| OCR Text |
Show Schools Page 8 Thursday, November 24, 2011 The Gunnison Valley Gazette Spotlight on Education BULLDOG PRIDE 7, WARD Helping learning along by ANDY PETERSON GVHS Counselor Last week, during the Career Fair at GVHS, I stepped into Ms. Willden's biology classroom where Dr. GJ Willden and PA Wade Anderson were telling and showing students how and why the medical field is a great career choice. I snapped a quick picture and as I was leaving I heard a student ask Dr. Willden where he went to school. As he began to list the various universities and hospitals where he had studied I interrupted him and asked, "Do you mind if I interject?" I then walked over to the third seat back from the front row on the right side of the classroom and said, "Actually Dr. Willden, I think you went to school right here." I then walked two rows over and pointed to a particular seat in the middle of the classroom and said pointing "I know that because I went to school right here." That classroom belonged to Doug Bjerregaard when Dr. Willden and I were GVHS students back in the early 1990's. Mr. Bjerregaard's influence and the influence of many others like him have been a driving force, pushing students to achieve and excel. A few days ago I was able to visit with Mr. Bjerregaard, by chance, as he had come to the high school to visit with a teacher. We were able to briefly discuss how and why we learn, not in any great detail, but some insights arose that I felt needed to be passed along. I explained to him that several of our high school students go to Gunnison Valley Elementary School to tutor students in reading, following a particular model in which they receive training from Elise Bown. He noted that the intervention was probably helpful but that students need to be excited to read at an early age. He described his own grandchildren being excited to delve into books early in life, and consequently, being several grade levels ahead of many of their peers. How can this type of motivation be developed? The best answer may be to refer to brain research. Willard Daggett, Ed.D., President of the International Center for Leadership in Education, and Paul David Nussbaum, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine released a report entitled, "How Brain Research Relates to Rigor, Relevance and Relationships." Ten "key points" are made, not necessarily newsworthy, but pertinent to the topic at hand. Among them are: • The hippocampus (or hip- The Bulldog Pride award is to recognize students for outstanding citizenship at school. The following students were selected at GVHS for first quarter: Melissa Benavides is the daughter of Frank and Connie Benavides. In school, Melissa is currently involved in Latinos in Action. She is also on the speech team. Outside of school she likes to help her mom at G.I.C., and babysit her niece. Her goals are to graduate high • school and go to college to become either a forensic pa1 Melissa thologist, or a social worker. In the future she plans on Benavides completing her goals, living in a big city, and owning her own business. pocampi for plural, since there is one in each hemisphere) encodes new information and initiates learning and memory. • You have millions of brain cells (called neurons) that can be shaped and increased in number with exposure to complex and novel environments — what the International Center has labeled "Quadrant D" learning. • The more synaptic connections, the greater your brain reserve. • Brain reserve is thought to delay the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease The authors go on to assert that because the human brain has plasticity, it is infinitely capable of learning, far superior to the most advanced computer, which has limitations. The point should be made that as much as we can expose ourselves and our children to "complex and novel environments," to that degree we can enhance our learning ability. "Complex and novel environments" do not have to be research laboratories or elite art museums in Europe, they can exist in books. Old habits die hard and if one of those old habits happens to be reading, hopefully instilled at an early age, we have just opened the door to a lifetime of potential success. a Christian Avila is a junior at GVHS where he is involved in Latinos in Action and soccer. His favorite class is Trig and he likes to go over to the elementary school where he tutors the kids in reading. He is currently drawing up house plans for his parents. His future goals includes attending Snow College and becoming a dentist. ChrisChristian Avila tian's parents are Antonia and Raul Avila. Tyra Sorenson is the daughter of Brent and Vivian Sorenson of Centerfield. As a freshman and sophomore, Tyra was a member of the high school drill team. She has been a member of the FFA club for four years and enjoys being on the horse judging team. Tyra enjoys working with horses and herding cows. Since she was Tyra Sorenson eight Tyra has competed in barrel racing. In her free time Tyra loves to play the violin and meet new people. She is always making friends wherever she goes. Later in life Tyra plans to pursue a career as a phlebotomist. Jared McAfee is a senior this year, and is currently working at Freedom Innovations. He is a natural born entrepreneur, fixing small engines and bikes in his spare time. After high school Jared plans on serving a mission. He plans on studying engineering and putting his natural talent for mechanics to good use. He is always willing help others. His favorite books to read are Jared McAfee "how to" books and owner manuals. Jared's parents are Lynn and Robin McAfee. Spotlight on Education Shane& Winn 528-7161 is sponsored by Sponsored by FARMERS °1111 NSURANCEIIN FAQ GROW' ,,,,,,,r0.,-A h,.. /s .1/4, • • 85 East Center Street, Gunnison • ••■■ wow. am. CHRISTENSEN ARMS Career Fair a success at GVHS GVHS FFA places Twenty five careers from a wide variety of fields were represented by working professionals last Wednesday at Gunnison Valley High School. Students attended an introductory assembly at the beginning of the fair featuring Guy Mellor, 2011 Non Commissioned Officer of the Year for the Army National Guard, and Lilburn Deskins, former employee of the CIA. Sgt. Mellor emphasized to students that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Mr. Deskins helped students understand that the world is full of possibilities, opportunities abounding to those willing to leave their comfort zone. Students ourtesy oto were then able to attend four different 25-minute sessions Lilburn Deskins describes life as a CIA agent and the varied opportunities for employment on individual careers of their within "the Agency." choosing. Local session presenters Jake Dyreng (Graphic De- mussen (Rasmussen Mortu- military recruiters representincluded: Dr. G.J. Willden and sign), Durke Gordon (Farm ary), Garrick Willden (Jones ing the Army, National Guard, PA Wade Anderson (Medi- Bureau Financial Services), & Demill Engineering). Navy, and Marines. cal), Mike Barton (1-4 Media), Kelly Hunt (Satterwhite LogPresenters who traveled GVHS students and faculJolene Blackburn (Mental ging), Jessica Hansen (Chemi- from the Wasatch Front to as- ty thank all those who particiHealth), Janell Braithwaite cal Engineering-University of sist included Dave Gunderson pated and helped make Career (Public Administration), Rog- Utah), Kim Lund (Triple L (KSOP morning show host), Day a success. er Cox (CO Buildings), Mark Transport), Ken May (SUFCO Karen Hoover (author), Kristi Dalley (Hospital Administra- Mine), Kurt Peterson (Peter- Spence and assistant Paul tion), Lilburn Deskins (CIA), son Refrigeration), Jeff Ras- Yardley (Dairy Council), and Pizza • Calzone Breadsticks • Salad Free Delivery (Limited Area) 528-3792 57 South Main • Gunnison Tyra Sorenson Natell Sorenson Kaitlyn Bown Bo Burrell Bryce Sorensen Jennie Otten . qd./0., to. se. Specialty Pizza's: thicken Alfredo • Philly Steak 8 Swiss • BBQ thicken • thicken Bacon Ranch Stix of all kinds: Bread Stix • theastix • Pepperoni Stix • Hawaiian Stix • annastix • Yummy Stix lunchtime Special: Pizza by the Slice COACH II'S LOTSA MOTSA SPORTS CALENDAR Boys Basketball Wed Nov 23 • Gunnison @ North Sanpete • 7 pm Wrestling Wed Nov 30 • North Sevier @ Gunnison • 7 pm Girls Basketball Tue Nov 29 • Gunnison @ Piute • 7 pm McKenzie Shoakota Mogle Peterson )f the WEEK .4 •,.. tt DEOVS The Gunnison Valley High School FFA Horse Judging team including Tyra Sorsenson, McKenzie Mogle, Shoakota Peterson and Natell Sorenson placed 5th place as a team at the Snow College Judging contest. The GVHS FFA Dairy Cattle Judging team including Kaitlyn Bown, Bo Burrell, Bryce Sorensen and Jennie Otten placed 2nd place overall as a team at the Snow College Judging contest. Congratulations to these students. 11 QC' Y,' VI oio/ 7 4441 %'\\ • p„tioNt CJ NT .. 4 ..., at Snow College judging contest This week's Heap of the Week goes to Dillon Sorenson! Dillon drives a red 1997 Dodge Dakota. "It will pass ti jpi- —"NEP' 1■10, Mr. Bogh's Trail Rating Test!" HaC4 a su "Ftinle9 p WEEK Is sponsored by: lie m CONOMok* your comfort specialists Factory Authorized Dealer • caLLjed 528 - 3988 50 E. HWY 89 - Gunnison Heating IS Cooling Systems |
