School Zone
Points of Pride
Power Unlimited Visits Crown Point Elementary
Students at Crown Point Elementary recently welcomed some powerful visitors when team members from Power Unlimited
visited their school.
The Power Unlimited Strength Ministry Team is comprised of educated, world-class and former professional athletes
who are now highly sought after seasoned motivational speakers who walk in integrity, both on and off the platform. They travel to
schools to encourage children and adults to make good choices.
Visiting Crown Point Elementary were husband and wife Power Unlimited team members Anthony and Jennifer Beckham.
Anthony, a competitive bodybuilder, and Jennifer, a former Disney princess and championship softball player, discussed with students
the importance of making positive choices and forming good habits.
"We remind students there is a champion inside each and every one of them," said Jennifer. "Students need to know
we weren’t born winners or losers, but choosers, and they have the ability to make good choices in life and do good things."
During the presentation, Anthony performed feats of strength, including bending a steel bar with his teeth,
rolling up a frying pan, breaking a baseball bat and tearing through a 1000+ page phone book with his bare hands.
Although Anthony's feats of strength demonstrated how strong he is, the main purpose of his visit was to motivate
the students to make positive choices, to stay away from drugs and alcohol, and to be respectful to themselves and others.
"I like to tell students that either they will make choices, or choices will make them," said Anthony. "Everything
in life is about choices, and I want to encourage every student I meet to make the right choices."
Brought to Crown Point Elementary by the school's PTA, the Power Unlimited Strength Ministry Team has performed at
more than 120 schools across the United States within the past year. Their mission is "to shape the character of this generation of
youth, one school at a time."
Englewood High Principal Receives Kaden Anderson Administrator Award
The third Laurel Kaden Anderson Administrator Award was recently presented to Dr. Alvin Brennan, principal at
Englewood High School, during the Principal/Counselor Reception held at River City Brewery. Mrs. Patricia Willis, deputy superintendant,
was the keynote speaker and presenter of the award.
The award honors Laurel Kaden Anderson, former supervisor of guidance, whose initiatives and programs have shaped
the focus of DCPS' school counseling programs in the last decade. The award was created to recognize administrators for
outstanding support of school counselors and school counseling programs.
Five other administrators were nominated for supporting their school counseling program. The nominees include Evan
Daniels, principal at Matthew Gilbert Middle; Kimberly Dennis, principal at R.V. Daniels Elementary; Dr. Arvin Johnson, principal at
Mattie V. Rutherford; Pearl Roziers, principal at Kernan Trails Elementary; and Aletha Ruffin, assistant principal at William M. Raines
High.
Alden Road Exceptional Student Center Hosts Multicultural Holiday Event
Alden Road Exceptional Student Center recently celebrated its fourth annual Multicultural Holiday Event. Each class
chose seasonal holidays celebrated by different cultures throughout the world and shared customs, food, ethnic costumes and music.
"Our Multicultural Holiday Event gives our students an opportunity to expand their horizons by studying other
cultures' holidays and traditions," said Principal Linda Leonard. "We have students and staff from other countries represented at our
school, and this event is an additional way for students to be aware of and respect everyone's culture."
Principal Leonard also said the holiday program gives the students the opportunity to "learn by experiencing."
Students prepared for the event by researching their chosen country, and every student had the opportunity to visit all the booths,
which were set up in the multi-purpose room.
This year in teacher Meredith Reno's class, she has two students from Albania, so they decided as a class to learn
about Albania and present the country to their school. Students explained facts about the country, told visitors "Gezur Krislinjden"
(Merry Christmas) in the native language and served baklava as a treat.
"Our students and staff enjoy this event so much and look forward to it each year. It's a great time for all of us
to learn more about the global community we share," said Reno.
Other countries represented included China, Israel, Denmark, Mexico, El Salvador, Japan, Panama, Australia, Canada
and Jordan.
For more pictures from the Multicultural Holiday Event at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center, visit the
DCPS' flickr Photostream.
| 
