Shakopee

District is compiling alumni directory

Shakopee Public Schools is partnering with a publishing company to create an alumni directory. Participation is voluntary. Alumni should have received a postcard in the mail about the directory, and should call the number listed on the postcard if they would like to participate.

St. Thomas Academy

Three Presidential Scholars named

St. Thomas Academy announced that three seniors have been named Presidential Scholars this year by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Up to 141 students across the country receive the honor, one of the nation's highest for high school students. The three students honored are JP Bruno of Mendota Heights, Walker Lee of St. Paul and Connor Plunkett of Minneapolis.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize talented and distinguished high school seniors. The program was extended in 1979 to honor students who excel in the arts.

Burnsville- EAGAN-SAVAGE

Jackson earns national computer tech award

Burnsville High School senior Tarissa Jackson was named a national runner-up in the Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards, presented by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). To earn the recognition, Jackson placed in the top 15 percent of 2,600 applicants nationally. Last year, Jackson won the state-level Aspirations award.

While in the district, Jackson has taken classes in Web design and coding, systems administration, information security, JAVA and software development.

The awards program was created in 2007 to encourage young women to pursue computer science, to show them leadership opportunities in the field and to make women's computing-related pursuits more visible. According to NCWIT, women held just 26 percent of all computing positions in 2012.

Rosemount- Apple Valley-Eagan

Two high schools cited for one-act plays

Both Eagan and Eastview High Schools earned a starred performance rating at the state One-Act Play Festival on Feb. 13 at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul. Eight schools qualified for the state festival in Class AA, and four of those schools received a starred performance, the highest rating possible.

Both schools have a long history of success at the festival. This was Eagan's 19th appearance and 18th starred performance rating, making them the state leader. Eastview has now made it to state 10 times and earned 10 starred performance ratings.

At the State One-Act Play Festival, sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, judges rate the plays according to criteria including pace, blocking, costuming and projection of the play's meaning. Shows must not be longer than 35 minutes.

The judges consult after each production and critique the play in front of the cast, crew and audience.

Eagan performed "The Diviners" by Jim Leonard Jr., with Nancy Owzarek as director.

Eastview performed "Frozen" by Bryony Lavery, directed by Scott Durocher and Rob Rachow.

STAFF REPORTS