Students visit AT&T

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 17, 2008 by LaKase Perry

By LaKase Perry

SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

School may not be all fun and games, but for a day several Hope Street Academy students had the opportunity to laugh and learn with AT&T employees through the Junior Achievement program.

On Wednesday, 30 students shadowed AT&T Inc. employees in an effort to encourage further schooling.

As part of the Junior Achievement partnership with AT&T, the students were paired with a corporate lawyer, several managers and the president of AT&T Kansas for the afternoon. The program is part of AT&T's national $100 million Aspire Initiative. The aim of the program is to promote high school success and work force readiness.

While the event is meant to be for the students, Dan Jacobson, president of AT&T Kansas, said his employees have a lot to gain from it as well.

"Hanging out with lively teenagers is more exciting than anything else they would be doing," he said.

The students were selected from business courses or nominated by teachers at Hope Street Academy for their academic performance. Larry Brayton, business class instructor and program organizer for Hope Street, said his students have shown commitment in his classes and will benefit from the program in years to come.

"We're pushing our students to not stop at high school," he said.

Two of Brayton's students, Macario Gonzales, 17, and Shannon Anderson, 16, were paired with Angela Winchester. Winchester works as the center manager and oversees process orders. After working with elementary school students through Junior Achievement programs, Winchester said every student deserves an opportunity to succeed.

"You see the level of commitment they have, and I want them to see anything is possible," she said.

For Macario Gonzales, the future will hold more than what he believes his community expects of him.

"Someday I want to be read about in the paper," he said. "Not in the obituary, but for what I do in business."

Silver Lake USD 372

Silver Lake Grade School will have a breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 6 in the school's gymnasium. Sausage and pancakes or biscuits and gravy will be served for $4 for those 13 and older, $3 for children 4 through 12 and free for children 3 and younger. Pictures with Santa will be taken with picture packages available.

The Silver Lake Honor Club chapter of the National Honor Society at Silver Lake High School recently inducted 17 new members in a ceremony. Inductees were Michael Hamilton, Trent Strunk, Kelsey Wincham, Brady Abrahams, Jerod Barker, Shelby Brokaw, Wesley Burdiek, Rachel Cross, Emilee Herrington, Derek Holmer, Amanda Lewis, Jestina Matulka, Randi Richards, Peter Ruby, Randy Rudolph, Lindsey Schroeder and Blake Schultejans.

Topeka USD 501

Meadows Elementary, 201 S.W. Clay, will welcome grandparents this week to visit. Today will be for kindergarten students' grandparents. Tuesday will be for first graders, Wednesday is for second and third graders, Thursday is for fourth graders and Friday is for fifth graders.

Patrick Jones, the Mike Printz Author in Residence, will meet with 30 select students to help hone their writing skills from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Tuesday at Topeka West High School, 2001 S.W. Fairlawn.

Shaner Elementary, 1600 S.W. 34th, will have a family math night at 6 p.m. today.

The USD 501 Board of Education will recognize seven district students who are National Merit Scholars with a reception at 7 p.m. today at the Burnett Administrative Center, 624 S.W. 24th.

French Middle School, 5257 S.W. 33rd, will host a pancake supper fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Students from Lowman Hill Elementary, 1101 S.W. Garfield, will show off their work at an open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Scott Elementary Magnet will have a music program at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the school, 401 S.E. Market.

Lowman Hill fifth graders will perform a music program at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Stout Elementary, 2303 S.W. College, will have a family math night at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Landon Middle School students will present "Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lamp" at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the auditorium at 701 S.W. Fairlawn.

Meadows Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade students will have a music program at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Topeka West High School will induct members into the National Honor Society at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Randolph Elementary, 1400 S.W. Randolph, will celebrate Thanksgiving early with a special lunch at 11:40 a.m. Friday. Parents and grandparents must make reservations by today to join their student.

State Street Elementary, 500 N.E. Sumner, will host grandparents on Friday.

The JROTC programs across the city will host their Harvest Ball from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Reserve Training Center, south of Heartland Park Topeka.

Seven members of the Topeka West Kansas Association for Youth Club attended the Area 3 KAY Regional Conference on Nov. 10 at Onaga High School.

The Topeka High School Historical Society is having an alumni and friends lunch at noon Dec. 1 in the Cavalier Room, which is the northeast corner of the teachers' dining room. Special entertainment will be provided by the Topeka High Madrigal Singers. Lunch can be purchased in the student cafeteria beginning at 11:30 a.m. The community is invited to attend. No reservations are necessary. For information, call 295-3200.