The stars shine bright at Saint Ann School

Nicholas Bislich and Ryan Hertz proudly display their awards. (Photo by Amy Hertz)
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It may be awards season in Hollywood, but closer to home, Saint Ann School students have been basking in the glow of achievement themselves.  Amid a flurry of post-holiday tournaments and contests, students at Saint Ann School aspired big and finished even bigger this past month.

• Second-grader Nicholas Bislich and fourth-grader Ryan Hertz received plaques from Cleveland Heights City Hall for their winning poster and essay entries in this year’s city-sponsored Martin Luther King, Jr. contest.  The contest entries answered the question, “If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, what advice would he have for young people?”
  
• Suzie Peyrebrune, a sixth-grader, was crowned the school National Geographic Bee geography champion, beating out nine other finalists and over 150 students in grades 4-8.  Nate Iott, a seventh-grader, gave Suzie a run for her money, coming in a close second.  Suzie will next take the state-qualifying exam.
  
• Fifth and sixth graders from the Saint Ann School Enrichment Program competed against 20 other schools in Ohio in the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl, a computer-based team academic tournament, and placed second overall with 96 percent.  Congratulations go out to Izzy Catanzaro, Brady Furlich, Emily Iott, Riley Keenan, Katie Killeen, Maeve Kolk, Suzie Peyrebrune and Sloane Samples!
  
• And finally, Pack 71, Saint Ann Church’s own Cub Scout troop, held its annual Pinewood Derby, a showcase of racing talent and creativity.  This year’s fastest car, “I Am Speed,” belonged to Tyler Applegate in second grade.  Rounding out the top three were parishioner Kirk Pearce and Nicholas Bislich, grade two.
  

All in all, it’s been a great start to the New Year for our Sabers!

Stephanie Applegate is a life-long resident of Cleveland Heights and the mother of two boys. She also currently serves on the board of Heights Community Congress.