Our school notes this week include the dates for upcoming flu clinics at local public schools, and also news of Ben Wyatt of Woodlawn’s winning poster in a local Lions Club contest and Michael Sanders of Cannon’s successful golf season in U.S. Kids Golf.  We also have a calendar of upcoming events, including North Meck’s 3rd annual Chili Cook-off, set for Thursday afternoon.

WOODLAWN POSTER ADVANCES IN LIONS CLUB CONTEST

A poster created by Woodlawn sixth grader Ben Wyatt was the winner of a local Lions Club “Power of Peace” contest.

The winning poster by Ben Wyatt of Woodlawn.

Wyatt’s poster was selected by the Cornelius Lake Norman Lions for top honors, and it will be forwarded to the district-level competition.  The drawing of clasped hands over a globe and world flags was commended for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Power of Peace.” The judging was held on Nov. 3 at the Lions Club.

Each year, Lions clubs around the world sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November 15, are eligible to participate.  One international grand prize winner and 23 merit awards will be selected.

Club President Angelo Lorusso Jr said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at Woodlawn School.  Also receiving recognition at the contest were posters by sixth-grader Matthew Shaw and seventh-grader Clare MacDonald.

“Our club is cheering for Ben as his poster advances in the competition, and we hope that his vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” Mr. Lorusso.

FLU CLINICS COMING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district is seeking to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus (also known as Swine Flu) by holding free vaccination clinics for students during school hours.  In Davidson, the clinics are set for the following dates:

• Tuesday, Dec. 1, for both Davidson IB Middle and Davidson Elementary.
• Friday, Dec. 18 for Bailey Middle

Students have already been sent home with information about the vaccine, and consent forms must be turned in before a child will be allowed to receive either a shot or nasal mist, depending on what form of vaccination the school receives from the Mecklenburg County Health Department.  The vaccine will only be given to students and staff who attend the school where the clinic is being held.  For more information, see the CMS website.  Parents volunteers are needed to help with the free clinics.  Contact the individual schools if you would be available to volunteer.

CANNON 4TH GRADER HAS NATIONAL GOLF SUCCESS

Cannon fourth-grader Michael Sanders of Davidson recently completed a busy season of golf. He practices and plays at River Run Golf Club in Davidson, but traveled throughout the Carolinas during the summer and fall to play in tournaments with both the National Junior Golf Club and U.S. Kids Golf.

Michael Sanders

His tournament success includes wins at Northstone Country Club in Huntersville (score of 76) and Rocky River Golf Club in Concord (73), second place at TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte (73), and 3rd at the Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis (74). Because of his level of play, he qualified for the National Junior Golf Club World Championship, which was played at Sea Trails Resort in Sunset Beach, N.C., over Labor Day weekend. Michael placed 3rd out of 10 boys in his age group.

He won a U.S. Kids Golf World Qualifier tournament at Beacon Ridge in Pinehurst last summer, which qualified him for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst in August. Michael placed 43rd out of 143 boys in the nine-year old division.

This fall, he has participated in several other tournaments with the U.S. Kids Golf program. He finished 4th at Highland Creek Golf Club in Charlotte (37 for 9 holes) and 2nd at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Travelers Rest, S.C, (37 for 9 holes). At River Run, he won his flight in the Junior Club championship and finished his season by winning the Junior Member-Member championship with a 15-year old partner.

He looks forward to being able to compete with the Cannon Golf team. His long-term goal is to earn a scholarship to play golf for Wake Forest University.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

• THURSDAY, NOV. 19 – CMS school board at-large member Kay McGarry will be holding an informal coffee hour at Summit Coffee in Davidson, 7:30 – 9 a.m.  See our post, “Will she get an earful on Hough High?“
• THURSDAY, NOV. 19 - North Meck High will host its third-annual Chili Cook-off, a fundraiser for the Youth United Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  Tickets are $5 per person for all-you-can-eat chili, which will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 in the school cafeteria.  The event will include live music and an auction.
• THURSDAY, NOV. 19 – Second annual International Night at Bailey Middle.  This event will run from 6:30 – 7:30 and feature international music, performances and food.
• SATURDAY, NOV. 21 – Davidson Day will host an open house for families of prospective students from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the school’s commons.  Davidson Day is a private prep school serving grades preK-12, located on Jetton Street in Davidson.  Teachers, administrators and current students will be available for interested families wanting to learn more about the school.
• WED. – FRIDAY, NOV. 25-27 - Thanksgiving holiday break for most area schools.
• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2 - Walk to School Wednesday for Davidson Elementary

Send us your news Have school news you want to share? Send calendar items and press releases about local school news to us at: lauriedennis@bellsouth.net