Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:39An Auburn Middle School (AMS) team of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders recently learned they had earned first place honors in News Bowl USA, a national competition that assesses students’ knowledge of national and global current events.
Team members are 6th graders Brenna Schulte, Jonathan Hannaford, Micah Rathjen, Cameron Victor, Eli Kennedy; 7th graders Gabe Isaacs, Yaid Puente; and 8th grader Julie Slama. The team, known as Thomas Bulldogs, bested 579 other teams representing schools located across the United States. According to Coach Diane Thomas, a 6th teacher, the AMS team won the October competition by one point. The second place team represented Gesu Catholic School in University Heights, Ohio. Coach Thomas works with the team before school once a week to help prepare for the monthly online assessment. The online competitive league is open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at the present time. Coach Thomas hopes more students will join as the year progresses. AMS educators use the competition’s news materials to support one component of the school’s Student Family program. Once a week, all Student Family students work together to read, study and understand current events. The program promotes global awareness and student interest in the news, as well as providing an activity in which students and teachers develop a sense of trust that enhances the Student Family’s ability to work as a unit to successfully meet a goal. Coach Thomas noted, “The support of all Middle School Student Family advisors is greatly appreciated and has been invaluable in preparing these students for the tests.”News Bowl USA, an online competition, is a partnership of educators, parents, and business leaders who are committed to preparing students to be responsible, knowledgeable citizen. News Bowl USA founders believe the future of American society is dependent on citizens who possess an understanding of the relationship of current events to decision making in our communities, states, and nation.
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