2007-08 RECOGNITIONS

Lee Art Education Association Student Show

This annual event opens on April 10, with a reception from 5-7 pm. This showcases high quality works of art by students from all over Lee County. Literally, the walls of the Lee County Alliance for the Arts are covered from floor to ceiling with kids’ artwork, like in the old days of the Paris Salons! Students whose work is in the show receive certificates of recognition and experience having their work exhibited in a professional exhibition space.
Please congratulate these students:

Emily Adler, Mikala Alexander, Gibson Bastar, Gina Bonacasa, Heather Conway, Denni Cook, Teal Corkhill, Dillon Delaecaes, Jessica Fennessey, Jillian Fennessey, Shelby Fournier, Amanda Gamsby, Jonathan Grez, Kenzi Gustason, Helen Harvin, Austin Johnston, Ya’Launi Landrum, Jennifer Lee, Ethan Lynch, Zahkia Martin, Philip Masi, Allie Pakrosnis, Damini Patel, Rhea Patel, Amber Russo, Jorge Saldivar, Hannah Solum, Ashley Silva, Jeromy Spaulding, and Dean Whicker.

These and many other examples of student work can be enjoyed at Artsonia.com.

BAND

On Friday afternoon, March 17th, the Concert Band received an Excellent rating (2nd highest possible) for their performance on stage. Following that they received a Superior (highest possible rating) rating for their Sight Reading performance. This is the first time an intermediate level band from our school attended the assessment. They not only performed their music well, they behaved in a very mature manner. It was a very special afternoon for those kids.

On Friday night the Symphonic Band presented their music program and received a Superior rating. They also received a Superior for their sight reading performance. Twenty six middle school bands from Collier, Lee and Hendry Counties participated in the assessment, only 8 bands received Superior ratings.

Please congratulate all of these band members for their exemplary work!

Last night PLDMS band students participated in the Lee County Honor Jazz Band auditions. Six of our students were selected to be a part of the 2008 band that will perform on Thursday April 10 at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts. Please congratulate these students for their achievement:

Jacob Lynch – trumpet
Jack Yankopolus – drums
JJ Schneider – guitar
Melody Cooke – piano
Thad Watkins – trombone
James Whittle – trombone
Nathan Margolin - bass guitar

On Saturday February 2, twenty-nine students from PLDMS bands participated in the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo & Ensemble festival at Lehigh High School. Our students did a wonderful job receiving 25 medals for superior performances. Their names and ratings are listed below. Congratulations to all of them!

Excellent Rating

Jacob Vanness, NaJa Tarver, Ben Perkins, Erick Carlsen, and Ryan Foor

Superior Rating:

Taylor Chase, Amy Devries, Fedor Milov, Tyler Foor, Tracy Johnson-Cantwell, Veronika Mak, Bhuvna Mahajan, Alison Hamilton, David Barrow (2 medals), Philip Rubano, Kevyn Lee, Jordan Axelrod, Rahsaan Simon (2 medals), Thad Watkins (2 medals), James Whittle, Jacob Lynch, Ty Christoff, Alex Garcia, Danial Zuberi, Patrick Frick, Kenneth Richmond, and David Rongo

January 31st, the Jazz Band participated in the District 18 music performance assessment concert at Lehigh HS. The band did an outstanding job and received a score of 2 excellents and a superior. Please congratulate them on their fine performance.

Congrautlations to Rashaan Simon on being selected to the 2008 All-State Middle School Band. Rashaan is an 8th grade student who plays trombone in the PLDMS Symphonic Band. He was selected for the band through competitive audition. Rahsaan will perform with the band at the annual Florida Music Educators Conference January 10-12, 2008 in Tampa.

Eleven students from PLDMS were selected for the 2007-08 Lee All-County Middle School Honor Band. Students earned their positions through competitive audition. Please congratulate the following students for their fine performances:

Alison Hamilton, Veronika Mak, Pablo Gomez, Nishani Karunamuni, Fedor Milov, David Barrow, Erick Carlsen, Ryan Foor, Alex Garcia, Jordan Axlerod, and Rahsaan Simon.

CHORUS

Congraultations to Tiffany Farina, soprano for being accepted to the 2007-08 All-State 7th and 8th grade Mixed Chorus, and to Lindsey Barter, soprano II, Jenna Kellenberger, alto, and Taylor Ross, soprano II for being accepted to the All-State 7th and 8th Grade Treble Chorus

ORCHESTRA

Congratulations to Maya Weinstein, violin, for being accepted into the Florida Orchestra Association’s Honors String Orchestra.

November 17th, these orchestra students participated in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Each student received an Excellent rating on their solo or ensemble:

Amina Aouchiche, Tiffany Farina, Alexa Goldenhart, Alyssa Goldenhart, Raymond Hui, Emma Jablonski, Sophia Maute, Alexa McCarthy, Ariana Picciuto, Naina Sharma and Maya Weinstein.

Tiffany Farina and Maya Weinstein received Superior ratings on their performances of their solo:

Please congratulate these students on their achievement!

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

The First Annual Battle of the Books for Middle School was held May 7 at the School Board Board Room.

Battle of the Books is a team competition where the students read the 15 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award books and answer questions based on Character Analysis, Author's Purpose and Point of View, Setting and Plot, Elements of Story Structure, and Author's Theme, to name just a few.

The Paul L. Dunbar team won 1st place and will have the traveling trophy until next year.Team members are Bailee Wolfort, Captain, Emily Luc, Kaitey Allen, Mikayla Nickells, Natasha Sowka, and Aaron Tucker. Mrs. Weis was the Team Sponsor and Mrs. Carlson assisted.

CROP
(College Reach Out Program)

Ms. Rohan is please to announce these student recognitions for CROP (College Reach Out Program)

The Most Improved CROP member:
Calvajia Wilbon 7th grade
The Most Outstanding CROP member:
Alicia Fisher 8th grade
The Most Outstanding New Service Project
"In-School" for the 2007-2008 school year:
CROP members offered free babysitting sevices for parents while they attended
Intensive Reading Meetings.

DO THE RIGHT THING

Eighth grade student Luis Calderon was honored by the Fort Myers Police Department as part of the “Do the Right Thing” program. The award was given to Luis on January 17, 2008 at Fort Myers City Hall to recognize him for his leadership skills, great attitude, and work ethic both in school and out. Congratulations Luis!
(pictured from left bottom: Yolanda Calderon, Luis Calderon, Leandro Gonzalez, Luis Calderon, Faye Henderson; top: unknown FM police officer, Jennifer Andoscia, Jane Tuttle, Officer David Sanchez)

MATH COUNTS

Please join us in congratulating Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School’s Math Team for its 3rd place finish. On Saturday, February 9, 2008 PLDMS participated in the Southwest Florida MathCounts competition at FGCU. This event included about 125 students from middle schools of Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. While finishing 3rd, as indicated below, it is worthwhile to note that the PLDMS team earned 1st place honors for Lee County Middle Schools. The top 3 schools were:

Port Charlotte Middle School
Community School of Naples
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

Iindividual honors were earned by PLDMS’ Ethan Lynch, who took 2nd place overall.

MATH TEAM


Priyanka Patel, Nishuni Karunamuhi, Allie Pakrosnis, Bhuvnu M*, Ethan Lynch, Alex Garci, Rheu Patel, Ales Kumar, Eirc Cobb, Michael D'Angelo, Greg Wagner
Shreya Chuurdri, Pooja Maimundur, Enerald Ingram

Laren Bigalow, Betsy Cox, Malini Uttamachandani, Amber Richards, Diege Navarrette, Madeline L*, AAron Tucker

PATRIOT'S PEN

As winner of the district Patriot's Pen contest, Rachel Petrik (8th grade) qualified to attend the state competition (Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Florida Celebration of Achievement Banquet). Rachel and her family traveled to Orlando for the contest. On Saturday, they attended a luncheon. Rachel won 2nd place in the state competition (there were over 2,000 entries – all 23 counties in FL participated)). At an evening banquet, Rachel received a $750.00 savings bond and a $100 check from the Ladies Auxiliary. On February 10, she will attend a luncheon in Naples where she will receive a $200 savings bond and other awards.

PLDMS 8th grader, Rachel Petrick, won District 1st place in the Patriot's Pen essay contest! April 9, we were notified that Nick Alexander won 2nd place and John Andrew won 3rd place in this contest at the District level. Both students received a certificate and a check from the VFW.

Patriot's Pen, an essay contest sponsored by the VFW, was open to all middle school students in Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Hendry, and Collier Counties (the southwest district). The theme this year was “Why I Am An American Patriot”. Rachel's essay was awarded first place by a panel of judges who read student entries submitted by middle school students from all five counties.

This is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations Rachel!

SADD

Congratulations to Naina Sharma and Nisha Sharma who won first prize and $75 at the SWFAS Red Ribbon Week Talent show in Cape Coral. The talent displayed was a traditional Indian Dance in authentic costume.

SCIENCE FAIR

Congratulations to our winners of the
51st Annual Thomas Alva Edison Kiwanis
Science and Engineering Fair.

Alexa McCarthy
1st place in Plant Science, two special awards, entry into state competition,
4 year full scholarship to FGCU

Rachel Petrik
1st place in Physics, one special award,
2 year full scholarship to Edison College

Aaron Tucker
2nd place in Medicine and Health

Denni Cook and Kaitey Allen
2nd place for their team project

Bhuvna Mohajan
2nd place in Medicine and Health

Ty Christoff
3rd place in Chemistry, and Summer Research Opportunity at FGCU scholarship valued at $500

Sophia Maute
3rd place in Animal Science

Alyssa Goldenhart
Honorable Mention in Physics

2007-08
PLDMS Science Fair Winners

Animal Science - Sophia Maute
Havahart
Behavioral and Social Science -
Wayles Martin
Color or Not?
Chemistry - Ty Christoff
Candle Combustion
Energy and Transportation - Mark Salter
Why winglets?
Engineering - Tanner Zahalka
Bridge Engineering
Environmental Science - Fedor Milov
Hazard in a phone
Medicine and Health - Aaron Tucker
What therapeutic methods of healing will increase flexibility and durability of injured ligaments and tendons?
Microbiology - Maya Weinstein
Got Germs?
Plant Science - Alexa McCarthy
Can we clean our water with plants?
Physics - Marshall Petrik
Blown up deflation

HISTORY DAY 2008

Please congratulate Tiffany Farina for taking 2nd place in the Historical Paper division at the Lee County History Day Fair on Saturday, March, 8th. She will be attending the State History Fair in April.

SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR

Congratulations to the winners of the PLDMS Social Studies Fair.

6th Grade Backboard
Mathilde Morzaniga
Algerian War

7th Grade Backboard
Brooke Layport
9/11

8th Grade Backboard
Jenna Kellenberger
The Boston Tea Party

Group Exhibit
Rachel & Marshall Petrick
Steroids in Sports

Historical Paper
Veronika Mak
Global Warming: Natural or Manmade?

Documentary
Sophia Maute
Vietnam War

Performance
Lindsey Barter, Sarah Swanbeck, Ally Burtch
Trail of Tears

SPORTS

Regional Track Results

Dunbar Middle girls track team placed 2nd of 10 teams competing at the Regional Track Meet at Estero High School. Three Oaks won the meet with 253 points and we were second with 225 points, a great showing. Of the 36 girls on the team, 20 placed in the top 3 in their event:

6th Grade
1st place 200m Kenya Armstrong
1st place Shot Put Jessica Lentz
2nd place 100m Kenya Armstrong
2nd place 4x400 relay Kirsten Beaton, Brianna Demello,
Isabella Santiago, Amanda Bagaason
3rd place 4x100 relay Kirsten Beaton, Iqueisha Harvin, Brianna Demello, Alexa Goldenhart
3rd place Long Jump Danielle Carwile

7th Grade
1st place 200m Calvajia Wilbon
2nd place 100m Brittany Peck
2nd place Long Jump Medgine Georges
2nd place Shot Put Cierra White
2nd place Discus Cierra White

8th Grade
1st place 100m Ariel Tulsie
1st place 400m Alyssa Goldenhart
1st place 200m Ariel Tulsie
1st place 800m Rachel Petrik
2nd place 4x400 relay Alyssa Goldenhart, Emily Luc,
Abbi Tyler, Rachel Petrik
2nd place Mile Run Emily Luc
2nd place 800m Abbi Tyler
3rd place 100m Jasmine Teague
3rd place 4x100 relay Teja Leaphart, Mabeille Marcellus,
Marie Chery, Jasmine Teague

April 3, PLDMS had almost 50 boys participate in the Regional track meet, held at Estero High School. PLDMS placed 2nd out of 9 schools competing, finishing only 16 points behind Lexington Middle

6th GRADE
1st place 100m Giftson Bornelus
1st place Shot Put Chayden Foster
1st place Discus Chayden Foster
2nd place 200m Giftson Bornelus
2nd place 400m Connor Guerin
3rd place 400m Zach Stewart
3rd place 100m Zach Stewart

7th GRADE
1st place 100m Theron Peterson
1st place 400m Ismael Brito
1st place 800m Jacob Lynch
1st place 200m Keith Scott
1st place Long Jump Raheem Warren
1st place 4x100 relay Keith Scott, Theron Peterson,
Dennis Francisque, Ricardo Altenor
2nd place 100m Ricardo Altenor
2nd place Long Jump Devin Williams
2nd place Shot Put Greg Thomas

8th GRADE
2nd place 400m Joel Kelly
3rd place 4x100 relay Keddrick Weatherspoon, Damas Etienne,
Sam Lefkowitz, Bobby Hart