Students Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 3, 2008

Marriotts Ridge High School would like to applaud its students who have received recognition through the National Merit Scholarship program. The 2009 semifinalists include Mark Brindisi, Hyun Lee, Josh Tilles, and Likun (Sam) Xi. Additionally, Hilary Brewer is a semifinalist in the 2009 National Achievement Program for outstanding black students. During the upcoming months, the National Merit organization will consider these five students for finalist status.

Commended Students in the National Merit program include Hilary Brewer, Catherine Chamberlain, Tyler Dunn, Christine Kang, Omar Khan, Hye Kim, Sara Olson, Rahul Rajagopalen, Dan Schonfeld, Patrick Talcott and Robert Zhang. Outstanding Students in the National Achievement Program include Derek Coleman and Lea Simmons. Congratulations to all!

Comment on this entry • No responses

Marriotts Ridge High Named ‘School of the Week’

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 3, 2008

On Friday, Oct. 10, Baltimore’s WBAL-TV, channel 11 will feature Marriotts Ridge High School as its ‘School of the Week.’

The station will broadcast live from Marriotts Ridge from 5:15-7 a.m. Congratulations to the students and staff on this terrific recognition!

Comment on this entry • No responses

WFES Students Experience Life in Colonial America

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 30, 2008

Will Barker, left, and Kyle Ogden, both fifth-graders at West Friendship Elementary School, are dressed up in period costumes as the school’s recent Colonial Day celebration.

People of all ages typically find interactive learning more enjoyable and effective than a lecture. During the recent Colonial Day celebration at West Friendship Elementary School, teachers Nathan Haskins, Beth Cayer, Libby Swords, Patricia Mack-Preston and Kathy Showman put this theory into action by guiding the fifth-grade class through a routine day in Colonial Williamsburg.

The students – many of whom dressed in period clothing – experienced life from the perspective of the governor, a church parishioner, and a slave. They also participated in colonial activities like sewing and shoemaking. Although the children really enjoyed the experience (especially the cider and gingerbread at the town tavern), they ultimately decided that life has improved greatly over the past 300 years. The children look forward to continuing their study of American history, which will culminate in the simulated Congressional hearings in the spring.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Senior Volunteer Fund Helps Mobilize Untapped Resources

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 29, 2008

Colleen Konstanzer, Community Outreach Coordinator for Neighbor Ride, Inc., would like to announce a new Howard County initiative called the Senior Volunteer Fund. In partnership with the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County and as a result of a contribution from the Ascend One EDGE Fund, Neighbor Ride now offers half-price trips to adults 60 and older who require transportation for volunteer activities.

Often seniors provide the perfect blend of talent, experience and availability required to fill the ever-growing volunteer needs of our area, yet they lack transportation. The Senior Volunteer Fund aims to eliminate this hurdle. The program will extend through the end of the year, with hopes of attaining enough community support to continue indefinitely.

For the last four years, Neighbor Ride has provided low-cost transportation to seniors by using dedicated volunteers who drive their personal vehicles. The program needs drivers, especially in western Howard County.

If you can help, call volunteer coordinator Rosemary Noble at volunteer@neighborride.org or 410-884-3616. To register as a passenger, call 410-884-RIDE (7433). For more information on the Senior Volunteer Fund, e-mail Konstanzer at community@neighborride.org or call 410-884-3616 or Mickey Gomez, executive director of the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, at info@volunteerhoward.org or call 410-715-3172.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Free Training For Farmers From Co-op Extension

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 25, 2008

Have you ever dreamed of establishing a small farm? The Maryland Cooperative Extension can help you realize your goal through its two-part short course series,
“Beginning a Successful Small Farm Operation. ” The program has earned national recognition for its innovation and effectiveness and now appears for the first time in Howard County.

Part I of the series, a six-week, 12-hour course, begins this fall. (Part II takes place in the spring.) Topics include Finding the Perfect Farm Enterprise/Marketing What You Produce, Basics of Soil and Plant Fertility, Review of Pasture Weeds, Cover Crops/Field and Forage Crops on Small Farms, Developing a Pasture System, and Pasture System Management/Hay Evaluation. The program not only teaches the basics of farming, it also provides a means of networking with others who share similar interests.

Instructor Terry Poole will teach the course from Nov. 6, 19 and 25 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. All sessions will take place at the Howard County Extension Office, located at 3525-L Ellicott Mills Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Registration is free, and space is limited. For more information, call either the Howard County Extension Office at 410-313-2707 or Poole at 301-600-3577.

Comment on this entry • No responses