St. Ambrose’s exhibit blends religion with art

The school’s gymnasium was transformed into an art galley where nearly 1,000 pieces by about 300 students went on display. More than 150 teachers, residents, church attendees and parents toured the exhibit April 17-19.

Lorelei Matics, an art teacher at St. Ambrose and a major organizer of the exhibition, said everything went well. ‘‘It was wonderful for the teachers, the parents, the students and the community,” she said.

Matics, who also teaches art at St. Mary’s in Lanham, said the younger children were excited to see their works along those from higher grades and even those of some alumni, one of whom is in college and the other a high school graduate.

She said the show was a way of celebrating the artistic talents of her students and to provide the visitors an understanding of the school’s arts program.

The theme, ‘‘A-Cross the Elements: Expressions of Faith and Design,” centered on Christ and seven elements of design — line, shape, form, space, texture, color and value, using the cross as a symbol.

The exhibit also displayed a variety of media — crayon, color pencils, paint and watercolors 3-D objects, clay, weaving and fabric works.

‘‘We tried to involve all grades because all of the students have the potential of being artists and we tried to involve the curriculum in their works,” said Theresa Hedley, assistant art teacher at St. Ambrose.

‘‘We talked about how to behave in a museum and gave them the opportunity while at the exhibit to sketch something they found interesting and to express their feelings on paper.”

Harry Potter bus tourcoming to New Carrollton

The New Carrollton Library will be one of only 37 sites around the country that will host the ‘‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus Tour.”

Scholastic, a worldwide publishing, education and media company devoted to children, said the bus will visit 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 16 at the New Carrollton Library, 7414 Riverdale Road.

The triple-decker bus, described in the Harry Potter books, will begin its tour June 1 in New York City.

It will travel to 37 libraries across the country over seven weeks, returning to New York to mark the release of the seventh and final book in the series

In each location where the bus stops, fans will be invited to board the Knight Bus and share on video their thoughts and feelings about the Harry Potter books.

Volunteer fire unitreaches out to school

The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department on April 18 presented Seat Pleasant Elementary School a check for $1,500 that will help improve the school’s library.

The plan by the library is to update its collection that contains books dating back to the 1960s. Fire Chief Dave McGill coordinated the check presentation with the mayor’s office.

Last month, Mayor Eugene W. Grant hosted a reading party in celebration of the National Education Association’s 10th Anniversary of Read Across America at which $4,000 was raised toward the library project.

The fire department was unable to participate in that celebration, so the group contacted the school and asked if they do a presentation on fire safety.

McGill and Lt. Kevin Brenner talked about fire safety and then presented the check to the assembled kids and staff.

Vice Principal Beth Linn received the amount on behalf of the school.

Over the past three years, Grant has helped the school raise more than $45,000 for various projects, according to a news release.

Looking fordictionary wizards

Oakcrest Elementary School in Landover will hold a dictionary competition among students from grades 3 to 6 beginning 9 a.m. May 3.

The contest will focus on accuracy, skills and location strategies in using the dictionary.

The top three winners will receive ribbons and gift certificates to a McDonald’s restaurant. All other participants will be given ribbons and gift certificates.

Principal Wanda L. Robinson said the event would serve as an enrichment activity for the students.

County foundationexceeds fund-raising goal

The Prince George’s County Foundation said it raised $200,000 at its annual 2007 Civic Leadership Awards Dinner April 18. The amount was almost 40 percent more than the $121,000 raised at last year’s benefit.

The event, held at the Camelot of Upper Marlboro on the campus of Evangel Cathedral, brought together more than 600 business and nonprofit leaders, citizens and local elected officials.

Former governor Marvin Mandel, 87, who served from 1969 to 1979, attended the event.

U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D), and Audrey E. Scott, secretary of the Department of Planning, were recognized for their leadership and commitment ‘‘to improve the lives of our most vulnerable residents of Prince George’s County.”

Artis Hampshire-Cowan, president of the foundation, said in a news release that raising that amount of money could not have been done without the work of the event committee and the support of sponsors and residents.

The foundation also honored the county’s ‘‘unsung heroes” with the first annual Bridge Builders Awards, each amounting to $500 to be donated to the organization of their choice. The recipients were Joseph Fisher of Laurel, founder of First Generation Scholarship Program; Arthur Turner of Kettering, and president of Central Prince George’s County Organization; and Saluda Young of Suitland, founder of the Saluda Academic Fund for C Students at Bowie State University.

For more information about the PGCF, visit the Web site: www.pgcf.org, write 8181 Professional Lane, Suite 170, Landover, MD 20785, call 301-464-6706, or fax 301-464-6709.