School news

Mecklenburg

Vance: Larenz Bryant has been selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5.

Bryant is one of the country’s top 90 high school players chosen to play in the bowl, which is the nation’s premier high school all-star football game. He is the seventh ranked linebacker in the country and is No. 1 in the state. He has committed to play for the University of South Carolina.

J.V. Washam Elementary: The Father Daughter Dress Committee is asking for donations of gently used dresses and accessories for “The Dance.”

The donations may be dropped off beginning Jan. 3 in the parent room. The committee will sponsor a Dress Shoppe on Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m. and Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the school cafeteria. Girls will have the opportunity to select an outfit for the dance at no charge from the donations. The Dance will be held Feb. 2.

SouthLake Christian Academy: The Fine Arts Department presented three Christmas concerts recently. The Department includes a 97-member orchestra with 25 primer violins and 20 advanced strings.

Socrates Academy: The school will hold open houses for prospective families on Jan. 15, 5-7 p.m. and Jan. 17, 9-11 a.m.

Crisis assistance: The National Association of School Psychologists has developed a guide for dealing with a national crisis. Visit http://bit.ly/UmzlL8 for the guide.

CMS counselors also are available to staff and students in need of support services.

Cabarrus

Cannon School: For the second consecutive year, Cannon School has received the High School Team Academic Award for the girls’ and boys’ soccer programs from the National Coaches Association of America.

For qualification, the team must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for the academic year.

Spelling Bee: The annual Cabarrus County Schools Spelling Bee will be Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at Concord Middle School, 1500 Gold Rush Dr..

Elementary and middle school students will compete for the Top Speller title, with the winner representing the district in The Charlotte Observer regional spelling bee.

A.T. Allen: The school has won a $30,000 grant from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation for its Window to the World WeatherBug Station project. A weather station and iPads for data analysis will be purchased with the grant and the equipment will be available for the school community, STEM programs and the CCS transportation department.

Board of Education: The Board of Education recently presented Impact Through Education Awards to the following students and staff:

• Royal Oaks Elementary School: (students) Caroline Ferrell, Quartay Hopper; (staff) Molly Carlberg, Yolanda Massey.

• Concord High: (students) L-Roy McCray, Savannah Pressley; (staff) Chrissy Rotan, Kathy Horsley.

• Beverly Hills Elementary: Jan Ragan has been awarded the December Teacher of the Month. Teachers are nominated by students, co-workers or parents.

Holiday eCard Design Contest: The second annual contest winners have been announced by the School Superintendent. They are:

• Elementary: Leilani McFadden, Pitts School Road.

• Middle: Anna Victoria Steele, Harold Winkler.

• High: Amelia Howden, Cox Mill

Winecoff Elementary: The school was recently recognized by the Board of Education for earning the Energy Star Award for outstanding energy efficiency.

• Hannah Hoffmann has won the Winecoff Spelling Bee and will compete countywide in January. Jordan Greene was the runner-up.

Union

Parkwood, Porter Ridge and CATA High Schools: Students from the schools recently toured the NBC Charlotte news studios. The students met Anchor/Reporter Sonja Gantt and Executive News Director Corrie Harding who discussed different jobs and responsibilities at the news station. After a facilities tour, the group watched the noon news broadcast in the studio.

Family Engagement Conference: Schools will host a conference on Strengthening Community Partnerships on Feb. 9 at Monroe Middle from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Families will learn about programs and ways to increase student success.

Piedmont High: Senior Ronald Hoxit has been awarded the Unsung Hero Award for 2012-2013. He was recognized by teachers and staff who recognized his strong work ethic, positive outlook and motivation. Last year, Hoxit and another class member received an Honorable Mention designation in the high school video contest “What’s Super About Public School.” After graduation, Hoxit will work at Union Diversified Industries in Monroe.

Porter Ridge High: The Book Club and National English Honor Society packed 13 boxes with 1,000 books on Dec. 12 to send to St. Catherine’s High School Library in Lesotho. The “Help Build a Library in Africa” book drive started in October and also raised over $500 for shipping costs.

York

Bethel Elementary: Two Bethel LEGO Robotic teams won awards in the Regional Competition on Dec. 8.

The Betbots earned second place honors for their Power Hand research which benefits arthritis patients. The Botics, placed fifth overall, earned a Judges’ Award for performance in all areas of the competition and will advance to state competitions in February.

Clover Middle: Three CMS LEGO Robotic teams recently earned awards in the regional competition.

The Senior Sleepers earned second place in Core Values, placing 12th overall. The WannaBe Wheelies placed 10th and earned the Judges’ Award. The Go Go Geezers placed seventh and earned the Spirit Award.

South Pointe High: The AFJROTC Markmanship Team recently placed sixth in the Gary Anderson National Invitational Marksmanship Match held in Anniston, Ala. Team members in the match were Reid Motsinger, Benjamin Johnson, Eduard Krasnov, William Rivera and Christian Moss. The team also won first place in the Air Force All Blue Postal meet with a score only 30 points off the Air Force record. Team members for this meet were Motsinger, Krasnov, Moss and Rivera.

Compiled by Cindy Stern