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The Richard Montgomery High School International Space Settlement Design team won first place in the 2008 summer competition at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Richard Montgomery team participated with two other high schools, Durango High School in Colorado and Apeejay High School in India.

The competition involved preparing a proposal for a settlement to orbit the Earth, holding 18,000 permanent residents, and was judged according to stringent guidelines.

Richard Montgomery team members included seniors Aziz Nawrozie, Eric Kim, Sara Bloem, Weili Shi, Wint-nie Aung, Eddie Lee and Sophia Chang, and recent graduates Takashi Katani, Nick Shawen, Mona Zhang and Crystal Wang.

Also at Richard Montgomery …

Richard Montgomery student Rosanna Kim came in fifth in the nation for a personal essay she submitted to the Kaplan/Newsweek "My Turn" essay contest. There were 9,000 submissions.

Jeremy Blair and Sara Bloem both won the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Contest for 2008. Only 16 students from Maryland were selected.

Amy Weaver, a ceramics teacher, was one of seven teachers selected from across the nation to participate in an international program in Denmark for five weeks beginning in January. "Project Network" is a program that helps create a network and a dialogue within the same generation of ceramic artists at the International Ceramic Research Center in Guldagergaard. An exhibition catalogue and one exhibition, which will include all of the participants for "Project Network" 2008-2009, will be featured at the end of the program.

Derwood resident named to National Honor Society

William McNamara of Derwood was one of several Montgomery County students from St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., who were recently inducted into the National Honor Society.

The ceremony was held during the annual St. John's Academic Convocation on Sept. 17.

 A total of 133 junior and senior students were inducted into the Archbishop Philip Hannon Chapter of the National Honor Society. Membership is based on scholarship, service, leadership and character. Students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 during their time at St. John's are eligible to apply.

Fallsmead students to hold fundraising dance

Fourth and fifth grade students at Fallsmead Elementary School in Rockville will hold a Student Government Association-coordinated fundraising dance 7-9 p.m. Thursday to raise money for a fifth grade service project for Glories Happy Hats. 

Dance tickets are being sold for $5 and can be purchased during lunch today and tomorrow.

The fifth grade class is trying to raise $1,600 for two January workshops where they will make hats for children with cancer in local hospitals.

Glories Happy Hats Inc. is a nonprofit community-based/ service-learning organization whose mission is to support children suffering from serious illness and their families, while bringing the fundamentals of service learning to community youth. For more information, visit www.glorieshappyhats.org.

Forum to address strategic plan priorities

The second of two community forums sponsored by the Board of Education will be held 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington.

Those testifying will have three minutes to speak on the following question: During difficult economic times, what priorities in the Montgomery County Public Schools Strategic Plan should we focus on for the 2009-2010 school year to improve achievement for all students?"

All slots for testimony are filled, but those attending will have an opportunity to share their views by filling out response cards that will be available at the forum. Views can also be expressed online by visiting http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/community/forums/ and clicking on "Feedback."

Calling all RM alums

The Richard Montgomery Booster Club will hold a pre-game tailgate for all alumni of Richard Montgomery as part of Homecoming celebrations 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Cost of $20 includes a game ticket.

Heavy appetizers and beverages will be served.  

For details and to sign up, visit www.RMboosters.org.

Montgomery College to hold scholarship conference

Montgomery College will hold a scholarship conference for high school juniors and seniors, their parents and Montgomery College students 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The free event will provide information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities for college-bound students and will be held in the High Technology and Science Center at the college's Germantown campus, 20200 Observation Drive.

The conference and parking are free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to register, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/scholarshipconference.

Free outdoor movie night set for Saturday

A free outdoor movie night for teens will be held Saturday at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the screen will be located on the grass lot across the street from the hospital on Prince Philip Drive.

Students are encouraged to take blankets and/or chairs to sit on. Water, soda, popcorn and candy will be sold at the event.

There will also be a raffle for five iPod shuffles. Tickets will be sold 7 to 7:30 p.m. and during the movie. Winners must be present to claim their prize.

The event is being sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Department and Project Change.

Forum on special education set for Sunday

A county Board of Education candidate forum on special education will be held Sunday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Rock Creek Church in Derwood.

The five candidates running for the three spots on the board have been invited and will address special education in Montgomery County public schools and answer questions from the audience.

Rock Creek Church is located at 19100 Muncaster Road.

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