More schools earn 'green' status
Three county public schools have been added to the list of Maryland Green Schools announced by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.
The latest to earn the designation are Annapolis and Traceys elementary schools and the Center of Applied Technology South.
Seven other county public schools achieved recertification — Eastport, Four Seasons and Sunset elementary schools, Severna Park and Wiley H. Bates middle schools, and Ruth Park Eason School each earned their first recertification. This is the second recertification for Bodkin Elementary.
Davidsonville Elementary received a new designation as a "sustainable" school. Schools that achieve this honor have demonstrated a continuous effort to integrate environmental practices, environmental education, professional development and community engagement for more than 14 years in the green school program. Only four schools have earned that designation.
Established 17 years ago, the Maryland Green School Program celebrates environmental education efforts as seen through projects that address at least two of these areas: energy, water, waste, habitat restoration, transportation, healthy school environment and/or structures for outdoor learning.
After demonstrating a sustained culture of environmental action and awareness, schools are encouraged to seek recertification every four years.
Three named Merit Scholars
Jeanne Luning Prak of Broadneck High, Cassandra Boyle of South River High and Jamie Shade of Old Mill High School were added to the list of National Merit Scholars announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. The three seniors were chosen from a group of 15,000 students across the country and are among 52 from Maryland.
Each will receive a single-payment scholarship worth $2,500 to pursue post-secondary studies in computer science, computer engineering and neurosurgery, respectively. Students earn the honor based on their academic records, standardized test performances, school and community leadership, essay submissions, and high school recommendations.
Financial aid access
Financial aid is available at Anne Arundel Community College. The college also has a no-fee, interest-free payment plan that allows the cost of tuition to be spread throughout a term. Payment plans are available. For information about financial aid, call 410-777-2203 or go to aacc.edu/finaid. Students can also meet with a financial aid representative on a walk-in basis at the Arnold campus, Glen Burnie Town Center, AACC at Arundel Mills or the Fort Meade Army Education Center.
Engineering grants
Anne Arundel Community College has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to help support its engineering scholars program. The grant will provide scholarships of up to $4,000 annually to financially needy, academically talented students to help them graduate from the school's engineering programs, transfer to a four-year institution and enter the workforce. Information: 410-777-2222.