OAKLAND MILLS High has good news to wrap up 1998.
Jennifer Anne Segawa, a junior, received a perfect score in all three sections of the Preliminary SAT.
A representative of the College Board, which conducts the tests, reports that Jennifer is one of only a few students nationwide to receive a perfect score.
The PSAT, a preparation for the SAT exam, serves as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Jennifer has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and is in the Gifted and Talented English Class taught by Holly Pasciullo.
Jenny is also an accomplished ballerina.
She danced the lead role of "Clara" in the Howard County Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" this month.
She has performed at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia, and participated in dance productions in summer programs sponsored by the Boston Ballet and the Nutmeg Conservatory in Connecticut.
Two Oakland Mills students performed with the Howard County Ballet Orchestra, directed by east Columbian David Zajic -- sophomores Elizabeth Gray and Katie Newhall.
Elizabeth played flute and Katie played cello.
Katie's mother, Elaine, is president of the Columbia Orchestra's board of directors.
At her suggestion, several orchestra members helped to form the adult "ballet orchestra" that accompanied the dancers in "The Nutcracker."
Oakland Mills cheerleaders Anne Braxton and Keisha Shepherd have been selected as members of the All American Cheerleaders Team.
They will travel to Maui, Hawaii, to perform during the halftime entertainment at the Hula Bowl.
The girls are seniors.
Excellent principal
Oakland Mills High School Principal Marshall Peterson has been named Howard County's "Principal of Excellence" by the Washington Post.
Donald E. Graham, chairman of the Washington Post Co., presented the award during the newspaper's "Distinguished Educational Leadership" award ceremonies.
Peterson, one of 17 finalists, had been nominated by the school's Parent-Teacher Student Association and supported by letters from students, parents, staff, alumni and the community.
Local families think of Peterson as the "east Columbia" principal.
He has been at Hammond High twice, and this is his second stint at Oakland Mills High.
Between assignments, Peterson also served at Gateway School.
His son, Taylor, attends Hammond High.
Peterson and his wife, Libby, will share a part of his award. They plan to attend a Winners Conference next summer in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, sponsored by the newspaper.
Libby Peterson heads the special education department at Howard High. She has been with the school for 28 years.
Oakland Mills finds partner
Oakland Mills High School Assistant Principal Frank Eastham was the driving force behind establishing an educational partnership between Metro Food Market and the school.
The Oakland Mills band and the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps performed at the store's opening ceremonies last month.
In appreciation, the school received a certificate for $250,000 in receipts to be credited toward computers and school supplies.
Arlene Kutz, who records the school's Metro and Giant sales-receipt collections, reports that the school has ordered a Mac G3 from Metro.
Oakland Mills is the first school in the Baltimore region to have collected enough tapes to order an I-Mac computer from the Giant Food program.
A vicarious winner of Metro's "Grand Opening" drawing for a Volkswagen Beetle is coach Sam Singleton.
His niece won the car; he hopes to enjoy a ride in it.
Children decorate tree
Talbott Springs Elementary School teachers Carrye Jones and Sharon Higdon accompanied their Gifted and Talented Type III students on a field trip to Annapolis.
Travis Boccher, Claire Kuang, Jennifer Shin, Lea Harangozova, Jason Morine and Kelly Wiemann presented the ornaments they made for the holiday tree in Government House.
Honors Chorus members Supraja Kolluri, Mary Vogel and Krystle Larkins sang Christmas songs.
Each student received a certificate from Gov. Parris N. Glendening.
Parents are needed
Nick Elam, president of the Talbott Springs Parent-Teacher Association, has announced that opportunities are still available for parents to serve on PTA committees.
A chairman is needed for staff-appreciation and volunteer committees.
The position of PTA secretary is open, as is the office of representative to the Citizen Advisory Council.
Information: 410-715-5415.
Police chief to speak
Howard County Police Chief Wayne Livesay will be guest speaker at the Jan. 5 meeting of the Owen Brown village board of directors.
The 7: 30 p.m. discussion on crime and safety will be held in the Elkhorn Room at the Owen Brown community center, 6800 Cradlerock Way.
Senior representative chosen
Long Reach resident Rudy Baker has been named village representative to the Columbia Association Senior Advisory Committee.
The committee's goal is to foster awareness of the needs of Columbia's seniors.
Seniors may submit written suggestions to the Stonehouse community center, Long Reach Shopping Center, Columbia 21045.
For more information about services available to senior citizens, ask for the "Services for Seniors" brochure at Stonehouse or the east Columbia library.
Baseball players sought
Columbia Youth Baseball Association director Jim Scott has announced that information and application forms are available for the 1999 baseball and softball seasons.
The association has four programs for youth in Columbia: recreational baseball, travel baseball, recreational softball and travel softball.
Also, a T-ball division is open for children 5 and 6, and "coach" pitch is for 7-year-olds.
Information: 410-379-6989.
Outstanding volunteer
Owen Brown village manager Ruth Bothe has announced that Ann Marie O'Keefe has been selected as the November "Volunteer of the Month."
O'Keefe is the leader of Girl Scout Troops 988 and 1577.
Under her direction, the Girl Scouts have assisted at special events and helped distribute village reports and newsletters.
Exercise in 1999
If exercise is on your list of New Year's resolutions, take note.
Beginning Jan. 4, Joyce DiTomasso will lead exercise classes -- sponsored by the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks -- at Parkview Apartments, 7080 Cradlerock Way in the Village of Owen Brown.
Classes will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $20 for 10 weeks of classes.
Information: 410-313-4718.
Pub Date: 12/29/98