School briefs: Dale Mabry Elementary wins Battle of the Books
By ELISABETH DYER
Published May 14, 2004
CULBREATH HEIGHTS - Four fourth-graders from Dale Mabry Elementary brought home Hillsborough County's top prize at Monday's Battle of the Books: a large traveling trophy that took two students to carry.
Students from seven winning area teams answered literary questions for more than an hour during the contest at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Fourth-graders Laura Brannon, Grace Bennett, Carey Long and Hanna Ro made a comeback after falling behind in the first two rounds, said Dale Mabry teacher Shannon Christaldi.
"Really, we didn't think that we had won because we were behind," she said. "The girls did such a great job the last round that we ended up winning. We were all just floored."
Christaldi and school media specialist Joan McClelland had drilled with the team for hours after school since they won the area competition April 29.
At some point this school year, every fourth-grader in the district took part in the Battle of the Books, which quizzes students on their knowledge of 20 books and their authors. The winning team's favorites are Ruby Holler, My Louisiana Sky and Saving Lilly.
Students honored for art on water conservation
SOUTH TAMPA - Tampa's water department honored students for their artistic works on water conservation at the Mayor's Award Ceremony May 7 at the Tampa Convention Center. Students across the county composed poems, drew pictures and designed public service announcements to be featured on calendars, T-shirts and rain barrels.
The calendar will feature artwork by South Tampa students Wolfgang Madeja from Chiaramonte Elementary and Dianna Holder from Lockhart Elementary. It includes poems by Spencer Muritades from the Academy of the Holy Names, Delisa Mitchell from Roland Park K-8, Kiara Dale from Franklin Middle and Annie Dziagwa from Villa Madonna.
Kristina White from Wilson Middle won second place for her T-shirt design, and Kate Boeyen and Victoria Normand from Blake High won the Florida theme for their painted rain barrel.
Tampa Water Department's school education program started in 1994. About 712,500 kindergarteners through 12th-graders have submitted their works.
Industrial honor goes to Jefferson High teacher
CARVER CITY/LINCOLN GARDENS - Jefferson High School's teacher Jack Mills won the district's award for Outstanding Educator in Industrial and Technology. The Hillsborough Technical, Career and Adult Association presented the award April 23 to Mills. Mills has been teaching welding for 27 years in Hillsborough County. Two of Mills' former students have gone on to teach welding at Hillsborough schools.
