Sarauer, Gehrig, Boos, Peck, Knowlton honored for excelling in English
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Saturday, June 9, 2007 1:28 PM CDT
Special to the Herald - The Chippewa Falls Senior High School English Department is pleased to announce its April English students of the month.
Derik Sarauer, the son of Robin and Paul Alme, and Mike and Gina Sarauer, was nominated by his British Literature teacher Lisa Crocker.
“Derik has a love for literature that is contagious,” Crocker said. “He loves to read and discuss a variety of literature. In British Literature he consistently offers insightful observations about what he is reading, and he is willing to challenge himself by reading more difficult novels.
“He has participated in Battle of the Books since I have known him, and I have enjoyed our discussions about the various books he is reading. In addition, Derik always brings a positive attitude to class and is a natural leader. It’s been my privilege to have Derik in class. He is an easy choice for English Student of the Month.”
Derik is uncertain of his future plans. His hobbies include hunting and fishing. He loves to golf and to ride horses. He participated in Chi-Hi’s blood drive and is a volunteer at the Chippewa County Humane Association.
Freshman Maddie Gehrig, the daughter of Mike and Linda Gehrig, was nominated by her English teacher Sharon Daniels.
“Maddie Gehrig, a student in my ninth-grade English class, is my choice for student of the month,” Daniels said. “Throughout the year Maddie has performed at an outstanding level. She is responsible, reliable and resourceful and totally engages with whatever unit we’re studying. She clearly loves language, learning and reading as shown by her zeal in tackling such classics as ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet.’
“Maddie is attentive, works respectfully with others, and sets a mature example for her peers in matters of both the heart and mind. It is a pleasure to honor Maddie with this award.”
Maddie is a member of the Chi-Hi cross country team and junior varsity women’s soccer team. She is also an editor for the Winding River Review, a collection of student writing and artwork for grades K-12.
Maddie plans to attend a college “at least a hundred miles from home.” She is undecided about her major.
Sophomore Andrea Boos, the daughter of Dan and Tammy Boos, was nominated by her teacher Amanda Hoepner.
“Andrea Boos excels in every aspect of the course. She is a strong and insightful reader, picking up on details and subtleties in the texts,” Hoepner said. “Conscientious and hard-working, Andrea consistently turns in high-quality work. One of the traits that has really impressed me throughout this semester is her leadership ability. Andrea takes a key role in group projects, and she is always willing to offer new thoughts and insights during class discussion.”
Andrea enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends.
“Band is a huge area of interest to me, and I love every minute of concert band and jazz band,” Andrea said.
She goes deer hunting every year with her family and has a good time even when they aren’t successful in getting a deer. She has also been a volunteer for Youth Connecting Communities, logging in about 200 hours of service teaching community members how to use computers.
Andrea plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to obtain a bachelor’s degree. She then hopes to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete its four-year veterinary medical degree program. She would like to set up a veterinary practice in the Chippewa Falls area.
Sophomore Amber Peck, the daughter of Brad and Sheri Peck, was nominated by her English teacher Molly Nowlan.
“Amber is in my English 10B class and has shown a great work ethic as well as a love for reading and learning in the last quarter,” Nowlan said. “This semester Amber produced a thorough and sophisticated project on the relationship between media and the cigarette industry that showed a mature and careful approach to research. She is also an eager and varied reader who always has interesting things to say about books. Amber’s studious nature and creative responses to material will certainly give her a lifetime of enjoyment in literature and learning.”
Amber plays basketball with some friends for the Flames, a team from Christ Lutheran Church. She also bowls on a league. She has volunteered to do many community projects with the Hallie 4-H Club including roadside clean up on Earth Day and the Memorial Day service at Prairie View Cemetery. She has been a member of this group for nine years.
Amber plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth or the University of Wisconsin-Madison to become a pharmacist.
Senior Tharon Knowlton, the son of Randy and Audra Knowlton, was nominated by his English teacher Tom Pamperin.
“I’ve been impressed with Tharon’s ability to understand the literature we study, and to articulate that understanding intelligently,” Pamperin said. “Tharon is the kind of student who has the ability to work toward a sophisticated understanding of a text, and he’s willing to share his ideas with classmates in discussions. His example has helped create an atmosphere in which students expect to take literature seriously.
“I’m always glad to have the chance to teach students who take advantage of the opportunities we share as a class to understand the world through literature, and it’s clear that Tharon fills this role. He’s not only smart, but also reliable and good-natured. I’m happy to have this chance to recognize the contribution he has made to me and to his classmates.”
Tharon enjoys playing the saxophone in concert band and jazz band. He has been a member of the cast in several of the plays and musicals produced at Chi-Hi. He is a member of the Student Council, the Thespian Club, Apollo (the men’s honor organization), and a senior class officer. Outside of school he enjoys reading, watching movies and biking.
As a member of National Honor Society, he has volunteered to serve at Agnes’ Table, and to raise funds for two middle school cancer patients through a Bowl-a-thon. He is also a lector at St. Peter’s Church. He has used his musical talents to entertain residents at Lakeside and Chippewa Manor Nursing Homes.
Tharon plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to major in music education.
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