NSU Student Named DaVinci/Martins Scholar

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University student Shelli Lamons, a senior Elementary Education major from Tahlequah, was recently honored by The DaVinci Institute as a 2009 DaVinci/Martins Scholar at the organizations annual spring banquet.

I am honored to receive the DaVinci/Martin Scholars Award, said Lamons. This award will allow me the opportunity to incorporate real-life, hands-on experiences in my teaching curriculum.

Lamons was selected for creating a service-learning project that will transform a neglected school pond into student exploration and understanding of aquatic life.

This project will create a place where the students are able to get away from our fast-paced life and learn to enjoy the outdoors, said Lamons. I grew up milking cows, riding horses, fishing, hunting, and spending a lot of time outdoors, so I want to give my students the opportunities to learn some of the many things I learned growing up.

In the fast-paced lifestyle that Americans lead, Lamons was inspired to create this project to give students the opportunity to not only engage in the outdoors, but also give parents a chance to get involved with their childrens education.

I truly believe that creating a place where students can learn about the outdoors will result in increasing self-esteem, positive social interaction and self-motivation, as well as active engagement in learning, said Lamons. Additionally, it will encourage students development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills, while fostering positive interaction between parents, families and community organizations to actively engage them in support of the students learning and well-being. As a result the students will learn much more than what is required of them from the curriculum.

Lamons is the daughter of Kenneth and Becky Lamons, of Tahlequah, and the granddaughter of Sam and Ann Lamons, and Cornell (deceased) and Laverne Julian. She is a 2005 graduate of Markoma Christian School.

4/1/2009

Published: 2009-04-01 00:00:00