Education notes: Area students shine in problem-solving contest

Tucson-area students won accolades in the world finals of a creative-problem-solving competition.

Students from the Oro Valley Rotary Club, Manzanita Elementary, Magee Middle, Canyon del Oro High, Prince Elementary, Mesa Verde Elementary, Cross Middle, Coronado K-8 and Ironwood Ridge High schools traveled to the Iowa State University in late May to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. There were also teams from South Korea, Mexico and around the United States.

Manzanita and Magee’s teams won trophies for third-place finishes in the competition.

Walden Grove student takes 3rd in essay contest

A Walden Grove High student won third place in the essay division of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals civics contest.

Caroline Frieders, a senior, won $500 for her work. The contest is part of the federal courts’ public outreach effort. More than 700 students entered.

Sunnyside district names two new principals

Sunnyside Unified School District has hired two new principals.

Michael Marcos, an educator with 16 years experience who has held several teaching and administrative jobs in California, will be the new principal of Sunnyside High School. 

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Marcos spent the past three years overseas, working in Qatar and Thailand. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership.

Thom Luedemann joined the Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School. He formerly served at Sierra Linda and Agua Fria high schools, and has 13 years of experience as an educator.

Luedemann served as a clinical supervisor at Western Governors University for the past three years. He has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Vail principal honored

The leader of Vail Academy and High School has been named Arizona Secondary School Principal of the Year.

Dennis Barger was honored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

Of the 50 state winners, three will be named finalists in July for a chance to be named the National Principal of the Year.

NASSP works to connect and engage school leaders through advocacy, research, education and student programs.