Hargraves wins essay contest

Hailey Hargraves, a senior at Redmond High School, was selected as the grand prize winner of the “Macy’s Follow A Leader Essay Contest” at a luncheon held Nov. 21.

Of 600 entries in the greater Seattle area, highlighting the importance of education and having a passion for leadership, Hargraves’ essay outlining her desire to follow Mike O’Brien, chairman of the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club, was selected as the grand prize winner.

Each of the 20 winners received a $1,000 savings bond for future education or training. Additionally, by being selected the grand prize winner, Hargraves won a $5,000 grand prize for RHS.

Hargraves also served as a Seafair Ambassador for 2008, as reported in the July 9 edition of the Redmond Reporter.

LW Schools Foundation awards grants

Thanks to its donors, the Lake Washington Schools Foundation has awarded Classroom and School Enrichment Grants to 41 Lake Washington School District (LWSD) teachers for a total of more than $66,000.

Through these grant programs, the foundation pays for innovative teaching projects that enrich and enhance the LWSD curriculum. Grant requests come from educators across the district, from both primary and secondary schools. Proposed grants included opportunities to gain exposure to career training in high school, reading and science resources for special education students, transportation for after school homework clubs, funding for science enrichment, one-on-one tutoring and appropriate leveled reading materials for early readers.

Some specific examples of grants awarded were:

• $1,500 for Redmond Elementary, to teach third grade students how musical instruments create sound, through the incorporation of science in the music curriculum.

• $1,500 for Audubon Elementary in Redmond, to create a sustainable garden and greenhouse for use by all students, providing a living laboratory for the study of ecological systems, plant growth, food production and nutrition.

• $3,000 for Evergreen Junior High in Redmond, to improve utilization of an after school homework club, offered two days a week, by providing bus service for students.

• $1,500 for the LWSD to enhance current seventh grade science curriculum with additional labs that enable students to gain a deeper understanding of fundamental science concepts.

Established in 2004, the foundation helps the community directly and efficiently invest in classroom learning, which in turn, prepares students to be productive in the workforce.

For a complete list of grants awarded and more information about the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, visit www.lwsf.org or contact Tracy Hoien, executive director, at (425) 702-3414 or info@lwsf.org.