Local Newsmakers - April 20, 2008

By Staff Reports

The dancers were Anna Allred, Chaslyne Axley, Christy Brakefield, Chelsea Clinton, Drew Crawford, Lexie Cribb, Shelby Cribb, Hannah Moore, Kaitlyn Spires, Morgan Tolson, Halle West and Kinleigh Wilkerson. Choreographers were Lindsay Bryant, Rachel Miller and Alisha P. Curry.

Rock Hill Elks name new officers

The Rock Hill Elks Lodge No. 1318 installed officers for 2008-09 at a March 27 meeting. They are Mark Airington, exalted ruler; Chris O'Neill, leading knight; Arron Fields, loyal knight; Paul Elkins, lecturing knight; Penny Montgomery, PER-secretary; Eddie Graves, PDD-treasurer; Sonny Hovis, PER-tiler; John Blakely, esquire; Chris Thompson, chaplain; Kenny Martin, inner guard; and Clyde Moore, five-year trustee. For details, call Penny Montgomery at 328-2459 or visit www.rockhillelks.org.

Local Red Hat group places in walking event

The Red Hat Society, Carolina Dixie Darlin's Chapter, won third place in a national walking competition, Step and Stride with Ruby, sponsored by the AARP. Ruby is the society's mascot.

From Feb. 1, 2007, through Jan. 31, 2008, members recorded their daily steps and exercise activities. The society with the most steps was the winner. Over 50,000 chapters took part.

The society is a world-wide women's organization for ages 50 and older. Members wear purple outfits and red hats . The Carolina Dixie Darlin's chapter was formed in 2003 and has 19 members.

York agency gets $10,000 from River Hills Lions

The River Hill's Lions recently donated $10,000 to PATH, People Attempting to Help, which provides, clothing, shelter and financial assistance to the needy in York County.

Past Lions president Robert Daily presented the check to PATH executive director Cheryl Curtin. PATH maintains a food pantry and clothing thrift store to fund its mission. The River Hills Lions Club donated funds to PATH from its annual charities budget.

Ebinport students write for Legion essay contest

Ebinport Elementary School students in grades third through fifth participated in an Americanism essay contest sponsored by the Frank Roach American Legion Auxiliary Unit 34. The topic was "America, home of the brave, land that I love. "

Third-grade winners were Brysyn Moore, first place; Paige McMillin-Goodwin, second place; Myliek Durham, third place; Marquise Burris, fourth place; and Lucy Kirkpatrick, fifth place.

Fourth-grade winners were: Adele Robinson, first place; Lara Breitkreutz, second place; Genna Contion, third place; Mariana Obando, fourth place; and Austin Seay, fifth place.

Fifth grade winners were: Hayley Doyle, first place; Tahj Stover, second place; Chris Bailey, third place; Emma Rutledge, fourth place; and Addie Jenson, fifth place.

Adele Robinson's essay received overall first place for class one for grades three and four and Hayley Doyle's essay won overall first place for class two for grades five and six. Their essays will be sent to the American Legion Auxiliary Department of South Carolina for judging at the state level.

Local Toastmaster places in state speaking contest

Maryanne Genus won third place in the Division C Toastmasters prepared speech contest April 15 in Columbia. Her speech, "Say What?," was a humorous look at communication woes.

Genus advanced to the division competition after winning first place in the club and area-level contests. In March, Genus received the competent communicator designation, given to club members who demonstrate proficiency in communication by completing 10 speeches in the group's basic communication manual.

Toastmasters International is a world-wide network of clubs devoted to helping men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking. The Rock Hill Toastmaster's Club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the American Red Cross, 200 Piedmont Blvd., Rock Hill. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 6.

Winthrop educator publishes literacy book

Barbara Blackburn of Winthrop University has published her third book, "Literacy from A to Z: Engaging Students in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening."

The book is a back-to-basics, teacher-centered approach to educational improvement. Blackburn's previous books are "Classroom Motivation from A to Z" and "Classroom Instruction from A to Z."

Blackburn is an associate professor of curriculum and instruction at Winthrop who previously taught elementary, middle and high school. She serves as a consultant for school districts.

The book's publisher, Eye on Education, is making an online video based on Blackburn's experiences for a series, Tales from a Teachers's Heart. The video follows her work with teachers of a low-income, rural school.