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Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Jarrell a semifinalist
Tori Jarrell, a student at Gray Stone Day School from Gold Hill, has been selected as a semifinalist in the 20th anniversary class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities.
Jarrell ranks with approximately 2,000 high school seniors who are in the running for $3 million in college scholarships that the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award this spring. Students were selected to advance to this phase based on the level of academic excellence, leadership and achievement demonstrated in school and community activities.
As semifinalists, students must submit additional information that will be reviewed in February by a committee of 30 educators from high schools and universities throughout the United States. If she advances, Jarrell will be among a total of 250 finalists who will travel to Atlanta to attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend. During their visit, they will attend a final interview process to determine whether they are designated a National or Regional Scholar. The 50 National Scholars will receive a $20,000 scholarship award, while 200 Regional Scholars will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
Cleveland winners
Cleveland Elementary School recently selected winners in this year’s PTA Reflections contest on the theme “I can make a difference…”
First-place winners are Peyton Nance, writing; Emily Brown, visual arts; and Reese Webb, photography.
Honorable mentions went to Brooke Suddeth and Madison Coalson for writing and Andie Myers and Ashley Day for visual arts.
Woodleaf citizens
Woodleaf Elementary School recently recognized the following students as January Good Citizens:
Kindergarten: Kelley Walton, Thomas Barber, Taylor Parks, Faith Kiger, Caleb Bintliff, Jesus Bermudez, William Wood and Jillian Day-Ingrahm.
First grade: Katelyn Foster, Daniel Livengood, Tyler Floyd, Steven Walton, Elizabeth Long, Isabella Connolly and Savannah Peoples.
Second grade: Zachary Owen, Ayanna Kerns, Breanna Parker, Oscar Bautista, Logan McLaughlin, Enrique Dominguez, Gisselle Anaya, Terrell Brower and Brittney Rackett.
Third grade: Elijah Brown, Angely Castro, Stephen Ketchie, Ashton White, Nevada Parker and Slade Counts.
Fourth grade: Joshua Lindsey, Hanna Melchor, Jasmine Shaver, Shelby Pelmear, Joseph Ketchie, Cody Williams, Jada Jones, Stephanie Ketchie and Justin Wetmore.
Fifth grade: Marissa Yow, Alissa Ray, Luke Dutton, Kristen Estepp, Megan Yates, Caleb Anderson, Kevona Williams and Cameron Rhodes.
Furman dean’s list
Two local students have been named to the fall semester dean’s list at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., for earning a 3.4 or higher grade-point average.
They are Kerianne Springer of China Grove and Katharine Doran of Salisbury.
Bright Ideas grant
Lead teacher Lynn Plummer II and team members Dana Dry, Frances Justus and Heather Lankford have received a $2,000 Bright Ideas grant from Union Power Cooperative.
The four are using the award to fund their project “Anchors Ahoy! Sink or Float?” with kindergarten students at Shive Elementary School.
According to the project description, “Kindergarteners of low- to middle-class students test the buoyancy of small objects. With no prior knowledge, exposure or experience to habitual and mundane activities, this grant will enhance their fine motor skills and teach them to make a solid and reasoned hypothesis of what objects will sink or float. They will gather information and graph their findings.”
The Bright Ideas program, sponsored by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, strives to improve education in North Carolina classrooms by awarding grants to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects in grades kindergarten-12 that would not otherwise be funded.
Judges across the state reviewed more than 1,600 grant applications in awarding $20,000 to current projects.
Visiting scholar
MISENHEIMER ó Dr. Tania Mitchell, service-learning director for the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity at Stanford University, will facilitate a variety of educational and informational presentations and discussions with themes in service-learning and community service work Feb. 11 at Pfeiffer University.
The free interactive workshop and open discussion is scheduled 5-7 p.m. in the Stokes Dining Hall Conference Room. Reservations are required.
Mitchell helps Stanford faculty develop service-learning courses and works with students to facilitate opportunities for community and public service that link to their academic goals.
She previously was assistant professor and coordinator for Service Learning Leadership at California State University in Monterey Bay. She has more than 10 years experience in the service-learning field, a master’s in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Massachusetts in student development services and social justice education.
For information or reservations, email benjamin.haywood@pfeiffer.edu or call 704-463-3440.