Carrousel Scholarship: Young women from 58 high schools in the region will compete in the 2012 Carolinas’ Carrousel Scholarship Program Nov. 21 in Charlotte.

The winner of the competition focused on academics, interviews and individual accomplishments at school and in the community wins a college scholarship. Each school winner also will participate in the Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day in uptown Charlotte. The parade also will be televised at 4 p.m. Nov. 22 on WBTV.

Catawba Valley representatives are Amelia Bruce, Alexander Central High; Jazmin McCorkle, Bandys High; Crysta Hollifield, East Burke High.

Alexander County

Top sellers: Zeke Howell, a student at West Alexander Middle, recently won the school’s Top Seller award in the annual magazine subscription fundraiser. He sold 16 titles and earned the opportunity to serve as Principal of the Day.

Morgan Rector sold 15 magazines to win second place. She served as Assistant Principal of the Day.

Bus riders recognized: West Alexander Middle recently named its Bus Riders of the Month for September.

Students honored for their good behavior were: Caris Mundy, Angelina Xiong, Bailey Cline, Cheridan Rodriguez, Alicia Ratliff, Brooke Reynolds, Megan Polzin, Delancy Farley and Francisco De La Cruz.

Each received a certificate and special treat from the cafeteria.

Burke County

Cool science: Third-grade students at Glen Alpine Elementary recently engineered their own lip balm while observing properties of solids, liquids and gases. The lesson was created by The Engineering Place at N.C. State University.

Both instructional coach Charles Williams and teacher Christie MacMahon participated in the Future Engineers Camp which promotes the engineering process and encourages educators to share camp lessons within their district.

Philanthropists visit: John and Martha Bryan, founder of the Together Each Achieves More Challenge Foundation, recently visited New Dimensions Charter School in Morganton. New Dimensions is part of TeamCFA, a national network of public charter schools dedicated to the mission of student achievement, academic excellence, measurable results, and bringing school choice to more students and their families. The foundation provides grants to the schools.

The Bryans toured the school’s new addition and visited students in classrooms. Administrators presented the philanthropists with a school picture in appreciation of the Foundation’s support of New Dimensions Charter.

Caldwell County

JROTC fundraiser: JROTC Cadets at West Caldwell High School recently raised $1,000 to help a local girl battling cancer.

Cadets presented a check to Kylee Walker and her mother, Misty Vess, to help with the child’s medical expenses during cancer treatments.

Watch DOGS: Fathers at several Caldwell County schools are interacting with their children through the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program. Watch DOGS promotes positive male role models for children and enhances school security.

The program is currently offered at Davenport A+ School and Dudley Shoals Elementary. Hudson, Valmead and Granite Falls elementary plan to implement Watch DOGS this school year.

At Davenport, an average of 60 dads volunteer with the program each year. Grandparents, uncles and community leaders also can serve by helping with school dismissal, setting up for festivals and checking external doors to make sure they are secure. Social events such as pizza parties and Donuts for Dads also are included.

Star-gazing: The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club will sponsor an Evening of Star and Planet Gazing on Nov. 30 at Caldwell Career Center Middle College. Details will be announced soon.

Catawba County

Coat drive: The Maiden Middle School Art Club recently led a coat drive to benefit the community’s needy this winter. The club’s 68 members collected 249 coats with the help of students at Maiden Middle.

The donated coats will be cleaned and given to the Salvation Army and United Way Christmas Bureau.

Elections held: Students across Catawba County got involved in the recent national elections by casting their own ballots and learning about the electoral process.

At Oxford Elementary, students made presentations about the Democratic and Republic candidates for a mock election. The school had two precincts, and every student from pre-K through grade 6 checked in, voted and received a sticker. Barack Obama edged out Mitt Romney, 321 to 318.

Students in grades 4-6 at Mountain View Elementary also held a mock election with polling places throughout campus and a chance to cast a vote. Mitt Romney won the presidential race there, with Pat McCrory earning the vote for governor.

Day Made Better: St. Stephens Elementary teacher Angel Lafone Johnson got a big surprise recently when representatives from Office Max showed up in class with more than $1,000 in school supplies.

The “Day Made Better” program rewards outstanding teachers with materials to support their classrooms. Johnson, who teaches fifth-grade math and science, also received a plant and a framed certificate.

Hickory

Veterans Day: Army JROTC cadets at Hickory High School participated in several Veterans Day events this month.

The Tornado Battalion supported the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry Hunger 5K Race/Walk on Nov. 10 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Cadets assisted with race set up, food preparation, face painting and manning water points.

Cadets also provided a Color Guard on Nov. 11 for American Legion Post 544 at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church. Students posted and retired the colors during the church service honoring veterans and raised the national colors on the flag pole in front of the church.

On Nov. 13, cadets posted colors at a Military Career Fair held at Hickory High.

Participants were Kevin Woodward, Nathaniel Brown, Miguel Betancourt, Devin Pike, Dalton Teague, DeJanei Delaney, Travis Vaughn, Artavius Robinson and Shayla Propst.

Several Hickory High JROTC cadets have already contracted with military service beyond high school.

DeJanei Delaney will work with the Army as a military intelligence analyst. Travis Vaughn has contracted with the Army as a CH 47 helicopter maintenance technician. Artavius Robinson will enter the Navy as a naval intelligence analyst.

Workforce training: Students at Hickory High School and Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High (HCAM) are participating in a workforce program that provides year-round integrated experiences.

Sustained Training All Year includes training in occupational skills and part-time employment, as well as instruction in math, reading, technology and employment skills. Students have visited CVCC, Job Link and the Hickory Museum of Art.

Charles Mackey from Gang of One visited STAY to discuss the gang culture in the Hickory area. Cassandra Martin, an English teacher at HCAM, spoke with students about preparing for job interviews.

Area businesses involved with the STAY program are: Kingston Residence, Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory Housing Authority, Children’s Academy, Catawba Science Center, Goodwill, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Salvation Army, Hickory High Athletic Department, Hickory Family Practice, William Straka, DDS; Job Link, The Flower Shop and Lowes Foods.

Essay contest: Students at Northview Middle and Grandview Middle are invited to participate in the Elks Lodge Annual Americanism Essay Contest.

The theme this year is “What Does the National Anthem Mean to Me.” All essays are due by Dec. 14. Students should ask their teachers for guidelines and directions.

A formal recognition ceremony for essay contest winners will be held in February at the Hickory Elks Lodge.

Newton-Conover

South Newton groundbreaking: Newton-Conover City Schools recently held a groundbreaking for the new South Newton Elementary.

Superintendent Barry Redmond, associate superintendent David Stegall, Board of Education chairman Scott Loudermelt, Mayor Anne Stedman and Catawba County Board of Commissioners chairman Kitty Barnes attended.

The Newton-Conover High JROTC presented the flags. Second- and third-graders sang “Tigers Together” written by music teacher Elizabeth Fowler.

The entire student body wore yellow construction hats.

Tumbler sale: The Newton-Conover High School PTSA is selling Tervis-style tumbler cups this fall. The dark red plastic cups with Newton-Conover Red Devils on them are $15, including a lid. Proceeds benefit the high school.

For details, call the school at 828-465-0920.

Fall sports banquet: Newton-Conover High will hold its Fall Sports Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in the gymnasium.

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. To purchase in advance, visit the school office or call 828-465-0920.

Hall of Fame: Nominations are now being accepted for the Newton-Conover High School Hall of Fame.

Athletes, coaches and major contributors to Newton-Conover athletics are eligible for the honor. Deadline is Dec. 31.

For information, visit www.nccs.k12.nc.us or contact Shawn Sigmon at ssigmon@peoplesbanknc.com.

Compiled by Leigh Pressley