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Saturday, June 10, 2023
Eubanks 5th grader Mackenzie Kormann placed fourth overall at the National Field Archery Association’s Indoor National Championships.
Behind a compound bow, Eubanks Intermediate School fifth grader Mackenzie Kormann found a new love and unlocked a special talent.
Kormann picked up archery last June after reading the Hunger Games trilogy. In short time, she has quickly risen to elite status and aims to get better and better. Kormann practices regularly and joins 40 other young shooters on Monday nights at the Cinnamon Creek Ranch kids’ league. Through the league and guidance from coaching, Kormann’s talent has grown and in the winter she earned second place Shooter of the Year at the State Championship.
Her rise in the sport became evident during spring break. Kormann and nearly 1,600 other archers from around the country competed in Louisville, Ky., in the National Field Archery Association’s Indoor National Championships. She finished fourth overall, just four points out of second and one behind third. She shot 296 out of 300 in the first round and 293 of 300 on the second day.
Archery is just one of Kormann’s many interests that keep her very active. She loves to sing, play electric and acoustic guitar, piano and clarinet. She is also part of a band called Shades of Purple. In addition, she loves riding horseback and playing lacrosse.
Building up to the national championship, Kormann’s confidence grew by competing in the Texas Field Archery Association’s “Shoot Your Way Across Texas” events. Each weekend for four months, archers of all ages and skill levels competed. They shoot 60 arrows over the course of 12 rounds for a maximum possible score of 300. Archers take their best three scores to the state championship and from there they shoot two full tournaments over a weekend. The agregrate of those five scores earns the distinction of Shooter of the Year.
Kormann’s rapid success continues to grow and she is already gearing for next year’s competition.
It was an all girls’ book club event this week in the Eubanks Intermediate School café.
About 150 6th-grade girls had the chance to Skype with Amy Goldman Kass, author of The Girls. The students interacted with the author and asked questions about her writing. In turn, Kass asked some of the students questions. EIS librarian Lucy Drenka organized the event centered around World Read Aloud Day. Drenka provided each of the girls a copy of the book, which they brought with them to the café.
This past school year, 30 exceptional youth facilitators and 1,007 outstanding 4-8 grade students were selected to participate in Education in Action’s 2013 spring break and summer camps. Lone Star Leadership Academy camps took place in Dallas/Fort Worth (4-6 graders), Austin/San Antonio (5-7 graders), and Houston/Galveston (6-8 graders). Selection for the Lone Star Leadership Academy was based on each student’s demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities.
Carroll ISD had a total of 13 students participate. 10 students were from Eubanks Intermediate and three students were from Old Union Elementary School. The Eubanks students were: Lauren Salazar, Sophia Deras, Matthew Krekow, Leigh Loftin, Trey Mann, Jude Nejmanowski, Braden Pecora, Noah Schembri, Ryan Seltzer, Sahaj Singh and Nicholas Tornow. The OUES students who participated were: Mackenzie Korman, Juniper Nelson and Avery White. Click here for a complete list of all districts and students involved.
During the weeklong Lone Star Leadership Academy camps, delegations of distinguished students gathered to develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas. Participants experienced what they are learning in school through visits to historically, politically, scientifically, and environmentally significant sites. Venues included places such as the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on the Dallas/Fort Worth program; the offices of participants’ state legislators at the Texas State Capitol, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, bat watching on the Lone Star Riverboat, and The Alamo on the Austin/San Antonio program; and NASA, a boat tour of Galveston Bay with a marine biologist, the San Jacinto Battleground Monument, and Moody Gardens on the Houston/Galveston program. Career speakers introduced participants to a wide variety of unique career and internship opportunities. Click here to view pictures taken from various camp destinations.
The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem-solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity, and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.
Education in Action is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to become informed and active leaders in their communities. Students involved in student government, service organizations, and gifted and talented programs are especially good candidates for Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Educators may nominate their outstanding 4th-8th grade students for 2014 camps online at www.educationinaction.org. Facilitator/student ratio is one to 10 and all facilitators are Texas educators. For more information about the Lone Star Leadership Academy visit www.educationinaction.org or www.facebook.com/educationinaction.
A young boy finds out his family has moved into a house where the previous owner was murdered. A young girl discovers her true identity. A friendship is tested. Three orphaned siblings journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world. These are the themes behind the novels that Eubanks Intermediate School students are reading in book clubs this year.
Approximately 28 students meet bi-monthly in the school library for the Eubanks Book Club. Members share a passion for reading and enjoy sharing their thoughts with others in the group.
EIS librarian Lucy Drenka said, “When we meet, we simply discuss the book that we are currently reading and share recommendations with the other members of the club. I start the discussion and then toss a stuffed animal to the student who would like to speak – giving them the floor.”
“I love book club because book lovers get together and talk about the books that they have recently read,” sixth grader Nicholas Tornow said. “I’ve read several books that I never thought I would read because of book club.”
Sixth grader Natalie Gessner agreed, “I like book club because you see the different books that other people have read … it’s a fun way to be creative and be yourself.”
Club membership has its perks.
“When Tim Green visited our school, we got to sit in the front row and we sent him our picture. I can’t wait for our upcoming tour to Barnes and Noble. I will join book club again next year because I love it,” fifth grader Nadia Khalil said.
“Members are also allowed to check out an additional book each time they visit the library, plus they are also the first to see the new books when they arrive in the library,” Drenka said.
The club has many exciting activities slated for 2013, including a meeting dedicated to sharing reader’s favorite books and treats.
“We’ll be sipping on cocoa and talking about how books warm our hearts, creating book trailers and viewing them at a popcorn party, visiting the Southlake Public Library, and sharing food items that are mentioned in books,” Drenka said. “It just doesn’t get better than that!”
Titles on member’s individual reading lists include: