Catawba’s head athletic trainer honored

Robert Casmus, head athletic trainer at Catawba College, was inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Hall of Fame in May. The induction was held during the association’s annual business meeting and symposium in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and recognized Casmus for his “exceptional and unique contributions to the athletic training profession.”

Casmus has been head athletic trainer at Catawba College since July 1990.  He is a nationally certified athletic trainer through the Board of Certification in Omaha, Nebraska, a licensed athletic trainer in North Carolina, and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association. He currently serves on the NCAA Committee for Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and has been a member of the Board of Certification Examination Development Committee since 1996.

Casmus earned his undergraduate degree in health education from Temple University in Philadelphia and his graduate degree in exercise and sport sciences from the University of Arizona in Tucson. After moving to North Carolina, Casmus was head athletic trainer for five years at Chowan College in Murfreesboro before moving to Catawba College to become head athletic trainer.

He and his wife, the former Teresa Moore, live in Salisbury and are parents of son Will.

 

South Rowan JROTC Cadet awarded Army scholarship

Graduating senior Dylan Briggs was recently honored at the South Rowan Senior Awards Night with a U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship totaling nearly $35,000.

Briggs is a captain in the South Rowan JROTC Academy and the program’s intelligence officer.

He is ranked in the top 10 percent of his class and possesses a grade point average greater than 4.35. He is also active in the JROTC Rifle Team.

“He is an outstanding young man. He has maximized the opportunities presented by South Rowan and has fully prepared himself for life after high school. The instructors here at South are all very proud of Mr. Briggs, and will speak of him for many years to come as an excellent example of what is possible for those who put in the effort,” said Senior Army Instructor Maj. Bill Lowe (Retired).

Briggs is the son of David Briggs and grandson of Bruce and Sandy Briggs. He intends to study parks and recreation at Appalachian State University, and follow in duty with the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.

 

Sacred Heart Catholic School’s Beta Club helps with early literacy

Sacred Heart Catholic School’s Beta Club conducted a gently used book drive recently at their school to assist early literacy efforts in the community through the Reach Out and Read program located at five medical practices in the county.

Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that pairs up with pediatricians and family practices to give new books out to children ages 4 months through 5 years during their well-child checkups and also educates families on the importance of how reading aloud to children is essential to early literacy and child development. So far this year, more than 6,000 children have received a new book through the program.

Gently used books are placed in the waiting areas of these practices to encourage a literacy-rich environment and many often go home with children who have few books at home.

“Sacred Heart’s Beta Club did an outstanding book drive two years ago that essentially filled our waiting rooms for all of our practices we work with and gave me enough to replace worn books when needed.  These books truly make a difference in the lives of children and it fills a great need in our community.  It warms my heart to see a child get a book from the book area and climb into their caregiver’s lap to share,” said Lisa Edwards, Rowan County’s Reach Out and Read coordinator.

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based program provided by Smart Start Rowan and the Rowan County United Way.

 

Grace Evangelical Church awards scholarships

High school and college graduates were recognized June 7 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, and three high school graduates were awarded scholarships valued at $1,000 each.

The following students were awarded scholarships:

Aaron Lippard, a student at Jesse C. Carson High School, will attend North Carolina State University and study mechanical engineering. He is the son of son of Lynn and Angela Lippard.

Rachael Moore, also a student at Carson, will attend Appalachian State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is the daughter of daughter of Shannon Moore and David Moore.

Audra Benson, daughter of Scottie and Bonnie Benson, will attend Clemson University to begin her educational goal of a doctorate in pediatric physical therapy. Benson will graduate from West Rowan High School.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must be a member of Grace Lutheran Church, a first-year college student, participate in the worship, fellowship and programs of the congregation and have tuition expense. The scholarship fund grows through member donations and fundraisers.

 

Free Critical Thinking Camp for Crosby Scholars 

Rising ninth through 12th grade Crosby Scholars students are invited to attend a free weeklong Critical Thinking Camp.

This fun camp will focus on two sessions while challenging students to design and execute their own solutions to problem solving. Using a series of fun puzzles and activities, students will re-train their brain to apply new concepts to learning.

Applying the Paideia Instructional Approach will enable students to deepen their critical thinking concepts.

The camp will be held at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Building No. 400 June 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  A free lunch will be provided daily.

Space is limited.  Students must register through their student portals.  Call the Crosby Scholars office at 704-762-3512 with any questions.

 

Ralph Ketner visits Gray Stone

Ralph Ketner, founder of Food Lion grocery stores, recently visited Gray Stone Day School to present a seminar on entrepreneurship to students from the school’s Personal Finance and Foundations of America classes.

“His speech was very entertaining as well as informative,” said Connor Rokos, a student at Gray Stone. “He tells wonderful stories about his life.”

Ketner talked about the early years of his grocery business and needing to come up with a new idea in order to be successful. Being the first to do so, he realized that if he lowered his prices, it would help the consumer as well as his stores with the volume of sales.

He told the students that they needed to be willing to take a risk in order to be successful and that they needed to try to find ways to solve problems to make things better.

“We are so fortunate to have had Mr. Ketner come share his knowledge and experience with our students. I hope we can have him come back this fall to share with another group,” said Helen Nance, chief administrative officer at the school. “It was such a joy to hear him.”

 

Teachers invited to ‘A Doll’s House’

Rowan-Salisbury public middle and high school English teachers are invited to a free preview performance of St. Thomas Players’ production of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” on Wednesday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Street theatre.

 

Piano students perform in recital

Marsha K. Carter of China Grove’s piano students participated in a spring recital on May 30 at First Baptist Church of China Grove.

The following students performed: Aden Castor, Jordan Cline, Addisyn Keen, Sarah Johnson, Carleigh and Preston Tadlock, Sawyer Basinger, Ayden Basinger, Andrew Carter, Kate Carter, Samantha Fleishaker, Ava Huffman, Drew Huffman, Grace Carter, Coleman Carter, Kandus Kimball, Nathaniel Kimball, Will Bivens, Ally Cress, Molly Burgess, Nadiya Wilson, Victoria Pennington, Logan Cheeseman, Micah McNeil, Jeremiah McNeil, Matthew McNeil, Claudia Utley, Abby Rodgers, Mason White, and seniors Nate Cobb, Cody Brown and Paul Faggart, who were recognized with a special music trophy.

Students who participated in the National Guild of Piano Teachers received certificates and bronze, silver or gold pins, depending on the number of pieces performed for the judge, Paula Wamsley of Sharpsburg, Georgia.

Composer statuettes were awarded to Grace and Coleman Carter, Addisyn Keen, Nadiya Wilson, Logan Cheeseman, Andrew Carter, Samantha Fleishaker, Kandus Kimball, and Claudia Utley for completing music project booklets of the year’s activities.

Matthew McNeil, Abby Rodgers and Paul Faggart were recognized for participation in the district and state N.C. Music Teachers Association at Pfeiffer University, and Nate Cobb at Queens University.