The Washoe Tribe Education department honored Indian youth for school success at the Indian Student Award program at Meneley Elementary School on May 24.
Sherry Smokey, education director for the Washoe Tribe, said Indian students are recognized for school successes of academic excellence and excellent attendance. All students receive a certificate of outstanding effort.
"It goes a long way to promote the value of education," said Smokey. "We do this every year so families know how important education is. The program is a real visual way to do this."
Elementary and some middle school students, parents and teachers attended the program featuring student poetry readings and music by Tammy Owens' sixth-grade drum class.
Awards of outstanding effort were given by teachers who noted students' achievements. Students with a 3.0 grade point average or better received certificates of academic excellence, coupons for McDonald's and passes to the Carson Valley Swim Center.
Pau-Wa-Lu seventh-grader Samantha Dressler holds a 4.0 grade point average.
Students who had four or fewer absences during the school year earned excellent attendance certificates and a pizza and root beer float party.
"The teachers read strengths and the recognition they give boosts self-esteem," said Cheryl Villanueva, instructing aide for the Washoe Tribe. "It gives students something to look forward to for years to come."
Besides an award for outstanding effort, third-grader Taylor Frank had certificates for good attendance and good grades. Taylor's mother Christine Frank said her daughter likes school.
"She doesn't miss a day," said Christine Frank. "Math and reading are her favorite subjects."
Taylor, 9, said she was going to spend the summer using the swim pass she earned.
"I'm going swimming a lot but I'll wonder when school's going to start again," said Taylor.
Indian Student Awards:
Talen Christensen Pre-K
Joshua Shaw Pre-K
Xante Smokey Kindergarten
Quinten Taylor Kindergarten
Lance Nevers 1st grade
Aiyana Pitts 1st
Hunter Simpson 1st
Tahomah Smokey 1st
Anaisa Contreras 2nd
Darnell George 2nd
Glenn Jim 2nd
Tyeesa Jim 2nd
Kinan Contreras 3rd
Melanie Crutcher 3rd
Taylor Frank 3rd Academic/Attendance
Dannon James 3rd Academic
Tierney Kizer 3rd Academic
Cody Lock-Mitchell 3rd Academic/Attendance
Ty Martinez 3rd
Mason Olsen 3rd
Kasandra Rodriguez-Ramirez 3rd Academic
Onie Sam 3rd
Kali Sargent 3rd Academic
Linnea Shaw 3rd
Luke Simpson 3rd
Teena-Marie Simpson 3rd Academic
Cierra Skenandore 3rd
Austin Tilden 3rd Academic/Attendance
Hale Fillmore 4th Academic
Jessie Jim 4th
Marissa John 4th Academic/Attendance
Michaela Kizer 4th
Tori Christensen 5th Academic
Hunter Cruz 5th Academic
Benjamin Delgado 5th Academic
Brent John 5th
Shabrielle Mayer 5th
Irene Sosa 5th
Darick Zieroth 5th
Everett Aguilar 6th
Raul Castaneda 6th
Vanessa Contreras 6th
Cheyenne Duplan 6th
Hunter Fillmore 6th Academic
Marlena Martin 6th
Garrett Moore 6th Attendance
Dalton Moore 6th Academic/Attendance
Raymond Nevers 6th
Samantha Dressler 7th 4.0 GPA
Stormy Kizer 7th
Dana Christensen 8th
Stan Runningwolf 8th
Brittany Wyatt 8th
