Best-Selling Author Visits Quest High School Quest High School Is Building Closer Community Ties Ence in Medicine and Science Has Influenced His Writing
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
News and notes from and about our family of Humble ISD Employees Vol. 8 No. 6 A Gold Star Award Winning Publication January 2010 Best-selling author visits Quest High School Quest High School is building closer community ties ence in medicine and science has influenced his writing. by encouraging all students, facilitators, and community He also talked about his hobbies of spelunking, scuba members (yes, even parents) to read the same book. diving, hiking, and traveling. Initiated by Quest facilitators Alyssa Howell and When asked how he got his ideas, Rollins described Ginna Grimes, the project One School, his Idea Box full of magazine and news One Book centers on the book “The Judas clippings and photos. “Anytime I read Strain” by New York Times bestselling or come across something weird I clip author James Rollins. it and throw it in the box,” he said. “ “We have chosen The Judas Strain When I’m looking for ideas, I just reach by New York Times bestselling author in the box to see what happens. Some- James Rollins,” said Grimes. “A mystery/ times two strange things end up next adventure book with strong scientific back- to each other, and I just ask myself, ground, we hope this book will appeal to a what if. Sometimes it turns into a story, wide range of readers. James Rollins, who sometimes not.” is the uncle of one of our students, gave a Rollins said that his writing began fascinating presentation at Quest to kick as a hobby. He wrote short stories in a off our project and get our students excited writers’ group and just enjoyed the ex- about the book.” change of stories with other writers. James Rollins, uncle of Quest junior A few students said they had writ- Katherine Chapman, came to the school to ten stories and novels. Rollins praised share his story with students in a presenta- them for the effort, saying that most tion and question-and-answer session. He people who want to be writers may start talked about what makes a good writer and but never finish a novel. his path to becoming a best-selling author. When he eventually did write a Rollins said the best background novel, he was accepted by a publisher for a good writer is extensive reading in after being rejected by 50 others. His a wide variety of genre. He said that as a message to the students was to persis- boy he read Doc Savage, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and pulps tence and belief in their story. “If you are confident in your featuring The Shadow, The Spider, and The Avenger. He work and you keep on writing, you will evenually get pub- said that if you read a lot, you eventually realize you can lished.” write well, too. He said he was a good storyteller, using this Rollins is the author of six novels in the bestselling skill in playing pranks on his six brothers and sisters. Sigma Force series (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Or- Before be- der, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, and The Doomsday coming an author, Key); the blockbuster movie novelization, Indiana Jones and Rollins graduated the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; and six individual adven- from the University ture thrillers. Rollins is also writing the Jake Ransom series of Missouri with a for kids and adults. degree in vetrinary Rollins’ mentoring skills and generosity have made medicine and estab- him a popular writing instructor and guest speaker for lished a veterinary workshops, symposia, conventions, and other forums clinic in Sacramen- throughout the country. He is among the core faculty of the to, CA. This experi- annual Hawaii Writers Conference and Retreat. Christmas Parade. The kids Before Christmas, were presented a trophy at the Humble City Hall Town meeting Stupendous! RMS art teacher Darla Coogler asked district where they got to meet Humble RPE students and staff staff to go online and Mayor Donald McMannes. The vote for her student’s children included are Kaylee Allen (daughter of payroll spe- entry in a National art contest by the Save The Children cialist Dawn Magee), Andy and Adam Horton,SSgt Jeremy Dylan L. PyeHill, Foundation. Thanks to your help, student Raphaelle Bonin Cassi Barron, and Gloria Pena. won. Her artwork will be printed on a Valentine card to AHS math teacher Jennifer Bridges earned National raise money for American children in need. Board Certification in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Raphaelle and her family will Mathematics. This is a 2-3 year process requiring a four- fly to New York to meet actress and part portfolio with three classroom-based entires in which Save the Children spokeswoman Juli- video recordings and examples of student work serve as anne Moore. She appeared with other supporting documentation. A fourth entry relates to accom- young artists and actress Julianne plishments outside of the classroom–with families, the com- Moore Jan. 28 on the Today Show. munity or colleagues–and how they impact learning. You “I am so proud of her and excited must also demonstrate content knowledge in response to six about this opportunity,” said Darla exercises developed for your chosen certificate area. Coogler. “Thanks to everyone who supported her!” Save the Children ensures that children in need par- Joshua Young, son of Child Nutrition Director Robin ticipate in quality literacy, nutrition and physical activity Young, passed the Medical Board Certification in October programs. To find out more or view Raphaelle’s card, visit 2009. He is a medical doctor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. http://www.savethechildren.org/cardcontest. Raphaelle’s Joshua is a ’98 KHS graduate. card is #3–Raphaelle from Texas. HHS registrar secretary Sherrie Franics’ son, Tyler Greentree secretary Pam Francis, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Digi- Baker, PE teacher Shannon tal Arts & Design from Full Sail University, Winter Park, Brabham, 4th grade teacher Abby Florida on Nov. 24. Tyler is an ’07 graduate of Quest. Youngblood and speech pathologist Greentree 2nd grade teacher Kris- Arlane Sponaugle completed the Shannon Brabham, Christina tin Neumann’s son, Tryston, won most Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Trotter (KHS) and Pam Baker photogenic and second runner-up in the Toddler Mister Humble ISD Rodeo Maplebrook 3rd grade teacher pageant on Jan. 23 at Atascocita High Cathy Blayney and Riverwood School. Middle teacher Mike Blayney completed the Chevron Houston An AHS robotics team under the Marathon Jan. 17. This was their direction of CATE teacher Ike Coffman are champions of Cathy and Mike first marathon, and the couple have the Houston VEX Robotics contest. The contest included Blaney been training since July. 27 teams from the Houston area. The AHS team has been invited to participate in several “invitation only” contests, Fall Creek teachers Jenny Duplechain and Catherine including the CREATE Sala completed the Chevron Houston Marathon on Jan.17. Championship of the Jenny, who teaches second grade, finished with a time of 3 Americas in Omaha, hours and 55 minutes. Catherine, who teaches fifth grade, NE. The team includes finished in 5 hours and 18 minutes. Nicholas Kiker, Erik (Frank) Gunnels, and River Pines Student Council won the very first tro- Melvin Morrison. phy for RPE. They decorated a winning float in the Humble MORE Accomplishments & Honors Our superintendent, Dr. the year. Mentors review prog- Guy Sconzo was honored as the ress reports and report cards for Teachers Present at Conference Haden E. McKay Citizen of the practical suggestions for success. Also, Year at the annual Lake Houston mentors share wisdom of their past experiences to inspire Admin. Building Carving Contest Area Chamber Chairman’s Ball. and encourage students to overcome life challenges. AIM Dr. Sconzo Dr. Sconzo was honored for is designed to help reduce student dropout rates, personal- his dedication to and passion for ize support and increase student achievement. Participat- education and his volunteer work in the community. The ing students face numerous behavioral, socioeconomic and 2008 recipient, Philippe Cras of Homewood Suites, made academic challenges that adversely affect their efforts in the announcement and presented Sconzo with the plaque school. The program, in partnership with families and com- commemorating the honor. munity members, was created to help each at-risk student develop his/her intellectual, artistic, emotional, physical and Professional library facili- social skills to become life-long learners, complex thinkers, tator Penny Mixon’s daughter, responsible global citizen and effective communicators. The Kayla Wohlschlegel, received AIM program is currently active at Humble Middle School a B.A. in communications with and Timberwood Middle School. concentration in broadcast jour- For more information on the AIM program, please nalism from the University of email [email protected]. Houston on December 18. Her minor was English literature. HMS Librarian Cordelia Jordan’s daughter Amanda Kayla Wohlschlegel Browning, LT USN, received her MBA in Financial Man- A few former graduates agement from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, of Humble High School premiered a full-length movie that California in December. Amanda attended PFE, AMS and they wrote, directed and filmed. The movie Splitting Tens is a 2000 graduate of HHS. She graduated from the United was done by Jordan Coleman, Shane Rizette, Zachary Gar- State Naval Academy in 2004. She has recently received rett, Jesse Anholt, Zach Hankin, and Rob Sterling. orders to attend DLI, The Department of Defense Language All of these men are studying theater, stage design, Institute where she will learn to speak Mandarin Chinese. acting, improv, production or film in college. Their teachers and mentors at HHS were video tech teacher Roger Soden, This fall Pine Forest students theater tech teacher Tim Jackubek and theater teacher participated in a service project as Brandy Barfield-Rood.