Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

1/28/08

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District's Board of Directors
Honors Sixth Grader Dallyn Hunt

The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Dallyn Hunt, a sixth grader at Rainier Middle School, for being an outstanding student on Monday, January 28, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

“Students don’t usually ask me what books I read over my holiday break or how my day is going,” remarks Mr. Dorschel, “but Dallyn does.” Dallyn Hunt is a sixth grader at Rainier Middle School and possesses a mature knowledge according to his three teachers, Mr. Dorschel, who teaches math, Mrs. McCord, who teaches science and language arts, and Mrs. Washburn, who teaches social studies and language arts. “In science Dallyn asks questions outside the text; he asks hard questions that I don’t always know the answer to and go to my colleagues to find the answer,” says Mrs. McCord.

Dallyn’s insight and knowledge are significantly above grade level; yet, according to his teachers, he is not one to put on airs or act better than his classmates. Dallyn is a role model among his peers, who respect his intelligence because his demeanor is sincere and humble. According to Mrs. Washburn, “Dallyn’s topic sentences are always beyond an average sixth grader, so the kids like to hear what he comes up with, and typically respond with ‘Wow!’” Dallyn is an excellent student and always achieves above and beyond the academic requirements set by his teachers. Discovery itself seems to be a motivation for him, and every assignment and point made in class are important to this insightfully determined young man.

Dallyn’s love for books is also known throughout the schoolhouse. He is the only student who has an annual pass to use the library during his lunch. Usually students request a daily pass to visit the library during lunch, but since Dallyn goes every day and had to keep asking Mrs. McCord for a pass, Mrs. McCord decided to provide Dallyn with a weekly pass, which eventually turned into an annual pass.

Recently, Dallyn was asked to participate in the Veterans Day Assembly. Dallyn readily accepted and did a great job asking questions of the veterans. He also was selected as a Pawsitive Panther for the month of January by his homeroom teacher. One student from each core class is selected for the special recognition based on his or her performance, attitude, work ethic, etc.

Dallyn’s wit keeps his teachers and peers on their toes, and always adds a good laugh to the day. For example, Mrs. Washburn taught a unit on the Nutcracker, where the students read and summarized the book. During discussion, Dallyn remarked that he would give half of the royalties to Mrs. Washburn when he rewrites the Nutcracker.

“When I think about Dallyn’s unique qualities, especially for a 12-year-old, I imagine where he will go in life—it’s going to be something really special,” remarks Mr. Dorschel.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at 253-931-4713.