District 308's Accelerated Education Students Honored

Hundreds of students in District 308’s academically talented and gifted education programs—and their teachers—were honored last Wednesday night at the annual Reach for the Stars event at .

The sixth annual event was organized by Parents and Community for Excellence (PACE), a volunteer group of parents and teachers working for more opportunities for academically talented students in District 308.

Reach for the Stars honors those students enrolled in the academically talented, accelerated, honors and advanced placement programs, and was sponsored this year for the first time by Kumon of Oswego, an educational center that offers math and reading programs, and by the Oswegoland Optimist Club, a longtime supporter of PACE.

Wendesday’s event had more than 300 attendees, according to PACE member Pam Nagel. The purpose of Reach for the Stars is to recognize those students identified as academically talented in grade school, those who opt for gifted education programs in junior high and high school, and the teachers who help push them to succeed.

The point of the event, Nagel said, is to honor the students who challenge themselves even though it gets harder as they get older. Students in elementary grades are opted into the program if they test well, but once they reach junior high, it's up to them whether they want to continue with advanced placement courses.

And that's where the teachers come in, she said - they help nudge the students in the direction of courses that will keep them on their toes.

"Smart kids don't learn on their own," she said. "They still need encouragement and mental challenge to keep learning."

More than 2,000 students are enrolled in these classes in District 308, Nagel said, though only a fraction of them attend Reach for the Stars each year.

In addition to recognizing students and teachers, the organization gives out $50 summer enrichment scholarships to randomly-drawn students each year. This year’s recipients:

• Gunner Gulbrandson, 5th grader at Homestead Elementary School
• Ryan Kenworthy, 6th grader at Bednarick Junior High
• Preksha Malhotra, 8th grader at Bednarick Junior High
• Dasha Pates, 5th grader at Churchill Elementary School
• Brittany Wylie, 9th grader at Bednarick Junior High

Dominique Rquibi, a teacher of academically-talented students at Southbury Elementary School, was also honored with a scholarship, and given a special prize – a gift certificate for Enzo Salon and Day Spa. All teachers in attendance were given discount coupons for Enzo as well, Nagel said.

And after the awards, all were treated to a presentation by Jim Merk and Ed Bell of Sci-Tech of Aurora, which Nagel described as “literally a blast.” The show was entitled “Reaction,” and ably demonstrated what happens when certain chemicals interact. It was full of explosions, fire, and audience participation, Nagel said, and was fun for all.

“I am excited to serve as an event sponsor for this year’s Reach for the Stars events,” said local Kumon Instructor Joseph Buenvenida. “It is an honor to be a part of an event that recognizes and supports children who strive to achieve academic excellence.”

The next PACE meeting is scheduled for May 14 at Oswego East High School. For more information, or to volunteer, check out their website.