If you are driving around town and someone is racing by you, do not worry. It is probably just Joshua Ruley keeping in shape.
Joshua is a 10-year-old at Gorman Crossing who loves to run. He is fast, too. So fast in fact, that he qualified for several events this summer.
First, he qualified for the USATF National Junior Olympics at the end of July down in North Carolina. He made it to level one and had a great experience. He also qualified for the Hersey Track and Field Games National Final for athletes 9 to 14 years of age.
He had to win the local competition, which was held at Long Reach. He came in first. Then he had to win the state, which he did again. Then he had to qualify with his time. In track, no matter how many events you win, you also have to have a quick enough time. There were only 12 athletes from the state that qualified and only one from Howard County, Joshua.
He had three days with all expenses paid to attend the National track event at the beginning of August. Joshua ran in the 100-meter dash. Each athlete could only compete in one event. He came in third! There were over 400 athletes at this event and it was an honor to have our own North Laurel resident, Joshua Ruley, representing us. We should all be very proud of him. Way to go, Joshua!
The North Laurel Civic Association's monthly meeting will be Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center. The theme of the meeting will be Health, Wealth and Your Community. Healthy Howard and Liberty Tax Services will be their guest speaker. Also, the association is planning a community picnic for Sept. 28 at the High Ridge pavilion. It will start at 12:30 p.m. Come out and meet members of your community and get involved.
Resurrection of Our Lord Church and the American Red Cross will host a blood drive on Aug. 17 from at 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. If you are over 17 years old and in good health, consider donating. Contact Mark Manak at 301-319-3512 or mmanak@yahoo.com. The church is at 8402 Brock Bridge Road.
New student orientations will be on Aug. 22 at all the high schools in the area. Reservoir and Hammond high school's Back to School nights are Aug. 29. Reservoir will hold a college information session prior to this at 6 p.m.
Gorman Crossing's kindergarten orientation is Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. The open house to all grades will start at 3 p.m. on Aug. 23 as well.
Laurel Woods Open House will be Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. At 8:30 to 9 am there will be the new students' grade 1 to 5 Orientations and 2 to 3 p.m. will be kindergarten orientation. The Back-to-School Nights will be Sept. 17 for grades K to 2 and 19 for grades 3 to 5.