Lansing Eastern High School

Kelly Christopherson Wins Distinguished MSU Scholarship Award

Admin01 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:41:21 +0000

In addition to being selected as a National Merit Scholarship finalist last spring, senior Kelly Christopherson also won the coveted MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Award.

It covers the cost of tuition, room, and board and is renewable for up to 3 years. Way to go, Kelly!

2 Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists In 2011

Admin01 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:39:12 +0000

Two seniors in the Class of 2011 were among more than 13,000 high school students selected as finalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Competition.

They were Kathryn King, a current nursing student at Grand Valley State University, and Kelly Christopherson, who is studying to become an athletic trainer at MSU.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1955 to honor the “best and brightest” American high school students each year and to encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.

Finalists in the yearly scholarship competition are chosen on the basis of high test scores (PSAT, SAT), outstanding academic record, and participation/leadership in school and community activities.

2 + 2 + 2 Program Provides Engineering Scholarships For Students

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:44:00 +0000

Students interested in a career in the engineering field can qualify for scholarship assistance through the 2 + 2 + 2 Engineering Program.

This innovative partnership involves the Lansing School District, Lansing Community College, and Michigan State University. Students can apply for the program at the beginning of their junior year if they have an least a 3.0 GPA and have taken appropriate math and science courses.

Once accepted, the students can qualify for a full tuition scholarship for up to 9 semesters in the LCC Pre-Engineering Program and later for up to 5 semesters in the MSU College of Engineering. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA and attend classes and special activities at least 90% of the time while in high school and college.

Throughout the 6-year program, participants are provided with support services including mentoring, tutoring, and exposure to individuals and firms in the engineering profession.

Community Service Is Major Focus Of Quaker Key Club Members

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:40:19 +0000

The Quaker Key Club encourages student volunteers to serve in a variety of capacities throughout the Eastern community which gives them an opportunity to learn, grow, and mature.

Recent service activities include:

reading to Sheridan Road Elementary School students
painting and delivering pumpkins to the Sparrow Hospital Pediatric Center
participating in the UNICEF trick or treating
Pasta for Pennies (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)
Make A Difference Day (for the homeless)
Hannah’s House (for the homeless and single moms)
Adopt-A-Family
food drive competitions
Ronald McDonald House fund-raisers

Key Club members also attend Kiwanis Club meetings on a regular basis, and an outstanding student is chosen each year as the recipient of the Elizabeth B. Lawry Scholarship.

Drama Club’s “Fun Machine” Promotes Learning For Elementary Students

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:34:57 +0000

Under the leadership of teacher/advisor Carrie Brady, the Drama Club’s “Fun Machine” has been visiting elementary schools for the past 12 years.

They perform interactive skits, tell stories, and play games with the younger children to promote literacy and diversity and encourage them to stay in school.

The group was initially founded by now-retired drama teacher Marilyn Steegstra.

Humanitarian Club Aids Haitian Earthquake Victims

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:33:01 +0000

When a massive earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti early in 2010, members of Eastern’s Humanitarian Club wanted to help those victims through that tragedy. They organized a “Hair for Haiti” fund-raising campaign, and challenged teacher/advisor Matt Jason to shave his hair in public if they could generate more than $1,000.

The final campaign tally exceeded $1,700, and Mr. Jason followed through on his pledge by having his hair and beloved beard shorn in front of the spring Homecoming assembly.

The students’ act of generosity is testament to their willingness to pull together and provide a helping hand to those who are less fortunate.

Athletic Hall Of Fame Honors Individuals & Teams For Accomplishments

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:27:51 +0000

The Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame, founded in 2005, has enshrined 39 individuals and 9 teams for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Quaker Family. The 8th annual induction ceremony is scheduled for February 24, 2012 during the Eastern-Sexton basketball game.

Pictures and plaques honoring the inductees are prominently displayed in the north end of the Don Johnson Field House, and banners featuring their names surround the basketball court there.

The hall is governed by a 9-person selection committee and also includes the principal and athletic director as ex-officio members. This group solicits nominations from the community each fall which are then reviewed and researched. To qualify for induction, a nominee must be supported by at least 6 members of the selection committee.

Among individual honorees tapped for membership thus far in the Athletic Hall of Fame are:

Paul Cook – basketball coach (800+ career victories) whose 1980 squad won the Class A state title
Don Johnson – retired principal and coach whose wrestling teams captured 5 state championships
Kevin Jackson – wrestler , a Class A state titleholder and gold medal winner in the 1988 Barcelona Olympics
Jean Robinson Clum – softball/volleyball coach and retired teacher , a multi-sport athlete at Eastern and MSU whose Quaker softball teams compiled a 148-27 record with 6 league titles and the 1981 state championship
Molly B. Peterman – basketball standout n who played pro ball overseas after stellar careers at Eastern and University of Detroit Mercy

Eastern is proud to be the only city high school to have an official Athletic Hall of Fame and wishes to commend the Alumni Association, Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), and Athletic Director David Panici for their continuing support and assistance which have made this special project possible.

Lansing Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame Members

Class of 2010

Jean Robinson Clum
Don Feighner
Dick Fronczak
Tim May
George Wakulsky
1955 Boys State Championship Cross Country Team
Bill Land

Class of 2009

Dick Barker
Rudy Castellani
Rick Edwards
Robert Henderson
Alex Valcanoff
1934 Boys State Championship Basketball Team

Class of 2008

Dave Cushion
Lyle Sherman
James A. Walker
Sue Wedley
1955 State Championship Wrestling Team

Class of 2007

Larry Fowler
Irvin Kolberg
Martha Macias-Mendez
Iian Mull
Sam Vincent
1949 Boys Swim Team
Claude and Lois Donahue

Class of 2006

Bill Allen
Jack Hernly
Tom Jamieson
Kelly D. Miller
James P. Sinadinos
Kim Worden
1979 Boys State Championship Golf Team
1980 Boys State Championship Basketball Team

Class of 2005

Paul Cook
Walter Graff
Kevin Jackson
Don Johnson
Maro Miller
Carol Rapson
Jay Vincent
1981 Girls State Championship Softball Team

New Project Focuses On Improving Student Reading Skills

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:05:07 +0000

Project Read 180 was piloted during the second semester at Eastern last year in an effort to improve the skills of struggling readers. It was developed with input from Kevin Feldman, an expert in vocabulary growth who is working with Lansing teachers.

The program offers large and small group instruction, independent reading, and computer software to help further develop vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and spelling skills of students so they can improve their performance in all subject areas.

Although Read 180 was fully implemented for only one marking period during the 2010-11 academic year, the staff saw a dramatic increase in the targeted students’ reading scores and a growing confidence in their ability to read.

Approximately 100 ninth graders are enrolled in the program this year.

Increasing Parent Involvement Is Key To Strengthening Quaker Family

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:02:41 +0000

Efforts have been initiated to encourage and support more active parent involvement in the education of their students.

Parent Coordinator Linda Sanchez-Gazella conducts weekly office hours at the school where she is available to meet with parents and community members.

As a result of her efforts, parent participation in last August’s freshmen orientation increased almost 100% over the 2010-11 school year.

Additional efforts are being planned this year to expand opportunities for even more parents to become active members of the Quaker Family

Special Olympics “Project Unify” Initiated At Eastern This Year

Admin01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:00:57 +0000

“Project Unify,” a Special Olympics program funded by the U. S. Department of Education, was initiated at Eastern this year.

It pairs up general education students with special education “buddies” and is intended to create a community of inclusion at the school, foster an awareness of disabilities, put an end to bullying, and improve student health through sports.

Goals for the initial year of the project are “Be A Family (first semester) and “Stop The ‘R’ Word (second semester).

Planned activities include coordinated sports events for Special Olympians and their noon-disabled peers, a mall shopping excursion, and YMCA field trip.

Planned activities include coordinated sports events for Special Olympians and their non-disabled peers, a mall shopping trip, dance, YMCA field trip.