Points of Pride
Dr. Val Betz Chosen Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of Year for 2012
Dr. Val Betz, Central High School Teacher, has recently been chosen as the Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year for 2012. This award provides recognition for professional excellence and achievement in family and consumer sciences and for oustanding service to IAFCS. As part of this honor, she is expected to apply for the national TOY and will attend the AAFCS conference in June 2013.
Dr. Simon Estes Sings with Mrs. Jeannie Dean
On Monday morning, March 5, 2012, at the request of the Central High School student body, Simon Estes agreed to sing to them at the end of his speech in the Central Performing Arts Center, but only if our Vocal Music Director, Jeannie Dean, would sing with him. Joyce Fletcher joined them as an accompanist. Outstanding! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW0xF_J91cE
FFA Students attend 360 Degree Leadership Conference
On November 11th and 12th, Heidi A., Morgan D., Caleb B., and Eric W. attended the 360 Degree Leadership Conference at the Enrichment Center in Ankeny Iowa.
The 360 Degree conference took students full circle in chapter leadership development. The objectives of the conference were to define influence and identify the influence process, recognize relationship potential, recognize benefits of maintaining a positive image, and inspect everyday influence.
FFA Students attend 212 Leadership Conference
The following FFA students attended the 212 Leadership Conference November 11th and 12th. They are Chad M., Dylan R., Amber M., and Samantha C. It was held at the Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
The objective of the conference was to identify four segments of personal growth, determine role of personal habits and how they play in personal growth, plan and differentiate between personal and professional relationships and the role of social media. The 212 conference was for grades 9 and 10.
National FFA Convention
Six Central students attended the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis Indiana Oct 19-22. They attended many sessions, spent time in the Career Fair, and various CDE [Career Development Events]. Emily K. and Heidi A. also were voting Delegates during one of the sessions.
The DeWitt-Central Chapter also had four students receive their American FFA Degree. Those included Patrick D., Amanda F., Levi H., and Matt W. Patrick also represented the State of Iowa as a state officer.
The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
Approximately 3,500 American FFA Degrees are handed out each year at the National FFA Convention. That number represents less than half of one percent of all FFA members, making it one of the organization's highest honors.
In addition to their degree, each recipient received a gold American FFA Degree key.
The picture includes the six members in attendance at the convention from left to right; Emily K., Heidi A., Caleb B., Jacob R., Tyler L., Eric W., and Advisor James Kline.
Trapshooting for FFA
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On September 17th three DeWitt FFA members woke early and drove three hours to Eddyville, Iowa, for an invitational trap shoot. |
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The trap shoot started at 9:00 am at the Steel Clay Gun Club in Eddyville. It consisted of 10 different stations with 10 shots at each. |
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The team of three won 2nd place, with Zach H. scoring 46 out of 100, Eric W. scoring 60 out of 100, and Seth W. with a score of 64 out of 100. |
FFA Helps Set Up for Grand Prix Races
For the second year in a row the DeWitt Central FFA chapter helped out at the Grand Prix on Labor Day weekend. The Grand Prix takes place in Rock Island, and they needed help setting up and taking down straw bales. The Dewitt Central FFA members were the right people to do that. The Chapter unloaded and loaded about 2,000 bales on Friday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 5th.
The straw bales are outlined around the track to protect racers if an accident happened. Through all the scratches on their legs and arms, it was well worth it. The coordinators of the grand prix volunteers provided a meal after all the work was done. The Dewitt central FFA chapter helped out last year and as a thank you the Grand Prix Board Donated $1,000 to the FFA chapter.
The Rock Island Grand Prix is the world's largest and most prestigious karting street race. The racers drive carts going about 100 MPH, and thousands of spectators cheer them on. A family of more than 200 volunteers comes together each year to produce the race weekend for competitors who come from coast to coast as well as many foreign countries. There is nothing like the atmosphere of "The Rock."
Click here for the complete article and a photo.
High School Health Classes Earn Governor's Volunteer Award
Congratulations to Karl Burmester and the Central High School Health Classes on being selected for a 2011 Governor's Volunteer Award for outstanding commitment and service. For many years the Health II classes of Juniors and Seniors have been involved in the "Adopt-A-Highway" program, picking up trash along Highway 30 dressed in the bright orange safety vests.
As stated in the letter from the Governor's office, "Your nomination was submitted by Paul Trombino from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The devotion of volunteers like you is one of the reasons Iowa is currently 2nd in the nation for its state volunteerism rate. Thank you for contributing your time, dedication, and talent to make a tremendous difference in our state!"
Click here to see the entire letter from the Governor's office.
Artwork by Haley Saunders Chosen for ISEA Decals
Congratulations to Haley Saunders for designing a decal that was chosen by the ISEA (Iowa State Education Association). Haley's artwork will be created into a sticker and distributed to teachers all across the state of Iowa this fall. Congratulations to Haley for this great honor!
-- Submitted by Cassie Dunlavey, Middle School Art Teacher
Sara H. Receives 1st Place in Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest
The following announcement was sent to us by Mrs. Cassie Dunlavey, Middle School Art Teacher: "If you see Sara H. be sure to congratulate her for winning 1st place in the Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest. Sara will be honored in Texas this June for a national award recognition.
"Sara couldn't work art class into her schedule this semester so I am especially proud of her for coming to me during her free time before/after school and during T.A. to work on this painting. Sara also had to do research and write an essay for the contest. Her hard work paid off because she is state champion in her age division 7-9th grade!"
After May 9th her work will be posted on the website: http://www.wildlifeforever.org/contest
High School Students Receive National Honors
Cassie Dunlavey, High School/Middle School Art Teacher, is excited to share the following GREAT news. 
"Two of my painting students will be receiving Scholastic Art Awards this year. Central senior Sadie Banowetz was given honorable mention recognition for her painting, and Central junior Kaylee Pray was given a Gold Key. Kaylee's painting is now being judged for National level honors. This is one of the most selective art competitions in the country for a high school student. Our Midwest region has more than 11 states and they received thousands of entries. In the entire state of Iowa there were less than 30 students that received Gold Key recognition for all awards art and writing. Kaylee's artwork will be recognized in shows all over the country.
The Alliance's Regional Affiliates mount more than 60 art exhibitions in museums and galleries across the country. The 2011 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Exhibition will be on display in New York City in June 2011 coinciding with the national celebration at Carnegie Hall on May 31, 2011."
Congrats to Kaylee and Sadie for this great accomplishment! The paintings are shown here and can also be accessed from Mrs. Dunlavey's site
If you want to know more about the contest, go to http://www.artandwriting.org/
Cassie Dunlavey Achieves National Board Certification
Congratulations to Cassie Dunlavey for achieving the National Board Certification. We received notification she passed in November 2010.
Mrs. Dunlavey joins Janet Green (2004) and Kris McGuire (2002) in achieving the National Board Certification. Susan Canaday Bormann achieved the National Board Certified Counselor distinction in 2006. (Please scroll to the bottom of this page to read more about Mrs. Green, Mrs. McGuire, and Mrs. Canaday Bormann.)
Educators who achieve the National Board Certification must meet high and rigorous standards. Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.
Click here to learn more about National Board for Professional Teaching Standards NBPTS.