Covington High 2013 Teacher of the Year: Gary Mendoza

Mr. Gary Mendoza, theatre teacher, was selected by his peers to serve as Covington High's 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year. He was also one of three finalists for the Parish Teacher of the Year. Congratulations Mr. Gary Mendoza!

Spring 2013- Kenneth Byrd's Class Fundraises

Mr. Kenneth Byrd's class collected $551.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Fall 2012- Lynch National Board Certified and LACUE Winner

Technology teacher Vance Lynch received his National Board Certification on November 17th, giving Covington High eight National Board Certified teachers and counselors.

In addition, this past November Lynch received LACUE's Region II High School Teacher of the Year award.

Fall 2012- Debbie Adams Co-Coach of the Year

Coach Debbie Adams was named Co-Coach of the Year in District 4-5A for volleyball.

Fall 2012- Coach Scobel named NFL Coach of the Week

Coach Malter Scobel was named NFL Coach of the Week. WWL will film practice and present Coach Scobel with $1000 for the football program.

Fall 2012- United Way Fundraising

Belinda Pennison was the coordinator for our United Way fundraiser and the school collected $3,738.68 this year, with Mr. Kenny Byrd's 1st hour class leading the way with $175.00!

Fall 2012- Thacker and Lynch meet with State Leaders

	Covington High teachers John Thacker and Vance Lynch recently attended the first Teacher Advisory Committee meeting for the state's Louisiana Believes initiative. They met with state superintendent John White to discuss ways to enable teachers to enhance student performance across the state. The next meeting is scheduled for December.

Summer 2012- Pat Edmiston gains another certification

Dr. Pat Edmiston, math department chair, received her Leadership Level 1 Certification this summer, which allows her to serve as an administrator.

Summer 2012- Maduell receives her Masters

Fine Arts teacher Rita Maduell received her Master's degree in music from the University of New Orleans this summer.

Summer 2012- Lynch and Thacker chosen for Louisiana Believes

Computer technology teacher Vance Lynch and science teacher John Thacker were both selected to serve on the Teacher Advisory Committee of the state's education reform initiative, Louisiana Believes. Lynch and Thacker will meet with other teachers and state education superintendent John White four times over the school year to discuss reforms that prepare more Louisiana students for college and professional careers.

April 2012- Pike selected as "Above and Beyond" Recipient

Front office secretary Mrs. Marla Pike was selected as the District PTA's "Above and Beyond" recipient this year. She received it for her efforts with the CHS MANE Event, for her assistance in professional development days, and her overall willingness to help whenever possible.

December 2011- Weary gets to meet Drew Brees

Norma Weary won a contest from Rouses to spend a day with Drew Brees at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. She went with her husband Shelby, her son Shelby Jr. and his wife Renee, and their daughter Jennifer and her boyfriend Joe. Norma and her family got to talk with Drew, took pictures, had dinner, and listen to a band. Norma described Drew as " a very good man" and asked him to come to CHS and and Pineveiw Middle school to speak to the students if he ever gets the time.

December 2011- Schenck selected to speak for Youth of Distinction

Kenny Schenck was asked to be the lead speaker at the annual Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America fundraising event. During the Youth Distinction Award Ceremony, Schenck will speak about resilency and living with Crohn's and Colitis to over 100 young people who have to deal with this devastating illness.  Schenck has been a part of the Foundation for several years; he is team captian for "Team Schenck" and has raised more than $15,000. This event will be held over the summer but the date is to be announced.

November 2011- Gilmore Wins "Share Your Breakfast" Grant

Bridget Gilmore has won the "Share Your Breakfast"  grant! The $1000 grant will be used in her 1st hour health class next school year 2012/2013 August - December to purchase and serve healthy breakfast in the classroom. It will be documented with both videos and photography.  The money also purchases a nutrition S.M.A.R.T kit (standard based media resources for teachers) that will be used to supplement the Health curriculum. Also, she will be working with Robin Steinhauer (CHS cafeteria manager) and STPSB Pat Farris (parish cafeteria manager).

November 2011- Lynch Gives Keynote Speech

Computer teacher and 2012 Teacher of the Year Vance Lynch served as the keynote speaker for St. Tammany Parish's Teaching Academy Conference. Students across the parish enrolled in the Students Teaching and Reaching (STAR) program attended this conference and got the opportunity to learn more about becoming teachers. Vance Lynch spoke after lunch and talked about what experiences led him to become a teacher, as well as about the benefits of the education profession.

October 2011- Hudmon wins MERA Grant

Business teacher Jennifer Hudmon was awarded the MERA (Marketing Education Retail Alliance) grant of $1700 to purchase flat screen monitors for her business classroom.

October 2011- Guest Speaker for World Geography

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Mrs. Matthews’ Gifted World Geography class welcomed guest speaker, Ms. Elizabeth Van Sant.  With a background in Latin American geography and coffee production, Ms. Van Sant shared her wealth of knowledge and some tasty treats with the class as they gained insight into how important the coffee industry is to various Latin American economies.  

October 2011- United Way Goals Exceeded!

Through the efforts of Belinda Pennison, United Way Coordinator, we met and exceeded our goal for the United Way!

October 2011- CHS Booth takes 1st Place

Covington High School's Booth Display at the St. Tammany Parish Fair won 1st Place and Grand Prize thanks to the efforts of Shelley Hickman, her talented art students, and many more.

September 2011- New Orleans Saints and Chevron's "Teacher of the Week"

Covington High's computer teacher, Vance Lynch, was one of two teachers honored as a New Orleans Saints and Chevron "Teacher of the Week." Mr. Lynch received a certificate of appreciation, two tickets to the Saints vs Texans game, an autographed game ball, and was announced to the crowd during the pre-game ceremony. More pictures and a video to come.

August 2011- Monteleone's Class featured on Electronic Field Trip

Mr. Payton Monteleone’s class will be featured on LPB’s live electronic field trip, "Think Again:  Restoring and Protecting the Gulf Coast."  Questions could be submitted and a question sent by his students was chosen to be a part of the field trip.

August 2011- Kassie Dasher on her Grant

Kassie Dasher, who recently won the Leonard Monteleone Technology Grant, had this to say regarding her project: "Our class received these 2 computers, 2 headsets, and 2 microphones to complete an audacity project on sound waves.  The project will incorporate Freshman English classes as they read "The Odyssey".  They will create advertisements based on a character in the story and record their sound waves." They received their equipment in late August and are ready to begin!

August 2011- Three CHS teachers awarded the Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grant

On August 15th, three Covington High teachers were awarded grants through the Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grant program. Science teacher Mary Martin received $3500.00 to promote her project, "Chemistry Matters." Computer teacher Vance Lynch also received $3500.00 for his project, "Promoting Critical Thinking Skills through Cinematography." Finally, science teacher John Thacker received $3,480.00 for his project, "Science Literacy using Salt, Heat, and Light." Congratulations to all three for receiving these awards to enhance student learning!

Summer 2011- Outstanding Young Music Educator Lynn Bentivegna

Our own Lynn Bentivegna was named Louisiana's Outstanding Young Music Educator and will be accepting the award in November at the Louisiana Music Educator Association.

Summer 2011- John Thacker 2011-2012 NASA Fellow

This summer at Michoud, 2011-2012 NASA Fellow John Thacker attended the visit of the four astronauts who flew the final space shuttle mission.

Summer 2011- Grant Recipients

Congrats to several CHS teachers who won grants this summer. Kassie Dasher recently won the Leonard Monteleone Technology Grant, Deborah Nunez was awarded the SeaPerch Grant ($4700.00), and Mary Martin is the recipient of the Brown Foundation Grant with her MOLE project ($4000) and Science Awareness Day ($750).

Summer 2011- STEM Fellow

Dr. Patricia Edmiston was selected to be a STEM Fellow and attended a week-long conference this summer learning new ways to integrate science, technology, engineering, and math into her curriculum.