March 25, 2004

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

Katy McLaughlin of Castillero Middle School and Rachel Simpson of Bret Harte Middle School have been awarded the 2004 Seagate/Sharks Foundation Eighth Grade Leadership Award.

The students are nominated and selected by faculty members at each school because they have demonstrated excellence in academic and social achievement, as well as leadership among their peers.

McLaughlin participates in many activities at Castillero. She is a three-year member of the Cornerstone Project, which is a group that strives to make their school a better environment for all students. The group won the Caring School Climate Award for 2003 after a survey completed by students two years apart showed a dramatic 12 percent increase in opinion about the school environment. She is a peer counselor for students who are having difficulty with other students or with teachers. McLaughlin was also voted one of three section leaders in the vocal dance group where she helps the teachers, and leads warm-ups.

“I was really happy to find out I was receiving this award. It's nice to be recognized because I didn't know I had that big of an impact. But if people noticed, I guess I have made a difference,” says McLaughlin.

Gwen Anderson, a teacher at Castillero who nominated McLaughlin, says, “Katy has been a leader for the last two years on our student cornerstone team. She consistently demonstrates personal responsibility and her caring attitude is expressed in speeches she has written for the student body, skits she has performed in, and action plans she has helped to author and implement. She volunteers because she sees the need for students to take a more active role in maintaining a positive school atmosphere.”

McLaughlin represented Castillero at a national conference provided by the Search Institute in downtown San Jose. She attended different sessions throughout the two-day conference to learn about leadership in the community and the student body.

Rachel Simpson was equally surprised when she received a letter before school telling her she was to receive the award. Simpson is the Associated Student Body (ASB) President at Bret Harte Middle School, where she demonstrates stellar leadership abilities. One example of her leadership, provided by Donald McCloskey, was her ability to handle an activity the ASB wanted, called Pajama Day. The staff wasn't thrilled about the idea. Simpson wrote a letter to the staff at Bret Harte, recognizing their hesitation to grant them Pajama Day, but assured them that the ASB would do everything possible to make students aware of the guidelines and dress codes. “She rallied for support of Pajama Day and it was granted. Low and behold, it was successful through her efforts. She showed a great deal of maturity to attack the problem with the solution and a great deal of commitment and dedication. She's a great kid and she definitely deserves this award,” says McCloskey.

Along with a friend, Simpson started a Special Buddies Program, where they pair up with special education students to encourage a positive attitude and provide them with a friend and a fun environment. She helps to organize all student activities and dances, and also helps in the front office. Simpson and her mother are part of the National Charity League, where they complete different service projects together.

The award is presented in conjunction with the Office of Education in both Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. In all, 70 students will be honored with this award. A Special Awards Dinner was held at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on Wednesday honoring all of the students.