The Simulated Congressional Hearing has become a rite of passage for many area fifth-graders, including those at West Friendship Elementary School. Throughout the school year, the students learn about the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and other aspects of American government. Their social studies lessons culminate in the hearing, an authentic, interactive experience through which they demonstrate their understanding of constitutional principles.
At West Friendship Elementary, every fifth-grade classroom chooses a patriotic team name (this year: justice, liberty and John F. Kennedy) and the teams split into five groups, one for each area of study. For example, Unit 1 groups prepare to answer the question, "What basic ideas about government did the founders have?"
The groups spend weeks writing and practicing four-minute oral statements to support their responses, and they also prepare to answer a series of follow-up questions that the judges may ask. Of course, they receive a great deal of assistance from teachers, parent volunteers, and school staff.
This year, the West Friendship team included 17 staff members and as always, preparation extended to the entire school community. Not only did every grade create artwork to decorate the building, but several musical groups — first-grade chorus, fourth-grade chorus, orchestra, band, drum group, and recorder club — readied patriotic songs for the event.
The young constitutional experts donned their best attire June 2, practiced their speeches one final time, and tried to quell the butterflies in their stomachs. The big day had finally arrived!
The morning began with an opening ceremony in which the students met their judges for the day:
Lana Asuncion, a research specialist with the Howard County Public School System; Gail Bates, House of Delegates member from District 9A; Barbara Bien, a retired teacher; Dario Broccolino, Howard County State's Attorney; Tom Keller, retired employee of Northrop Grumman; Allan Kittleman, state Senator from District 9; John Krownapple, coordinator of cultural proficiency for the county schools; Ted Ludicke, a member of the school system's technology department; Mary V. Murphy, Deputy State's Attorney; John Sokich, director of Congressional affairs for the National Weather Service; Libby Swords, Veterans Elementary School teacher; and John Yodzis, Assistant Vice President at SAIC Inc.
Throughout the hearings, the judges did their best to put the fifth-graders at ease and provided plenty of positive feedback. They frequently praised the students for speaking loudly and clearly, for supporting their positions with examples of topical events and for behaving courteously. At the end of the day, the students breathed a collective sigh of relief at successfully crossing the SCH milestone.
West Friendship Elementary parent Alicia Meffert said that her fifth-graders, Hope and Amanda, were thrilled when the day dawned. She felt somewhat surprised to find them excited rather than nervous, but she attributed their confidence to the school's thorough preparation. After months of anticipation, her daughters were eager to experience the actual event!
Victoria Daugherty echoed a similar statement about her son, Maxwell, who greatly looked forward to one activity in particular: a roundtable discussion with the judges over lunch. Maxwell hoped to learn firsthand what Senators do rather than just reading a description in a book. According to Daugherty, her son has avidly absorbed current events and Hosni Mubarak has been the talk of their dinner table.
In the Wright household, meanwhile, conversation has centered around son Alan's newfound knowledge of the Constitution. His mother, Karen, said Alan has talked nonstop about the hearing and has taught the family quite a bit. He has also begun asking to watch the news.
As several adult speakers attested, this event is clearly one that molds the youngsters and remains with them throughout their lives. Kudos to fifth-grade teachers Beth Cayer, Amanda Knab and Nathan Haskins for successfully preparing another group of fledgling students to leave the elementary school nest, and best wishes to the members of the class of 2018 as they prepare to enter middle school!
Prior to the advent of Marriotts Ridge High School, most Marriottsville and Sykesville students attended Glenelg High. One local Glenelg graduate was Kenny Dunsmore, who died in a car accident Dec. 23, 2010, at age 26. Kenny was passionate about sports, especially football, so his family has chosen to honor his life by creating the Kenny Dunsmore Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to an outstanding Glenelg senior athlete.
One way in which the family plans to raise funds for the scholarship is through an annual golf tournament. The inaugural Kenny Dunsmore Memorial Golf Tournament will tee off July 8 at the Links at Challedon, 6166 Challedon Circle, in Mount Airy. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m., and the tournament costs $125 per player or $500 per foursome. This fee includes a light lunch, dinner and drinks.
To register for the tournament, write a check made payable to "Kenny Dunsmore Scholarship Fund" and mail, along with player information, to Terri Dunsmore, 12060 Old Frederick Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104. Email Kevin@clickitventures.com for more information.
The monthly St. Andrew's Episcopal Church community feast rolls around again June 23, from 6-8 p.m. Get ready for some delicious barbecue chicken, side dishes and desserts, all generously donated by Smokin' Hot Bar & Grille, in the Inwood Shopping Center, in Glenwood.
The meal costs $9 per person or $30 per family, and children younger than 5 are free. This month, the proceeds will help send 17 teens and chaperons on their annual Journey to Adulthood pilgrimage in July.
For more information about the youth program or the monthly feast, call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445 or lynnequinn@comcast.net.
The church is between the Glenwood Post Office and Union Chapel Road, at 2892 Route 97.