Darden Takes First Place

7th grader wins local spelling bee

(PRWEB) February 24, 2004 --As we hear about the need for educational reform, good news is rare. Recent statistics report that 40% of Georgia's graduates lose the Hope scholarship after one semester of college, due to poor grades. A small private school is striving to prove every child can succeed.

Marcus Darden, a normal seventh grader who has attended the school for only one full school term placed first in the ACSI Disctrict Spelling Bee on Friday, February 20. The Shepherd's Training Academy hosted the bee and is proud of Marcus' achievement although he placed fifth in the District Spell Off. Winners of the Spell Off will proceed to the regional competition and from there go to the ACSI National Bee in Washinton, D.C.. This is type of achievement is typical of public school students which begin as TSTA on grade level. They excel and surpass their peers after just one term.

Marcus was thrilled to receive the medallion and recognition, however he will humbly return to class on Monday determined to go to Nationals next year. Marcus is a very determined student with parents that were tired of waiting around for reform in the public schools. With the support of his family and teachers he will surely arrive in Washington next Spring.