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School News

February 25, 2004 1:08 am

Hugh Mercer students are participating in the Reading Counts computer-based reading motivation program. The program offers opportunities for students to set realistic and attainable goals for reading. The program continually provides feedback and then students earn points for each book that they read. Students can check their progress daily and both parents and teachers can identify areas that need improvement. For more information on the program, visit the Scholastic Web page at src.scholastic.com/ecatalog/read ingcounts.

Tuesday will be the National Read Across America Day. Started in 1998, Read Across America has become the nation's largest reading event that culminates each year around the birthday of the famous children's author, Dr. Seuss. The Fredericksburg Central Rappahannock Regional Library will also conduct story times throughout the week. For more information, log on to nea.org/readacross/contacts/index.html.

In celebration of Black History month, teachers encourage parents to check out titles from the NEA's Top 100 African-American Books List. The list can be accessed at nea.org/readacross/resources/afambooks.html. We also encourage parents to discuss Donna Washington, the Black History Month storyteller who will visit the school tomorrow.

Students are preparing for the World's Largest Concert quickly approaching on March 11. Families are encouraged to plan to participate from home as well as from work locations that have access to public television. Tune in on the March 11 at 1 p.m. on your local PBS station. Previews of the orchestral scores are available online at the official WLC Web page at menc.org/guides/wlc/wlcorchestral.html.

--Michele Phillips

DVDs of the 2003 Yellow Jackets' football season are available. If you are interested, contact Dave Spenser at 286-1886.

The Key Club will hold officer elections in March.

The Junior/Senior Prom is scheduled for May 29 at the Riverside Conference Center. The Junior Class will begin fund-raising to defray the prom expenses.

--Heidi Miller

county schools

Berkeley's "Reading is Fundamental" challenge is in full swing and the excitement and spirit exhibited for reading has been unbelievable. Every school day until Tuesday will highlight the power of reading with a scheduled activity or theme, everything from curling up with a good book and wearing pajamas to dressing up as a favorite book character are included in the events. Please encourage daily reading adventures at home to allow the students to see the power and joy in reading.

--Tammy Jones

The following third-graders were chosen for the fairness award for the third six weeks: Hunter Kolbenstetter, Heather Bender, Jake Blount, Alexie Hazen, Josh Baucom, Amber Wasiuta, Kendra Monteith, Jonathan Jarrell, James Pritchett, Jessica DeLozier, Cody Lyon, JoJo Torreyson, Tony Colbert, Emily Sullivan, Chloe LaCasse, Joshua Baker, Drew Hoffman, Victoria Pagan, Taylor Johnson, Hannah Marsh, Patrick Hennessey, Allison Foster and Holton Canter.

The following second-graders were recognized for their wonderful display of "Fairness" during the third six weeks of school: Zachary Kelly, Lesley Rios, Mitchell Knight, Makayla Baker, Dusten Rees, Stefani Scianna, Briana McKenzie, Caitlin Bushey, Kenneth Mills, Megan Reynolds, Brianna Klaczynski, Kanesha Coxson, Tyler Thomas, Sonny Monaco, Cheyenne Lindsey, Kayla Brooks, Joy Bowie and Gabi Barrett.

The following first grade students demonstrated "Fairness" for the third six weeks: Emanuel Sims, Tyler Bishop, Emily Vinchiarello, Amber Fleck, Brandon Bixby, Michael Nichols, Buddy Bender, Caitlin Turner, Justin Jones, Tanner Newton, Kara Johnson, Sydney Hankin, Hunter Davenport, Lauren McCaffrey, Molly Moriarty, Kyle Woznick, Kyle Brumbaum, Isaac Roberts, Lauren Wootten, Devin Bouffard, Amber Brookman, CJ Mitchell and Megan Sarmento.

--Cheryl Gallello

The second grade celebrated Chinese New Year by having a parade through the school. The parade viewers were treated to two dragons made by the second-graders, lots of noise and treats.

--Jeanne Grab

The following students were chosen as Cardinal of the Week for the week of Feb. 13:

First grade--Erika Argueta, Jessica Woods, Dean Sperry, Jovanna White and Destinei Stowe.

Second grade--Jasmyne Roland, Nicole Peace, Jeffrey Koso, Christian Walsh and Tamarra Diggs.

The following students received all A's for the third six weeks:

Third grade--Danielle Apperson, Kourtney Brezna, Matt Clifton, Devin Lann, Marissa Lindner, Kathleen Malloy, Mitchell Saunders, Nhi Nguyen, Kinjal Thakkar, Sara Iannarelli, Katelyn Hilton, Caitlin King, Judy Schiano-Moriello and Lorin Lee.

Fourth grade--Ingrid Argueta, Rachel Brassfield, Alex Cimini, Marisa Morales, Tony Nguyen, Hannah Posh, Jesse Belcastro, Jordan Aguilar and Arianne Locsin.

Fifth grade--Xavier Alston, Katelyn Brown, Katrina Clevenger, Samantha Sharkey, Justin Shade, Alexandra Clark, Zain Farid, Spencer Halaut, Amanda Hathaway, James Fitzgerald, Jennifer Heric, John Engel, Erin Dort, Emily Jackson, Kris Breakfield, Aaron Donley, Kieva Hepp, Kira Lizewski, Chelsea Merritt, Zac Naccarato and Dominic Stout.

--Susan Debus

Jenny Anderson's students are striving for success in the Accelerated Reader program. Kara Perusse is the first student in the class to earn 50 AR points. David Beir and Griffin Mahon have earned more than 30 points.

The following students in Jeanne Koch's second-grade class met their reading goals for the month of January: Demetruis Rock, Brandon Kevine, Aaron Martin, Karly Chambers, Rachel Light, Tony Mocer, Abigail Rose, Mary Eichel, Dewey Decatur and Kaila Higgins.

Kindergarten and first grade classes have been learning to read from starfall.com in computer lab. Third fourth and fifth, have been learning Math Arena. This is a new math program that has been added in the county. They have been learning about degrees, flips and combinations.

Clifford the Dog visited Courtland Elementary Feb. 11.

We have added a link to print Cougar Cave order forms on the Web page.

Please remember to send in your old ink cartridges and cell phones. We send them in for recycling and receive funds for our school.

Teachers and staff would like to thank the PTO for the "Day of Pampering."

We would like to thank Martha White for our weekly Thursday treats.

--Billie Rae Drake

The teachers congratulate the following students chosen as Superstars: Azhona Childs, Kameron Curry, Randy Pinney, Savannah Allen, Kayla Knapp, Isaac Herrera, Ricco Johnson, Chris Lenny, Robert Wilson, Kerissa Farthering, Chris Moore, Dillon Reid, Robby Sweetman, Cody Batton, Michael Geil, Kayla Curley, Ryan Schumacher, Paige Receveur, Rose Tohonou, Sam Harper, Leah Wise, William Margwarth, Lindsey Dolan, Cassie Conover, Vinney Cafiero, Brandon Bohrer, Steven Cain, Tyler Jones, Shakayla Robinson-Love, Hunter McConchie, Amber Duda, Alissa Lineberger, Michael DeMaio and Brittney Cox.

Kindergarten registration for the 2004-05 school year has begun. Students must be 5-years-old by September 30, 2004 to be registered. Early registration aids us in making plans to better serve your child.

Tuesday will be Read Across America Day to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday. Harrison Road will hold its annual Family Reading Night, Pizza Dinner and Book Exchange. More information will come home in Thursday folders.

Parent-Teacher Evening Conferences will be held by appointment, March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Contact your child's teacher if you wish to schedule an evening conference.

Session II of the Exploration classes will begin March 9. Students who are already pre-registered will participate.

--Donna Pirnat

Dress your best! Picture day is Friday.

Lee Hill is honored to have storyteller Donna Washington as a quest speaker Friday.

The reading incentive party was held last Thursday with great success.

The general PTO meeting will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. All are encouraged to attend.

--Shelly Weaver

The following students from Sandy Koch's fifth-grade class earned Super Writer awards for their winter poems; Chelsea Roles, Amanda Sutts, Stephanie Lewis and Kristen Pullen.

Students at Livingston Elementary were encouraged during the month of January to earn more Accelerated Reader points than the library media specialist. The four students who succeeded were Ted Bailey, Courtney Wheeler, Adriana Bailey and Bryant Park.

The following students scored 100 percent on their Accelerated Reader test:

First grade--Shawn McCoy, Joshua Miller, Caroline Sorrell, Ryan Brooks, Lauren Garner, Alexandra Roberts and Shannon Wratchford.

Second grade--Janet Camacho, Vinnie Pirrone, Janell Ellis, Victoria Reynolds, Brianna Stanard and Shelby Woodson.

Third grade--Ted Bailey, Danielle Chittum, Chase Kopp and Dalton McNary.

Fourth grade--Skyler Smith, John Reifenberg and Kyle Phelps; fifth grade, Greg Davis and Tre Wilson.

Spring pictures are March 18.

--Teresa Baxter

January Students of the Month are Emily Stevens, Corey Syracuse, Derek Price, Caleb Leung, Christopher Brown, Mary McGraw, Katelyn Robertson, Kari Patrick, Ryan Cantrell, Tyan Truong, Tim Hanson, Ken Frolov, Rachelle Dambrose, Jacob Skebeck, Ryan Hostetter, Hanna Gardner, Emily Stewart, Haley Sumner, Corey Ford, Kevin Powell, Krista Farrell, Jeanne Carelock, Cindy Lin, Faith Sterna and Chris Weakland.

A 100th day celebration and the 100th Birthday of Dr. Seuss was celebrated yesterday. In honor of this event, Parkside had 100 readers from around the county read to various classes. A pajama day was also held and students participated in 100 minutes of reading and reading activities during the afternoon.

Parkside artwork and other works will be on display in a celebration of Black History Month Sunday at the Marshall Center from 1 to 6 p.m.

Students are still encouraged to bring in their Campbell's soup labels, and General Mills Box Tops for Education.

The Student Council Association raised $110 for the YMCA playground with a candy gram sale during the Valentine's Day holiday.

Parent training through the Here Now and Down The Road Program, associated with Al's Pals, was held last week. Parents learned about children and friendship skills as well as other parenting tips.

--Bill Beck

SCOPE students from Robert E. Lee and Riverview Elementary schools have a mural and tree frogs displayed at the National Geographic Society as part of The Jason Project titled "Panama Rainforests at the Crossroads."

Nancy Burger's SCOPE students from Robert E. Lee and Riverview Elementary visited the Jason Project's live broadcast at the National Geographic Society Jan. 31.

There will be a School "Spirit Day" Friday.

The following students received all A's the third six weeks:

Third grade--Kelly Cranick, Lauren Marshall, Jacci Murphy and Caleb Woodward.

Fourth grade--Seisha Scott.

Fifth grad--Chris Baker, Casey Hollibaugh, Emma Smith and Chris Voytek.

The following students were the highest point earners for their grade in Accelerated Reader so far this year:

First grade--Callie Brandt, Shelbie McCullen, Whitney Jameson, Casey Davis and Scott Dichinson.

Second grade--Heath Holladay, Ashley Horn, Devin Carson, Mallik Chew, Phillip Wood and Milenna Hasenauer.

Third grade--Cassidy Betterton, Makayla Carter, Victoria Harrison, Brandon Boyd and Caleb Woodward.

Fourth grade--Cody Goode, Drew Shrope, Brandon Fuhs, Kyle Simpson, Kadesia Lambert and Austin Cawthon.

Fifth grade--Adrian Samarripas, Miles Reynolds-Chew, Christopher Baker, Robert Souzza and Haley Schell.

--Nancy Burger

SCOPE students from Robert E. Lee and Riverview Elementary schools have a mural and tree frogs displayed at the National Geographic Society as part of The Jason Project titled "Panama Rainforests at the Crossroads."

Nancy Burger's SCOPE students from Robert E. Lee and Riverview Elementary visited the Jason Project's live broadcast at the National Geographic Society Jan. 31.

The following award assemblies will be held Monday: kindergarten and first grade at 1:05 p.m.; second and third grades at 1:40 p.m.; and fourth and fifth grades at 2:25 p.m. Accelerated reader prizes and perfect attendance certificates will be presented. Parents are welcome.

Counselors from Spotsylvania Middle School will present an orientation for fifth-graders on Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Third-graders will present a program on ancient Greece Tuesday at 7 p.m.

--Rita Caruth

The following second-graders earned a Spotswood Sparkler award for the month of December: A.J. Jameson, Ashton Sibley, Anthony Long and Bengisu Izat. For the month of January, Kyle Cole, Hannah Carse, Jacob Cossey, Kendra Jones, Amy Lewis and Tiearra Nelson won Spotswood Sparklers.

The following Spotswood students will have art work on display at the Holbert Building during February: Abigail Acors, Liam Dolan, Matthew Chatten, Lindsey Fennell, Jada Coleman, Gabrielle Casole, Lindsey Johnson, Roger Kile, Meagan Nagy, Erin Wiley, Summer Wilson, Kenny Powell, Connor Mairena, Ashlie Miller, Amanda Ahmed, Stacie Olilver, Amy Lewis, Brittany Brooks, Bengisu Izat, Hannah Carse, Tyler Saunders, Victoria Harris, Emily Beach and Ciara Villers.

Spotswood would like to welcome our new guidance counselor, Marcella Egner.

Many students at Spotswood are enjoying enrichment classes on Wednesday afternoons in February. Many thanks to all of the parent helpers who make this possible for the students.

--Maureen Hitchens

School winners in the 2003 Reflections Photography contest are as follows.

In Primary Division's Second Grade, first place went to Hunter Michielson, second place went to Levi Mullen and third place went to Jessie Anne D'Amico.

In the Intermediate Division, Zack Burnley placed first in fourth grade; Christopher Brier placed first in fifth grade.

Winners in the 2003 Reflections Visual Arts contest are as follows.

In Primary Division's kindergarten, Tanner Poitras scored an honorable mention. First place went to Jared Burnley. Second place went to Sylvan Brier while third place went to Lauryn Dix. In first grade, Ashley Doering scored an honorable mention. First place went to Kiley Steed. Second place went to Lauren DalFonzo and third place went to Kimie Williams. In second grade, honorable mention was awarded to Justin Dix. Liam Dwyer took first place, Imani Dunn scored second place and Matt Malone walked away with third place.

In Intermediate Division's fourth grade, honorable mention was awarded to Cheyenne Christopher, Justin Knisley and Cara Micktavage. Kristen Halo took first place, Chelsea Mickatavage took second place while Svetlana Rivas scored third place. In fifth grade, Kantwon Rogers walked away with first place, while Joel Torres scored a second place award and Courtney Leonarkis took third place.

Winners in the 2003 Reflections Literature contest are as follows:

In the Primary Division, Ashley Doering took first place in first grade. In second grade, Emily Joseph picked up first place while Hunter Michaelson took second place and William Young scored third place.

In the Intermediate Divisions's third grade, Emily Michaelis landed a first place standing, with Taylor Bevans coming in with second place and Max Behrman following with a third place award. In fourth grade, the first place winner was Brittany Parker. She was followed by Andrew Meador at second place and Kristen Halo at third place. The fifth grade winners were led by first-place winner Arian Dimsoy. Curtis Pfohl followed in second place with Leondro Bridges making the grade at third place.

--Colleen Lilly

The Citizens for the Month of January are: Andrew Hiller, Samantha Huffman, Marah Ballard, Bryant Smith, Sierra Shakoor, Gordon Yarboro, Shana Murphy, Vera Ward, Brian Gray, Rebecca Williams, Jonathan Cole, Amanda Willging, Hunter Shackleford, Ellen Johnson, Amy Morris, Chris Hochstein, Alan Shackleford, Carlos Ruiz and Allison Sanders. Each of them will receive a gift donated by our local business partners and Sierra Shakoor will receive a personal size cake made by Simply Sweet. Thank you to all our business partners: Courthouse Tire, Mama's Pizza, AMF Bowling Lanes, Burger King, McDonald's, Hair Mosaic, Simply Sweet, Papa John's, Quality 1st Auto, Ledo's Pizza, Chancellor Eye Care, Buffalo Wild Wings, Zany Brainy, Zero's Subs and The Meadows at Salem Run.

The following students represented the school at the District 15 Workshop Chorus at Brooke Point High School, Feb. 13 and 14: Sheri Spruel, Nikki Garcia, Alycia Schrader, Maggie Thomas Lindsey Evans, Joey McVicker, Patrick Zamora and Derek Allen.

--Sue Leiss

The next school dance has been planned for March 26, 3-5 p.m. All grades are invited to attend. The PTA is looking for parent volunteers. Please contact the PTA through our Web site at spotsylva nia.k12.va.us/fms/pta.htm.

Perfect Attendance recognition for the third six weeks was held last week. The 350 students were treated to free ice cream at lunch compliments of our PTA. One hundred percent homework was honored last week, as well. The PTA provided the 289 students with a treat bag and soda. Three hundred and ten honor roll students also were recognized with a cup cake and juice, also compliments of our PTA.

Our business partners are Hair Quarters, Liberty Lanes, Old Country Buffet, Panera Bread, Slapshotz, Mama's Pizza and Subs, Primo's Pizza, Subway-SalemFields, Scafa's Italian Restaurant and Pizza and Marquee Cinemas.

Parent meetings on scheduling are being held tomorrow for rising seventh- and eighth-graders beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. March 4 is scheduled for rising sixth-graders at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

The library is pleased to announce the arrival of more than 1,500 new books, including many sports and drawing books and our first graphic novels.

--Debra Heckman

Seventh-grader Michael Phillips has been selected to participate in the Junior National Student Leadership Conference in Washington this summer. This is a leadership development program for outstanding middle school students where they attend special workshops and classes and study the distinctions of leadership. For more information visit JNSLC .org. Michael has also been chosen as a Sports Ambassador with the People to People program and will represent the U. S. when he travels to France and Switzerland this summer while participating in a national basketball tournament. For more information visit sportsambassadors.org.

The following students earned Distinguished Honor Roll (all A's) for the third six weeks:

Sixth-graders--Pamela Blizzard, Kirkland Broadwell, Brittney Burton, Garrett Bush, Alexa Cledes, Matthew Foster, Eric Gasperoni, Amanda Haislip, Kinsey Hartmann, Isaiah Heartsfield, Kandyce Martin, Hollie Massie, John Mullins, Joshua Raines, Olivia Schulte, Jonathan Twigg and Hannah Yousefian.

Seventh-graders--John Ackley, Erin Crain, Joanna Debrouse, Sandra Epling, Eliza Etter, Jessica Farrow, Laura Huesgen, Randall McGinnis, Kyle Pfaff, Kaila Pope, Danielle Rickard, Rachael Sheaffer, Brittany Stone and Daniel Whitney.

Eighth-graders--Brian Cannavo, Toni Carroll, Lauren Henson, Megan Judy, Alyssa Kaufman, David Murphy, Diana Naim, Kyle Pfeiffer, Andrea Shea and Craig Sweeney.

Due to inclement weather, the English multiple choice SOL test for grades 5, 8, and End of Course has been changed to March 16 and the English direct writing for grades 5, 8 and End of Course has been changed to March 17.

--Angie Branham

At the Windsor High School CERTAMEN held Saturday in Windsor, Spotsylvania Middle School Latin students Jessica Stayton, Amanda Kau, Bailey Rampey and James Ortego took second place in inexperienced Level I play. In the same competition, John Kernisky, Elizabeth Vignaroli, Sarah Perrott and Richie Kirchgessner tied for third place with Battlefield Middle School.

The following students received a referral for commendation from their teacher: Eden Conton, Timothy Steinmetz, Morgan Oakes, Hyram O'Blinsky and Kenny Sisk. Congratulations to these "Paws"itive Bulldogs.

Tina Donovan's language arts students entered an Americanism Essay Contest with the Fredericksburg Elks Lodge No. 875. The title of the essay was "Why I am Proud to Say the Pledge of Allegiance." One of her students, Michelle Clarke, received third place in her division. Michelle will receive a small prize at the Elks meeting on March 8 and is asked to read her essay to the members attending the meeting.

Progress reports will be issued tomorrow.

The following students are the Accelerated Reader classroom winners for the third six weeks, earning the most points in December and January: Pat Adams' class, Caitlin Puffenberger; Jody Barnes' class, Meredith Ackerman; Cindy Bradley's class, Veronica Shipe; Jean Chetnik's class, David Michael Woodward; Alison Chlebus' class, Samantha Quinn; Tina Donovan's class, Melissa Arnold; Becky Gray's class, Laura Simpson; Susan Jamieson's class, Justin Reynolds; Gillian Lambert's seventh period class, Amanda Baldwin; Cathy Limbrick's class, Elizabeth Bickerstaff; Nancy Maddux's class, Jessica Montgomery; April Martin's class, Taylor Leming; Su Monroe's class, Richard Sexton; Carol Moreth's class, Paul Soules; Vicki Nesbitt's class, Jesse Howell; Carol Noon's class, Emily Dutton; Susan Personius' class, Brandon Roe; Stephanie Pritchett's class, Carrie Dunbaugh; Amy Rose's class, Andrew Koch; Lorrie Saffy's class, William Hagerman; Trudy Secrest's first period class, Lauren McCoy; Trudy Secrest's fifth period class, Jonathan Dorton; Madeline Sobczak's class, Emily Wimpling; and Marcia Sullivan's class, Tiana Maddux.

--Lisa Simmermon

Eighth grade students of the week for the week of Feb. 17-20 are Marcia Bethea and Chris Stephen. Congratulations.

Thornburg Middle School has been selected as one of six schools across the U. S. to link up with International Space Station. Students will be able to participate in NASA activities and communicate with the other sites and the astronauts at the space station. The teachers who have worked to make this opportunity possible are Suzanne Ircink, Elizabeth Pellegreen, Casey Mummah and Janet Hall. Parent Stephan Picard has also worked on this project. Shoot for the stars, Jaguars!

The winners of the third six weeks character education award for fairness are:

Guidance--Lauren Boutchyard, Sara Beth Loving.

Eighth grade--Erin Buhmann, Katelyn Holladay, Victoria Lama, Christina Mattaliano, Dan Rucker, Tierra Smith, Sarah Brown, Chelsea Day, Nathan Johnson, Angela Evans, Sierra Braun, Mariseh Segura, Quamiya Dubose, Jessica Coughenour, Sarah Ross and Cassie Webster.

Seventh grade--Scott Daniels, Kayla Lawson, Evan Lyons, Ashley Hashimoto.

Sixth grade--Andrew Hoover, Brittany Sims, Maggie Cole and Sean James.

Cleo Coleman, a speaker on civil rights, came to speak to the seventh grade about the history of the civil rights movement.

Robert Yonts-Wright, Jacqui Ober, Christa Ober, Marsha Sullivan, Jennifer Snider, Sarah Kazanjian, Lindsay Day, Dorsey Bumbrey, Karissa Perry, Les Aker and Kevin McLeod went to Blacksburg this past weekend to participate in the state robotics tournament.

The school has been selected as one of only a number of schools world-wide to participate in the Student Signatures in Space Program. This program is sponsored by NASA and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Selected schools receive space-related packets in the spring. Students will be asked to sign a poster board that is sent to the school with the packet. This poster will be returned to NASA/Lockheed Martin and the signatures will travel to space on an upcoming shuttle mission. NASA is currently looking at beginning the shuttle program again in the spring of 2005.

--Vicky Bowens

Rising sixth-grade parents are invited to Parent Night on March 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. School administrators, counselors and teachers will introduce parents to the middle school schedule, core and exploratory classes, and other information that will assist them as they help their fifth-graders transition to middle school.

Because of inclement weather, the dates for the eighth grade SOL Writing Test have been changed to March 16 and 17. The multiple choice test will be given on March 16 and the direct writing test will be given March 17.

The school newspaper was mailed Feb. 18. Parents are welcome to contact the school for a copy if one was not received in the mail.

Parents are reminded that if a child is absent, they can notify the guidance department by phone or e-mail. To telephone, the number is 582-6377, ext. 108. To e-mail, parents can go to the school homepage, click on Absence Submission Form, complete the form and submit it to guidance.

--Helen S. Cielakie

The King and Queen of the Courtland High School Valentine Dance were Richard Underwood and Sara Heppe. The court consisted of Kristen Croskey-Freshwater and Rip Roberts; Brittany Shelton and Carl Shepard; Selena Davis and Brandon Travis; and Amanda Anderson and Mike Woodward.

The SCA collected more than 500 hand-made valentines for its Valentines for Veterans project. They were sent to VA hospitals across the country.

--Carolyn Libby

The following students have been selected for the Virginia Music Educators Associations All-State Choir: Leah Karkenny, Bobbi Cook and Cord Barnes. Sean Wilson and Seth Gwartney were selected as first alternates.

Nat Jackson and Travis Ludden were chosen for the 2004 Virginia High School League State Football All-Star Game. This prestigious event will be held in Hampton July 9.

Officers for the newly formed Massaponax Future Educators of America Club are President Christy Vance, Vice President Rachel Sargeant, Secretary Chelsea Gutshall and Treasurer Leron Lewis.

FBLA will be sponsoring a basketball tournament for Spotsylvania County High School students March 6 at Massaponax High School. Registration begins at 3 p.m. and the tournament will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Permission slips are available in Room 211 or in the front office. The permission slips and $5 fee are due by March 5 in Room 211. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

The following students participated in the third annual Massaponax High School Science Fair:

Third Place Awards: Danielle Young, Mark McPhatter, Crystal Richardson and Chelsea Fox.

Second Place Awards: Maggie Erwin, Tori Pritchett and Rebakah Sargeant.

First Place Awards: Team Projects: Joey Depoyster and Megan Barron, Marcie Willis and Kendall Bullock.

Grand Prize: Marcie Willis with her project "Oil & Water."

--Melissa Schultze

Thirty-two marketing students visited the McLean Grocery Distribution Center to tour the facilities and discuss the sale and distribution of grocery-related products Feb. 10. The students were able to see first-hand how the McLean Center sells and distributes its products for stores in the local five-state area.

Senior Phillip Carter will represent Spotsylvania High School in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington March 2-7. He stands among 400 outstanding scholars from around the country who will participate in the conference.

Robert Evans scored another perfect score, this time on Harrell's History Test No. 16 on the second half of World War II.

The writing tests for the Virginia Standards of Learning have been rescheduled for the week of March 15-19.

--Mary Jo Medosch

private schools

March 26 will be a full day of school, not a half-day as originally scheduled.

Applications for current students for the 2004-05 school year should have been submitted by tomorrow. Beginning Monday, enrollment is open to the community, and the school cannot guarantee a place for current students if their applications have not been turned in.

The second-grade class will be singing at chapel on Friday. On March 5, the first-graders will be singing.

March 8 is the last school skate night of the year at Cavalier Skate Center in Stafford.

Parents and grandparents may donate a book to the school library to honor a child's birthday, a teacher or an event. The cost is $10 per book and a special presentation is made to your child during chapel services. Forms are available in the school office.

Chapel will be held today at 10:15 a.m.

Winners of the grade-level spelling bee will move on to the next level and represent the school in the district bee on March 5. The school will host this event the new Stafford campus for grades one through four. The fifth-grade district bee will be on the same day in Springfield.

Volunteers are needed to help prepare items for the auction and to coach spelling bee students and those who will compete in the math Olympics. Call 374-1383 if you can help.

Orientation will be held for parents of rising ninth-graders tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Congratulations to the Students of the Month:

Sixth grade--Shalynn Goldizen.

Seventh grade--Heather McCray.

Eighth grade--Chanel Rutland.

A fund-raiser to support mission students from Nigeria, India and Ecuador will be held tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. A team of teachers are challenging the middle school basketball team to a game. Admission is $1 per person or $5 for a family. Concessions will be sold.

Students should be preparing for the science fair following the guidelines that were recently sent home. The fair is on April 5.