North San Diego County Times School News Briefs: PUSD creates Fire Victims' Relief Fund

By: North County Times | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:09 AM PST ∞

POWAY -- The Poway Unified School District has established the PUSD Fire Victims' Relief Fund and is working in collaboration with the Palomar Council PTA to assist staff members, students and families affected by the recent wildfires.

The fund was created to accept general and specific money donations. Make checks payable to: PUSD Fire Victims' Relief Fund. Donors may designate that funds be directed to assist staff members, students and families at a particular site. Mail checks to: PUSD, Attention: M.J. Stollfuss, Accounting Department, 13626 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, CA 92064-3034.

Pantomime Workshop scheduled

CARLSBAD -- A Pantomime Workshop will be offered as part of the CAPE Arts Integrated Education Workshop Series from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. Nov. 26 at Calavera Hills Elementary School, 4100 Tamarack Ave.

Open to Carlsbad Unified School District teachers at no cost and with a $20 donation requested from all others, the workshop will teach the importance of and techniques involved in mime today. Topics will include an introduction to mime and mime technique; and exploration of the history and vocabulary of mime, including Marcel Marceau's contribution to modern mime. Participants will explore and perform their own curriculum lesson plans by using the pantomime language vocabulary.

The class will be taught by Abel Silvas, an American Indian storyteller, who tours with a one-man show based on California history.

To reserve a spot, call the Carlsbad Arts Partnership at (760) 434-6216 or go to http://www.carlsbadartspartnership.org.

College funding is workshop topic

ENCINITAS -- Kathleen Johnson, a certified college planning specialist with National College Funding Strategies Inc. and author of "The Parents' Guide to Financial Aid and College Funding," will hold a college funding workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Room 413 at La Costa Canyon High School, 3451 Camino de los Coches.

Offered through the San Dieguito Union High School District's Adult Education program, the session is part of a series of workshops designed to teach parents how to maximize financial aid for college, no matter how much income they make or how good of a student they have. Participants will learn about new legislation that has changed college financial aid methodology, and learn how it may be cheaper for a student to attend a private university rather than a state school. The workshop also will teach the methodology used in the college financial aid formula and offer tools and strategies to increase the odds for obtaining financial aid.

Reservations are required. To R.S.V.P. and for more information, go to http://www.sdadulted.com of call (760) 753-7073, Ext. 5103.

Local residents enter college

NORTH COUNTY -- The following local residents entered college this fall: Ellen Morris of Carlsbad, who is enrolled at Colby College in Waterville, Maine; Kelsey Johnson and Tyler Maag of Carlsbad, who are enrolled at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.J.; and Caitlin Payne of Encinitas, who is enrolled at Tufts University in Medford/Somerville, Mass.

Army and Navy Academy receives donation

CARLSBAD -- Winning Technologies, a nationwide information technology consulting firm headquartered in O'Fallon, Mo., recently announced that it is contributing $140,000 in products and services to the Army and Navy Academy. The donation is for $70,000 per year over a two-year period for 2007 and 2008.

The school is the only military boarding facility in California and provides an environment that teaches self-discipline, teamwork and leadership for young men from seventh through 12th grade. The mission of the school, founded in 1910, is to develop young men of good character. Winning Technologies employs professionals who are experts in information technology, Web hosting, co-location and telecommunications. It serves the construction, health care, hospitality and other industries.

Oceanside resident earns scholarship

OCEANSIDE -- Alyssa Whaley of Oceanside recently won a SolvayCARES cystic fibrosis scholarship for 2007-08 from Solvay Pharmaceuticals. The company awarded 100 scholarships to students with cystic fibrosis. Winners will receive a scholarship for two years of higher education study. Since the inception of its scholarship program, the company has awarded 400 scholarships totaling more than $1.5 million.

OHS Foundation to help with reunions

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside High School Foundation invites the classes of 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988 and 1998 to start planning their high school reunions with the foundation and homecoming week 2008 in mind.

The foundation suggests that the classes consider moving their reunions to October to unite with OHS Homecoming and Foundation activities. The foundation also suggested that alumni nominate members of their class for the OHS Hall of Fame to enhance reunions. Although the 2008 homecoming date has not yet been set, it will take place in October. Information will be posted on the Web site at http://www.ohsfoundation.org or call (760) 722-8201, Ext 5069.

Army and Navy cadets attend symposium

CARLSBAD -- Four seniors and JROTC students at the Army and Navy Academy recently attended the third annual George C. Marshall Junior ROTC Leadership Symposium on the campuses of Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va.

They are cadets Arden Tran, Alexander Mui, Ron Ruangtragool and Cody Zoschak. They were selected based on how well they performed during an online competition earlier this year, when they answered questions about leadership and leadership scenarios. They have all excelled scholastically while being involved in numerous extracurricular activities.

The 144 students participating in symposium activities represented almost 286,000 students enrolled in 1,645 JROTC units throughout the United States and overseas, where U.S. military is stationed.

SPHS Athletic Boosters to meet

ESCONDIDO -- The San Pasqual High School Athletic Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 in the school library. The purpose of the parent volunteer group is to promote the individual growth and development of students through athletics; support the school, coaches and students in all athletic endeavors deemed appropriate; increase understanding between parents, youths and school personnel so they work cooperatively together for their common good; and provide financial and other assistance to insure a well-balanced, outstanding, total athletic program. Money generated by the boosters supports athletic training programs, athletic letter awards, scholar athlete awards and extracurricular programs associated with Eagle sports. For more information, call (760) 739-7300.

EHS Grad Nite tickets on sale

ESCONDIDO -- Tickets are on sale for Grad Nite 2008 at Escondido High School. EHS seniors can purchase tickets at lunch every Thursday and Friday. Tickets cost $90, but will increase to $105 on Jan. 15.

Grad Nite is planned for the evening of May 29 to the morning of May 30.

The event will include food, dancing, live entertainment, palm readers, stylists and other attractions. For updates as the event nears, go to http://www.ehscougars.com/news/gradnite.shtml.

National Merit honors received

RANCHO BERNARDO -- A total of 13 Rancho Bernardo High School students qualified as semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship competition. They are: Steven Abel, Spencer Breidenback, Sean Brennan, Diana Chang, Do II Choi, Andrew Flood, Robert Hadacek, Roscue Huo, Brenda Lin, Jeff Mihalik, Dana Mohammad-Zadeh, Tara Norris and Donghue Shen. Because of their exceptional performance on the 2006 PSAT exams, they will continue in the competition for 8,200 scholarship awards worth more than $33 million to be offered next spring.

The following Rancho Bernardo High students received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation: Nicholas Alford, Divya Bhat, Benjamin Capps, Brian Contratto, Juliana Cooper, Cassidy Curl, Devon Ellis, Jaime Gamblin, Eric Gearhart, Matthew Ingham, Maria Josic, Christopher Kyle, Soojee Lee, Anoop Muniyappa, Ted Sengpaseuth, Peter Steusloff, Natalie Uduwela, Tyler Underwood and Jacqueline Wu.

National Hispanic Scholars named

RANCHO BERNARDO -- Rancho Bernardo High School seniors Brian Contratto and Michelle Haikalis recently were named National Hispanic Scholars based on their 2006 PSAT scores and their academic achievements. The National Hispanic Recognition Program is a College Board program that provides national recognition of the exceptional academic achievements of Latino high school seniors and identifies them for postsecondary institutions.

Escondido resident joins college foundation

Cayla Hall of Escondido recently was selected to serve as one of only 100 members of the Student Foundation at Baylor University. The group builds community-minded leaders by entrusting students with recruiting qualified students, raising scholarship funds, and building goodwill among alumni and students. During the foundation's nearly 40 years on campus, the group has awarded $3,859,000 in scholarship money, helping 5,189 students.

BBB essay contest ongoing

NORTH COUNTY -- Junior and senior high school students are invited to take part in an essay contest, part of the BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics program. Coordinated by the San Diego Better Business Bureau and College Loan Corp., the program also honors companies and nonprofit organizations for demonstrating ethical business practices. The topic of the 400-word essay is the importance of marketplace ethics and integrity in the community.

Five scholarship awards of $1,500, $1,250, $1,000, $750 and $500 will be distributed to essay winners. Last year's scholarship recipients were from Tri-City Christian School in Vista, Poway High School, San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas, Escondido Charter High School and Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos.

Essays should include viewpoints and examples, including how marketplace ethics involves integrity, honesty and civility in the community. An independent panel of judges will evaluate the essays based on: readability and clarity (10 points); relevance to the theme (five points); and spelling and grammar (five points.) Essays can be e-mailed to leldridge@sandiego.bbb.org, or faxed to (619) 283-1327. At the 2007 Torch Awards presentation luncheon on Dec. 4, cash scholarships will be presented to students.

Complete essay and scholarship information is available at http://www.bbb.org. On the Web site, click on Events, BBB Torch Award and Scholarship Opportunities.

USD plans education open house

SAN DIEGO -- High school students considering careers in education and their parents are invited to a School of Education Open House at the University of San Diego from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 27 in Mother Rosalie's Hall, Room 122B at USD. Participants will learn about undergraduate and graduate education programs at the university, meet with faculty and other staff members, and tour the school's new, state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot School of Leadership and Education Services building. To reserve a spot, call (619) 260-7988 or go to http://www.sandiego.edu/soles/information session.

SAR holds essay contest

High school students in their sophomore, junior or senior year are invited to enter the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution's George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest.

Sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the SAR, the contest is open to students attending public, parochial, private or accredited home schools in San Diego County. The contest is designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore events that shaped American History.

The local winner will be awarded $150, and submitted for state level consideration. Second- and third-place prizes also will be awarded at the local level. The state winner will be awarded $500 and move on to the national contest. A $2,000 first-place prize and certificate, as well as second- and third-place prizes will be awarded at the national level.

The national winning essay will be submitted to the SAR Magazine for publication, and air fare and a one-night hotel stay will be provided for the winner and a chaperone to attend the annual SAR Congress in July in Sacramento.

Original essay entries will be written in English on a topic relating to an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence or framing of the U.S. Constitution. Contest entries must be a minimum of 800 words and not to exceed 1,000 words, excluding title page and bibliography. The essay must be typed double-spaced using a computer or typewriter. All entries will be judged for historical accuracy, clarity of thought, organization, proven topic, grammar, spelling and documentation.

The deadline for entries is Dec. 31. Entries postmarked after that date will not be accepted. Rules and more information about the contest can be obtained at http://www.sandiegosar.info or by e-mailing KnightEssay@sbcglobal.net.

Residents reach out to local school

FALLBROOK -- The residents of Country Gardens, a dementia/Alzheimer's facility located on Hillcrest Lane, have been busy helping others celebrate Halloween and get ready for the holidays. Recently, they made candy bags and necklaces and donated them to a local elementary school to help brighten their special day. They also made pumpkin muffins for firefighters and police officers.

Presently, the residents are practicing Christmas carols for a program for their families and a group of children.

Homeowner Barbara Zinner said volunteers are welcome to assist with programs for the residents. Information: (760) 742-3111.

Book fair begins Nov. 26

FALLBROOK -- William H. Frazier School is partnering with Barnes & Noble bookstore in Temecula for a fundraiser taking place between 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 26 through 29. Teachers will be doing story time, and children shopping with their parents will have a percentage of purchases go to William H. Frazier School to buy a new book for the library. For information, call (760) 723-6770.