Highland Middle School seventh-grader Drew Thomas was recently accepted into the Mensa Junior Honor Society. Drew has been a member of Mensa, the international high-IQ society, for several years. Mensa members must score in the top 2 percent of the general population on an accepted standardized intelligence test in order to become a member. Criteria for membership in the Junior Mensa Honor Society includes 25 hours of service to school or community; participation in at least one activity outside of school attendance; remaining in academic good standing; maintaining a grade-point average of 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; recognition in a nationally recognized, advanced academic event during the past 12 months; and submission of at least one letter of recommendation. Drew is the son of Diane and Marc Thomas of Montville Township.
The eighth-grade students at St. Sebastian Parish School raised over $500 for the American Red Cross. Jill Patterson, major gift officer for the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region recently stopped by the parish school to accept the donation on behalf of the organization. The students hosted a Cleveland Cavaliers-event to raise the money for the Red Cross.
The Bhutanese Community Association of Akron sponsored its annual festival on Sept. 24 at Cuyahoga Falls High School. The event included a stage show with traditional music and dances, Nepali food, area business vendors, a preview of an upcoming movie and other activities. The purpose of the association is to facilitate and promote the smooth transition and integration of the people of Bhutanese origin into the U.S. Speakers at the event included: Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters, Stark State College President Para Jones, Akron program director for the Knight Foundation Kyle Kutuchief and University of Akron interim President Matthew Wilson. Performers included the Nepali Sanskrit Kala Kendra, Himalayan Music Academy, Namaste Band Baja, HOLA Ohio, Akron Mariachi Santa Ceclia, Folkloric Dancers, Greater Akron Hindu Sewa Samittee, Kirat Society of Ohio, Magar Society of Ohio, Hmong Community of Akron, Arts Sparks Family, Muna Basnet Dancers from Cincinnati, Suruwat Theater, Gurung Society of Akron, Guthee Foundation, Akron Christian Community, Tamang Society of Akron and the Los Muchachos Band.
The Century Cycles Bike to School Challenge earned the Next Generation Advocacy Award at the recent Interbike Awards Gala ceremony in Las Vegas. The Next Generation Advocacy Award honors the efforts of organizations, schools, corporations, and individuals that have gone above and beyond to get more kids on bikes. Century Cycles, the locally owned bicycle store with shops in Medina, Penisula, and Rocky River, is the primary sponsor of the Bike To School Challenge. Century Cycles owner Scott Cowan was unable to attend the Interbike Awards Gala in person, but accepted the award via a pre-recorded video on behalf of the many other organizers and sponsors of the program.
Eight students from the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District were honored at the Courageous Kids Day lunch on Sept. 22. Superintendent Tom Bratten took the students to lunch at Panini’s in Stow to recognize them for continuing to attend and do well in school, despite the challenges that they have faced during the school year. Students who attended the lunch were fourth-grader Janetta Dotson-Lynch and third-grader Joseph Stetka from Echo Hill Elementary; third-grader Logan Naylor from Indian Trail Elementary; third-grader Ava Turner from Riverview; eighth-graders Emily Keyser and Muriel Shaw from Kimpton Middle School; and ninth-grader Ian Clayton and senior Amber Pinczes from Stow-Munroe Falls High School. “I hope that these students know how much we admire their dedication to school and excellence,” Bratten said. “They are strong, resilient children and it is important that they know their school district is here for them, supports them, and that we are proud of them on so many fronts.”
The weekly Good News column features awards and recognitions, military and scholastic achievements, civic accomplishments and other good works. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to goodnews@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Good News, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309. Include a photo if one is available.