More News

A team of five cadets from the Mount Airy Composite Squadron, Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol took first place in the 2010 Maryland Wing Color Guard Competition. The event was held Feb. 20 at Parkland Magnet Middle School in Rockville. Coached by Maj. Grace Stapf, cadets on Mount Airy's team were: Megan Bassett, Joshua Bowen, Chris LaPointe, Ashley Petersen and Melissa Weinhold.  

Teams from eight Maryland squadrons competed in six elements: standard drill, indoor practical, outdoor practical, panel quiz, written exam and inspection. They were judged by members from the U.S. Air Force 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing Honor Guard, the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment at the University of Maryland, and Maryland Wing Headquarters. Mount Airy's win has earned the team the opportunity to represent Maryland Wing at the Middle East Region Color Guard Competition to be held at Fort Pickett, Virginia, on March 20. 

In addition to the team's win, Megan Bassett received the Outstanding Cadet Award. Bassett was recognized for her outstanding demeanor, appearance, integrity, and sportsmanship during the competition.   

The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. The organization's members perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

Civil Air Patrol's cadet programs provide young men and women an environment to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. There are approximately 1,300 members of CAP in Maryland. For more information, visit www.mdcap.org.

The Mount Airy Composite Squadron meets at 6:45 p.m. Thursdays at the Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Ave. Prospective cadets, ages 12 to 18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. 

For more information, call 301-829-9057, e-mail contactus@mtairy-cap.org, or visit www.mtairy-cap.org.

Ride for Angela

raises over $2,800

A fundraiser at Health Unlimited on Feb. 20 was a success, raising more than $2,800 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

The fundraiser consisted of six different themed indoor cycling classes lead by instructors and attended by more than 100 exercisers, some who went to more than one class. Participants donated $20 per class to take part in the event.

 "Our cancer fundraiser... was a huge success, and a lot of fun, as we managed to raise $2,865 for this worthy cause," said general manager and owner of the gym, Dan Strayton in an email.

The money is raised in honor of Angela Souders, a Mount Airy resident who is active at the gym and is battling stomach cancer.

Strayton said Souders has done very well with her latest treatments and procedures. The gym plans to make the event an annual fundraiser each February.

Mount Airy resident

excels at college

Congratulations to Mount Airy native Jacob T. Wirtz who was named to the dean's list for the fall 2009 semester at Virginia Tech. To qualify for the honor, students must attempt at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.4 grade point average. A sophomore majoring in construction engineer and management, he is the son of Kevin and Natalie Wirtz of Mount Airy.

Mr. Linganore contestants raise money for school

Linganore High School is hosting its 12th Mr. Linganore Competition, which raises money for a schoolwide academic awards program.

The theme of this year's male mock beauty pageant is pioneers, and the competition will be held until Saturday, when the 11 seniors will strut their stuff in their costumes and tuxes at Linganore at Oakdale High School's auditorium, according to teacher and organizer, Natalie Evans.

The contestants are Andy Anderson, Alex Eckard, Zach Eisinger, Ryan Hall, Rob Havenstein, Danny Hennigan, Nathan Lorei, Joe Moore, Alex Reifer, Brad Rosen and Mike Schoelen.

This year, the contestants are receiving training in ballroom dancing, courtesy of health teacher Linda Gouker.

James Petersen, last year's Mr. Linganore, will not be able to return this year because of a commitment to a Navy preparatory school, according to Evans. However, Danny French and Jimmy Clark, who took second and third place in the 2009 competition, will return for this year's contest.

Every Mr. Linganore contest has a theme, and this year, the theme is "pioneers."

Contestants will choose a pioneer to dress up in costume for the contest, and also the events leading up to the pageant will have to tie into the participants' themes. For instance, the cake-decorating event set to take place yesterday had to reflect the pioneer that each contestant had chosen.

Evans said the 13th year of the Mr. Linganore contest will be triumphant when students return to their new school on Old Annapolis Road.

"We're looking forward to our big 13th event next year," Evans said.

Tickets are on sale now for $8. For more information, contact Natalie Evans at natalie.evans@fcps.org.

Ijamsville church

collects shoes for Haiti

Ijamsville United Methodist Church recently partnered with Soles4Souls, a charity that collects slightly-used foot ware for the needy, to help collect 575 shoes for the victims of the earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January.

Church members were aided in gathering the shoes by Ijamsville Girl Scout Cadet Troop 81047 and Brownie Troop 81850, the Yes I Can Children's Center in Ijamsville, the Howard County Community Center, and Curves of Glenelg.

Soles4Souls has collected more than seven million pairs of shoes since it formed in 2005, averaging a gift of about a pair of shoes every nine seconds.

For more information, visit the group's Web site at www.giveshoes.org, or visit the Soles4Souls donation location at Comfort One Shoes at 5245 Buckeystown Pike in Frederick.

Do you have an item for Mount Airy Moments? Contact reporter Angie Cochrun at 301-846-2117, e-mail acochrun@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.