Education notebook: WIAA announces state academic team champions

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has announced the WIAA, Dairy Farmers of Washington, Les Schwab Tires 2017-18 Winter Team Academic State Champions. Teams in Eastern Washington that earned the distinction are listed by activity, state classification and grade-point average.

Band – Class 2B: Northwest Christian, 3.5 grade point average. 1B: St. John-Endicott, 3.29.

Cheer – 4A: Ferris, 3.67.

Choir – 2B: St. George’s, 3.48.

Drama – 4A: Mead, 3.75. 2B: NW Christian, 3.69.

Forensics – 2B: St. George’s, 3.4.

Orchestra – 2A: Pullman, 3.69.

Cheney business teacher honored

Adam Smith, a teacher at Cheney High School, was named the Outstanding Business Educator by the Western Business Education Association at its conference in Boise. WBEA is an affiliate of the National Business Education Association and aims to highlight the work of educators who inform individuals about economics, business and technology.

Mead DECA students qualify for nationals

Several students of Mead School District qualified to compete at the National DECA Conference after placing at the state competition held in Bellevue earlier this month.

National qualifiers from Mt. Spokane High School are: Elizabeth Redmond and Katie Maher, fifth place in fashion merchandising; Erika Brooks and Rebekah Neal, fourth place in innovation business plan; Adam Sonneland and George Johnson, third place in financial decision-making; Andrew Sonneland and Haley Milligan, second place in sports and entertainment marketing; and Nick Haynie, first place in quick serve restaurant management. Student store representatives are Alyssa Powell, Troy Ruffin, Hanna Hess and Hallie Hanson.

Student store representatives from Mead High School are Ally Wood, Trevor Dorman and Maddie Gendreau.