School's in session for Frederick duo

The couple, who has lived in Ballenger Creek for seven years, spent just over a week in the Northwest Territories as part of "On Eagle's Wings," an ecumenical Christian ministry that sponsors a summer Bible school for native people in small, isolated villages.

Three years ago, the Baggetts heard about the program at the Evangelical Lutheran Church on East Church Street. In 2007, they made their first trip together to Fort Liard, a village of about 300 people in the far southwest of the Northwest Territories.

There, living in trailers, they taught 30 Acho Dene children, from a tribe of Canada's "First Nations Peoples," akin to the North American term of Native American, that struggle with poverty, alcoholism and drug abuse.

"The community was very warm and welcoming," Jack Baggett, 45, said. "And the kids were fantastic. We wanted to go back again."

So when the opportunity came up this year, Jack planned to go solo, as the &#e6;1,500 per person price tag was a bit restrictive for them both to return.

But the Baggetts' church decided to sponsor their return to Canada to continue their volunteerism.

From July 18 to 27, they lived in the town of Inuvik, made famous by the Discovery Channel's television show "Ice Road Truckers." With a population just over 3,000, they had access to a grocery store, and even a Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken. But they also had to deal with 24 hours of sunlight and a classroom of 50 children on a daily basis.

"Local moms helped us out in the classroom and it was a lot of fun," Jack Baggett said. "We did a lot of crafts, a play and a puppet show. The kids are just incredible."

Heidi Baggett said the trip was very fulfilling for her and Jack, being able to take time off of their jobs in Fairfax County, Va. to help. Heidi is an administrative assistant and Jack is an urban forester.

"It makes me not only humble, but also appreciate what we have," Heidi Baggett, 46, said. "÷The kids just love it and we are awestruck each time. It is a lot of work, but well worth it."

For more information regarding "On Eagle's Wings," visit www.oneagleswings.org.

PAL Track Team

places first

Congratulations to the members of the Frederick Police Department's Police Activities League (PAL) Track Team, which won first place in the Maryland PAL Track and Field Championships.

This is the second year in a row the Frederick team has won the statewide honor. More than 25 youth from 23 PAL Centers across Maryland competed in a track meet on July 30 at Catonsville High School in Baltimore County.

The Frederick team, comprised of young people ages 7 to 15, participated in 10 events: 50, 100, 200, and 400 yard dashes, 4 x 100 relay, tug of war, running long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, and football throw.

The members of this year's team are: Geena Bracewell, Gerlyn Bracewell, Edward Bryant, Zachary Bryant, Shablis Curley, Shantel Disney, Paulrell Dudley, Nicholas Gennes, Ivan Estep-Helms, Anaya Helms, Tajdana Hollenbeck, Wanda Hollenbeck, Zaquieona Hollenbeck, Larryl Jackson, Naomiee Kirby, Cyndra Mappy, Fantasia McKnight, Kendle Pitts, Brittany Robinson, Deyana Sewell, Isiah Thompson and Kenya Tuck.

"These kids [worked] very hard to train for this event," Michele Bowman, community outreach coordinator for Frederick police, said. "We are very proud of them for taking first place in the state but more importantly for their team work and support of their fellow team mates and for the other teams that participated."

Formed in 1999, the Police Activities League (PAL) is a recreation-oriented juvenile crime prevention program that relies on a variety of activities to create positive bonds between city police and youth.

Degrees awarded

to city students

Garner, Pecora, Spencer and Stone all graduated with honors.

Do you have an item for City Beat? Contact reporter Keith L. Martin at 301-846-2134, e-mail kmartin@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.