County's 3-year celebration of 150th starts tomorrow

Local officials will kick off a three-year celebration of Howard County's 150th birthday with a bell-ringing ceremony today at Waverly mansion.

The county -- which became an independent jurisdiction July 4, 1851 -- is the third-youngest in the state.

Sesquicentennial Committee Chairman Ken Mays said today's ceremony is designed to celebrate the history of both the county and the country. Officials will ring a ceremonial bell, and a 37-member local children's chorus will perform.

The multiyear celebration will include art, music and theater that celebrate the county's diverse population.

"Sometimes there is no way to appreciate [the county's] cultural heritage without understanding its history," Mays said. "The community really needs to get involved for this to work."

The PTA Council of Howard County recently awarded $10,000 in scholarships to seniors graduating from the county's public high schools. These students received scholarships:

Four-year academic scholarships of $2,000:

Sarah Elizabeth Johnson, Glenelg High School.

Joshua Greene, Oakland Mills High School.

Sarah Ordaz, Centennial High School.

Ji Young Song, River Hill High School.

Dr. Charles Ecker Community Service Scholarships, $500:

Michelle Hye White, Long Reach High School.

Austin Karl Harman, Glenelg High School.

Special Academic Scholarship, $1,000:

Jennifer L. Surface, Hammond High School.

Erika D. Peterman

New officers named to Howard's PTA Council

Officers of the PTA Council of Howard County were selected at a meeting last month. They are:

President: Susan Poole.

Executive vice president: Mary Jo Neill.

Vice president for issues (new position): Becky Yoshitani.

Vice president for operations: Pat Baker.

Treasurer: Deborah Wessner.

Recording secretary: Marcia Peri.

Corresponding secretary: Susan Vanderlinde.

Erin Texeira

Pub Date: 7/07/98