By Sherry Greenfield

Staff WriterCongratulations to this year’s Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year, Melanie Ware.

Ware, a teacher at Thurmont Middle School, was one of eight teachers nominated by parents, staff and students.

The finalists included Curtis Howser, Catoctin High School; Charlene Rippeon, Emmitsburg Elementary; Christina McKeever, Lewistown Elementary; Elizabeth Vines, Mother Seton School; Pamela Ellenberg, Sabillasville Elementary; John Ridenour, Thurmont Elementary; and Heather Hommey, Thurmont Primary.

The teachers were honored at the Thurmont Lions Club’s annual Education Night on May 9.

Scholarships were also presented to three Catoctin High School seniors — Daniel Pacazo, Lindsay Willhide and Kaleigh Sarber. The three students excelled in academic achievement and are active in school and the community.

Ashley Smith, a 2011 Catoctin High School graduate, received the a four-year Lion Victor Jagow scholarship.

Thurmont Middle School Leo of the Year was Labella Kreiner. Students Austin Frashour and Bubba Williams both received the Catoctin High School Leo of the Year award. These students participated in several service projects.

Also, Kelly Kaas, an eighth-grade student at Thurmont Middle School, was presented with the Jr. Lions award. Hannah Stone, a senior at Catoctin High School, received the Lion award. Kelly completed 188.5 hours of community service and Hannah finished with 946 hours.

Winners in the Children Know Peace poster contest were Mother Seton School students Bobby Laudani and Kimberlee Ahlers. From Thurmont Middle School, winners included Katelyn Mills and Justin Peters.

Essay contest winners include Daniel Myers, a senior at Catoctin High School, and Noah Barth, a fifth-grade student at Thurmont Elementary School.