The Auburn School District celebrates the new Olympic Middle School with a community grand opening at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The new school is at 839 21st St. SE.
The celebration will feature guest speakers, refreshments and tours. Community members are invited to attend.
In the fall of 2016, the Auburn community passed a $456 million bond to rebuild six schools and build two new elementary schools. Olympic is the first school completed as part of the Building for Learning bond. More than 900 students are attending the new school.
Awarded
Kathelynn Nguyen of Auburn recently earned the SPS Technologies Scholarship.
Nguyen, a 2017 Auburn Mountainview High School graduate, is majoring in human centered design at the University of Washington.
She is the daughter Nguyen of Thanh and Chuc Nguyen.
Honors
The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognizes Rosanna Frerichs, para-educator at Gildo Rey Elementary, for being an outstanding staff member at 7 p.m. Monday in the James P. Fugate Administration building.
Frerichs found her work home at Gildo Rey 25 years ago. She has been a para-educator in the Title I/LAP program and in the library. She also is the building technology coordinator.
Frerichs loves the students and families at Gildo Rey. She views all Gildo Rey students as her kids.
“The greatest part is when students come back to visit me,” she said.
Gildo Rey teacher Allison MacGurn said, “Rosanna has a huge heart and comes to work every day to do what is best for kids. She has high expectations for students and always pushes them to do their very best. She is truly one of the best educators I know.”
On Monday, the school board also recognizes Ava Mitchell, an eighth-grader at Mt. Baker Middle School, for being an outstanding student.
Mitchell stands out not only as a great person, but as a leader in her school. She is kind to all, a hard worker, actively involved in and out of school, and someone you can always count on.
Bulldog Crew leader, Bruce Vatne said, “Ava was selected as a Bulldog Crew member because of her positive leadership skills. Ava was an instrumental part of our Sixth Grade Orientation Day. She made an immediate, positive connection with sixth grade students in her group. They loved working with her.”
Mitchell also is an athlete. She participates in school volleyball and gymnastics. She also plays club volleyball for Lake Tapps Volleyball and is a cheerleader with the Auburn Youth Ravens football and cheer program.
Even with all of her extra-curricular activities, Mitchell is an exceptional student and takes her education seriously. She has a 3.6 GPA. She is a T.A. in the attendance office this year, again helping to support students and welcoming guests as they arrive at school.
Principal Greg Brown said, “To have a student like Ava as the person that welcomes students and guests into our school each morning is a principal’s dream! She represents herself and our school in the best way possible – with kindness and integrity. It makes me proud to watch Ava working hard every day to make herself and our school the best!”
Mitchell wants to attend the University of Washington, where she plans to become an optometrist.
Elsewhere
Auburn Riverside students Kyra Brandt and Faith Nehren are semifinalists for the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be off ered next spring.
