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr. Inspired by the story of Sadako and by
the efforts of DU students to fold cranes for Japan, Heaton’s
students joined forces with their teacher and members of the
Japanese community. Parent volunteers Noriko Nakazawa, Toshiya Ueta
and Keiko Ueta, as well as friends from out of the district, came
together with the students to help teach every child at Willow
Creek how to fold a paper crane. Teachers in every grade then
volunteered to take cranes home in bags of 100 to run a gold thread
through each bird, turning them into ornaments for the
fundraiser.