PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Writing contest winners
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grand-prize winners of the Grove City College children's story-writing contest were fifth-grader Doug Skelley Jr. of Hillview Intermediate Center, in the fifth- and sixth-grade category, for "Pleasant Valley -- A Tale of Terror"; fourth-grader Cody Hockenberry of Mercer Elementary School in the third- and fourth-grade category, for "Squeaky's Adventures"; and first-grader Mackenzie Thompson of Grove City Christian Academy, in the first- and second-grade category, for an untitled work.
The youngsters competed against more than 220 pupils from nine elementary schools, as well as home schoolers. They were among 34 winners who received certificates, award-winning books and an anthology of winning entries. The event was sponsored by the college's Education Department and the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society.
K-12 NEWS
Teachers win mini-grants
Several area educators were among 35 across Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey recently awarded FirstEnergy Corp. Mathematics, Science and Technology program mini-grants for various hands-on projects, workshops and teacher development.
They are: Eileen Bodendorfer, The Industrial Information Institute for Education in Youngstown; Karen Ferguson, Stadium Drive Elementary School in Boardman; Terry Franklin, The Rayen School in Youngstown; Ruth Griffis, Zion Christian School in Youngstown; Jodi McCullough, Lisbon Exempted Village School District; Laura Janus, Secrest Elementary School in Warren; Dave Murduck, Champion Middle School; Stephen Panak, Washington Alternative School in Warren; Zaine Pappas, Hillman Middle School in Youngstown; Jeanne Riser, Boardman Center Middle School; and Mary Ruthrauff, The Rayen School in Youngstown.
SPECIAL EVENTS
To direct honors band
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Joseph M. Pisano, Grove City College director of music and fine arts technology and associate director of bands, has been selected to conduct the Beaver County High School Honors Band, set for 1 p.m. Feb. 28, at the New Brighton High School Auditorium in New Brighton, Pa.
The band will consist of select high school instrumental players from throughout Beaver County. Pisano has been the guest conductor of numerous honors band throughout the Middle-Atlantic region and is currently a doctoral candidate in music education at Kent State University.
Selections will include "A Broadway Journey," "Riverdance," "Aaron Copland Portrait" and other well-known symphonic concert band selections.
ADULT PROGRAMS
In Youngstown schools
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown city schools Adult Basic and Literacy Education program offers a variety of assistance for adults, including free instructional classes for those a GED, postsecondary education or to improve basic skills. Also, GED testing will be offered Jan. 13-15, Feb. 3, 5, and 11-12, and March 9-11 at the Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St. Both morning and evening times are available; preregistration and a valid state identification card are required. Reach ABLE at (330) 744-8715.
COMPETITIONS
Bands of America
Bands of America has received an invitation from the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade Committee to assemble a national Honor Band for the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The 400-member BOA Honor Band will have student representation from all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. All high school band students, percussionists, color guard and dance team members are eligible to audition. Visit www.bands.org.
EDUCATOR NEWS
Institute elects officers
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Industrial Information Institute for Education has elected Michael T. Heher as its president for 2003-04. Heher is general manager of Allied Waste, Browning Ferris Industries, where he has worked since 1974. Other officers elected this fall are Victor W. Nery, president of Columbiana Foundry Co., as the vice president for Columbiana County; Timothy T. Bresnahan, controller of Hynes Industries Inc., as vice president for Mahoning County; Philip J. Marrie Jr. of National City Bank of Pennsylvania, as vice president for Mercer County, Pa.; Patrick P. O'Connor, treasurer of Packer Thomas, as vice president for Trumbull County; William B. Hoodin, principal of Hill, Barth & amp; King Inc., as treasurer; and Pamela S. Kloss, senior vice president of administration at The Home Savings & amp; Loan Co., as secretary.
BioMed Central members
The Ohio Library and Information Network, a consortium of Ohio's colleges and university libraries and the State Library of Ohio has invested in an open-access BioMed Central membership for the 84 network institutions. The membership means articles accepted by BioMed from faculty within the network will be available worldwide at no cost to the universities or faculty members.