As mentioned in a previous column, Russett resident Bill Berned participates regularly in the annual Tour De Cure event sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain experience on May 22, Bill was unable to make the ride but managed to raise $4,383.00 for the fight against diabetes and was the fifth-highest fundraiser at the event. Bill plans on participating in another century ride soon and is dedicating the ride to all his sponsors. Congrats and thank you, Bill.
School may be out and summer begun, but congratulations are due to the 25 Anne Arundel County high school students who have achieved All-County Dance honors. The All-County dancers are selected by various dance company directors. Some qualifications include excellent school attendance, leadership ability, performing at an advanced level and having danced for their dance company for the whole year and, of course, good grades.
Congratulations to the following on a job well done; Kelly Barnes and Sarah Bentov, Grade 10, Annapolis High School; Rachel Cagle, Grade 10, and Aryanna Jennifer, Grade 9, Annapolis High School PVA (performing visual arts); Paige Motley and Eliana Slaney, Grade 11, Arundel High School; Lane Dizon, Esther Reilly and Jordan Walker, Grade 12, Broadneck High School; Hope Aperfine and Danielle Nolan, Grade 12, Chesapeake High School; and Vanessa Flage and Nicole Vallee, Grade 11, Meade High School; Sarah Davis and Emilie Mosier, Grade 10 and 11, North County High School; McKayla Kelly and McKinsey Rupert, Grade 12 and 11, Northeast High School; Antoinette Lee and Julie Mimms, Grade 11, Old Mill High School; Elizabeth Hines and Shelby Hogan, Grade 10 and 11, Severna Park High School; and Melanie Carter, Allison Wijntjes, Sara Livingston and Morgan Whitman, Grade 11, Southern High School.
Honorable Mention All-County honorees include Mahalia Alascio and Madeline Ostenso, Grades 9 and 11, Annapolis High School; Sarah Smith and Danielle Troncale, Grade 11, Arundel High School; Brittney Manalansan and Elizabeth Mercuri, Grade 11, Cheapeake High School; Daija Kidwell, Makenzie Mays and Nicole Torres, Grades 10 and 11, Meade High School; Michaila Brodnax and Ashleigh Gillum, Grade 11, North County High School; Kelsey Stalnaker, Grade 12, Northeast High School; Madison Adams and Taran Radford, Grade 11, Old Mill High School; Erin Diehl and Halle Neal, Grade 10, Severna Park High School; and Natalie Moning and Jacqueline Nowell, Grades 10 and 11, South River High School.
Let's all cheer on the Russett Sharks, who will be hosting Prince George's Pool in swim league competition at the Russett Pool Complex on Saturday, June 25. Good luck and go Sharks!
Happy birthday to friends and neighbors Kathy Preston, who celebrates on June 24; Melissa Woodard and Diana Sorrentino, who celebrate on June 25; Leslie Kocevar and Debby Ward, who celebrate on June 26; and Laura Turk, who celebrates on June 29.