Shining seniors
For most students, the thought of graduating and leaving their friends is a frightening one.
Ama Kyereme (12), however, is not like most students.
Ama will be graduating early at the end of this semester to travel to Ghana, where she will be living and volunteering at an orphanage and entering into a journalism program.
“I knew when I started high school I wanted a global education, so I took a lot of classes with an international focus. I always knew I wanted to graduate early, but it wasn't until the beginning of my junior year that I knew I wanted to go abroad,” she said.
Ama is volunteering and learning through the Dream Africa Care Foundation, which allows students to interact with local communities in meaningful ways, whether that be through the form of service, education, or intern opportunities.
The Foundation operates in countries all over the continent, but Ghana worked out the best for Ama.
“I was originally thinking of somewhere in Southeast Asia, like Nepal of Cambodia. I eventually decided on Ghana at the beginning of this year because I had family there, and it really worked out well,” she noted. “We speak the language, Twi, at home, and since my mom travels to Ghana pretty regularly, there would be at least some familiarity.”
The best part of this, she pointed out, was that the program provides free room and board in exchange for volunteer work. Those involved only have to pay for transportation to the location.
Ama will be living and working in Accra, Ghana’s capital, but she’ll fly into Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city first.
She plans on spending a few weeks with her family there in order to get her bearings and acclimate to herself to the new country and culture.
“I’m really excited! But I’m also kinda sad to be leaving my friends behind and missing out on all the cool things at home. I was really looking forward to playing in the new girls CYO basketball club, but, now, I won’t be able to.”
When Ama arrives in Ghana, she’ll be bringing more to the orphanage than just herself. The International Club has started a toy drive to help Ama bring the children she will be working with a few gifts for the holiday season.
“Alicia Contreras wanted to organize a toy drive for the holidays, and when we both heard what each other were planning on doing, we decided to team up. We’ll be collecting toys and books until the eleventh,” she said. “I think it’s really great that we decided to team up, and I hope a lot of people will be able to donate to help the kids there.”
Anyone interested in donating can drop off gently used toys, books, clothes, and art/school supplies to Mr. Elsen’s room (100) until January 11th.
“I’m ready to go,” Ama says. “I think this is going to be a really great opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to end my high school career this way.”
Ama Kyereme (12), however, is not like most students.
Ama will be graduating early at the end of this semester to travel to Ghana, where she will be living and volunteering at an orphanage and entering into a journalism program.
“I knew when I started high school I wanted a global education, so I took a lot of classes with an international focus. I always knew I wanted to graduate early, but it wasn't until the beginning of my junior year that I knew I wanted to go abroad,” she said.
Ama is volunteering and learning through the Dream Africa Care Foundation, which allows students to interact with local communities in meaningful ways, whether that be through the form of service, education, or intern opportunities.
The Foundation operates in countries all over the continent, but Ghana worked out the best for Ama.
“I was originally thinking of somewhere in Southeast Asia, like Nepal of Cambodia. I eventually decided on Ghana at the beginning of this year because I had family there, and it really worked out well,” she noted. “We speak the language, Twi, at home, and since my mom travels to Ghana pretty regularly, there would be at least some familiarity.”
The best part of this, she pointed out, was that the program provides free room and board in exchange for volunteer work. Those involved only have to pay for transportation to the location.
Ama will be living and working in Accra, Ghana’s capital, but she’ll fly into Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city first.
She plans on spending a few weeks with her family there in order to get her bearings and acclimate to herself to the new country and culture.
“I’m really excited! But I’m also kinda sad to be leaving my friends behind and missing out on all the cool things at home. I was really looking forward to playing in the new girls CYO basketball club, but, now, I won’t be able to.”
When Ama arrives in Ghana, she’ll be bringing more to the orphanage than just herself. The International Club has started a toy drive to help Ama bring the children she will be working with a few gifts for the holiday season.
“Alicia Contreras wanted to organize a toy drive for the holidays, and when we both heard what each other were planning on doing, we decided to team up. We’ll be collecting toys and books until the eleventh,” she said. “I think it’s really great that we decided to team up, and I hope a lot of people will be able to donate to help the kids there.”
Anyone interested in donating can drop off gently used toys, books, clothes, and art/school supplies to Mr. Elsen’s room (100) until January 11th.
“I’m ready to go,” Ama says. “I think this is going to be a really great opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to end my high school career this way.”
Kaitlyn Shanks impresses with designs and leadership
December By Gabby Petruzzello
Kaitlyn Shanks is one of the outstanding seniors at Craig High School.
Alongside a rigorous aca- demic schedule, Kaitlyn is involved in soccer, cross country, and volunteering. One of her greatest talents is for design. Shanks’s designs have been featured numerous times through the Craig cross country team, includ- ing the state quali er shirts and the iconic WE CAN shirts. Shanks’s designs were twice selected for the Midwest Invitational, and 800 t-shirts were sold each year. Addition- ally, Shanks designed the clothing apparel for cross country this year and is de- signing the soccer t-shirts. Now, her designs will reach a wider audience thanks to her winning en- try in a contest sponsored by Concrete Coast, a long- board company Kailyn learned about the contest through an ad on her Instagram. The prize was to have the winning design featured on one of the company’s longboards and sold to the public. Shanks submitted one entry in November and another in December of 2016. Her second entry was a winning design. “I knew I wanted a longboard and to have my design featured on one would be even cooler,” said Shanks. “My favorite part about design is seeing my work in everyday settings. See- ing a shirt I made or one of the boards is one of the most satisfying parts about my day,” she said. Shanks’s artwork is viewed highly by anyone who receives it. Freshman seminar teacher cross country coach Mrs. Law- ton gushed over Shanks’s artwork and expressed her amazement in the creativity of the different materials and styles of all of the different pieces. “One of my favorite things that she did for me was made that little banner (points to the banner hanging in her room). Just because she wanted to. I think it’s interesting to see all of the materials. She sees some- thing and gets an idea and just creates something for it,” said Lawton. Shanks creates her designs not for herself, but for the bene t of others and for a distinct purpose. The cross country banner made out of duct tape was a spontaneous gift. When Shanks was unable to run due to an injury this year, she drew “WE CAN” on her shoes and had the varsity teams’ names on the visible edge of her shoe and well as additional writ- ing in marker in support of the team. The shoes were meant to commemorate the team’s theme for the season. “As a student in my Drawing 2 course last year, Kaitlyn created excellent work in both execution, design and technical skill. Kaitlyn has done several projects that are based on her nephew. That personal connection to her subject matter shows in her detailed execution and care to create a like- ness to him,” said Shank’s art teacher, Mrs. Kane. When asked what makes Kaitlyn’s designs so unique, Mrs. Lawton said, “Each one is extremely different. Whether it’s different in materials, and they are usually really unique...just the way she looks at something and is able to come up with something and continues to change and adapt it until it’s something that she re- ally likes then she gives it to people.” Graphic design has brought great successes to senior Kaitlyn Shanks, and she plans to continue her study of it in college. She is currently choosing between two colleges where she wants to pursue her academic and athletic goals. Shanks is a three-year varsity runner and was voted captain of the cross country team for the 2017 season. Coach Lawton loves her leadership. “Her leadership is fantastic. She is able to motivate people and is able to come up with things to be able to build a team bond,” she said. In addition to cross country, Shanks also plays soccer. She has played since she was seven years old and this season will be her fourth on varsity. Her main positions are outside Mid eld or Of- fense/Forward. “My favorite part about soccer is scoring goals and really bonding with the whole team. They’re like family to me and they al- ways will be,” she said. Additionally, Shanks is on National Art Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and National Honors Society. Shanks volunteers for JBA running the concession stands as well as other volunteer work. Kaitlyn Shanks continues to motivate others with her creativity, talent, and leadership skills in all aspects of her life. |
Photos and images courtesy of fMrs. Kane and Kaitlyn Shanks
K. Shanks (top row, second on the left) with the cross country team at an early morning team bonding run and breakfast. Her leadership is fantastic. She is able to motivate people and is able to come |