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By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
March 2, 2011

These aren’t just students. They’re “Terrific Kids.”

That was the theme Feb. 24 as thirteen James Elementary sixth graders received recognition from the local Blue Valley Kiwanis Club. One by one, the youngsters’ names were called and each beamed satisfaction.

Kiwanis Club members visited the school and handed out certificates, T-shirts and other goodies to students who achieved their goals for the club’s Terrific Kids program.

Terrific Kids encourages youngsters to set personal goals like turning in homework on time or behaving in class. It also promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance.

James Elementary sixth graders set personal goals in November and common themes included turning in homework on time and achieving reading goals.

“I think it’s a good motivation for kids to set goals and work hard to meet them, especially with academics,” Adrianne Wolf, James Elementary sixth grade teacher, said. “I think it shows them there are benefits to being successful and that’s not just money.”

James added the program has helped her students to become more motivated in the classroom.

Roger Kelley of the Blue Valley Kiwanis Club said the program also provides an avenue for its members to interact with local youngsters.

“We hope that they see adults stepping up in their community,” Kelley said. “We hope they appreciate that there are adults who are stepping up in a role to their benefit…

“It’s an incentive to do better in school and we hope to reward that through this program.”

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Thirteen James Elementary School sixth graders earn the title of “Terrific Kids” Feb. 24 from the local Blue Valley Kiwanis Club. Pictured at top are back row, Alex Chavez, Ricardo Acosta and Cynthia Gonzalez; front row, Jose Juarez, Fabian Hernandez, Liza Gallegos and Kiwanis President Wayne Bartruff. Pictured above are back row, Kiwanis member Dr. Myral Coatney, Lizbeth Ortiz, Wesley Sosa, Luis Zavala and Bartruff; front row, Stephen Juarez, Brian Maldonado and Elizabeth Orlando. Photos by Leslie Collins