Nobel, Holmes Students Honored as Young Achievers

[News release from Los Angeles World Airports.]

The annual Teacher Mini-Grant and Young Achievers awards event, sponsored by Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and the Rotary Club of Van Nuys, Thursday night awarded three educational mini-grants to Los Angeles Unified School District middle school teachers in the San Fernando Valley, and $100 to four Valley middle school student Young Achievers.

The Teacher Mini-Grant program awarded a $500 grant to Michael Fuoroli, Holmes Middle School, Northridge; a $300 grant to Colleen Schwab, Woodland Hills Academy; and a $200 grant to Roxsana Jaber-Ansari, Hale Charter Academy, Woodland Hills. The teachers were selected based on applications on how they will implement educational program ideas that include aviation and community service.

The Young Achievers program honored 32 exceptional Valley middle school students (from 15 schools) who excel in academics, athletics, the arts, and community service/ leadership. Teachers and counselors nominated the students, and the top student in each category received $100 funded by the Rotary Club:

• Academic Excellence: Joshua Beristain, Nobel Middle School, Northridge
• Community Service/leadership: Tatiana Martinez, Nobel Middle School, Northridge
• Academics: Gabriel Morales, Byrd Middle School, Sun Valley
• Athletics: Chris Aguas, Valley Alternative Magnet School, Van Nuys
• Arts: Perla Arellano, Mulholland Middle School, Lake Balboa
• Community service/leadership: Jane Cabanayan, Holmes International Middle School, Northridge

Parents, teachers, and community organizations gathered to recognize the high-achieving middle-school students and innovative teachers at an event in Van Nuys.

“Congratulations to the teachers and students honored today,” said VNY Airport Manager Jess Romo. “It is spirit, drive and dedication like theirs that make our schools better.”

He added, “We believe the Teacher Mini-Grant and Young Achievers programs help support educational improvement and help students realize that their dreams can take flight.”

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.