Schools
Whiz Kid: Nayah Williams Named Title 1 Distinguished Student
The fourth-grader at First Street Elementary was one of three students from around the state selected, and will speak at a conference at Seven Springs.
This year, a Canon-McMillan student will be an honored speaker at the Pennsylvania Annual Federal Programs Conference being held at Seven Springs.
Nayah Williams, a fourth-grader at First Street Elementary, was one of three students from around the state selected as a Title I Distinguished Student. Williams will speak about her personal success and her own experiences while attending a Title I school.
In January, First Street was honored as a Distinguished Title I School at the 2011 Improving School Performance Conference. In addition, the school received $3,000 in October from the Pennsylvania Department of Education when given the Title I Academic Achievement Award.
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As a Distinguished School, administrators and Title I reading specialists were able to nominate students who they felt best represented their school. Williams was one of three students from her school in the running.
A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Maria Garcia-Morales, visited the school, met with the three students and ultimately selected Williams for the honor.
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According to Tula Dziak, assistant principal at First Street Elementary, Williams is a great student with a great team standing behind her.
“She has support from her family, her teachers and our staff. She has really done a wonderful job,” said Dziak.
Williams' mother, Maria Rogers-Williams, said her daughter hasn't stopped smiling since learning she was chosen. Williams said she isn't nervous about her daughter speaking in front of so many people.
“She's a hard-working student and is always very positive. I'm very proud of her,” said Rogers-Williams.
In addition to her commitment in the classroom, Williams is active in tae kwon do, will soon begin softball, and has been involved in dance.
A Title I school refers to a school that has a certain percentage of students who are considered low-income. According to the 1965 Act as described on the U.S. Department of Education website, “The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.”
Williams will attend the conference next week to share her sentiments with educators from all over the state.