Stone Lakes' science club
Students from Magic Curtain Productions have been accepted into the invitation-only 2012 Junior Theater Festival happening Jan. 13-15 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga. The Junior Theater Festival is the world’s largest musical theatre festival dedicated to groups working with elementary and middle school students. This year the 20 students, aged 9-17, will present “Seussical JR”. The students have raised much of the money for the trip themselves, doing a fundraiser with Bashful Bliss, selling keychains and necklaces and taking home a first-place prize of $500 in a group talent contest at the Playground Arts Fest. They also performed a pre-show and collected donations before Magic Curtain Productions’ main stage show, “Grease.”
The University of Central Florida’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic is recruiting children ages 8-17 who need help conquering social phobia and learning how to interact with others. Children may be eligible for free treatment sessions at the clinic, as well as restaurant, miniature golf and bowling outings with children who are comfortable in social situations. Parents who are interested in learning more about the free treatment programs available and whether their children may be eligible can call 407-823-3910.The Anxiety Disorders Clinic also is seeking socially comfortable children to interact with the children with social phobia at the weekly outings. They are paid for their time, and the cost of their outings is covered by the clinic. Participating also counts toward high schools’ community service requirements. For more information, call 407-823-3910.
East River first-time debate members Erin Renwick and Kerriann Roe competed against veteran forensic students and came home with second place trophies in duo interpretation. They competed against schools that have been doing this for years, and scored only three points away from the No. 1 spot. East River’s Jacky Raasch smoked her completion in the declamation-speaking event. East River scored third place per capita.
Valencia College won the inaugural Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Announced in a ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the award comes with $600,000 in prize money. In selecting Valencia as the best community college in America, Aspen officials noted that over half of the college's full-time students graduate or transfer within three years of entering the school, a rate significantly higher than the national average (51 percent versus 39 percent).
Sunrise Elementary fifth-grader Ashley Voglewede was a winner in the Orange County Green Canvas Challenge Recycling Poster Contest sponsored by the Orange County Utilities Solid Waste Division. Her slogan was, "Have you bin recycling?" Posters were made for all of Ashley's classmates. She also was awarded $100 for herself and monetary awards were given to the school.
Stone Lakes Elementary has started its first science club. Fifth grade teachers Mrs. Katie Polito and Mr. Albert Cervellera organize and provide additional lessons to mirror the big ideas outlined by Orange County and set up hands-on projects for the kids to perform. The program cost and T-shirts, free for students, were made possible by Stone Lakes Principal Ginny Kennerly.