Latest news with #UniversityHighSchool
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
University High principal: Class of 2025 reached 99% graduation rate
University High School's 620 members of the Class of 2025 earned their diplomas at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach May 31. Principal Amanda Wiles said University's Class of 2025 reached a graduation rate of greater than 99%. University students completed more than 36,000 community service hours. "This proves your generosity, compassion and willingness to make a positive impact on the world around you," Wiles said. More than 2 in 3 Titans earned scholar designations, while 172 received industry scholar designations. University students earned nearly $4.7 million in college scholarships, while 16 earned associate's degrees while in high school. Seven will enter the armed forces. Salutatorian Skye Scribner, who spoke to the class, completed her high school diploma in three years, while also earning an associate of arts degree from Daytona State College. So she spent the past year not in the halls of University, but at the campus of the University of Central Florida, completing her junior year of college. "I didn't get the chance to spend this final year of high school with you," Scribner said, admitting she felt scared standing before the large graduating class. "That's the message I want to leave you with today: Do it scared," she said. "Chances are you walked into high school and you were scared. You started your first job scared. You drove off alone for the first time scared. And yet you did it. "That courage, however small it felt at the time, is what carried you forward," Scribner said. "It is what got you to this moment and it's what will carry you into the next." Valedictorian Katie Blix admitted she's not good at many sports, but she kept trying and landed on running, which she said gave her confidence. She compared completing high school to crossing a finishing line. "Even though the race might have felt like 100 marathons, you still made it here," she said, "and you are stronger for it." This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: University High seniors graduate at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Queens, WWII veterans, plenty of high school bands bring cheer to tens of thousands at Lilac parade
May 17—Classic cars, high school bands and queens and princesses meandered through downtown Spokane on Saturday night for the 87th rendition of the Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. Draped in purple dresses, University High School senior Raegan Miller and the royal court waved to the crowd as the exquisite float they stood on proceeded through the downtown streets. "I think it's just really awesome that we're here bringing many communities together and showing back the love that Spokane has always given to us," Miller said as the parade units staged on the Washington Street Bridge minutes before the parade. Miller was shocked when she was crowned queen earlier this spring, saying every one of the six princesses who joined her on the float Saturday deserved to be queen. "It was honestly crazy when I found out I won because I was just so appreciative and I knew that all the girls beside me were going to help me get through this and help me be the best leader I can be," she said. Miller, who will attend Saint Mary's College in California after graduation, said the past few months have been fun with plenty of memories created. "It's been super busy, but I love being busy," she said. "I love making new connections with new leaders in this community. These girls, we've grown really close together and we became really good friends over these past few months." Nearby, Valleyfest royalty Aimee Cook, Chloe Nelson and Makenna Babb were also ready to hit the streets on their float. Valleyfest, held in September, is Spokane Valley's community festival. Cook, who is Miss Spokane Valley, said she enjoyed connecting with the other royalty from the region. Nelson and Babb said they were excited to see the children lining the streets at the parade. "Seeing the little girls always makes me so happy, and I love seeing them and making a good positive impact on them," said Nelson, who is student body president at Spokane Valley Tech. Bill Beckstrom, a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, rode in an army green 1944 Jeep with two other World War II veterans. Beckstrom said he served aboard the USS Curtiss and survived a Japanese pilot who barreled his plane into their ship. Dozens of his fellow comrades died, however, and the ship had to return to San Diego because of the strike. Beckstrom, a 98-year-old Spokane Valley resident, said his family came to watch him in the parade. Beckstrom also said he looked forward to seeing the youngsters at the parade. "I get a kick out of the kids," he said. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets to take in the floats and bands. Alison Long was one of the attendees. She sat in chairs with her grandson and mother, Maryann Canterbury. They came to see family members, one of whom is Miss Davenport, on the Davenport float. Canterbury, 73, said she hasn't been to the Lilac parade in decades. She said she loves the lights and the bands that play. "I always enjoy the sparkle," she said.
Dominion Post
18-05-2025
- General
- Dominion Post
Troy Lee Taylor
Troy Lee Taylor, 40, of Morgantown, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, following the sudden onset of a serious was born May 23, 1984, in Morgantown, a son of Robert L. Taylor and Sally M. TaylorTroy graduated from University High School in Morgantown, and then attended West Virginia University and Fairmont State University, where he studied later worked as a specialist in computer technology and sales, where he enjoyed his coworkers and solving both simple and complex problems for his customer base. He later made a career in Magic the Gathering, the collectable card game, by trading and selling cards. He routinely participated in and won tournaments both himself and through customers for whom he built their competitive decks. He enjoyed the challenge of mastering new approaches to the game and was routinely successful in applying is survived by his parents, Robert L. Taylor and Sally M. Taylor; his brother Robert M. Taylor of Rockville, Md.; and spouse, Moira E. Goff-Taylor, also of Rockville; two nephews, Benjamin M. and Finley R. Taylor; and two uncles, Thomas G. Chambers of Tampa, Fla., and Charles E. Taylor of Scranton, Pa. As an avid animal lover, he is also survived by his two furry felines, Bambu will be remembered for his incredibly sharp wit, steel-trap memory, and jovial spirit. He and his family also loved the outdoors, especially the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Therefore, Troy requested any memorial donations be made to the West Virginia Botanic Garden at 714 Venture Drive, PMB #121, Morgantown, WV 26508-7306, or at honoring Troy's wishes, cremation will be handled by the McCulla Funeral Home, with a small private ceremony for family and close friends at a future date. Condolences may be sent to the family at
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Monongalia County sophomores sign with WVU Medicine accelerator program MedEd
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — WVU Medicine held a signing ceremony at University High School Thursday for the MedEd program, which allows students in select high schools across Monongalia and Jefferson counties to get started in a career in healthcare. Through the program, Monongalia County students take classes while in school before taking up a paid internship at WVU Medicine during their senior year. After graduating and completing the program, students will also be considered for full-time employment at WVU Medicine. 'It's really a great way for WVU Medicine to grow our talent here in Morgantown, and it's also really great for the students in this community to get exposure to health careers,' Manager of Talent Acquisition at WVU Medicine Jessica Hall told 12 News. PHOTOS: Bridgeport High School hosts senior parade for graduating students Thursday's ceremony marked the start of this journey for sophomores from Morgantown and University High schools. 'It's so exciting. It's so exciting to see the students that are getting ready to join the program mingling with students that have completed the two-year program, hearing the stories and advice that they're sharing,' Hall said. 12 News spoke with University High School sophomore Dylan Scott, who said joining this program feels 'unreal.' He added that he looks forward to 'helping people as well as the bonus of having a nice place to work after I graduate.' WVU Medicine will also be hosting a graduation ceremony for the first cohort to have completed MedEd on Thursday evening. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
OC RYSE: Amplifying youth voices
Poetry is a powerful, multifaceted force, and the Orange County Regional Youth Slam Event, an annual high school poetry slam hosted by the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, undoubtedly delivers that message. Bringing together talented students from across Southern California, it has been established as the largest county-wide youth poetry slam in the state. From schools such as OCSA, University High School, Sage Hill High School, and La Habra High School, 38 students celebrated the slam's 11th year running at the Michael F. Harrah Sympohny Hall on March 8, 2025, where OC RYSE served as a platform for teen poets to engage in creative expression, showcase their skills, participate in a competitive art form, and amplify their voices. OC RYSE is the largest county-wide youth slam in California The Power of Spoken Word Poetry By tasking participants with responding to an existing poem with their own creative piece, OC RYSE goes beyond a poetry slam–it is an unparalleled opportunity for discovering the extensive range of poetry. Sailee Charlu, a sophomore in the Creative Writing conservatory at OCSA, described the event as 'a space for students to express their experiences through the power of spoken word.' The unique format allowed participants to use the Original Poem they chose to empower their voices, shaping something entirely of their own out of the pre-existing works. The attention to creative freedom was a canvas for a blend of shared and individual viewpoints, demonstrating that OC RYSE is about writing poetry as well as creating connections and broadening perspectives. What makes this poetry slam noteworthy is its distinct ability to promote literacy by encouraging students to explore the deeper layers and themes of their writing. As the art form requires articulation of thoughts and feelings, writing poetry demands introspection and emotional intelligence. The vast range of issues that were important to modern youth was clear through the sheer diversity of topics that were covered. From social justice to mental health, family dynamics to identity, each student shared a story that reflected cogitation and thoughtfulness. An Incomparable Community As each poet took the stage, peers showed appreciation for their work through cheers, applause, and snaps, creating an atmosphere that was electric with enthusiasm. Additionally, the interaction between poets and judges further emphasized the building of community through art. Poet and Cal State Long Beach professor Patty Seyburn, who has been a judge at OC RYSE for ten years and plans to continue her involvement, has witnessed firsthand how powerful this platform is for adolescent voices. When asked why poetry and writing are important to teenage communities, Seyburn said, 'At this moment, it's pivotal to be able to express oneself, but also to understand how to express yourself in a way that transforms it into art, that helps you reach out and connect with other people; it is crucially important.' The performance that evening proved that poetry is an invaluable means for youth to process the ever-changing and uncertain world around them and share their concerns with each other. In the case of judges like Seyburn, OC RYSE was a window into the questions and values of teenage communities that would otherwise be difficult to acquire. For student poets, OC RYSE was an invitation to confront difficult issues, whether personal or universal, through an art form that created a profound sense of solidarity between participants and bonded students from various voices, regardless of what their stories entailed. In the end, it became apparent that poetry is a bridge that connects us all. A Vehicle for Growth The experience that OC RYSE offered was not limited to the poets but also extended to the audience and judges, anyone who witnessed the raw emotion and artistry that filled the space. A sophomore in OCSA's Creative Writing Conservatory, Rebecca Yang, said: 'OC RYSE is a way for people to come together as a community to share and be heard by other people around them. It's so fun to be with everyone and understand other poets but also understand yourself in the process.' The event was also a chance for students to experiment and express with their writing in a supportive environment, offering poetry as an instrument for personal growth and creative exploration. Poet and OC RYSE judge Dorothy Barresi said, 'For me, OC RYSE is about experiencing the artistic impulse and celebrating the artistic impulse, particularly as it makes itself felt in our lives in words and language.' What's more, the slam's ability to transform individual voices into a collective force is crucial in a world where youth often feel unheard or misunderstood. OC RYSE cultivates a space where perspectives can be articulated through poetry and teens can claim agency over their narratives, holding the pen to their own dialogues. A Lasting Impact OC RYSE continues to remain a beacon for young poets seeking to leave an indelible mark on society through the impact of their words. It is clear that the event not only celebrates the art of poetry but also fosters a culture of diversity, intellectual engagement, and creativity. As student poets perform, they offer a view of the next generation, shedding light on issues that affect their futures, their environments, and themselves. The legacy of OC RYSE is palpable: it nurtures the creativity and voices of teens, encouraging them to continue contributing to the ongoing conversation about the importance of youth in the arts. By emphasizing individuality and community, vulnerability and artistry, OC RYSE amplifies the powerful messages that these young poets bring to the stage as they etch their names on the cultural landscape of Orange County and beyond. Related
