Written by Megan Laubershimer, as published in The Daily Herald, B10, 3/25/09
A chance to win a car, what could be a better reason to hope for a key card from Ken Garth? It's called Keys to Success and has been a program running throughout high schools for a few years now.
As a program to promote the students of tomorrow to work hard and dedicate today, it awards only the students who truly take the future into their own hands.
Teachers nominate students, who then receive a fun, little key card. This is a card that not only parallels the lottery for high school students by bringing with it the chance to win a new car, but also gives the opportunity to choose from a variety of prizes, anything from a day pass at renowned ski resorts to free dinners at top notch restaurants.
Timpanogos High School prides itself on housing an eclectic body of students who do what they can to succeed. With only the best of the best students receiving cards, either by maintaining a 4.0 GPA or having perfect attendance, key cards spread around the school like wild fire.
A perfect example of Timpanogos's finest is senior Irasema Del Castillo. As the business liaison for the school newspaper, Irasema deals with irascible businesses and a tight budget to keep the Timberwolf Times running, and she even finds the time to write for the paper as well.
English teacher Mrs. Phippen, who is also the paper's adviser, nominated Irasema after admiring not only her work ethic but her personality as well. She reported, "I gave it to her for raising our advertisements by 1000%. Last year we had $300 in ads. Irasema got $3,000 this year."
With so many students receiving a key card every month, it was difficult to choose just one among the many talented class. Irasema proved to be one of the top choices because she is the perfect example of what future seniors should strive to become. She is endearing, kind, and intelligent, not to mention good with money; and she works hard for what she wants.
Though she admits that the chances for her to actually win the car at the end of the year are not very high, she laughed and said that she'd gladly take it and sell the car she has now. When asked what she thought about being nominated, she said, "I think it was cool. I got $100 to Paul Mitchell [beauty school]."
When asked why she thought she received the nomination, she said, "It was for a 4.0 grade," but we all know it was for so much more than that. From working on PACK, the school's student committee, to taking care of her younger sister, Irasema is a valued student among her teachers and a beloved friend.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Trials of Endurance
Written by Kaleo Li as appeared in The Daily Herald, B10, 3/25/09
Overcoming an obstacle is almost always a formidable task, but living through constant pain and discomfort may be even more laudable than that.
Such is the life of Timpanogos High school teacher Jillian Phippen, who juggles major health concerns, responsibilities at home, and duties as an advisor and faculty member on a daily basis.
She suffers from kidney stones, a painful urological disorder, and has had “more than [she] could count,” passing a few of these stones each week. She also experienced kidney and liver failure during her last pregnancy and has to regularly accommodate her life with her case of diabetes.
“She’s had several health concerns, mainly in association with being a diabetic,” says Kori Crampton, a fellow Timpanogos educator.
While having to deal with all these tribulations, Phippen still heads up a journalism staff, teaches 2 ESL classes, keeps herds of rowdy sophomore English students under control, raises four young children, and actively participates in her local Boy Scouts of America program.
One of the most admirable qualities that Phippen posseses is her ability to stay sanguine through all the stresses of her life.
“She’s in a lot of pain, but she’s smiling all the time,” says Cecile Thomas, who teaches Photography at Timpanogos High.
“Mrs. Phippen's unique sense of humor still finds a way to bubble through to keep her and everyone around her smiling. After being filled with radioactive dye for a procedure, she dressed as ‘Radioactive Woman’ for Halloween. You can't get any more optimistic than that," says Sairah Gold, one of her students.
By looking at her Twitter profile, anyone can see the humor and optimism that she infuses into people’s lives. When she had to go in for neurological testing and to obtain an echocardiogram, her status update reflected her positive thoughts: “I get to have more tests. I’ll study hard and not flunk!”
Despite the enormous amount of energy required by all the responsibilities Phippen has, she never gives less than all she can to those who require it, whether it is her children, students, or family members.
“What I like about Mrs. Phippen is that she’s open, . . . and that makes her a good friend. I know I can always count on her to listen to my troubles and to give me advice,” says Irasema Del Castillo, a student at Timpanogos High.
Her Twitter update that portrays herself most accurately says, “[I’m] finally on my way to work! I may not feel well, but hi-ho!”
As an educator, Jillian Phippen teaches more than vocabulary and grammar; she teaches us all how to endure the most difficult circumstances.
Overcoming an obstacle is almost always a formidable task, but living through constant pain and discomfort may be even more laudable than that.
Such is the life of Timpanogos High school teacher Jillian Phippen, who juggles major health concerns, responsibilities at home, and duties as an advisor and faculty member on a daily basis.
She suffers from kidney stones, a painful urological disorder, and has had “more than [she] could count,” passing a few of these stones each week. She also experienced kidney and liver failure during her last pregnancy and has to regularly accommodate her life with her case of diabetes.
“She’s had several health concerns, mainly in association with being a diabetic,” says Kori Crampton, a fellow Timpanogos educator.
While having to deal with all these tribulations, Phippen still heads up a journalism staff, teaches 2 ESL classes, keeps herds of rowdy sophomore English students under control, raises four young children, and actively participates in her local Boy Scouts of America program.
One of the most admirable qualities that Phippen posseses is her ability to stay sanguine through all the stresses of her life.
“She’s in a lot of pain, but she’s smiling all the time,” says Cecile Thomas, who teaches Photography at Timpanogos High.
“Mrs. Phippen's unique sense of humor still finds a way to bubble through to keep her and everyone around her smiling. After being filled with radioactive dye for a procedure, she dressed as ‘Radioactive Woman’ for Halloween. You can't get any more optimistic than that," says Sairah Gold, one of her students.
By looking at her Twitter profile, anyone can see the humor and optimism that she infuses into people’s lives. When she had to go in for neurological testing and to obtain an echocardiogram, her status update reflected her positive thoughts: “I get to have more tests. I’ll study hard and not flunk!”
Despite the enormous amount of energy required by all the responsibilities Phippen has, she never gives less than all she can to those who require it, whether it is her children, students, or family members.
“What I like about Mrs. Phippen is that she’s open, . . . and that makes her a good friend. I know I can always count on her to listen to my troubles and to give me advice,” says Irasema Del Castillo, a student at Timpanogos High.
Her Twitter update that portrays herself most accurately says, “[I’m] finally on my way to work! I may not feel well, but hi-ho!”
As an educator, Jillian Phippen teaches more than vocabulary and grammar; she teaches us all how to endure the most difficult circumstances.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)