OAKLAND MILLS High's freshman class will be well prepared for the opening of school if the students read the "Quill," the Parent Teacher Student Association newsletter. Lunch and bell schedules, class levels, extracurricular activities, sports eligibility and PTSA meetings are all explained in the publication sent to the family of each freshman.
It is full of information, and one of its best pages is a map of the school. Have you ever been in an unfamiliar building and wondered, "Which way do I turn for odd numbered rooms?" Page 3 of the Quill has the answer. Editor Diana Talabac and PTSA acting President Barbara Schmeckpeper deserve thanks from students and their families.
Copies of the "Quill" are available at the school office and guidance office and will be available during freshman orientation, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aug. 20, A picnic follows.
Students and parents are invited to a freshmen back-to-school night from 7: 30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 1. Students and families can also take advantage of the school's Tele-Message Board, 410-750-3335, which returns Aug. 1, or e-mail dlborldnet.att.net, with sub OMHS in the subject line.
Choir carries on
Chris Youstra, choir director of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic parish, is in Europe, traveling with the Broadway musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe." Choir pianist and singer Gil Cuffari stepped in to direct choir liturgy for rehearsals and services for the summer.
Because choir members take vacations, too, octets have been formed to carry on the continuity of singing at 9 a.m. and 10: 30 a.m. Sunday Masses and alternate Saturday 4: 30 p.m. Masses.
Here is an update on Long Reach High School's field hockey players on the Junior Olympic team: The team did very well in the tournament held the first week of July at the University of Maryland; Long Reach defeated teams from Hartford, Conn., and Denver, and tied a team from Trenton, N.J. The team lost to squads from Columbus, Ohio; Harrisburg, Pa., and Santa Ana, Calif.
Jerrell "Jay" Lance was selected to play goalie for the team at the next tournament in Norfolk, Va., the first week of November. Bridgette and Jessica Burkhardt were selected as alternate midfielders for the same tournament.
Columbia teens invited
Registration is open for all middle schoolers for the evening pool parties sponsored by the Columbia Teen Center at Longfellow pool (Aug. 3) and Running Brook pool (Aug. 13). Visit the Teen Center at Oakland Mills Village Center to register and pay a $3 fee.
The Teen Center has scheduled two "Super Babysitter Classes" Aug. 8 and 22 for young people 11 to 14 years old. For a fee of for Columbia residents and $42 for nonresidents, participants learn first aid, emergency procedures, activities for children of various ages and general baby-sitting skills. At the end of the session, the youngsters receive a certificate and baby-sitter tote. Director Bobbie Whyte, 410-992-3726, says that pre-registration is required.
Jazz scheduled
Summer evenings are made for relaxing and enjoying the free entertainment in Columbia. Oakland Mills Community Association will present Damon Foreman's Jazz Quartet at 7: 30 p.m. Thursday in the village courtyard. Next week, east Columbia's Partners In Song will entertain with folk music. On July 30, the final concert will feature New HOTS Jazz with music of the '20s and '30s. Information: 410-730-4610.
Long Reach village's July 30 concert begins at 6 p.m. with blues and rock by the Jacks.
Kings Contrivance concerts are held at 11: 30 a.m. in the village courtyard. This week's entertainment features the Reasons playing '50s, '60s and '70's rock 'n' roll.
Next Friday, Orlando Phillips plays Caribbean music at Kings Contrivance; Aug. 13, Phillips will be at Long Reach.
You can bring a picnic and enjoy Jay Smar's music at Lake Elkhorn (near the spillway) at 7 p.m. July 20.
Jazz for seniors
The mellow sounds of Damon Foreman and his jazz guitar will provide the background for the Sunday "Summer Jazz and Brunch" at the 50+ center in the east Columbia library Aug. 2 from noon until 2 p.m. "Omelette Queen" chefs will prepare omelettes to order. The brunch is open to all ages. Reservations, $15, are a must. Information: 410-313-7680.
The 50+ center offers health help this week. Today, Elizabeth Starr will give individual 15-minute therapeutic massages from 10 a.m. to noon. This is for first-timers only.
For available times: 410-313-7680.
On Thursday, Dr. Andrew Jackson will explain how to avoid the stress often felt before surgery and warn of the complications of drugs.
Scholarship winners
News of scholarships and honors for Columbia's graduates are still arriving. Michael Kahn and Kristen Pierce, 1997 graduates of Oakland Mills High, have been inducted into Phi Eta Sigma national honor society at Salisbury State University. Kahn majors in elementary education. Pierce's major is business. Phi Eta Sigma invites freshmen to join if their cumulative grade point average is at least 3.5 out of a possible 4.0. Robert and Betty Kahn and James and Marguerite Pierce are the students' parents.
Oakland Mills High graduate Joshua Greene has received a $2,000 scholarship awarded to public schools by the PTA Council of Howard County. Charles Ecker Community Service Scholarships were awarded to Long Reach High's Michelle Hye White and Hammond High's Jennifer Surface.
Last month, Hammond High's Matthew Miller was selected to join the Presidential Classroom's Science, Technology and Public Policy Program in Washington. Participating students hold a "B" or higher average or rank in the top 25 percent of their class as well being involved in the school and committed to their community. The students take part in seminars and workshops presented by leaders in the government, military, media and lobbying organizations.
East Columbian Brent Ormiston received the John D. Nawrocki Memorial Award from Western Maryland College. Ormiston graduated from Hammond in 1994 and is a four-year letter winner as a lacrosse defenseman at Western Maryland. The award is given to the male member of the senior class who "has participated in lacrosse, demonstrates leadership through example, shows concern for teammates and friends and gives fully of himself for the benefit of others."
Pub Date: 7/14/98