Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007
When the Holton-Arms School lacrosse team found out they would spend their spring break in California playing four West Coast teams, they knew they would need money.
What sprung from their brainstorming took place this weekend: a Powder Puff football game.
‘‘We’re trying to raise as much money as possible,” said Catherine Swanson, a 17-year-old senior from Potomac. ‘‘We don’t really have a goal, we’re just trying to get a lot.”
The games pitted the lacrosse team seniors against the faculty, and also classes against each other. Admission was $10 at the gate, and the team also hosted a raffle and snack stand during the event.
The idea, according to Swanson, was head coach Alivian Jorgensen’s brainchild, and the team ran with it.
‘‘I played football when I was younger,” Swanson said. ‘‘But it hasn’t been a long time.”
Sixteen players are returning to the lacrosse squad from last year, and the team plans to host a cookie dough sale this winter to help with the costs of the trip.
While the original goal of the game was to raise money for the trip, Swanson thinks Powder Puff will stay.
‘‘We hope this can become a tradition at Holton, not just a fundraiser. Maybe this will become something we do every year for school spirit.”
Turkey Chase to benefit one area high school, YMCA
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club’s annual Turkey Chase Race, on Thanksgiving morning, will benefit the Bethesda YMCA, as well as one local high school.
When registering, be sure to name the high school — public or private — you would like to be affiliated with. The school with the most affiliated race registrants wins the $1,000 prize, to be used at the principal’s discretion.
Currently Walter Johnson is leading the way with 144 registrants, while Walt Whitman is nipping at their heels with 124, according to the Rotary Club. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School is a distant third with 45 registrants.
Those interested can register at www.turkeychase.com.
See a high school musical in your own neighborhood
Many schools in the area are hosting their annual school plays and musicals. A few include:
*Walt Whitman High School presents ‘‘Aida,” the musical by Elton John and Tim Rice, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the school, 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda. Tickets for students cost $8, adults $10, reserved $20. Call the box office 301-320-6569.
*Winston Churchill High School students will perform ‘‘Kiss Me Kate” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the school’s auditorium, at 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids 10 and under. To order tickets, visit the school’s website at www.mcps.k12.md.us⁄schools⁄churchillhs. For more information, e-mail wchstix@yahoo.com.
*Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School will present ‘‘Beauty and the Beast” as its annual fall musical. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2. Tickets range from $5 to $15, and can be purchased at the school’s box office by calling (240) 497-6364.
For young Beauty and the Beast fans, there will be a special tea party with Belle, Mrs. Potts and Chip before each show. Tickets for that event are $5. For more information, contact Sally Kelly at (301) 656-6634 orsalkelly@earthlink.net.
*The Walter Johnson High School STAGE production of ‘‘A Christmas Carol,” hits the stage at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.wjstage.com.
Walter Johnson is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda.
Chinese Americanscholarships offered
The Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans is now accepting applications for its 2007 scholarship awards competition.
The scholarship goal is to foster creativity and cultural learning among Asian American students in the region.
Each applicant is required to create a work of art that represents their cultural identity, and is made entirely of recycled materials.
Eligible students must be a high school junior or senior enrolled in a Capital-region high school and have Asian or Pacific Islander heritage.
Four prizes will be awarded, with first place receiving $500.
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 2, and all entries must be sent to Elaine Chang-Baxter, Garrett Park Elementary School, 4810 Oxford Rd., Kensington, MD, 20895.
For more information, contact Vivien Yao at (301) 593-1866, or yaopeiwin@yahoo.com.
Holy Child to hostholiday bazaar
Connelly School of the Holy Child will host a holiday bazaar this weekend.
The bazaar includes more than 60 vendors, selling products ranging from clothing and handbags to jewelry and stationary. During the bazaar, the school will also host a bake sale and luncheon café.
The bazaar will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the school, 9029 Bradley Boulevard, Potomac.
Admission is free. For more information visitwww.holychild.org or call 301-365-0955.
Outstanding teachers sought for award
One outstanding Montgomery County Public Schools teacher is being sought for selection as the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher, sponsored by the Washington Post.
The goal of the program is to recognize excellence in teaching, and the award comes with a $3,000 prize.
Parents, staff and students may nominate any full-time, certified teacher of grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Nominated teachers much have a minimum of three years teaching experience in MCPS.
Nomination packets are available at the county’s schools Web site, at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄departments⁄personnel.
For more information, contact Catherine Sweeney at (301) 279-3900.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 19.
Landon seniors receive awards for PSAT scores
Nineteen students at the Landon School in Bethesda have been honored for their high scores on the Preliminary SAT.
The National Merit Scholarship Award Corporation named J Beightol, Justin Donaldson, Charlie Ellison, Brian Kelly, Mike Kelly, Justin McCarthy, Max Marinelli, Ammar Mian, Jon Orthwein, John Perry and John Tiernan Commended Scholars, while five other students were name National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Reed Craig, Jamie Gabriel, Bob Qu, Keith Rubin and Peter Schmidt are eligible for the scholarships, which are announced in the spring of 2008.
Less than one percent of students taking the test become semifinalists for the award.
The College Board also named seniors Michael Picasso and Peter Schmidt National Hispanic Scholars, while Danny Macleod was named an honorable mention for the same award.
Francophone Festival comes to Montgomery County
Allons, enfants! French teachers from Montgomery County Public Schools are holding the county’s first Francophone Festival for students 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaithersburg High School, 314 S. Frederick Ave.
Events include a costume contest featuring characters from the Asterix comics, dramatic arts presentations, a film festival, traditional African storytelling, poetry slams, sports contests, art workshops, cooking demonstrations, and contests about trivia related to 55 Francophone countries and cultures. To register, contact your high school French teacher.
Moola Madness comingto Quince Orchard
Quince Orchard High School Booster Club is hosting Moola Madness, a bovine-based fundraiser that’s sure to be udderly unforgettable.
Community members have until Friday to purchase a one-square-yard plot of the school’s football field. On Sunday, the school will set a cow loose on the field to ‘‘relieve” itself. If the cow chooses your square-yard, you can win up to $1,000.
All proceeds go to support the Quince Orchard after-prom party. To volunteer for the event, contact Cindy Kuhn at 301-330-0748. To access the official order form, visit www.qohs.org⁄orgs⁄booster-club.
This column is for you and your school community. Share your School Notes about students, teachers and anyone associated with your school. Feel free to send press releases and news tips. Contact Bradford Pearson via e-mail at bpearson@gazette.net, phone at 301-280-3003, fax at 301-670-7183, or snail mail at 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.
