Erwin Middle School eighth-grader attends People to People World Leadersip Forum

Dean Crouch, an eighth-grader at Erwin Middle School, attended the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., in October.

The program allows participants to earn high school credit while studying leadership and exploring some of the country’s most prominent monuments and institutions. Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the program to foster world citizenship during his presidency in 1956.

Crouch and other participants examined the characteristics of American leadership during times of national challenge and prosperity. They also participated in small group discussions and exercises to experience first-hand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus and foster change.

Crouch was nominated and accepted for the forum based on his outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential. He is the son of Richard and Linda Crouch of Rockwell.

West Middle speaker

Jason Beaver, a Rowan County native, recently shared stories about teaching English at a Japanese school and living in Japan with all fifth-graders and AIG students at Mount Ulla Elementary School.

Beaver told the students that Japanese students bow to their teachers each morning as a show of respect. The common form of transportation in the country is a bicycle, and his apartment is the size of a small bedroom.

He said he misses his mom’s home cooking and driving a car. He also described differences in sounds, smells and culture of North Carolina and Japan.

Home on a visit until after Christmas, Beaver graduated from West Rowan High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in international studies. He currently teaches at Watauchi Junior High, which is about two hours from Tokyo.

Baker induction

Marie Hall Baker will be inducted Dec. 5 into the Alpha Sigma Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Baker, an education/teaching major, lives in Salisbury with husband Jack. She is the daughter of Mary Hall of Salisbury and the late Hiram Hall.

Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society for two-year colleges. It recognizes and encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming.

Students must rank in the top 20 percent of their class to be invited to membership and must maintain high academic standing.

Koontz honor roll

The following students have been named to the all-A honor roll for the first quarter at Koontz Elementary School:

Second grade: Taylor Cook, Makahla Stout, Kory Ly, Natalie Nunez, Seth McLendon, Callie Alexander, Sarah Burris, Seth Chaffin, Jibri Cowan, Kendra Drye, John Dunham, Danielle Romans and Estefany Jimenez-Jacobo.

Third grade: Alondra Martinez and Katlyn Menius.

Fourth grade: Zane Gray, Evan Dunn, Miranda Brady, Aaliyah Funderburk, Eilish Garvey, Desmond Millsaps, Mono Panchit, Samantha Ketchie, Kirishna Patel and Elbert Moulton.

Fifth grade: Ericka Silva, Mollie Wynn, Chris Cox, John Patella, Olivia Horning and Andrew Mekebak.

Koontz good citizens

Koontz Elementary School recently recognized the following as Students of the Month for November:

Kindergarten: Ian Walworth, Ta’Quaviah Davis, Destiny Suphin, Brianna Guthrie, Brianna Moore, Carter Rodgers, Jade Rowh, Jason Hendrickson, Leah Davies, Olivia Gregory and Livie Cunningham.

First grade: Anisha Harper, Jaleel Webster, Taylor Bailey, Rohan Patel, Dadrian Campbell, A’Daysha Pruitt, Aman Patel, Chyna Knox, D’Shaun Robinson, Jurnee Webster, Ethan Rhodes and Chiyanne Jones.

Second grade: Alicia Kincaid, Larry White, Kendra Drye, Gavin Miller, Bernardo Aguilar, Radha Patel, Marlin Cruz and Estefany Jiminez-Jacobo.

Third grade: Ashley Krider, Tyquan Jones, Logan Dill, Daquarius Williams, Jasynda Medina, Ishmael Hairston, Zeke Whitaker, McKenzie Menius and Valentin Sancho.

Fourth grade: Eilish Garvey, Shiheem Saunders, DaMann Millsaps, Lyric Knox, Samantha Ketchie, Cristian Leos, Keosha Burch and Miranda Brady.

Fifth grade: Tylijah Nunn, Devin Virts, Tommy Dang, Georgia Kirchin, Kalen Doleman, Ashlee Stiller, Phillip Gatewood and Mollie Wynn.