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Show Thursday, November 24, 2005 OREM GENEVA TIMES Page 3 NEWS AND IDEAS FROM CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATORS i h A'-- i 'Sew ROBB COSTELLO .-North County Michael Nagro, 10th grade honors English teacher at Timpunogos High School, is in his first year of leaching ut ugc HH. Teacher Reva Bowen NORTH ', OUNIY jTAFF First -year Timpanogos High School English teacher Michael Nagro came later in life to his profession, but believes be-lieves he has found his niche. "I really feel like I've found want I want to do," Nagro said. "I'm 38 (years old) it took that long." Nagro was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and grew up in Albuquerque, N.M., where ' he graduated from high school. He said he attended Georgia State in Atlanta briefly, then was a restaurant manager for eight years. During that time, he taught some of his high school age employees em-ployees to read and write. "I wanted to help people learn so they would not be washing dishes the rest of their lives," Nagro said. "It's okay to do it for a while, but it's not a great career option." Nagro went on to obtain a bachelor of arts degree in English education from Utah Valley State College. He did extensive exten-sive substitute teaching for the Jordan School District. Nagro has been recognized recently for writing a paper entitled, '"We'll Bend it to Our Awe,' Intertextual Critical Criti-cal Considerations in Performances of Shakespeare's Henry V." From 3,900 papers submitted. Nagro's treatise was among 350 selected for final yfind sea lima publication in the 2005 Proceedings of the National Conference of Undergraduate Undergradu-ate Research. The paper examines three separate performances of the play and their widely-varying interpretations of the same work. Sir Laurence Olivier's 1944 film was a patriotic, nationalistic propaganda piece produced during World War II Kenneth Ken-neth Branagh's 1989 film was made at the time of the Falkland Islands conflict, and was viewed then as anti-war, but is much more ambiguous and open to subtleties sub-tleties of interpretation, Nagro believes, than Nicholas Hytner's 2003 production at London's National Theatre. Nagro sees Hytner's production as "a scathing scath-ing critique of militarism" that argued forcefully against military intervention in Iraq. The 10th grade honors English teacher teach-er brings his writing expertise to his teaching, where he emphasizes persuasive persua-sive writing with his students. Nagro employs "input" from literary texts, such as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," "Fran-kenstein," or George Orwell's "Animal Farm," then has his students formulate their own ideas, take a position, and use the text to support their conclusions. The students review and critique each other's work, and Nagro is able to show them that criticism and the editing process occur at all levels sometimes with painstaking effort. "I worked on my paper for two years, and revised it eight times," Nagro said, pulling one of the rough drafts, with its many ink notations, from his files. "It shows the students what professors do to papers. It's not just high school teachers who write on them. The paper started out at 20 pages, and when it was published, it was 10 so half was cut out. I had to hone down what I was saying use economy of language." One of Nagro's students, Justin Greer, said he enjoys how his teacher uses philosophy and psychology in class discussions. "And the persuasive stuff he has us write gives us a way to think about things you don't normally think about in English," Greer said. Once each quarter, Nagro assigns his students a creative project, where they take literature and give it expression in a different form as artwork, film, interpretive dance, computer presentation, presen-tation, etc. For example, one student made a quilt based on the novel, "The Color Purple." The projects are displayed dis-played throughout Nagro's classroom. "Mr. Nagro is an exceptionally prepared pre-pared first year English teacher and we are excited to have him at Timpanogos High School," said administrator Debbie Zirbes. Dads hit the books at Suncrest Elementary Nicole Thelin NORTH COUNT ' STAF Bright -eyed second graders at Suncrest Elementary School and their fathers eagerly hit the books last Tuesday as a part of the school's monthly Dads and Donuts program. The kids surrounded the 22 or so friendly readers and enjoyed en-joyed stories like "Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming!" by Jez Al-borough Al-borough and "Green Wilma" by Tedd Arnold. The experience, according to PTA board member mem-ber Renee Goodman, continued to reflect the big hit that Dads and Donuts was last year. Many element aries have implemented a Dads and Donuts program. At Suncrest, though, they take place monthly, with a different grade level participating participat-ing each month. Aside from providing entertainment enter-tainment outside the classroom, Dads and Donuts provides an opportunity for fathers to get involved with their child's learning learn-ing and a chance to bond with their children. "We're trying to make it a dad thing a lot of times moms are more involved," said Brenda Minor of the PTA. "Most of the time it's the moms reading to the kids or helping with the homework. Dads . . . don't come to school as much as moms," added Goodman. St ilJ. a lot of children ask if their mothers can come. Minor, who dreads saying no. extended extend-ed the invitation from exclusively exclu-sively fathers to grandf athers, uncles, and even big brothers. At least one mom came to watch, not read. "It's important to be a pari of our child's education," Mindy Orr said, as she stood bv the door, watching her husband. Matt, read to her two children. Brvan, age 7. and Allison, age 4. ' "Being a child without a father fa-ther who did these things. (I know) it gives my kids a greater great-er knowledge of the importance of reading and a relationship with their father. It does defi- (i" v- - ' V A f - - tV Kpi ' . I tf m nitely strengthen the relationship," relation-ship," she said. Her husband agreed. "Moms spend a Jot of time with the kids during the day, (while) the dad's at work. It's a good break for both of us," said Matt Orr, with Bryan and Allison Alli-son happily sitting on his lap. Allison, shyly playing with her necklace, didn't say anything. any-thing. However, a grinning Bryan admitted he was more excited that his father came to read to them than he was about the donuts. And he wasn't the only one. "I get to have tune with my dad," said Amber Bennett, as her father, Doug Bennett, sat nearby reading to several of Amber's excited friends. "I don't get time with him when he's at work. It's fun when he reads." Although the bonding time is a definite bonus, the main focus of the day was not on the dads or the donuts. "It's so important that kids read with (both of) their parents," par-ents," stressed Minor. Grandparents were getting into the act as welJ. "I've had years of experience with reading, and ... if kids don't learn to enjoy reading early they don't really overcome over-come the poor start," said Hay-don Hay-don Nelson's grandfather, John Hunter. As a child, Hunter struggled with dyslexia and being taught in a one-room schoolhouse, where the teacher couldn't afford af-ford to give him the attention he needed. Overcoming this, he knows how difficult it is to be successful in life without a proficient pro-ficient reading skill. Overall, the event was a huge success in the minds of FFA members Gxxlman and Minor. They estimate that 22 fathers and grandfathers turned out, which is about average compared com-pared to past Dads and Donuts programs. They are hoping for a larger turnout in January. Orem High School releases high honor roll Orem High Sch(xl has released re-leased the names of students earning honor roll status during dur-ing the first term of the 2005-2000 2005-2000 school year, Students earning honor roll status are as follows: TENTHGRADE High honor roll Regan Bailey, Gloria Baird, Lacey Balser, Anthony Barajas, Britn Bartholomew, Gwendolyn Blanchard, Kristin Bowles, Rachel Bradley, David Broadbent, Megan Burten-shaw. Burten-shaw. Tyson Cantrell, Corey Carlson, Carl-son, Michelle Carter, Victoria Chavez, Cameron Clark, Stuart Stu-art Clements, Elise Corbett, Bailey Corbridge, Tyler Cran-dall, Cran-dall, Kenny Crump, Michael Davis, R Allen Davis, Ruth Duersch, Kinnison Edmunds, C Daniel Esparza, Torrey Fountain, Ryan Graham, Justin Jus-tin Hammer, Katherine Hart. Cecelia Hawkins, Mandi Heiner, Rachel Herrmann, Kara Hill, Gary Houskeeper, Abigail Hulme, I) Coll on Jackson. Jack-son. I liram Jacob, Ryan Jenkins, Jen-kins, Derek Jones, Adam Judd, Sara Judd, Janessa Kenney, Sara Kester, Brianne Larsen. Jessica Leavilt, Jaime Lyons, Ly-ons, Angela Martin, Michael Mckell, Logan Mcneil, Jeffrey Mella, Jessica Miller, Heather Morgan, Tyler Moss, Ryan Mullen. Jun Mutaguchi, Alexandra Alex-andra Nichols, (iary Nuttall, Kylee Olsen. Megan Payne, Nathan Peterson, Peter-son, Aubrey Pimsakul, Zach-ary Zach-ary Pope, Jeremiah Robinson, Jake Robison, Alyson Sabin, Yuki Sambongi, Paymon Sanati-mehrizy, Laura Seder-berg, Seder-berg, Z Thor Snell, Veraunica Stauffer. Abigail Stubbs, Jacob Swain, Alyson Tucker. Gregory Grego-ry Winward, Tyler Winward. Bree WooLstenhulme. ELEVENTH GRADE High honor roll Lehi Acosta, Austin Anderson, Ander-son, C Jake Balser, Elise Ber-ube, Ber-ube, Ammon Bratt, Anakari By bee, Tanner Camp, Amy Carpenter, Darik Chatwin, Caitlm Christensen, Tawny Christ ensen. Thomas Christiansen, Rebecca Re-becca Gxper, Ryan Cope, Paul Gushing, Britney Dawa-hammarstro, Dawa-hammarstro, Stessie Dort, Amber Dunford, Ashley Egbert, Sarah Ehin, Jennifer Farmer, Melissa Fiso, Alec-Fowler, Alec-Fowler, Jamie (jee, Kristy Gilbert. Kelsey Grierson, Michael Hall, Erica Hamilton, Dallin Heap, Jon Wesley Henrie, Bryce Herman, Emily HilJ, Jonathan Horan, Bradley Howard. Rachelle Jackson, Lindsey Jefferson, Am!er Johnson, Kristy Jordan. Jonathan Killpack, Janessa Lamb. Clement Lee, W Cameron Cam-eron Leeper, Amanda Madsen, Natasha Martin, Madison Maughan, Julia Mcdougal. Brett Merkley, Meghan Mullen, Mul-len, Alaina Nielson, Alecia Nilsson, Hidemi Okamura. Lucia Olaa, Caitlm Panel-ley, Panel-ley, Paige Parker. Mic helle Peterson, Pe-terson, Paul Peterson. Amanda lliillips, Melissa Piccolo. Tanner Tan-ner I'lmsakul, Samuel I 'lot how. Rachel Plymale. Lauren Ricks. Mindy Robins, T yler Robison. Sarah Runyan. Jamie Sag ers, Jessica Saliby. Tyson Sawyer, Eric Seegmiller. Ash-leigh Ash-leigh Simmons. Kelsey Smart. Cameron Smiley. Jacob Smith. Dira Smith. Thomas Steele. Amanda Stewart. Lauren Stratton. Staisha St rat ton. Andrew Swain. Kylen Thomas, Kailee Thompson, Cade Tueller, Constance Wagner, Wag-ner, Jewel Wakamatsu. ( 'laire Warnick, Elizabeth Warnick, Jessica Wilkinson. Alyssa Williams, Wil-liams, Kristi Wilson, Grci hen Young. TWELFTH GRADE High honor roll Christ ophe Bakke, ( ollin Barkdull. Sara Batioja. Kavlie Bell. Chelsea Billings. Melissa Born, Dulce Boucher. Reljecca Bowen, I lannah Brad v. ai ey Broadbent. Kateland Brown. Dallin Burgon. Gavin Bui -gon. Mark Burton, Shawn Carlson, Sydney Cartel , Steven Ste-ven Chase, Zachary ( hipman, Mckell Cowley. Miillip raven. Craig Cusick, Jocelyn Denning. Tyler Dunawav. Christine Dyer. Tina Ixlmunds Malerie Ernst. Stacy I air-banks. air-banks. I. Shane Farley, Socorro Fields. Alayne Fletcher. Ryan Freeman, Matthew I uriier, Ryan Gamett, Adam Gardner, Ryan Gee, Marilee ilaier, Heather Goodnow, Julia Graul. Amanda Graves. Malinda (udiniindson. David Da-vid I lalladay , I laleigh I leaps. Hugh Hinkson. Sara Jacob. Tausha Jells. Gavin Jones. Valorie Jones, Rachel Judd. (rant Kendall, Sarah Kcnison. Allison Kirk, Tanner Limb, Jessica l-amoreaux George Ijirsen. Kenneth Latimer. Kristin l-aiimer. Vaatausili luitu, Join Liw-rence. Liw-rence. Lindsey Lmge. Joylyn Dveridge, William Madsen. Malinda Matthews. Brittnev Maxwell. Andrew Melville. Qxly Merrell. l.van Monson. F.li.atx'th Morehe.id. Helen Moreno, Danielle Morgan. ( e-lecta e-lecta Moss April Nelson, Anna Niel.son, Romney Olsen. James Parker Joseph Paske. Andte;i Hieysey Lynn Itnllips. Brian Pxle. Melissa Me-lissa Porter. I.nnlv I'nmrose Ailli Randal). Amy Range Whitney Rawle, lieujainin Rindlisbacher, Danielle Robison. Robi-son. linenne Ronev. Lindsay Sambrano, lioJIy Saiijine. Ashley Sargeant. Bryant Sc hult.. Ian Schwarting, Mark Sedetberg, Brooke Shurtleff, Jessica Simpson Carly Skowron. David Smith. Jennifer Sx-n ' i , David Stevens, Christina Stiles. Ryan Stinger. Aylla Svlvanstoke, Carly T aylor. Jenessa I ay lot . Sierra T ron. Darnel L'rquhart, Jason Whitehead, Ruth Williams. Wil-liams. Bryce Wiscomlx-. Justin Wcxxis, Seth WijoKienhulme, Maria Wright. Katie Yeales. Taryn Young 'Caroling for Cans' food drive; Thanksgiving break Brayden Santo l.'.f,- '.II How is everyone enjoying their Thanksgiving break so far? When I asked Jessica Collett what she was doing for Thanksgiving break she said, "For Thanksgiving Thanksgiv-ing break, I'm just staying home... I've got to work." Naomi Bridges said, "I get to stay home and sleep." And David Jimenez said. "Thanksgiving break, I get to watch James Bond." As we know, today is the first day of break for the students. Teachers still have to go to school today because it is a teacher comp day. For everyone's information, informa-tion, I have started a thread on the school message board, so if you don't want to put quotes in the box, you can post them there. Last week was the canned food drive. There were many cans brought in. Last Tuesday, Tues-day, they had an auction for some guys that you could go on a date with. Who would win? T he person per-son with the most cans. Then the student council also had what was called "Caroling for Cans." I'm sure the food bank will like the bruin contribution we made jor them. There will be sevejal Utah families that can eat dinner for Thanksgiving now Students went around the neighborhoods bv 'Ij- s' liool and would sing at houses loi cans. Als'j last week out ' Beauty Beau-ty and the Beast' musjc al went inio production On Tuesday and Wednesday, Wednes-day, there were two matinees mati-nees for the elementary school kids and junior high students, l-.venmg per lor -mances were on Nov 17. 1H, 19. and 21 Chani el Snyder said, "T he play was really fun. I made so many new friends and I've learned a lot about acting act-ing We have really good teamwork team-work with all the actors, directors di-rectors and tec h c rews who made it al) possible." Also cm Nov. 19 was the Sadie Hawkins dance. I'll get more on that next week Have a great T hanksgiving hanksgiv-ing break. everyone COPY |