GIFTED AND Talented program teacher Edna Turner wants to give the children at Lime Kiln Middle School a chance to reach their full potential. To that end, she has initiated "Public Service, Our Government and You."

Working alongside eighth-grade social studies teachers Robert Glaze and Angela Johnson, Turner invites public officials to speak to the school's Town Council and eighth-grade social studies classes.

"Our ultimate goal is to teach students how to become good, knowledgeable and well-informed citizens," Turner said.

Last week, Principal Pat Saunderson welcomed state Sen. Sandra B. Schrader to a Town Council meeting. Town Council member Allison Geoghan introduced the newly elected senator to the schoolchildren.

Schrader spoke about the law and how bills are debated before being voted on in the Senate. "How old do you have to be to testify?" asked eighth-grader Nick Chilcoate. The children were impressed when Schrader told them you could be as young as 3.

The group discussed the pros and cons of a law that would prohibit cellular phone use in automobiles. Schrader welcomed comments from the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

Several eighth-graders discussed the alternatives. "If there is an ambulance behind you, you might not be able to hear it," said Debbie Schub.

"What if you have a hands-free set?" asked Paige Glovinsky. "The distractions are still there with hands free," said Rachel Nyanjom.

Several youngsters suggested that a person who makes or receives a call should pull off the highway, but eighth-grader Adrian Hebron countered, "It's very dangerous getting back on the highway."

After they discussed the issue, Schrader noted that they were going through the same process that the Senate would in debating a bill. "You are a very mature group," Schrader said. "You hit every aspect of the good and the bad [sides] of this law."

Schrader encouraged the children with a final comment: "I want to leave you with this thought. When you're old enough to vote, your vote counts."

Last month, Susan R. Buswell, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Howard County, spoke to the Town Council. This month, Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Court of Special Appeals spoke to an eighth-grade history class.

The program will continue through the school year with other county, state and national officials scheduled to speak.

Turner praises the public servants who freely give their time to speak to the children. "They give [the program] greater depth," she said.

And Turner has high hopes for the students. "We want them to see themselves as the leaders of the school," she said. "They'll be able to say, 'I can see myself doing that.'"

One of a kind

On Nov. 19, several members of the Celestial Searchers went outside on a cool early morning for the chance to see a one-of-a-kind light show when the Leonid meteor shower made its appearance.

Among them were Cindy Cincotta and her family, who watched the display from the back yard of their Dayton home.

"We spread a tarp, put on our ski clothes, crawled under blankets and sleeping bags, and had a real family memory experience," Cincotta said.

About 5 a.m., the family was treated to an impressive spectacle as they enjoyed hot chocolate under the stars. "We counted 423 [meteors] in about an hour," Cincotta said. "Overall, we had a splendid show."

The Cincottas topped off the experience with a big breakfast. "It was really fun," Cincotta said.

Lowell Wilson of Ellicott City also saw the meteor show from his yard. He got out of bed at his regular time - 4:45 a.m. - and briefly glanced at the darkened sky.

"I didn't see anything at that time, so I went about my usual work preparations and took another look at 5:30," Wilson said. "Boy, what a show there was then."

He counted about 10 meteors in less 30 seconds.

Wilson woke his son Mark, 6, to join him. "All he kept saying was, 'Wow! There's another one.'" Wilson said. "Mark was too excited to count so we just watched, and it was really pretty darned exciting."

Last chance

Glenelg High band alumni: This is your last chance to get your personal memories published in the Glenelg Band 25 Year Memory Book.

If you were a member of the band at any time during the past 25 years, you are eligible to submit memoirs of your stretch under the direction of Barry P. Enzman.

"We have had some funny experiences, and we have had some moving experiences," said Ellen Nibali, head of the Glenelg Band Memory Book Committee. "It's really neat what people have come up with."

The writings will be compiled and sold for a nominal fee at band events.

"We need memories from all years, from 1975 to 2002," Nibali said. "Some years have no submissions yet."

"Nag your friends" to write their memories, Nibali said, and submit the manuscripts to glenelgband25yrs@hotmail.com, or mail them to 3452 Rosemary Lane, West Friendship 21794.

Information: www.glenelgbands.com.

Distinguished students

Glenelg High School senior Lindsay Buffington was named a finalist in the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award program. She is eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship each year for four years.

Seniors Robert Pencek and Colleen Hibbert were named semifinalists.