Happy Holidays!

An Update from Marriotts Ridge!

 

As 2007 draws to a close, we hope that you are enjoying the holidays and will spend a few minutes reading the accomplishments of our students and staff members during December …

·              We honored over 700 students who achieved Honor Roll Status for First Quarter with an Ice Cream Celebration sponsored by the PTSA, Boosters, and Administration.

·              Romeo and Juliet was a huge success!  Directed by Drama Teacher Sally Livingston, this production involved over 50 students … the dialogue was magnificent, the action scenes were tremendous, and the costumes were phenomenal … Bravo, Bravo!

·              Several of our art students have their teapots on display around the area …teapots made by Katie Jurney, Caroline Kessler, and Sarah Brown are included in an exhibit at the Maryland State Department of Education in Baltimore and teapots designed by Katie, Audra Swearengen, Jane Suh, and Keith Miller can be seen at the Howard County Board of Education.  We have enjoyed looking at the teapots in the art cases at the school also …I see something new every time I walk by them.  Congratulations to these students and our Art Department!

·              Mitch Stahm won First Place for his ARL-Business and Finance presentation at Howard Community College.  Well Done, Mitch!

·              The MRHS Brass Quintet was commended by the County Executive Ken Ulman and the County Council for the group’s performance at the annual Howard County Library Project Literacy Awards Ceremony …congratulations to Casey Burnett, Leslie Decker, Clara Kim, Greg Mitchell, Greg Townsend, and Band Director Nick Ellis!

·              Our Community Service Club, ACT, and the many students and families who participated in the gift drive for our soldiers stationed in Iraq and Germany must be thanked for their efforts … 23 boxes of gifts, toiletries, snacks, and supplies were shipped overseas!  Kudos to ACT Sponsor Nancy Czarnecki and her kids!

·              Through our FBLA and Computer Science clubs, our students involved in Stang Software did an excellent job of producing the Fall Sports Team Booklet … everyone loved looking through it at our Fall Sports Awards.  Stang Software is also designing websites for several community businesses and groups.  Keep up the good work … it is extremely exciting to see what these students are doing under the guidance of Mr. Reg Hahne and the CTE Department.

·              Drama students continue to have their reviews of local plays included in various publications … congratulations to our latest Cappie Critic, Abby Schwarz!

·              Several MRHS Fall Sports student athletes were selected for All-County Honors by the Howard County Times …Marissa Graydon, Emma Claffy, and Jordan Haskins in Volleyball; Christina DiMarco (also selected for All-State honors), Mary Kate Morani, Colleen Quinlan, and Samantha Olson in Girls Soccer; and John Kim in Golf.  We will continue to recognize other honored student-athletes in future updates. Congratulations to these students and their coaches on their athletic accomplishments!

·              Brittney Brothers, Liza Freint, Abbey Marvenko, and Holly Jones were chosen to represent Marriotts Ridge in the 2007 PTSA Reflections Program based on their entries in the choreography division.  These young ladies are great representatives for our school and will do very well at the county and state level.  Thanks to Dance Teacher Trish Spruill and PTSA President Jennifer Burgy for organizing this effort.

·              The MRHS Math Team, under the direction of Math Team Leader Eric Ebersole and Melissa Barbieri, has catapaulted to First Place in their division of the Howard County Mathematics League … leading the way are Alex Lee (top junior in the county), Brian Kim (top freshman), Bo Lee, and Sam Xi … way to go!

·              Congratulations to Art Teacher Jaye Ayres on being selected for the National Art Education Association’s Marion Quinn Dix Leadership Award … this is a very prestigious honor!  Mrs. Ayres will receive her award at the national conference later in the year … we are blessed to have many wonderful educators on our staff … thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Ayres!

·              Speaking of our staff members who are involved in so many initiatives … Science Teacher Bryan Stuller was chosen to participate in a very selective project … he and his students are raising Maryland terrapins in his classroom that will be released back into the Chesapeake Bay environment.

·              We must also recognize our Fine Arts Team for the outstanding band, orchestra, choral, and dance concerts held over the past few weeks.  In addition, we want to applaud our teachers and students for the large number of music students chosen for All-State Honors …9 All-State Band, 17(out of 40 statewide) All-State Chorus , and 8 All-State Orchestra.  What an amazing accomplishment!  Thanks to Fine Arts Team Leader Terry Eberhardt, Rosemary Lather, Nick Ellis, and Trish Spruill for their outstanding work with our students in these programs.

All-State Band

Yebo Fu                                   Chi Chi An                               Brian Tich        

Luke Spence                            Leslie Decker                           Michael Woodhead

Greg Townsend                        Kayleigh Decker                       Matt Fischer

All-State Chorus

Stephanie Lee               Natalie Arnone                         Julia Townsend

Michelle Saunders                    Abby Schwarz              Katie McFarlane

Maddie Whiting                        Kelly Harrigan              Cara Antico

David Todd                              Linus Park                                Ben Cairns

Noah Farrell                             Rick Shafer                              Tommy Zepp

Sam Ock                                  Robert Zhang

                                                            All-State Orchestra

            Brian Kim                                 Helen Luh                                 Sam Xi

            Gloria Pak                                Thomas Rimlinger                     Esther Jung

            Meagan Peaco             Sang Hyuk Lee

·              Finally, in the spirit of the season, we applaud everyone who contributed to the SGA holiday fundraisers over the past few weeks.  Based on the donations of  students, staff, members, and families, the SGA purchased and delivered 112 new gifts for underprivileged children in the Treatment Foster Care Program at The Children’s Home in Catonsville.  We have supported this worthwhile cause for the past three years and have doubled our contribution.  In addition, a Penny Drive was held for the Children’s Cancer Foundation and over $100 in spare change was contributed during lunch time.  Thank you one and all … special thanks to SGA President Sarah Hamilton and SGA Sponsor Mark Dubbs!

 

We wish you the best for the holidays and the upcoming new year … Go  Mustangs!

Pat Saunderson, Cara Moulds, Rosalie Bowen, and James LeMon