Several students in Austin Public School District No.

Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Several students in Austin Public School District No. 492 have excelled beyond expectations and are being recognized for their efforts.

Austin High School student Jason Baskin recently qualified for the National Debate Tournament, after previously winning first place in the state tournament on Jan. 20. Baskin received a certificate of recognition from the school board during their Monday night meeting. The national debate tournament will be held in June. Baskin is a junior.

District high-potential coordinator Terry Becker-Ersland introduced to the board another student, Southgate Elementary School fifth-grader Amela Kazic. Amela was one of 26 winners throughout the nation in the Scholastic Books "Dear America" essay contest. She was one of 10 students who placed third in the competition for writing a diary of her family’s experiences in leaving Bosnia.

Amela received the complete collection of "Dear America" historical fiction books and a certificate from the school board for her efforts.

In addition to the individual awards, the board honored the Ellis Middle School Math League for their first-place division standing.

Math League coach Corey Haugen introduced the top four scorers in the league to the board: first, Kelly Thompson; second, Brice Zabel; third, Kayla Baker; and fourth, Amanda Bridgeman.

Haugen then acknowledged additional league members: Danielle Gibson, Matt Theobald, Michelle Hammero, Josh Boyer, Josh Dollar, Alex Clasen, Brad Leitch and Veronika Kiss.

With all the students who have achieved in one room, Austin School Board Chairman Dave Simonson said: "It is great to see so many kids do so well."