DRIVING BY the campus of River Hill High School on Route 108 in Clarksville last Thursday, you might have noticed a television camera crew van parked outside.
A sports reporter and his camera crew were at River Hill to do a story on the boys soccer team, coached by Bill Stara.
In 1996, when the school opened, the River Hill boys soccer team -- with four juniors, two sophomores, and five freshmen -- reached the Class 1A state championship finals only to lose 2-1 to Williamsport High School in Western Maryland.
Last year, the team won the Class 2A state championship and was ranked as one of the top 25 teams in the nation by the the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Result: The River Hill soccer team was invited to a prestigious tournament last weekend in Raleigh, N.C.
The purpose of the tournament was to match the top 25 teams with leading high school teams in North Carolina.
Unlike most tournaments, this one would have no winner.
Its purpose was to foster competition among superior teams and to provide experience for the players.
Because the boys soccer schedule starts slowly, with fewer games than at the end of the season, Stara believes the tournament was an opportunity for his team to get into a playing rhythm.
"They need to have some competition," Stara said. "They are getting tired of playing each other."
Each of the teams attending the tournament was guaranteed two games, and River Hill won both -- defeating Roanoke Rapids High School, 2-1, Friday and Leesville High School, 1-0, Saturday night.
Forward Adom Crew scored both goals against Roanoke Rapids, and midfielder Todd Tedrow scored the goal against Leesville.
Todd said, "Both teams we played were pretty good and had some excellent players at midfield. But we wore them down, especially in the second half, because our team was so deep."
"Mr. Stara brought every player on the varsity team to the tournament, and he put every player in for both games."
Players paid for their trip through a summer fund-raiser and parental support.
The tournament directors held a brunch for the teams Saturday, atwhich the players were treated to Southern hospitality.
"Everyone we met was so nice," Todd said. "They couldn't do enough for you."
Congratulations to Coach Stara and the members of the River Hill boys soccer team: seniors Randal Brown and Aaron McKinley; juniors Jefferson Bartio, Scott Buescher, Matt Charmella, Adom Crew, Mike DiBella, Brett Endler, Justin Gotis, Cliff Jackson, Elliott Marquis, Deforest McDuff, Kyle O'Brien, Aaron Pierce, Todd Tedrow, Brent Tyson and Bryce Yetso; sophomores Rustin Brown, Rizvon Gill, Greg Hinkle and Matt Tedrow; and freshman Matt Boras.
The River Hill High School boys team has been rated No. 1 in the Baltimore region in The Sun's preseason soccer poll and 10th nationally. The Hawks' next home game -- and first Howard County game -- is at 3: 15 p.m. Sept. 25.
Super scorers
Great things are happening at Lisbon Elementary School in Woodbine.
The results of last spring's California Test of Basic Skills have been made public.
The test was taken by second- and fourth-graders in Howard County.
Lisbon's scores continue to show steady improvement. Its fourth-grade students scored above the county average in five of the six categories reported. The fourth-graders' battery score was also above the county average.
Lisbon's second-graders also did an outstanding job. They were at least 10 points above the county average in all reported areas. And the second-graders' total battery score was 16 points above the county average.
Principal Lou Chillemi expressed the school's pride: "The results are certainly indicative of a total school commitment to academic excellence."
During the summer, 20 Lisbon Elementary School students -- representing 12 families -- participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the Howard County Library System.
Students participating in the reading program were: Jeremy Anthony, Charlie Bosse, John Bosse, Nick Bosse, Thomas Bosse, Andrew Bounds, Gena Daigle, Luke Daigle, Jenna Flynn, Morgan Flynn, Michael Greulich, Scott Menner, Chris McCoy, Julia McCoy, Michelle McCoy, Jackie Richardson, Melissa Seets, Vicki Seets, Laura Strewig and Jacob Tatum.
Looking forward to another year of growth and learning, Lisbon Elementary has begun its first fund-raisers of the season. The children are selling Sally Foster gift wrap and Harry London chocolates until Oct. 16.
To place an order: Katie Lawson, 410-489-7450, or Arlene Mann, 410-442-2768. If you are thinking of visiting McDonald's in Woodbine on Saturday, consider going through the drive-through from noon to 1 p.m.
As part of a corporate incentive program, Lisbon Elementary will receive 50 cents for every Value Meal purchased at the drive-through window during this time.
Seeking Scouts
Cub Scout Pack 827 is looking for boys interested in biking, hiking, fishing, camping and having a good time.
Pack 827 will have an information and registration table at Lisbon Elementary School's back-to-school nights tonight and Sept. 24.
The pack will have its first meeting of the fall at 7: 30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Lisbon Elementary School, 15901 Frederick Road, Lisbon.
Information: Anne Douglas, 301-854-5285.
Bring your checkbook to register your child, and remember that registration does not include uniforms.
New day care
A new day care facility for children -- the Tressler Discovery Center -- is opening in Woodbine.
Center hours will be from 6: 30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. To find out more about the center, at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 16151 Old Frederick Road: 410-489-9200.
The cost is $175 a week for infants; $100 a week for 2-year-olds; and $90 a week for children ages 3 and 4.
An open house featuring tours of the center will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 during the church's Family Care Fair.
Teaching faith
Religious Education classes are about to resume at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church in Clarksville.
Nearly 150 parishioners will be needed this fall to serve as religious education instructors for more than 1,300 students.
Congratulations and thanks are due those religious education teachers with 10 or more years of service: Mary Dan, Gerry Green, Kathy Green, Randy Ostlie, Judy Phillips, Rosemary Presley, Gloria Rink, Pat Shrieves, Donna Sunderdick, Harriet Texiaria and George Vanisko.
Special recognition goes to Gloria Rink, who has been teaching religious education classes since 1970 -- 28 years of volunteer service for children.
New officers
The St. Louis the King Council of the Knights of Columbus held its installation of officers last month.
The new officers are Grand Knight John Baker; Deputy Grand Knight Vincent Grauso; Chancellor Skip McGehee; and Warden Robert Bashant.
The organization is looking for volunteer help at its University of Maryland concession stand this year.
Adults and young adults ages 14 and older are needed to work at the booth during Terrapin football home games.
Time worked by young adults can be counted toward the community service requirement.
Keep in mind, too, the community dance sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at St. Louis School auditorium Saturday.
Information: Ronald Fiskum at 410-531-5124.
Artisans needed
Antiques dealers and artisans are needed for a show to be held at Glenelg High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3.
Information: 410-489-4497.
St. Louis School is also looking for artisans and dealers to participate in a school-sponsored antiques and crafts show Oct. 23 and 24.
Information: Kelly Maltz, 410-381-7781, or Karen McIntyre, 301-854-9559.
Pub Date: 9/17/98