School news of the week: Gatorade Player of the Year, kids mentoring kids, fun lessons

Amazing things happen in our schools every day — if you know where to look! Do you know some school news others would love? Let us know at [email protected].

Congratulations to Washington High School senior Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda for being named the 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year for South Dakota.

This award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence along with high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Mwenentanda is the first to be chosen from Washington. She is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced later this month. Plus, she has an incredible story. Learn more about her here.

The Roosevelt High School Teacher Pathways Programs is making connections throughout the Sioux Falls School District. These R.F. Pettigrew Elementary students were happy to spend time with their high school mentors.

Christ the King Elementary sixth graders took part in a special etiquette experience this week. The event featured a meal at the Washington Pavilion followed by a string quartet performance.

Did you know fifth graders in pajamas make the best kind of presenters? These Terry Redlin Elementary students spent the past four weeks putting together research projects for their gallery walk. After researching their favorite nonfiction topic, they expertly crafted introductions, topic paragraphs and conclusions.

Once their research papers were complete, the students spent time gathering five kinds of text features to add to their posters. Students from other classes were invited to walk around and hear about the various research topics being presented.

Third graders at St. Katharine Drexel Elementary took part in a famous person wax museum last week. They had to do several things to prepare to portray their chosen famous person, including reading a biography, writing a speech, designing a costume and props, and working on their public speaking. Can you recognize any of these famous people?

Hundreds of eighth grade girls from all six Sioux Falls middle schools gathered at the CTE Academy last week for the Pizza, Pop & Power Tools event. They got to try out power tools, heavy equipment, concrete materials, welding and more. In addition, the girls also met women in these industries who do everything from human resources and management to architecture and out-in-the-field electrical and construction work.

Twenty-five years in education definitely is something to celebrate. Congratulations to these Sioux Falls School District honorees on their silver anniversary!