We hope that you take a few minutes to read through this update … there is so much news to share …

 

  • February is designated as African American History Month.  The Howard County School System's theme for this year is “From Slavery to Freedom … the story of Africans in America”.  We recognize the numerous contributions and the legacy created by African Americans throughout American history.  We will honor American African heritage along with many other cultures represented at Marriotts Ridge during a Multicultural Fair and Assembly in late February.  Our Mustang African American Awareness Club, our Multicultural Club, the Southeast Asia Club, and the Fine Arts Team are working together to plan this special event.  In addition, based on my work with a state department of education committee, Marriotts Ridge has been chosen as a pilot school for a special program to be implemented at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History.  A representative group of Mustang students will travel to the museum on February 29.
  • February 5-9 is designated as Employee Appreciation Week and School Counseling Week.  While we will recognize all of our staff members during the traditional Teacher Appreciation Week in May, we want to applaud all that our teachers, counselors, assistants, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers do to make this school run every day.  The PTSA and Boosters honored all of us with a wonderful dinner tonight as part of Mid-Year Conferences.  We truly thank all of our families who contributed to the dinner … SPECIAL THANKS to our PTSA Staff Appreciation Committee!!!
  • Great News!!!! Four MRHS students have been chosen as National Merit Scholar Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Zachary Essner, Igor Khrustalev, Colleen Quinlan, and Brendan Wray are to be commended for their accomplishments … this is quite an honor for each of these students … what a great representation for our school!
  • Our Second Quarter Honor Roll Celebration was held today.  We served ice cream sundaes to 721 Honor Roll students, including over 130 4.0 scholars.  Congratulations to all students who achieved at a high level this quarter and we wish the best to all of our students for a successful Third Quarter.
  • Receiving the results of the Howard County Local Assessments, we are proud to announce that our students achieved “Top 3 in Howard County” status on the following tests:  US History, Intro to Geometry (#1), American Government, English 9, Chemistry, and Earth Science! Thanks to our teachers for their excellent preparation of our students.
  • During the 2006-7 school year, Marriotts Ridge was #1 among Howard County high schools for attendance.  We are at the top of the county again this year, but we slipped a little bit during Second Quarter.  To achieve “Excellent” status in Attendance on the Maryland State Report Card, we need to achieve 96% or better.  Even though we never want students to attend school when they are truly ill, please join with us to address “mental health” days, senior skip days, and lateness to First Period (lateness after 7:45 to First Period is considered an absence in that class by county and state policies).  Lateness is becoming a very big issue … it does not seem to be a big deal when it is just your kid.  However, we are dealing with more than 25 students each day.  We would hate to have to consider “Denial of Credit” (state regulations require consideration for Denial of Credit for any classes that is missed more than 9 times).  Let's work together on this one … thanks!
  • New editions of The Stallion and The Buzz have been distributed recently.  Kudos to Ms. Olsen and her newspaper staff … congrats also to Mr. Hahne and the staff of The Buzz.  Both publications contain great articles from our student writers.  Check them out at www.marriottsridge.net.
  • Speaking of publications, the Second Quarter edition of The Ridge, our PTSA sponsored newsletter, should be arriving at your house soon.  You can also read it on our website.  Please take a few minutes to read through this very important information.  We appreciate all that our newsletter editor, Mrs. Cindy O'Brien, does to coordinate this effort … it always look great!
  • Congratulations to Kelly Scruggs and Laura Chilcoat on their artwork being featured in the 2008 Howard County Human Rights Commission's Fair Housing Calendar … well done!
  • Several students participated in the first MRHS Piano Competition recently.  Held at the HCC Horowitz Performing Center, Sarah Hess was awarded first place and commendations were given to the following students:  Sam Xi, Winston Chiu, Da An, Kevin Yu, and Josh Tilles.  Thanks to Mrs. Lather for coordinating this event in conjunction with River Hill High.
  • As part of our partnership with the Horizon Foundation, four students …Courtney Miller, Katie Smalley,      Jon Lim, and Dana Barnes … are involved with several western Howard County initiatives.  With students from Glenelg High and our feeder middle schools, they have been helping to plan a Teen Game Room at the Glenwood Community Center on Route 97.  The kick off event is this Saturday from 7 -10 PM … it is called Café Groove and sounds pretty cool … students who are interested in attending should go to www.howardcountymd.gov/rap for more details.
  • Congratulations to all of our band students who participated in the Howard County Solo and Ensemble Festival last weekend.  Over 40 students represented Marriotts Ridge and all received Superior or Excellent ratings.  We are very proud of Mr. Ellis and our band students!
  • Hoedown at The Ridge is right around the corner!  Our Boosters are working very hard to put together another great evening.  This event is the biggest fundraiser of the year to support all of our extracurricular programs….would love to see you there.  More details can be found at www.mrhs-boosters.com.
  • Finally, we want to commend the hundreds of students who participated in the Marriotts Ridge High Science Fair.  We enjoyed reviewing our students' research.  Thanks to Mr. Sageman and the Science Department Team for coordinating this worthwhile learning experience.  Our award winners are listed below … congratulations!!!

 

Overall Place              Title                                                                                                    Student(s)

1st        Fractual Dimension, Power Spectra and the Classification of Music                               Brian Kim

2nd        The Effect of Eisenia Fetida proteins on the Growth of Pam212 Epidermal Cells            Wendy Zhang

3rd        The Effect of Organic Farming on the Vitamin C Content of Fruits                                 Brian Tich

 

Engineering and Technology

1st        Lights and Sounds                                                                                                        Sean Martin

2nd        The Effect of Secondary Windings on a Transformers Volt Output                                 Kyle Mercer

3rd        The Effect of Different Types of Attic Vents on the Temperature and Humidity               Rachel Jones

 

 

Physics

1st        Bass Strings                                                                                                                  Nick Davey

2nd        The Effect of Winglets on the Performance of Airplanes                                                 Ryan Oberholzer

3rd        The Effect of Wing Shape on Flight Performance                                                           John Walters

 

 

Animal Biology

1st        The Effect of Eisenia Fetida proteins on the Growth of Pam212 Epidermal Cells            Wendy Zhang

2nd        The Effect of Chlorine on the control of Zebra Mussels                                                  Brendan McMurtray

3rd        The Effect of Various Substances on the Widths of Animal and Vegetable Cell Membranes

                                                                                                                                                Rachael Follmer

 

 

Behavioral Science

1st        The Effect of Nerve Density on age Difference                                                              Stephanie Massuda

2nd        Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of the Day?                                                          Rebecca Faith

3rd        The Effect of Chewing Gum on Short-Term Memory                                                     Marissa Goon

 

Environmental Science

1st        The Effect of the Type of Storm water Management Method                                         Jake Vogel

2nd        The Effects of Salinity on the Movement of Water                                                         Claire Gellner

3rd        The Effect of a Whitewater feature on the Oxygen Content of Water                              Will Jennings

 

 

Microbiology

1st        The Effect of BPI Homebox Gene Expression on Hs578T Breast Cancer Cells              Yebo Fu

1st        The Mighty Dust Mite                                                                                                   Laura Chilcoat

2nd        The Effect of Ultraviolet Light on Bacterial DNA                                                           Shuna Gao

3rd        What are you Eating? Bacteria or Salad                                                                        Caroline Jurney

 

 

Chemistry

1st        The Effect of Organic Farming on the Vitamin C Content of Fruits                                 Brian Tich

2nd        Heat Treatment of Pineapple to Allow Gelatin Formation                                               Amanda Jefferson

3rd        Infrared Spectroscopy                                                                                                  Tim Shea

3rd        The Effect of Paint on the Burning Time of Paper                                                           Eric Zhang

 

 

Plant Biology

1st        The Effect of Antifreeze Type and Concentration on Plant Growth                                 Alison Murphy

2nd        The Effect of Temperature on the Germination and Radical Length of Lectuva Sativa      Vidya Gondalia

3rd        The Effect of Phragmite on Bio-Diversity                                                                       Cara Koontz

 

 

Mathematics

1st        Fractual Dimension, Power Spectra and the Classification of Music                               Brian Kim

2nd        What is the Fastest Way to Solve a Rubik's Cube?                                                        Omair Javed

 

I am sure that we missed a few things … we will catch them next time.  We hope to see you around the school … Boys Basketball is fighting for the county championship and the Wrestling Team is 29-6.   WOW!   The Spring musical is coming soon along with Class Acts and many other events.  Go Mustangs!