Learning briefs 12/17

Central student named to All-State Band

Central High School student Meredith Toole has been selected to the Missouri All-State Band. Earlier this month, nearly 1,000 students from across the state met at Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo., to audition for the all-state band.

Of that group, only 108 were accepted. The band will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference in January at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Lake of the Ozarks.

Lutes wins award for original lesson plan

Scott City High School teacher Donna Lutes recently received recognition for submitting a teaching idea to SuccessLink, a grant program affiliated with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Lutes received a $100 award for her lesson plan titled "Let's Take a Vacation."

Entries sought for wildlife refuge essay contest

Area students are invited to participate in the National Wildlife Refuge System's Centennial Essay Contest.

Students age six to 18 may choose from the following questions:

What would I want our national wildlife refuges to be like in 2103?

Why do I believe the National Wildlife Refuge Center is important?

What does Mingo Wildlife Refuge mean to me?

The deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 15. Entries may be hand-delivered or mailed to the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Puxico, Mo.

For more information, contact the wildlife refuge visitor's center at (573) 222-3589.

Notre Dame student gets Exchange Club honor

Lisa Roe was recently named Exchange Club Student of the Month for December at Notre Dame Regional High School.

Roe is involved in FBLA, National Honor Society, Student Council, Student Leadership Academy, FCCLA, Girl Scouts, Spirit Club, the spring musical and the high school dance team.

She is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau.

Oratorical contest deadline announced

The Jackson Optimist Club and the Noon Optimists of Jackson are sponsoring the 2002-2003 Optimist Oratorical Contest.

Participants age 15 years and younger will have an opportunity to compete for college scholarships and express their views of this year's theme: United We Stand in Optimism.

Applications for the contest are due Feb. 1.

For more information, contact Carol Horst at 243-7916.

McGill to graduate from Kansas State

James William McGill of Cape Girardeau is among 1,420 candidates for December graduation at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. McGill will receive his doctorate degree in philosophy.

Warhurst promoted, earns award at military academy

MEXICO, Mo. -- Cadet Tyler Warhurst, grandson of June Elizabeth Mayh and the late J. Ralph Mayh of Cape Girardeau, recently was awarded the Academic Fourragere for superior scholastic achievement at the Missouri Military Academy Junior School.

In addition, Warhurst was promoted to Sergeant First Class.

At MMA, young men in grades four through 12 participate in a college-preparatory, structured curriculum that consistently sends 90 percent of graduates on to colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world.

Central teachers attend engineering conference

Central High School teachers Bonnie Strack and Kathy Wright recently took part an engineering conference at the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Strack and Wright were among 21 high school teachers and counselors from Missouri to attend the conference, which allowed them to learn more about engineering education and various careers associated with engineering.

-- From staff reports