Potential Magazine Winter 2016 | Page 46

Saint James School Seniors Gyuna Kim, Ian Tsekouras, Connor Taylor, and Daniel Kim were all named 2017 National Merit Semifinalists and joined sixteen other Saint James students as this year’s AP Scholars. Saint James School National Merit Semifinalists Take the Lead Four Saint James School Seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists, a prestigious honor awarded to only 16,000 students out of the 1.5 million who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). These exceptional Saint James students are the largest group from any independent school in the area achieving this high honor. Saint James Seniors Daniel Kim, Gyuna Kim, Connor Taylor, and Ian Tsekouras were all recognized for their outstanding performance on the PSAT and are now working on the requirements to be named National Merit Finalists in February. When named a National Merit Finalist, the students are considered for Merit Scholarship awards based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Each of these exemplary students has reached their level of personal excellence as reflected in the mission of Saint James School, “We are committed to challenging and assisting students in realizing their individual potential and preparing them for lives of responsibility, service, and achievement.” Churchill Academy Students Honor 9/11 Heroes During September, Churchill Academy honored the heroes of 9/11 and remembered the lives lost that day through a service on the school grounds this year. Students and teachers were joined by the Pike Road Fire Department, along with parents and community leaders who serve in first responder roles across the River Region. Churchill Eagle Scouts Richard and Gary Backus raised the flag to half-mast and led the school in the Pledge of allegiance. Students Josh Tolle and Thomas Rutherford assisted with the flag presentation, also. Tributes included poems and choral readings by students Christian Anderson and Luke Ferrell, and Mrs. Gunnells’ 8th grade class. Xander Smith played an arrangement of America on the violin, and the ceremony concluded with Taps, played by Gavin Gaines and John Faulkner. Edgewood Academy Students Write to World War II Veteran Edgewood Academy students recently had the opportunity to write letters of thanks and appreciation to A.R. Downey, a 96 year old Alabama native who currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, to thank him for his service in World War II. Downey was a volunteer and associated with the “Flying Tigers.” Carole Borowski, Edgewood English teacher, said, “For students today, who are too young to really even remember 9/11, World War II seems so far away. It is important to do what we can, as educators, to both bring history to life and to find ways to show thanks to those among us who did so much for us.” L22 | Winter 2016 www.potentialmagazine.com