Photo By Quentin Johnson | Spc. Oscar Carranza, patient administration specialist for Company C., 15th Brigade...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – As the school year comes to an end, state testing, final exams and other year-end rituals become a key but stressful focus for many of the students and faculty.
To ease the tension while helping students succeed, Soldiers from the 15th Brigade Support Battalion “Gamblers,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, supported the Killeen High School (KHS) course assessment competition and the senior prom during the week of April 23 –28.
Freshman students took part in an “Around the World in Two Days” competition to help prepare them for their end-of-course (EOC) assessments, which take place in May, said KHS curriculum director Beth Aycock.
The assessments are part of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, and replaced the current Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), according to the Texas Education Agency.
Approximately 45 KHS teachers helped create the competition, which was broken down into 10 sections each representing a region of the world, explained Aycock. Groups consisting of five to six students rotated between the sections every 30 minutes, answering questions in areas of algebra, biology, geometry and other classes that are on the EOCs.
Aycock said groups with the right answers in the time allotted would receive a clue to a riddle at the end of the competition. The group who achieved the right answer to the riddle received an award.
Soldiers proctored each section by grading answer sheets, handing out clues and providing encouragement to students, explained Capt. John Read, officer-in-charge for both events.
“There were 20 of our soldiers grading answers, giving clues and helping keep the students focused on succeeding in the review,” he added.
Staff Sgt. Ricardo Rivera said ensuring the students succeed was his number one priority in participating in the competition.
“I have two children who attend KHS, one being a freshman. I only want the best for their education,” added Rivera, a supply sergeant for Company A, 15th BSB. “I have confidence this competition will help them successfully pass their exams.”
“It (competition) was a great review for the EOCs,” said 15-year-old KHS freshman, Justin Bonds. “It definitely lessened the hardships of studying for the exams.”
The support from the military was equally appreciated, added Bonds. “The military cares and they want us to improve in our education.”
Aycock stated the students and administrators are thankful to have the Gambler Battalion as a sponsor of KHS. They are always helping and very willing to participate in any event.
Gamblers also helped sponsor the KHS prom April 28 at the Killeen Civic Center in Killeen, Texas. Soldiers helped with delivery and set up of prom decorations at the center, said Read. Later that evening, the soldiers were chaperones; ensuring more than 500 students enjoyed a safe and fun evening.
“We (soldiers) want the students to have fun, enjoy the prom but remember to be responsible,” said Spc. Clayton Vroon, transportation specialist for Company A., 15th BSB. His first year volunteering for the prom sponsorship, Vroon was excited to show the school the military cares.
“Being at the prom shows the students that soldiers care and want to support others outside the military realm,” he added.
Many students and faculty members noted their appreciation, said Brittanie Whitfield, student activities director for KHS. The soldiers' efforts saved the school many man-hours and ensured the prom was set up on time.
“Having the soldiers help made things less stressful for myself and the individuals on the prom committee,” explained Whitfield. “Without the dedication of each soldier that day, we would not have been able to start the prom on time.”
Read said he was grateful the soldiers could finish the set up on time as the Gamblers are always ready to support school activities when needed.
The Gambler Battalion is already planning to support Project Graduation in June, a KHS sponsored graduation party at Summer Fest, said Whitfield.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2012 16:50 |
| Story ID: | 87967 |
| Location: | KILLEEN, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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