USD 504 Students Are Triumphant At State Technology Competition!
by Roberta Brightman
May 03, 2008
Proving once again that USD 504 is a leader in technology for the state of Kansas eight of eleven students placed at this year’s state competition, with four of them being first place! This has never been done before and definitely caused quite a stir at the awards assembly.
Six OMS and six OHS student traveled to Manhattan, KS on April 29 and 30 to compete in the very prestigious Kansas Student Technology Leadership Digital Media Competition. We are the only 2A school competing against 4A, 5A, and 6A schools, including some Technology Magnet Schools, but our students’ superior ability helped USD 504 to once again achieve the high standard that we and others have come to expect.
Each presenter was required to create his or her own project on a computer, choosing the theme only after being accepted into the program. From the beginning of the school year, each one worked diligently, sometimes even on Saturday, to produce a product that was as near to perfect as possible. Once all of that hard work was accomplished, each student then had to present it and sell it to the judges by themselves.
When you see the following students, please congratulate them on a job well done, and we hope you’re as proud of them as we are:
Technology Integration: (The student must create a technological product that can actually be utilized by a teacher in the classroom.)
In the High School division a returning winner from the last 5 years is Caleb Hays, who placed first in the high school division with “Collaboration.” Caleb has won first or second every year he has competed, and has been asked to return next year as a judge. Also placing sixth in this category was returning winner Corrie Hays with “A Clamor of Grammar.”
In the middle school division, placing first, returning winner Clint Rea, with his project “Halo Helps: Microsoft Word.”
Video Production: (The student must film, edit, and
produce a product over an educational theme to be used in a
classroom.)
Placing second in this middle school division was Kynzie Edings,
who created a video called, “Twirl Mania.”
Multimedia: (The student may use any form of
technology available to produce an educational product of their
choice. This is actually the most difficult category, because the
guidelines are not as structured or specific.)
In the High School division placing first Brittany Anderson, with
“Parlons Francais.” Also winning third in this class was returning
winner Damaris Russell, with “So You Think You Know Your
Elements.”
Taking the top two spots in the middle school division were first place winner Ethan Spore, with “Juvenile Diabetes and Me”. Placing second was Rebecca Wilson, with “Podcasting For Teachers.”
Four other students also deserve to be recognized for their hard work and technological abilities. They are Melissa Morgan, Laken Tullis, D.J. Ward, and Zac Dickerson.
We would like to thank Mr. Karlin and the USD 504 School Board for providing the technology that makes this class possible. Because of your foresight, our district is on the forefront of technology in the state of Kansas.
