Blake receives National Student Council award

To meet the requirements for the award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria.

In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process and membership in the National Association of Student Councils, schools that qualify for the award demonstrate such things as leadership training for council members, teacher⁄staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning and active participation in their state and national student council associations.

‘‘Receiving an NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award indicates a dedication on the part of the local school to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” said Rocco Marano, director of the National Association of Student Councils, in a news release. ‘‘NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their exemplary efforts to serve their schools as the elected representatives of their student body.”

The National Association of Student Councils promotes and provides leadership development opportunities to prepare and empower students to serve their schools and communities.

Blake High School Student Council advisor is teacher Erinn Rigney.

Blair, Wootton students are finalists in Biology Olympiad

The Center for Excellence in Education announced the 20 national finalists of the USA Biology Olympiad, including two area students who will represent Maryland.

Jonathan Gootenberg, a Rockville student who attends Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, and Jonathan Liang, a North Potomac student who attends Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, will join the 18 other national finalists at George Mason University in June for a two-week training session.

The USA Biology Olympiad prepares students for the 2008 International Biology Olympiad.

The competition received participation from 270 schools and 40 states. Ten thousand students registered for this year’s USA Biology Olympiad, breaking the record for applications received in previous years.

At the USA Biology Olympiad national finals, students will train to compete in the fields of cell biology, microbiology, biotechnology, plant anatomy and physiology, animal anatomy and physiology, ethology, genetics and evolution, ecology and biosystematics. Olympiad faculty hail from distinguished universities and provide rigorous laboratory experiences, lectures and mentoring.

Four top achieving biology finalists will comprise Team USA for the International Biology Olympiad and will be selected after the intensive training process. This year’s competition will be held in Mumbai, India.

Library system announces redesigned Teensite

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has unveiled its newly redesigned Teensite that was designed by members of the Teensite Advisory Group (TAG).

The site, accessible from the library system’s Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov⁄library, features a new logo and artwork, plus new categories, such as Connect, Participate, Resources and Read & Write.

‘‘The goal of the redesign project was to involve teens in every step along the way,” Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Parker Hamilton said in a news release. ‘‘As a result, our Teensite has an exciting new look that reflects current tastes of our young people.”

In addition to the new logo, artwork and categories, the teens submitted content, interviewed authors and the Teen Artist of the Month, and wrote book, movie and Web site reviews.

Teens demonstrated the site at an official launch party at the Rockville Library that recognized advisory group members and their contributions.

The Teensite Advisory Group, consisting of 18 members ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old, has members from schools around the county, as well as a home-schooled student. Schools represented include Walt Whitman, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Paint Branch, Col. Zadok Magruder, Montgomery Blair and St. Anselm’s high schools, Montgomery Village and Westland middle schools and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.

Maryvale Spring FlingCarnival set for Saturday

Maryvale Elementary School in Rockville will hold its Spring Fling Carnival and Silent Auction Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., rain or shine.

The event, which is free to the public, will feature carnival rides, games, live music, pony rides, food and a silent auction.

Maryvale Elementary School is located at 1000 First St. in Rockville. For more information, visit www.maryvalepta.org.

Edison students score gold medals at skills competition

Three students from Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Wheaton recently won gold medals at the 35th Annual SkillsUSA Maryland State Championship in Baltimore.

Team members Chris Feldman and Juan Melendez received the gold metal in Web design and Jeffrey Domingo won the gold in the basic healthcare skills category at the April 5 competition.

The Edison first place winners will compete at the National SkillsUSA Competition in Kansas City, Miss., from June 23-27.

A total of 44 students from Edison competed in the contest. In addition to the three first-place winners, 12 students placed second or third.

Second-place individual winners were Max Findling in carpentry, Jennifer Betancus in nail care and Danny Diaz in technical computer application.

Second-place team competition winners were Chris Lastre, Danny Most and Atethaan Sonekeo in community service and Ashley Cherie Gonzales and Mike Poghikyan placed second in the promotional bulletin board competition.

Third-place winners were Amy Grubic in basic health care skills, Ceili Geiger in food and beverage service, Ruben Munoz in job interview and Chelsea Maggi in nail care.

SkillsUSA Championships begin locally and continue through the regional, state and national levels.

‘Kiss Me, Kate’at Magruder

The Magruder High School Drama Club will present ‘‘Kiss Me, Kate,“ a Tony Award-winning musical comedy at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and again May 1, 2 and 3 in the school’s auditorium, 5939 Muncaster Mill Road. in Derwood.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and can be reserved in advance at www.magruderdrama.org or at the door.

‘Annie, Jr.’ at Farquhar

Farquhar Middle School will present ‘‘Annie, Jr.,“ a musical about a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, this weekend.

The production will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the school, located at 16915 Batchellors Forest Road in Olney.

Adult tickets are $8 and student and child tickets are $6. Tickets will be on sale during lunch the rest of this week and at the door before each performance.

Items appropriate for this column may be sent to Melissa J. Brachfeld, The Olney Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; faxed to 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to mbrachfeld@gazette.net. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. All items are subject to space availability and editing.