Schools

SALISBURY – Three Salisbury University students have been awarded prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships for study abroad: Junior Daniel McElwain of Easton, senior Cherita Richards of Hebron, and sophomore Brittany Foutz of Salisbury.   An international studies major, McElwain is one of two SU students studying at Anqing Teachers College as part of the new Salisbury Abroad: China program. He said, “The scholarship allowed me to go to China without a major financial burden on myself and my family. I have learned a lot about Chinese language and culture.” Richards, a psychology major, and Foutz, a Spanish major, are both enrolled in the Salisbury Abroad: Ecuador program. “I’ve improved my Spanish language skills, skills that are valuable in any field of work,” Richards said. “We live in a world where being bilingual opens an individual to so many more opportunities.” “I am among an...

BERLIN – Jacqueline Saldana took the Poetry Out Loud contest her English class was holding just seriously enough to win it, but once she did she tapped into an aspect of her personality that surprised even her.  So when she took the stage last week to win the right to represent Stephen Decatur High School in January’s countywide Poetry Out Loud competition she was prepared enough to project the kind of stage presence that overcomes even the occasional minor mistake. Saldana, who is a junior, credited the help and coaching she got from her English teacher Dawn Russell in being able to improve her selection and presentation enough to take home top honors Thursday.  “She really helped my focus on the presentation and select a poem that helped channel my passion,” Saldana said. “She helped me in taking that step to making [the poem] your own.” Saldana on the class competition reading “Love of My Flesh, Living Death” by Lorna D...

BERLIN – Last week teachers and students of Stephen Decatur Middle School held two days of Veterans Day events aimed at improving the students’ knowledge, not only of the types of people who serve, but also the types of service there are. In planning the event, physical education teacher Mindy Bankert surveyed the students to get an idea of what kinds of presentations would have the greatest affect on them when it came to understanding military service. She noticed, and students confirmed as much, that while the middle schoolers had an idea about military service it was more of a fuzzy understanding about people who wore uniforms. “For me, I knew there was a military but [the presentations] made it clearer what each branch did,” said Hannah Duckworth, one of the participating students. In an effort to get people from each branch of the armed services, Bankert contacted the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, which put her in touch with member Ed...

BERLIN – Seventeen-year-old Kyle Joseph is a dynamo at leadership and organization. The students at Worcester Prep selected him to be their Student Government President for the 2010-2011 school year, and he's begun his administration with an array of community service and fun activities, not only for Grades 9-12 but also for PS-12. Kyle and his officers organized Spirit Week for Grades 9-12 with Career Days, Character Days, Sports Team Days, and Fashion Disaster Days. There were presentations of "Most Spirited" awards and faculty versus students dodge ball games. The week ended with a pep rally and picnic for all students on Friday, and a Homecoming Dance for students in Grades 9-12 in the Athletic & Performing Arts Center on Saturday. Kyle and his officers are busy planning for other school year activities such as the SGA Holiday Food Drive to benefit needy families in the area, as well as a Winter Formal Dance and spring athletic tournaments. An al...

BERLIN – Worcester Prep junior Hannah Beauchamp was among the semi-finalists selected in the Miss Maryland Teen USA Pageant in Bethesda.  She placed in the top 15 of 61 girls and was awarded a Humanitarian Service Award for her contributions to the homeless in the city of Baltimore. As a semi-finalist, Beauchamp received a $29,600 scholarship to use at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., just west of St. Louis. It was Beauchamp's first time entering the competition, and according to her, “It was a valuable experience for me. I learned a great deal about public speaking, teamwork, posture, presentation, and much more. In addition, I made some wonderful new friends.” She is the daughter of Susan and Barry Beauchamp of Salisbury. 

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur High School has announced its Presidential Service Award recipients. The following are bronze level recipients (100 to 174 hours of volunteer service): Alexandra Birckett, Alexis Martinek, Annie Brown, Ashley Hrebik, Bethany Lam, Bethany Sauter, Brandee Hartz, Colby Bunting, Elizabeth Davidson, Emily Cieri, Erin Jolley, Hallee Carr, Hannah Getchell, Jessica Galuardi, Jessica O'Neill, and Julia Wellen. Also Kasiani Beja, Katelynn Knowles, Katherine Bakke, Katie Blosveren, Kelly Marx, Kelly Sullivan, Lauren Holloway, Libby Withers, Lydia Logan, Madelyn Beebe, Madi Mitrecic, Maura Smith, Paige Torpey, Phoenix Peoples, Rachel Mulholland, Rachel Thompson, Sara Prengaman, Sarah Kirstein, Shannon McGarry, Tristan Peeples, Zack Keiser, Matthew James, and Austin McIntosh. The following are silver level recipients (175 to 249 hours of volunteer service): Adam Savage, Caryn Swistak, E.J. Gwin, Jonathan Hastings, Katie Reyes, Madison Lathbury, Phillip John Lambr...

BERLIN – Representatives from Worcester Preparatory School's Worcester Volunteers teamed up with Shine NOW youth committee to sponsor a children's book drive for a local Title One school in Worcester County.  Shine NOW is an acronym for Students Helping In Neighborhoods Everywhere NOW and that is exactly what this group has set out to do. During the weeks of Oct. 4 through 15, homeroom teachers at Worcester Prep collected gently-used hardcover and paperback books for children from pre-school to fifth grade, raising over 2,800 books. The homeroom that collected the most books after the two weeks was rewarded with a doughnut party. Mrs. Amanda Lynch's fourth grade class was the over-all winner raising over 580 books. The books have now been sorted thanks to Worcester Volunteers and Shine NOW members are ready for delivery to Pocomoke Elementary School, Pocomoke Middle School, the Worcester County Women's Correctional Facility, Diakonia Homeless Shelter...