Hanford-Dole has first book club of year

The first grade students at Hanford-Dole Elementary enjoyed the first book club of the year in the school’s Media Center.

Karen Alexander, a local architect, Salisbury city councilwoman, and Communities in Schools board member, read “Apples and Pumpkins.” While reading the book, she asked the students critical level thinking questions to give them an opportunity to really process the reading material.

Alexander also shared how important reading was to her in her business with the students and gave each student and teacher a North Carolina-grown apple.

Hanford-Dole’s book club is sponsored by grants from Target stores, Schneider Electric and also Communities in Schools-Rowan. Fran Simpson, site coordinator, did a parent presentation on reading and writing as a follow up on the book.

Southern States and John Deere scholarships

For more than 11 years, Southern States Cooperative has partnered with John Deere Financial to provide competitive financing programs for Southern States customers.

In 2013, the two companies established a scholarship fund available to rising college sophomores pursuing an associate’s degree focused on agriculture. Applications for the 2015 academic year will be accepted from Nov. 3 through Feb. 13, 2015.

Up to five scholarships in the amount of $2,000 are awarded annually to students who demonstrate academic excellence, strong individual character and significant personal involvement in agriculture. Following the completion of the academic year, scholarship recipients will also receive a paid summer internship at a Southern States retail or agronomy location.

For more information about the Southern States and John Deere Financial Scholarship Program, including requirements and application forms, visit www.southernstates.com/scholarship or contact organizers through email at scholarship@sscoop.com.

In addition to the Southern States and John Deere scholarships, Southern States continues to fund a traditional four-year scholarship program through 12 land-grant universities in the Southern States territory. 

Visit the Southern States scholarship information page at southernstates.com/community/sponsorships.

Catawba IT department displays creativity

The Catawba College information technology department had some fun creating Pumpkina and Li’l Squash, which are decorated with computer and technology parts.

Project Read to Succeed

Kindergarten through fourth graders can enroll in Project Read to Succeed, which will take place every Tuesday in November.

Classes will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

The classes will take place at Project Cover, 123 E. B Ave. in Salisbury, and At the Cross Ministries, 1915-1917 W. Innes St. Suite 103 in Salisbury.

Space is limited. To register, volunteer or to obtain more information call 704-433-9832 or 704-640-7992.

Sacred Heart dedicates flagpole park

Plans for Sacred Heart Catholic School originally included a flagpole park, but the project had to be cut to fit within the budget.

Since then, it’s been a dream of the school’s teachers, staff and students to make the park a reality.

On Oct. 23, Sacred Heart Catholic School dedicated its brand new flag park, which flies the American, North Carolina and Vatican City State flags.

Parents, parishioners and local law enforcement and fire department leaders attended the event, which was filled with patriotism and presentations.