While discussing novels and other texts from around the world in her English class, Reservoir High School teacher Mary Curtin was surprised at her students' perception of global conflicts and issues.

She thought, "Wow -- they really don't get this," she said.

In an effort to better inform the students and spur them to action, Curtin created a club called Reservoir's Leaders. The club is part of a network of similar clubs across North America linked to the "O Ambassadors Program."

The program is a joint project of Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network and Kids Can Free the Children, groups whose mission is to help raise awareness about the issues of poverty, education, sustainable development and health -- the areas highlighted by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The 15 students in Reservoir's club have chosen to focus their efforts, including fundraisers and poster campaigns, on issues affecting West Africa, because a number of students at Reservoir are of West African descent, Curtin said.

"We do not have to worry about the roofs over our heads. However, there are kids in West Africa that are drinking water from infected wells and lacking basic education," Pratishtha Khanna, a senior and the club president, said in a press release about the program.

Their first fundraiser, a spaghetti dinner, is scheduled for Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the school. Proceeds from the club's fundraisers will go toward development projects in West Africa, according to a press release about the program.

"It gets students to take ownership for what is going on in the world around them," Curtin said of the club's activities. "It provides an opportunity for them to express their talent of being community service leaders."

* WBAL TV channel 11 will feature Marriotts Ridge High School as its "School of the Week" and will broadcast live from the school from 5:15 to 7 a.m. on Oct. 10.

* Confident Student, an education company that provides academic coaching and consulting, is holding a seminar "College Issues & Prep: Take Charge of the College Process," on Oct. 14, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The event is free for teens; parents pay $15. The event will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, at 6800 Oakland Mills Road, in Columbia. Register by calling 410-730-0073 or e-mail msmith@mhea.com.

* The Learning Cottage, a new preschool, is now open in the Talbott Springs Neighborhood Center in Columbia. For more information, call 410-740-1255, e-mail thelearningcottage@verizon.net or go to www.thelearningcottage.info.

* Murray Hill Middle School is hosting a "More than BASKETS Bingo" Oct. 16 at the school. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and play begins at 7 p.m. Call 301-725-1383. The school is at 9989 Winter Sun Road, in Laurel.

* The Waring-Mitchell Law Society will present a forum to encourage minority students considering a career in law Oct. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wilde Lake High School. The school is located at 5460 Trumpeter Lane, in Columbia. For more information, call 410-761-9997 or 410-740-0074 or 410-767-7237.

* Howard Community College is sponsoring a high school information session for prospective students and their parents Oct. 15 at 8 a.m. on the fourth floor of The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall. HCC is at 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., in Columbia. For more information, call 410-772-4599 or e-mail hsinfo@howardcc.edu.

* The Howard County Board of Education will hold a "Coffee and Conversation" session Oct. 11, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at River Hill High School, located at 12101 Route 108, in Clarksville. Call 410-313-6680 for more information.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

user comments (0)