READING TIME
School kids from four Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam elementaries recently competed in the ninth annual Tri-Cities Reading Link Challenge.
Competitors from Rochester, Panorama Heights, Hope Lutheran Christian and James Park took part with Panorama's Speed Readers II winning the top spot for the second year in a row. They were to face off on Tuesday against a representative from eight school districts in the Fraser Valley.
This year, 100 teams from 17participating elementary schools in School District 43 were involved in the first level of challenge.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Ji Won Shin and Jason Park of Walton elementary and Scott Creek middle schools clinched first place in a recent Chinese Bridge public speaking contest.
The event, held at Coquitlam's Gleneagle secondary, also saw Nicole Miller of Walton win second prize. The third spot went to Don Woo Seo (Pinetree secondary); Janine Hu (Walton); Shirley Jin (Walton); and Jerry Hou-Liu (Glen elementary).
Among those in attendance were education consul Xue Yafei, School District 43 chair Melissa Hyndes, trustee Keith Watkins, superintendent Tom Grant and Patricia Gartland of the SD43 international education program.
PLAYTIME
Coquitlam's Bramblewood elementary cut the ribbon to its new playground last week.
The $66,000 for the play area came from a Spirit of Coquitlam grant, which the school's PAC received last October; donations also came in from parents and local businesses, said spokesperson Rhonda Anderson. On hand for the April 8 celebration were councillors Mae Reid and Linda Reimer.
The Summit middle school jazz band also entertained at the event.
PANCAKES WITH JOE
Members of the Port Moody Ecological Society recently celebrated the start of National Volunteer Week with a pancake breakfast with Joe Trasolini.
The Port Moody mayor presented the volunteers with service awards and a letter of appreciation to the society, which is marking its 20th anniversary.
Past president Elaine Golds, a columnist for The Tri-City News, was also recognized and honoured with a lifetime membership for her years on the society board, said president Sandra Niven.
SKILLED KIDS
A number of skilled Grade 12 students in the Tri-Cities won $1,000 scholarships this month from the school apprenticeship program.
The money for the students, who were recognized at Tuesday's SD43 school board meeting, is to be used for their post-secondary education.
The winners are: Ryan Adolf, metal fabricator (Terry Fox); Ricky Alex, professional cook 1 (Riverside); Anthony Assalone, partsperson (Centennial); Dillon Atamanchuk, professional cook 1 (Terry Fox); Tyler Backs, industrial mechanic (Charles Best); Alex Baile, landscape horticulturist (Terry Fox); Kevin Baldazzi, automotive service technician 1 (Terry Fox); Josh Bates, carpenter (Terry Fox); Brandon Bullinger, meatcutter (Terry Fox); Scott Butterfield, construction electrician (Charles Best); Michael Anthony Camporese, professional cook 1 (Gleneagle); David Carenza, professional cook 1 (Riverside); Kane Dupuis, machinist (Centennial); Samantha Harris, baker (Terry Fox); Jozsef Kiss-Bassey, professional cook 1 (Terry Fox); Joshua Lazar, plumber (Port Moody); Ruben Lazar, plumber (Port Moody); Nicholas Mahovlich, cabinet maker (Charles Best); Curtis McCall, professional cook 1 (Terry Fox); Akbar Qurban, automotive collision repair technician (Port Moody); Jesse Ragoobarsingh, partsperson (Terry Fox); Sindell Cameron, professional cook 1 (Pinetree); Kurt Smith, baker (Terry Fox); Derek Tullis, automotive refinishing prep technician (Centennial); Mitchell Webber, partsperson (Centennial); and Jake Mitchel Wile, metal fabricator (Heritage Woods).
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