Seven rising eighth-grade students have completed the Aiken County Public School District’s (ACPSD) rigorous Summer iNFUSION Writing Program where they learned valuable new skills while also mastering best practices of excellent writing. Those new skills pay immediate dividends as middle school students taking high school credit courses.
Program completers demonstrated their new skills during a program expo for school district leaders and administrators held virtually on Thursday, August 19.
Congratulations to the seven rising eighth-graders who completed the 2021 program, which includes the following students:
The top three program completers were Jayden Broughton (Kennedy Middle School), Litzy Pineda Flores (Leavelle McCampbell Middle School), and Aiden Sheppard (Paul Knox Middle School).
Additional completers included Camdien Pierro (Paul Knox Middle School), Shawn Forth (New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School), Areionna Abney (LBC Middle School), and Sophie Lafont (Paul Knox Middle School).
Program completer Jayden Broughton says he learned more about writing as a craft.
“I learned there are three different types of writings; expository, argumentative, and research essays,” stated Jayden in his presentation. “I also learned how to correctly construct and respond to a DBQ, or a document-based question.”
The program was coordinated by Dustin Fowler, who serves as ACPSD’s Virtual Learning Coordinator, and taught by Aiken High School Teacher Kayla Hostetler.
“I'm so proud of these students for their hard work and dedication,” stated Fowler. “The growth in their writing and research skills was evident in their reflections during the virtual expo. Nothing makes me happier than to see students do awesome things.”
“There's power in writing,” Fowler added. “No company or organization can get by without some form of written communication. From advertising to general information, career-oriented writing is important in all fields.”
Hostetler says her Summer iNFUSION students excelled during their time in the rigorous program.
“The students worked very hard this summer and I am very proud of them,” commented Hostetler “It was amazing to see their growth from their first essay to their final portfolio submission.”
The Summer iNFUSION Writing Program is graciously supported each year through a partnership with Public Education Partners (PEP) which provides funding for student awards.
Congratulations again to our 2021 Summer iNFUSION Program Completers.
For additional information on the ACPSD Summer iNFUSION Writing Program, please contact Dustin Fowler via e-mail at DFowler@acpsd.net.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2021 PR INFUSION COMPLETERS