AASD 1991 Welcomes Third Foreign Exchange Student

AASD is at the Forefront of STEM Education

While the number of jobs in science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — outpaces overall job growth, just 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career. The educational community alone cannot overcome this challenge; Secretary Perez said in his keynote remarks on Jan. 8 at Discovery Communications, Inc.'s Silver Spring, Md., headquarters. Perez discussed "a four P" approach to addressing the challenge: partnerships that bring diverse stakeholders to the table, pipelines of skilled talent that help employers grow, practical experience to enhance classroom training, and tangible possibilities that a STEM education can offer. After Perez's remarks, local TV news anchor Aaron Gilchrist moderated a panel discussion on the importance of math and science education. The panel included Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Portia Wu and actress Danica McKellar who, after her breakout role in TV's "The Wonder Years," majored in math at UCLA and wrote four best-selling books to help young women break down preconceived notions about math. Before the event began, Perez toured Discovery's on-site child care and wellness facilities, two employee services that helped the company earn its "Best Places to Work" status fromWorking Mother magazine and others.

Note:  Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania, the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was one of the first schools in the area to adopt STEM.

AASD 1990 Welcomes Second Foreign Exchange Student

AASD Grad Master Sergeant - USMC - Retired - David Warden

David Worden

David Worden graduated from the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania, in 1971.

Having a desire to see the world, he joined the United States Marine Corps after graduation.  He served  24 years, seven months, and 14 days attaining the rank of Master Sergeant.  During that period of time David visited many states including Hawaii, North Carolina, California, and Massachusetts.

During his time in the service, David performed work in a variety of occupations, in various locations, excelling at each and every one.  For example, he began his career in the U.S. Marine Corps as a truck driver and when the opportunity came made a lateral move to machinist. Although his specialty was mechanics, as he moved up in rank, he performed the duties of Drill Instructor and Inspector Instructor. and retired as an Ordnance Chief.  David earned his "sea legs" having served twice onboard two (2) U.S. Navy ships.

The most dangerous job David performed in the Marine Corps  was instructing and training Colombian Army Troops in the use, cleaning, service and maintenance of weaponry.  When his team landed in Colombia, they were picked up and driven to the Colombian Army Base in an armored vehicle and warned to keep a low profile during their stay.

One of Master Sergeant Worden's most rewarding experiences was leading the Toys For Tots Program while stationed in Massachusetts.  I could sense the pride in David's voice as he detailed to me the success he had developing relationships with Fisher Price and other organizations in seeking donations for children which the U.S. Marne Corps is noted for each year at Christmas time.  David said their would be tractor trailers delivering donations for this noteworthy endeavor.

Master Sergeant Worden is a Vietnam Era Veteran.  During his service in the U.S. Marine Corps he was awarded the following medals:

• National Defense Service Medal with one (1) Star
• Navy Achievement Medal
• Good Conduct Medal with seven (7) Stars
• Navy Commendation Medal with one (1) Star
• Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with one (1) Star; and
• Deployment Medal with two (2) Stars

While on active duty David earned a B.S. degree from Cal State in Machine Technology.

On June 21, 1975, David married his wife Leslie.  They have one daughter, Michelle.

David and his wife Leslie

David's daughter Michelle and her husband Pietro

David's granddaughter Gabriella

Michelle, Leslie, Gabriella, and Leslie's mother Jackie

David's hobby is Classic Cars. Pictured above with a First Place Trophy he won.

David returned to the area in 2011 to attend his Austin Area School District Class 40th Annual Reunion hosted by Bob Burgett.

David and Leslie currently reside in Twentynine Palms, California.

Foreign Exchange Students Welcome At AASD

In 1989, Sophia Acevedo from Guatemala became the first Foreign Exchange Student at the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.  Sophia was hosted by Jim and Jackie Dynda.

Front: Sophia and Dundee, Back: Jim and Jackie Dynda

Since 1989 the Community of Austin has hosted Foreign Exchange Students from many countries.

Austin Area Elementary School Honored

The article below appeared in the Saturday, December 6 - Friday, December 12, 2014 issue of the Endeavor News, 29 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834, (814)486-1400.  The Endeavor News is owned and operated by Robert A. and Britta Bresslin Hooftallen, both graduates of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.

AASD Grad Freelance Photographer

Kristin Hynds Jackson

Kristin Hynds Jackson graduated from the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pa,  in 1984.    Thereafter attending and graduating from the Rhode Island School of Photography.  Kristin currently lives outside Alfred, New York

She and a friend, Miro, have recently formed a partnership and opened up a shop on Etsy named DragonflyMiroart.  Their shop's online address is:

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonflyMiroart

  Here is their Shop Announcement:

DragonflyMiroart's Shop Announcement

Dragonfly Images and Miroart is a cooperative photographic effort to offer you Fine Art Photography from two Continents. Kristin lives in Alfred, New York in the United States and Miro lives in Vienna, Austria.

Kristin graduated from the Rhode Island School of Photography in Providence, Rhode Island and Miro graduated from the Photography Department of the Film and TV Faculty of the Academy of Arts in Prague. (FAMU)

Both began capturing images as children and photography has always been large part of our lives. There is nothing that compares to seeing something and translating that through the camera to create beauty.

Kristin is a freelance photographer engaged in Portrait, Abstract and Landscape Photography.
Miro is also a freelance photographer engaged in Portrait, Abstract, Scenic and Commercial Photography and Graphic Business Design.

Thank you for visiting our Shop on Etsy.

Dedicated to the Promotion of World Friendship
Through The Universal Language of the Arts.............
Interlochen Center for The Arts Mission Statement

Below are three (3) photographs of her work.  Beautiful aren't they? Would make a great gift.

Taken in Galeton, PA

Taken in Almond, NY

Taken in Sweden Valley, PA

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods.  Their mission is to re-imagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world.

It is a Certified B Corporation which is a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. This past Giving Tuesday Etsy donated $100,000 to non-profit organizations in the hope of inspiring others to get involved in their communities.

Kristin supported the Austin School Path Lighting Project.