New assistant dean hails from Laurel area

‘‘Since ours is the largest program in the state for bachelor degree nurses, my challenge will be to insure a consistent flow of graduating nurses into the state’s work force during a time of critical nursing shortages,” McLeskey said in an e-mail.

McLeskey has been a faculty member for eight years. She has been a professor in the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. She was also previously an assistant dean for research.

She holds a PhD from Georgetown University and degrees from George Mason and Duke universities, holds positions in other organizations, such as an affiliate at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center and a secondary appointment in the Department of Pathology. She was also once an assistant professor for Georgetown University’s School of Nursing.

Laurel couple’s soncompletes airman training

The son of a Laurel couple has just graduated his basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Brandon E. White, the son of Rodney and Myra White of Arden Way in Laurel, completed the six-week training. White is a 2007 graduate of High Point High School in Beltsville.

During his training, White studied Air Force mission, organizational structure and customs. He also performed drill and ceremony marches and participated in physical training. He studied rifle marksmanship and special human relations studies. White has also earned credits toward an associate degree at the Community College of the Air Force.

Hammond Elementary seeks coordinator

Are you a Hammond Elementary School parent with some extra time on your hands? The school is seeking a coordinator for a new back-to-school supplies service it is planning to offer to students’ parents in the fall.

Many parents had suggested in the 2007 PTA survey that a service providing boxed and ready-to-go school supplies would be much appreciated. The school has found a company that can do this but a volunteer coordinator is needed to make it happen.

Much of the work could be done from the coordinator’s home via e-mail. This person would be responsible for the distribution of flyers, collecting order forms and sending the information to the company. The company then sends the kits, with each child’s name printed on the side of his or her box, to the school. If you are interested in the position, contact Nina Tiller at tiller4@comcast.net.

Forest Ridge students rewarded for good behavior

Several students at Forest Ridge Elementary School in North Laurel received prizes for their behavior at school.

The awards are part of Positive Behavior Intervention Support, an ongoing, national discipline program that rewards four qualities in Forest Ridge Elementary School students: focus, respect, effort and safety.

Erika Goodwin won an award for respect and effort; Chase Pisone won for focus; Jenna Rhea won for focus, respect and effort; Kareem Jad won for effort; Darnell Fields won for focus, respect and effort; and Chris Hefty won for effort and safety.

‘‘This is a program that began at the ... University of Oregon and some professors brought it eastward,” said Forest Ridge Principal Allen Olchowski. ‘‘A number of ... Howard County schools have implemented it. It expects a school ... to come up with very simple codes of conduct that the whole school will be expected to comply with.”

The four codes were picked in part because they formed an acronym that matched the initials of Forest Ridge: FRES.

Those who exhibit these qualities receive Eagle Eggs rewards, two egg-shaped papers bearing the recipient’s name and the name of the award. The child takes one home, and the other, gets hung on the wall at school.

‘‘For a little extra added incentive I go in early Friday mornings before any of the kids get in and I pick six names from the wall,” Olchowski said. Later in the day, ‘‘their names are called and we have a very fancy pencil and a book that they get as a prize.”

Residents make St. Mary’s College dean’s List

Multiple Laurel natives were named to the Dean’s List at St. Mary’s College in St. Mary’s City, Md.

The students were honored for their academic achievements during the Fall 2007 semester. Students who made the list had to earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better and take 12 or more credits.

Laurel natives who made they list are: Jay Daniel Benedetti, Lisa Michelle Daciek, Rebecca Catherine Kaisler, Kristina Marie Schiller, Alexandra Marie Scott and Bethany Anne Wetherill.

The six Laurel students join 26 other Prince George’s County residents who also made the school’s Dean’s List.

Women’s club seeksscholarship applicants

The University Park Woman’s Club has offered scholarships to graduating students for many years.

The Doris McPhee Memorial Scholarship is available to graduating students from Northwestern High School who have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

The University Park Woman’s Club Scholarship is open to all students who are University Park residents.

Children and grandchildren of Women’s Club members who don’t live in University Park also may apply for the scholarship. Both scholarships are for $1,000. You may get an application at the University Park Town Hall. Applications are due no later than March 29.