LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio -- The seventh annual Lorain County Middle School Academic Challenge contest took place Nov. 16.
The event, organized by the Educational Service Center of Lorain County, included district teams for fifth- and sixth-graders from Avon Lake (Troy Intermediate School), Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, Oberlin and Sheffield.
District teams for seventh- and eighth-graders came from Avon (Avon Middle School), Avon Lake (Learwood Middle School), Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, Midview, Oberlin and Sheffield.
Learwood Middle School took first-place honors for grades 7/8. Avon Middle School finished second.
Troy Intermediate School finished in second place for grades 5/6.
Avon Lake Learwood Middle School team members included Amira Owens, Benjamin Mars, Bianca Craig, Bridget Carbaugh, Brynn Tassinari, Carol Oommen, Chace Semmelroth and Trent Waggoner. Adviser: Dr. Vishtasp Nuggud
The Avon Middle School team members were Clare Blayney, Ele White, Fatma Abdelnaby, Isabella Ramirez, Megan Wise, Payton Oleff, Valentina Hernandez-Buces and William Blayney. Adviser: Kathy Neumann
Avon Lake Troy Intermediate School team members were Alex Bodean, Alex Ma, Colin Bodean, Colin Byrne, Emma Schroeder, Ethan Neuhoff, Max Semmelroth, Noah Minnick, Samuel Coltri and Vincent Arnold (grade 6). Advisers: Pam Geraci and Scott Giomini.
Avon School media specialist honored
The Ohio Educational Library Media Association, Ohio’s professional association for school librarians and libraries, has selected Kelly Gonzalez, library media specialist for the Avon Local Schools, as the recipient of the 2022 OELMA/Follett School Solutions Outstanding School Librarian Award.
Gonzalez has worked in the Avon Local Schools for 17 years (13 years as a teacher and four years in her current role as media specialist). She has been instrumental in creating innovation labs and maker spaces and enhancing additional STEM activities throughout the district, according to information from the Avon Local Schools.
The OELMA/Follett School Solutions Outstanding School Librarian Award recognizes an Ohio licensed school library media specialist who develops an exemplary school library program.
In Avon, Gonzalez coordinates and supports the daily operation of six school libraries and media team staff across five buildings, according to a news release from the OELMA.
She designs, develops and facilitates engaging lessons in research, technology and related STEM skills. She creates and maintains class, library and media, and educational technology websites to support students, families and staff.
She also integrates the Clever for K-5 program to ensure streamlined access for student and staff to district digital resources. She collaborates with faculty, staff and administration, and co-teaches research, STEM and technology lessons. She has implemented new K-5 Digital Citizenship curriculum.
In January 2022, Gonzalez received the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month award and was awarded an OELMA Library Leadership Ohio Scholarship in 2021.
Student musicians excel
Avon High School junior Elena Ko was selected for the All-National Symphony Orchestra and recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Honor Ensembles representing the top performing high school musicians in the United States.
She was one of only four flute players selected nationwide.
Avon Lake High School senior Joseph Birk was selected for the All-National Chorus and recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for the ensembles as well.
He was one of only four students selected from Ohio and the only tenor.
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