Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

School Notes: Feb. 3

APEX MIDDLE

The following students participated in the Apex Middle School Geography Bee on Jan. 12: Eighth- graders Monica Rizk, Aubrey Burgess, David McGowan; seventh-graders Lev Fershteyn, Bailey Laberteaux, Riley Sassaman; and sixth-graders Kendra Klemann, Madisyn Butler and Jack Morin. Riley Sassaman was the school winner. He will now take a placement test to see if he qualifies for the state competition. Jack Morin finished second and David McGowan finished third.

CARY ACADEMY

Max Gowan, Andrew Hamrick and Daniel Sheitman were selected to the 2010 All-Region Jazz Band. Andy Cooper was selected to the 2010 All-District Band.

The school collected about 700 pairs of shoes for Haitian relief at a recent basketball game. Cary Academy Head Basketball Coach Kenny Inge, along with Durham Academy Head Basketball Coach Tim McKenna, coached shoeless in their Jan. 22 matchup. Cary Academy's participation was spurred by students Jimmy Joyner, Paul Vandergrift and Cameron Walton. Admission to the game was a pair of shoes or a donation.

Five Cary Academy orchestra string students traveled to Wilmington for the annual All-State audition.

All five made the orchestra and will play in a festival at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham this month. The All-State Orchestra selections are: Thomas Kweon, second place in first violin section string orchestra; Emily Aarons, third place in second violin section string orchestra; Jacob Warwick, 18th place in viola section symphony orchestra; Matt Lee, 10th place in cello section symphony orchestra; and Joe Schlam, second place in bass section symphony orchestra.

DAVIS DRIVE MIDDLE

Davis Drive Middle School Junior Beta Club/JBC had its Induction ceremony on Dec. 14. Caity Caggia, an eighth grader, is the JBC president.

JBC activities this year include: Big Litter Sweep, UNICEF and Project My Pal, held in December, through which more than 600 new and gently used stuffed animals were collected and donated to police, fire and ambulance workers to comfort young children in an emergency.

EAST CARY MIDDLE

East Cary Middle School will host group tours of the East Cary campus at 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, and again on Feb. 11 and 18.

Call 919-466-4377 to reserve space.

FUQUAY-VARINA HIGH

Eight Fuquay-Varina High School band members earned seats in the Central All-District bands.

They will be among those presenting a concert at Sanderson High School in Raleigh at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Grade 9-12 Symphonic Band: Brandon Willis, 4th chair bass clarinet, and Erin Shumaker, 12th chair clarinet.

Grade 11-12 Wind Ensemble: Emily Guy, 1st chair trombone; Samantha Barnes, 2nd chair flute; Tarah Cartee, 4th chair clarinet; and Shannon Baksa, 6th chair trombone.

Grade 9-10 Wind Ensemble: Michael McNeill, 3rd chair trombone, and Paul Kenney, 6th chair horn.

Samantha Barnes, Tarah Cartee, Emily Guy and Michael McNeill also earned the privilege of auditioning for the N.C. All-State Honor Bands in March.

LUCY DANIELS CENTER

Open houses for the Child Enrichment Preschool Program at the Lucy Daniels Center will take place Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The open houses will give parents a chance to meet staff and learn more about the morning preschool program for 3 and 4-year-olds. The program lasts 11 months and features a secular, individualized curriculum. Parents can call 919-677-1400 to RSVP for one of the sessions or to schedule a personal tour. More information is available on the center and its programs at www.lucydanielscenter.org.

PENNY ROAD ELEMENTARY

Penny Road Elementary students are donating change to the 'Coins for Caring' campaign which will continue through the first part of February. All proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross for earthquake victims in Haiti.

SALEM ELEMENTARY

The Salem Elementary School Science Fair was held Jan. 21.

First place overall went to fifth grader Mridu Nanda for her project titled "Effect of CO2 on Seed Germination." Second place overall was won by second-grader Zachary Froning for "Electromagnet Coils" and third place went to third grader Matthew Rice for his "Soda Clock."