Outstanding Student Nominee Kelsey Cole, Herald Whitaker Middle School

STLP Goals and Projects: What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately?

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 1: The STLP will develop activities that enhance the academic, social and emotional growth of the student. Academic Growth: My involvement in STLP has led me to learn more about how to use technology and programs such as Microsoft Word. Programs such as Word are used in the everyday classroom to write reports and papers. I had to write a paper with citations and footnotes for my social studies class, and thanks to what I learned with STLP, I not only knew how to do it, but also helped other students with formatting their papers. Also, another STLP student and I taught my reading teacher how to use the SMART Response PE system, and she, in turn, is now letting us take our tests using the systems, making learning and taking our tests a little more fun. Academic Growth: My involvement in STLP has led me to learn more about how to use technology and programs such as Microsoft Word. Programs such as Word are used in the everyday classroom to write reports and papers. I had to write a paper with citations and footnotes for my social studies class, and thanks to what I learned with STLP, I not only knew how to do it, but also helped other students with formatting their papers. Also, another STLP student and I taught my reading teacher how to use the SMART Response PE system, and she, in turn, is now letting us take our tests using the systems, making learning and taking our tests a little more fun.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 1: The STLP will develop activities that enhance the academic, social and emotional growth of the student. Social Growth: I have been in STLP for 7 years, and I have made many friends from working together with the other STLP students. I met one of my close friends, named Hannah, when we worked on a STLP showcase project together when I was in 4 th grade and she was in 5 th. We had fun when we stayed all night at the Radisson hotel together at the state competition in May. Although she’s in high school now, we still keep in touch. My best friend has been in STLP with me since the first year we joined the program together. We have a great time working together on projects as a team. She is known as a great photographer and I’m kind of known for being a decent writer. As a result, I was a Cyber Reporter in 7 th grade and she took pictures of the projects for me. We had a blast together.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 1: The STLP will develop activities that enhance the academic, social and emotional growth of the student. Emotional Growth: Working with other students as a team can be very frustrating when another person in the team doesn’t think you should do something the same way you think you should. I have had to learn to control my temper and try to compromise with other students, and respect their ideas. I have a friend that I met in STLP that lost his father to a drug overdose. Helping him cope with his loss has made me better equipped to help people going through rough spots in their lives.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 2: The STLP will provide leadership opportunities for all students. When I was in grade school and even now in middle school, teachers would call me to their classrooms to help them with one technical problem or another. Sometimes they also ask for my best friend, who is also in STLP, and we both help the teacher together. For example, every year our school board district inventories the technology. Teachers often ask us to write down the serial numbers and information about the technology they have in their classroom on their inventory sheet. We have done this every year since we were in the 3 rd grade, and now we are in the 8 th. When I was in 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grade I was part of the STLP showcase team project for my school. When I was in 5 th grade, I went around with 2 other STLP members and we taught classrooms how to use ThinkQuest. When I was in grade school and even now in middle school, teachers would call me to their classrooms to help them with one technical problem or another. Sometimes they also ask for my best friend, who is also in STLP, and we both help the teacher together. For example, every year our school board district inventories the technology. Teachers often ask us to write down the serial numbers and information about the technology they have in their classroom on their inventory sheet. We have done this every year since we were in the 3 rd grade, and now we are in the 8 th. When I was in 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grade I was part of the STLP showcase team project for my school. When I was in 5 th grade, I went around with 2 other STLP members and we taught classrooms how to use ThinkQuest.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 2: The STLP will provide leadership opportunities for all students. This year, my 8 th grade year, I have went around to classrooms and taught teachers how to use the SMART Response PE System with my best friend, who is also in STLP.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 3: The STLP will experience multi-age collaboration by forming innovative learning partnerships. Our STLP is collaborating this year with the Magoffin County Health Department, promoting their “Screen and Clean” project. Another STLP member and I attended a meeting at the Health Department regarding their project, and explained to the members of the coalition what the STLP was doing to promote their project. My STLP collaborated with local businesses when I was in 4 th grade, creating free advertisements and posting them on a website. The project was called “My Town.” We filmed the local businesses and caught their owners on tape telling about their business. MY STLP collaborated with students all around the world using Think Quest when I was in 5 th grade. We posted information about the state of Kentucky and got other schools from other states to do the same. Our STLP is collaborating this year with the Magoffin County Health Department, promoting their “Screen and Clean” project. Another STLP member and I attended a meeting at the Health Department regarding their project, and explained to the members of the coalition what the STLP was doing to promote their project. My STLP collaborated with local businesses when I was in 4 th grade, creating free advertisements and posting them on a website. The project was called “My Town.” We filmed the local businesses and caught their owners on tape telling about their business. MY STLP collaborated with students all around the world using Think Quest when I was in 5 th grade. We posted information about the state of Kentucky and got other schools from other states to do the same.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 4: The STLP will form learning partnerships between students with different technology skills. I taught a student last year how to make a brochure using Microsoft Publisher for her STLP technical writing product. She took her newly acquired skills, mixed in her own creativity, and “ran with it.” Her piece made it to the state level in the competition. My best friend, who is also in STLP, helped me teach some 7 th grade students how to use the SMART Response PE Systems so they could teach their teachers. Ha! How do you like that twist of irony? They taught their teachers! I taught a student last year how to make a brochure using Microsoft Publisher for her STLP technical writing product. She took her newly acquired skills, mixed in her own creativity, and “ran with it.” Her piece made it to the state level in the competition. My best friend, who is also in STLP, helped me teach some 7 th grade students how to use the SMART Response PE Systems so they could teach their teachers. Ha! How do you like that twist of irony? They taught their teachers!

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 5: The STLP will develop activities that benefit communities. In my community, we have a serious drug problem; there’s no sugar-coating it. Our STLP project this year, “Screen and Clean”, helps give out free drug screening kits to teens in the community. If the teens are found “clean”, they get a free t- shirt and wear it on the 1 st and 3 rd Fridays of every month. Parents can screen their teens at home. The drug screening not only keeps down the abuse of drugs, but forms a more trusting relationship between parent and child. Our STLP project in 4 th grade gave free advertisement for businesses in our community on the internet. Our community is kind of a poor community, so we hoped that it would help boost sales and ultimately, our community’s economy. In my community, we have a serious drug problem; there’s no sugar-coating it. Our STLP project this year, “Screen and Clean”, helps give out free drug screening kits to teens in the community. If the teens are found “clean”, they get a free t- shirt and wear it on the 1 st and 3 rd Fridays of every month. Parents can screen their teens at home. The drug screening not only keeps down the abuse of drugs, but forms a more trusting relationship between parent and child. Our STLP project in 4 th grade gave free advertisement for businesses in our community on the internet. Our community is kind of a poor community, so we hoped that it would help boost sales and ultimately, our community’s economy.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Goal 6: The STLP will develop instructional activities, which integrate technology and benefit the school and support the Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS). Another student in STLP and I used SMART Notebook to create an informational slideshow on the basics of using the SMART Response PE Systems. We showed it to the teachers in our school. The same student mentioned above helped me use SMART Notebook to create an informational slideshow on how to use Think Quest as part of a STLP project in 5 th grade. We went around to classrooms and presented it to students and teachers. I created a Power Point on multiplication when I was in the 4 th grade and made it available to the other students as a resource, and as an STLP product. Another student in STLP and I used SMART Notebook to create an informational slideshow on the basics of using the SMART Response PE Systems. We showed it to the teachers in our school. The same student mentioned above helped me use SMART Notebook to create an informational slideshow on how to use Think Quest as part of a STLP project in 5 th grade. We went around to classrooms and presented it to students and teachers. I created a Power Point on multiplication when I was in the 4 th grade and made it available to the other students as a resource, and as an STLP product.

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Appropriate Use of Technology: Plagiarism I have taught other students how to site sources in their research papers using Microsoft Word. We are plagiarism informed! In STLP, plagiarism and copyright are probably the two most commonly used words. To avoid plagiarism, we use our own work, and, when we use someone else’s work, we cite it appropriately. I have taught other students how to site sources in their research papers using Microsoft Word. We are plagiarism informed! In STLP, plagiarism and copyright are probably the two most commonly used words. To avoid plagiarism, we use our own work, and, when we use someone else’s work, we cite it appropriately. * Picture from Microsoft PowerPoint Clipart

What have you and your STLP members done in each of the 6 STLP goals? How have you used technology appropriately? Appropriate Use of Technology: School Appropriate Content When I was in 7 th grade, our STLP project was over “vodcasting”. The STLP created videos about school subjects, such as solving two-step equations and the scientific method. This year, my 8 th grade year, our project is called “Screen and Clean”, and we give out free drug kits to students. Some STLP members created a video about a girl being pressured to do drugs, but the girl finally gathered the courage to say NO. *Always, always, always, the content is school appropriate and school-related.* When I was in 7 th grade, our STLP project was over “vodcasting”. The STLP created videos about school subjects, such as solving two-step equations and the scientific method. This year, my 8 th grade year, our project is called “Screen and Clean”, and we give out free drug kits to students. Some STLP members created a video about a girl being pressured to do drugs, but the girl finally gathered the courage to say NO. *Always, always, always, the content is school appropriate and school-related.*

STLP Leadership: How have you shown leadership in your school and STLP? Any awards? What industry certifications do you hold or are working on?

How have you shown leadership in your school and STLP? Any awards? What industry certifications do you hold or are working on? I have … taught teachers how to use the SMART Response PE Systems. help run the school broadcasting channel. Taught students how to cite sources and create footnotes in their research papers using Microsoft Word. helped inventory classroom technology for teachers (find serial numbers, etc.) written news articles for the district webpage helped teachers with technical problems Taught classrooms how to use Think Quest in the 5 th grade. I have … taught teachers how to use the SMART Response PE Systems. help run the school broadcasting channel. Taught students how to cite sources and create footnotes in their research papers using Microsoft Word. helped inventory classroom technology for teachers (find serial numbers, etc.) written news articles for the district webpage helped teachers with technical problems Taught classrooms how to use Think Quest in the 5 th grade. Leadership in School

How have you shown leadership in your school and STLP? Any awards? What industry certifications do you hold or are working on? I have … Helped other STLP members create products, such as brochures, Power Points, etc. Created a logo for the STLP project Attended a Health Department meeting representing the school’s STLP as a part of our project Explained STLP projects for judging as a showcase member in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grades Been a Cyber Reporter at the district, regional, and state competition levels for my school during the 7 th and 8 th grades Attended during and after school STLP meetings and trips I have … Helped other STLP members create products, such as brochures, Power Points, etc. Created a logo for the STLP project Attended a Health Department meeting representing the school’s STLP as a part of our project Explained STLP projects for judging as a showcase member in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grades Been a Cyber Reporter at the district, regional, and state competition levels for my school during the 7 th and 8 th grades Attended during and after school STLP meetings and trips Leadership in STLP Showcase in 5 th grade. L to R: Hannah Isaac, Karringtyn Bain, Kelsey Cole (me), Grace Bailey *Photo used with permission by Stacey Blanton*

How have you shown leadership in your school and STLP? Any awards? What industry certifications do you hold or are working on? Honorable Mention at State Competition for Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” in the 5 th grade (2009) (Pictured right) Outstanding Student Award, 5 th grade (2009) Cyber Gazette Award at State Competition, 7 th grade (2011) Fall Showcase Certificate, 4 th grade (2007) STLP Summer Camp Program Completion, Summer after 1 st grade (2005) STLP Showcase State Participation, 5 th grade, (2009) Honorable Mention at State Competition for Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” in the 5 th grade (2009) (Pictured right) Outstanding Student Award, 5 th grade (2009) Cyber Gazette Award at State Competition, 7 th grade (2011) Fall Showcase Certificate, 4 th grade (2007) STLP Summer Camp Program Completion, Summer after 1 st grade (2005) STLP Showcase State Participation, 5 th grade, (2009) Awards *Photo used with permission by Stacey Blanton*

STLP Products: What products have you produced? (Individually or as a team) Why did you produce the product(s)? How were the products used?

What products have you produced? (Individually or as a team) Why did you produce the product(s)? How were the products used? Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” Honorable Mention Award at STLP State Competition (2009) click for photo Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” Honorable Mention Award at STLP State Competition (2009) click for photo Created with: photoshop.com Purpose: to create a somber mood for the spectator Used for: STLP Manipulated Photo project How to Use Think Quest (Power Point) Created with: SMART Notebook, Power Point Purpose: to help teachers and students better understand Think Quest.com Used for: STLP Showcase Project product Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” Honorable Mention Award at STLP State Competition (2009) click for photo Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” Honorable Mention Award at STLP State Competition (2009) click for photo Created with: photoshop.com Purpose: to create a somber mood for the spectator Used for: STLP Manipulated Photo project How to Use Think Quest (Power Point) Created with: SMART Notebook, Power Point Purpose: to help teachers and students better understand Think Quest.com Used for: STLP Showcase Project product How to Use Smart Response PE System (Smart Notebook File) Created with: SMART Notebook Purpose: to help teachers learn how to use SMART Response systems in classroom Used for: instructional purposes STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010) click for photo STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010) click for photo Created with: PosterMaker Purpose: decoration for STLP dance Used for: Decoration for STLP dance This Power Point! How to Use Smart Response PE System (Smart Notebook File) Created with: SMART Notebook Purpose: to help teachers learn how to use SMART Response systems in classroom Used for: instructional purposes STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010) click for photo STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010) click for photo Created with: PosterMaker Purpose: decoration for STLP dance Used for: Decoration for STLP dance This Power Point! “Screen and Clean” Logo Created with: Power Point for Mac Purpose: Logo for STLP Project Used for: STLP Showcase Poem: The End of the Novel Poem: The End of the Novel Created with: Microsoft Word Purpose: warn about dangers of drug abuse….. Used for: STLP showcase Digital Story: “Stories of the Eyes” Created with: Power Point Purpose: Entertain Used for: STLP project “Screen and Clean” Logo Created with: Power Point for Mac Purpose: Logo for STLP Project Used for: STLP Showcase Poem: The End of the Novel Poem: The End of the Novel Created with: Microsoft Word Purpose: warn about dangers of drug abuse….. Used for: STLP showcase Digital Story: “Stories of the Eyes” Created with: Power Point Purpose: Entertain Used for: STLP project

Manipulated Photo, “Reflection” Honorable Mention Award at STLP State Competition (2009)

STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010) STLP Red Carpet Dance Banner (2010)

Sadly this tragedy Isn’t a rare one at all The choking grip of drugs Has been many a person’s fall Teenagers just like me Looking for something to ease their pain Take that first pill And it drives them insane The peace that they thought The pills would have Was a lie they told A bitter illusion they cast The End of the Novel (Poem) Despair drapes my heart Like a dark blanket wrapping around my soul Evil lurking in every corner It’s closing in; I’ve nowhere to go I clutch my trembling hands around The pill in my palm My only strength I have left And it’s not that strong It was the pills that got me into This hopeless midnight And it’s the pills that I’ll use To take my own life I pop them in my mouth Lay down on my bed And pray to God That morning should find me dead I close my eyes and wait For the drawing of my last breath Then I hear the door open And my mother witnesses my death Learn from my mistakes And be the author of your own life Don’t let drugs be the end Of the novel you write The last thing I remember My mother had the phone I closed my eyes My chances at life were blown

STLP Services: What service and/or teaching have you provided a student(s), your school, district or community? What service or projects have you created or helped carry out?

What service and/or teaching have you provided a student(s), your school, district or community? Students I have taught a student how to make a brochure using Publisher I have taught students how to make citations and footnotes using Microsoft Word Taught students how to use Think Quest Taught Students How to use SMART Response PE System I have taught a student how to make a brochure using Publisher I have taught students how to make citations and footnotes using Microsoft Word Taught students how to use Think Quest Taught Students How to use SMART Response PE System Services: Ran the school broadcasting channel, wrote news articles for the school webpage Teaching: I have taught teachers how to use…. The SMART Response PE System Think Quest Services: Ran the school broadcasting channel, wrote news articles for the school webpage Teaching: I have taught teachers how to use…. The SMART Response PE System Think Quest My School Services: Created free advertisements for local businesses, attended SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Coalition Meeting representing STLP Sing at the Veteran’s Day Memorial with STLP Services: Created free advertisements for local businesses, attended SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Coalition Meeting representing STLP Sing at the Veteran’s Day Memorial with STLP Community

What service or projects have you created or helped carry out? Projects: I helped create free advertisements with the STLP for different local businesses. We used iMovie to edit the video and get it ready for posting on our website. The project was called “My Town.” I helped create informational video tutorials on school subjects for students that needed a little extra help with their studies. I helped carry out a project with STLP called “Screen and Clean.” It works with the Magoffin County Health Department SAFE Coalition to give out free drug screening kits to parents to screen their kids. I created a tutorial for teachers and students on how to use Think Quest and went around to classrooms with other STLP members teaching about Think Quest by using the tutorial. Projects: I helped create free advertisements with the STLP for different local businesses. We used iMovie to edit the video and get it ready for posting on our website. The project was called “My Town.” I helped create informational video tutorials on school subjects for students that needed a little extra help with their studies. I helped carry out a project with STLP called “Screen and Clean.” It works with the Magoffin County Health Department SAFE Coalition to give out free drug screening kits to parents to screen their kids. I created a tutorial for teachers and students on how to use Think Quest and went around to classrooms with other STLP members teaching about Think Quest by using the tutorial. Services: I helped the other STLP members sing at the Veteran’s Day Memorial in front of the local community center. Services: I helped the other STLP members sing at the Veteran’s Day Memorial in front of the local community center.

STLP Creativity and Innovation: How have you used an idea to make a change, discovery or improvement?

How have you used an idea to make a change, discovery or improvement? There are some problems with drugs in my family, like most of Magoffin County’s residents, so when I heard that our school STLP project was about giving out free drug screening kits to teens this year, I knew right away that I wanted to help out somehow. I just about jumped right out of my clothes when our STLP coordinator asked me to write a poem about drugs for the SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Coalition dinner they were having at the school. I took the idea of a poem about drugs and ran with it. It touched a lot of people, because it states the truth. Most importantly, it helps the coalition get the word out there about how bad drug abuse is. For the poem, click here.click here There are some problems with drugs in my family, like most of Magoffin County’s residents, so when I heard that our school STLP project was about giving out free drug screening kits to teens this year, I knew right away that I wanted to help out somehow. I just about jumped right out of my clothes when our STLP coordinator asked me to write a poem about drugs for the SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Coalition dinner they were having at the school. I took the idea of a poem about drugs and ran with it. It touched a lot of people, because it states the truth. Most importantly, it helps the coalition get the word out there about how bad drug abuse is. For the poem, click here.click here

STLP Reflection: Discuss how STLP has made a difference in your life?

Discuss how STLP has made a difference in your life? STLP has taught me to be a leader in my classroom, my school, my district, and my community. It has surely left a mark on my life and my heart. The friends I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned in the 7 years I’ve been in STLP are priceless. The technology skills I’ve gained have made me more “college ready.” The friendships I’ve made are going to last a lifetime. The life skills I’ve learned are going to poke me on the shoulder, smile at me when I’m grown up later on down the road. STLP is surely a worthwhile program. Thanks to STLP making me more “college ready” I feel like I can fulfill my dreams easier- with that dream having no limit. From becoming the next Steve Jobs to being a professional photographer, STLP has helped prepare me for whatever future I choose.