An Ellicott City resident was among six Carroll County teachers honored for "star" qualities Monday night.

"We need many more like you," Francis M. "Skip" Fennell, a professor of education at Western Maryland College in Westminster, told the teachers. "All of you are stars."

The six were recognized at an annual dinner sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce in Westminster.

Among the six was Bruce L. Damasio, 39.

A social studies department chairman at Liberty High School in Eldersburg, he has taught in Carroll County for 14 years. He also coaches tennis, is involved with student government and teaches geography at WMC.

For the last three years, the Chamber has solicited nominations for "Outstanding Teacher" awards. Most teachers are nominated by students or parents, said Scott Manhoff of McShea and Co. Inc., a commercial real estate company. Manhoff chairs theChamber's Business and Education Committee, which organized the event.

From 83 nominees, six were chosen to receive a cash award of $350, Manhoff said.

BLACK ARCHIVES OPEN

The Central Maryland chapterof the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society hung out its shingle yesterday at the former Ellicott City Colored School on Frederick Road.

The school will house the genealogy and historical archives of Howard County's black residents.

"The difference between this and a museum is that this will be a place where people come to do research, not to peek and look," said Carrie Brown, program chairwoman.

Brown said that costs for the two-year restoration, estimated at$375,000, will be covered by private donations and government and corporate grants.