Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine Aug 2009: Katy School News

The Write Stuff - Kara Grandmaiter, a fourth-grader at Faith West Academy, demonstrated she had the “Write Stuff” when she read her story, My Canterbury Tale, to an audience of approximately 250-300 at Discovery Green in downtown Houston.

Kara was selected as one of 70 students (from approximately 18,000 students) to read their original creative writing from participation in Writers in the Schools Program. Faith West Academy participated in this project funded by a grant provided by University of St. Thomas/Houston Endowment.

Kara, her classmates and fifth-graders at FWA spent the spring on a voyage of personal expression to become more proficient in creative writing techniques.

Dr. Matthew Boyleston, professor of creative writing at Houston Baptist University, utilized prompts, classical music and the five senses as a fresh approach to help students write creatively during his weekly visits.

Millie Mackey, a fourth-grade English teacher, had her students write a book. “I hope that each student will use the skills they have learned in writing their stories, ” said Mackey.

Katy ISD Classroom Champions - Morton Ranch High School offered a warm welcome to a corps of business volunteers who were participating in Katy ISD ’s Classroom Champions program.

Classroom Champions brings business volunteers into Katy ISD classrooms to present real-world application of the planned curriculum. More than 30 business volunteers and teachers paired for the event.

ARTreach Summer Internship Awarded to Cinco Ranch High School Graduate - Taylor Dolan, a 2008 graduate of Cinco Ranch High School and Trinity University in San Antonio student, has been awarded an ARTreach Internship. She has spent her summer working as a program

manager, teaching artist and volunteer coordinator for ARTreach programs.

Made possible by a grant from Shell, ARTreach is a nonprofit arts and educational outreach organization that brings the arts to under-served communities throughout the tri-county area of Katy. The internship provides Taylor with the opportunity to learn about nonprofit management and program development. She will teach art to senior citizens and to children with special needs, as well as direct a theater arts program for refugee children from Burma.

She also participated in two ARTreach pilot programs including a new art and enterprise camp for children with special needs, and a Safe Haven Summer program for at-risk youth. In July, Taylor oversaw her own public art project and helped open the first ARTreach gallery in Katy.

(Back row) Makenzie Smajstrla, Tori Hatten, Cassidy Droste, Kelsie Bain, Kayla Ober (from Katy); (front row) Reagan Norwood, Kendall Burton, Jennifer Hudler (from Katy), Emily Roark, Alyssa Montoya and Kelbi Fortenberry.

Texas Aces 12U Team are 2009 ASA State Champions - The 2009 Texas ASA state champions are the Texas Aces 12U Softball Team. The team qualified for Nationals, which was held in July in Normal, Illinois. Their coach is Kelli Jacoby.

(Front row) Dean Patteson, Logan Nelson, Luke Nelson, Stephen Barletta; (back row) Justin Colondres, Avery Bussing, Joshua Aming, Jason Gardner, Walt Prudhomme and Dillon Custer. Not pictured are Chris Atkins and Peter Cline.

Coach Devon Melby, Kehren Gray, Coach Bruce Thomas, Brittany Stark, Becky Woodward, Nee Nee Feltus, Coach Armando Tello, Kayla Golden, Coach Jeff Phillips, Danielle Thomas, Natalie Gray, Rocki Tello, Anna Stackpole, Talia Patatanian, Hannah Esser, Shelby Walton and Tori Haugvoll.

Katy Force New USFA State Champion - The 14U Katy Force is the new USFA state champion. The team competed in the state tournament in Splendora and took first-place honors. The team is affiliated with Katy Girls Softball Association.

8U Katy Express All Star Team Takes Third Place in Tournament - The Katy Girls Softball Association’s 8U Katy Express All Star team took third place in the Going Out With A Bang softball tournament held in Spring Klein.

Friends of Katy Scholarship Winners- Receiving scholarships from Katy High School’s Friends of Katy are Jonathan Barnette, Blake Bell, Ryan Matthews, Andrew Moreno, Zac Griffin, Rebecca Rushworth, Shannon Adams, Allison Jacob, Jacqueline Chavez and Meaghan Cybulski.

Friends of Katy High School is the parent/teacher organization for the school. Last year, Friends of Katy distributed more than $10,000 of scholarship money.

Tax Free Weekend

katy mills

On Aug. 21-23, Houston-area shoppers will descend on Katy Mills to take advantage of the states sales tax exemption on clothing, computers and back-to-school must-haves that will be available at the recently opened Forever 21, Calvin Klein, U.S. Polo Assn. and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Dont forget Victoria ’s Secret and Papaya are now open too! Shop extended mall hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Brighton Charms for Back to School!

the cottage door

The Cottage Door is a warm and inviting
shop in Olde Towne Katy that
carries a full line of Brighton, Vera
Bradley and Pandora. Vera is
now running 25% off on retired
colors and styles. Come in and
start your Brighton charm bracelet.
New charms arriving daily. Brighton
beads and spacers - $4.50-$26.

1001 Avenue B in Olde Towne Katy
281-391-1222; www.thecottagedoor.com