SFASD Honors Outstanding Students and Programs

In 2011, a Spring-Ford student inspired the district and the community with her very first publication - a that was able to help needy children through its sales and told a story of how she helped save a baby turtle. Now, in 2012, as a sixth grader, Ashraya Ananthanrayanan has taken on the task of preparing to publish her second book, titled ARIA.

"Ashraya is an excellent student," said Barbara Crist, gifted support teacher. "She's well-rounded and very active both in and outside of school."

Crist went on to explain that Ananthanrayanan just finished a level one online Latin course from Cambridge University. Aside from that, she plays piano, and violin, takes voice lessons, an Indian classical dance class, and ballet. She was also a part of a world champion chess tournament and plays golf. Eventually, Crist explained, the outstanding student wants to attend Harvard and be a lawyer.

Her new book is a compilation of 51 types of poetry. The title, in Latin, means melody. It will be published by April of this year.

It was explained that Ananthanrayanan was rhyming words one day, and then talked to her mother about the idea of writing a book of poetry. After researching the topic, she realized there were 51 kinds of poems, which inspired her to write her book. The overriding theme is nature, and the book is approximately 100 pages, with a poem on one page and a picture on the other. The illustrator of the book is Tyler Edwards, also a Spring-Ford sixth-grader. Poem on one page, pic on another. All proceeds will be donated to the KI Foundation in India, which helps animals, as well as the Mexican Orphanage.

At the meeting, the board was honored to hear one of her poems itlted "Fool Me Not, Push Me Not" which is about being bully-free. She ended the poem with the line: “Bullies beware, we’re on the way!”

"My father says teaching is one profession that creates so many others," Ananthanrayanan said after her poem. "I took the baby steps of my educational journey with teachers. I am ever grateful to Mrs. [Connie] Willauer, who gave me the courage to think outside of the box. She teaches from the heart."

She also thanked Crist, whom she said has positive energy in classroom and in students’ lives, as well as Superintendent David Goodin and a few other teachers in the district. She ended by revealing the true honor of her book.

"Mother Teresa once said kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless," she said. "ARIA is a dedication to all of the teachers at Spring-Ford."

Also on hand to speak were students and staff members of , who talked about the school's Health and Career Fair which is held annually. Limerick and Principal Mitchel Edmunds introduced the program, passing the torch to highlight the program to John Hughes, Guidance COunnselor, Steve Ferko, Physical Education Teacher, and Sue Vokovich, nurse, along with four students from the school.

The program was founded five years ago, when the aforementioned staff members sat down to figure out a way to promote healthy living and choices in young students' lives. The goals for the fair are to promote good health, both physically and emotionally, and to invoke positive thinking about future career choices for the students. The program runs all day from 9 a.m. untiil the end of school and is designed for students kindergarten through fourth grade. There are 14 different exhibits to choose from for students to take part in and learn from, and each student gets to see 11 of them. There's also a healthy lunch given to the students and staff members.

"There's a lot of fun activities going on simultaneously, and it's really fun," said Matty, a student who was in attendance. "We have the chance to get active, and get a little idea on what we want to be when we grow up. After the long day, my heart is beating and I feel pumped up!"

Edmunds indicated he'd like to do a similar event at Spring City Elementary some day. This year's fair is being held on Feb. 24.

Principal Pat Nugent was on hand to distinguish honors for two students that are eligible to receive monetary scholarships for outstanding academic achievement.

Nana S. Nimako was named a finalist in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program, and Emily Bresnan was named a finalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

"When they were juniors, they were joined by 1.5 million other juniors across the country for the Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Test," Nugent said. "Their achievement on the PSAT sent them as semifinalists. They had to submit detailed scholarship applications, including essays on leadership and school activities, and advanced as national finalists. They have potential to receive monetary rewards. We are very proud of them and want to honor them tonight."

Student liaison Elizabeth Brady presented her monthly report on what's going on at Spring-Ford.

"As usual, a lot is going on this month," she said. "Our college acceptance board outside the Future Planning Center is filling up more and more every day. I encourage everyone to check it out."

The PSSAs start on March 13 and will be going on periodically throughout April. On Feb. 29, a junior parent college planning night will be held at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium. March 29 is the deadline for the ACT test, being held on on April 14. April 6 is the deadline to register for the SATs, held on May 5.

Finally, nominations are being accepted for the Sixth Annual Voice Inspiration Award for Teaching Excellence. The award honors and celebrates educators in Montgomery County during the current school year. Nominees must demonstrate excellence in teaching young people. To submit, or for more information, go to: www.freedomcu.org/freedomcu/voinomination.asp

The deadline to submit is March 16.