Princeton Students Attend High School Law Conference Blanca Valadez, a Princeton High junior, and Gloria Garcia, a senior, attended the High School Law Conference, on Friday, March 10, 2006. The conference was sponsored by the Minorities in the Profession Committee. The conference, created to expose minority students with an above-average GPA to the legal profession, was held at the NC Bar Center in Cary, NC. It featured two panel discussions consisting of various judges and attorneys from Raleigh, Durham, and Winston-Salem. The students were welcomed by Attorney Michael A. Colombo, NCBA President, and Attorney Candice S. Wooten, NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee Chair. They were allowed to ask questions of each panelist, including what influenced their decision to become an attorney. The panel discussions were entitled, "I'm only in High School: What should I be doing now?" and "What can I do with a Law degree?" The motivational keynote speaker was Judge Herbert L. Richardson, District Court Judge of Robeson County. Judge Richardson opened his speech by having the students recite the following: "*somewhere out there he/she is preparing, while I am not and when we meet on the field of battle, he/she will win." He then proceeded to demonstrate how important it is in life to 1) bring your own stuff 2) conquer all foreign territory 3) acquire mental ownership, which will allow physical ownership 4) possess the theory of "one", and 5) maintain ownership, mentally and physically of all dreams. Judge Richardson encouraged the students to "have possession, have authority, and know who you are and where you are going." He stressed the importance of preparation and multi-tasking, and encouraged all of the students to read more. Judge Richardson announced "*if you ever contend to compete against me, you have to read what I read." He then proceeded to give each student a suggested reading list of books that will enable them to compete with the majority. He ended his speech with "*hard work cures everything!" Each student, as a result of this conference, realized that as their needs change, whether that is in high school or college, so does their vision. They left with a vision of what preparation and hard work affords an individual and they seemed pleased and committed to do the same. For more information, please call Miranda Renfrow, Counselor, at 919.936.5011. South Smithfield Hosting Math, Technology Night South Smithfield will host its annual Math and Technology Night on Tuesday, March 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school. Kindergarten through second grade students will participate in hands-on technology activities in the new wing of the building from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and refreshments will be served in the cafeteria from 6:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. Math activities will take place for those grade levels from 7 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. The students will have an opportunity to design a tee-shirt using specialized software. Third through fifth grade students will have math activities from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., with refreshments from 6:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. Technology activities will be available from 7 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. For more information, please call Anna Madison, teacher, at 919.934.8979. Wilson's Mills Elementary School Celebrates The first grade students at Wilson's Mills Elementary School participated in a program that was centered around celebrating and respecting diversity, patriotism, and honoring present and past leaders who made and are making an impact on our country. More than 70 first graders participated. The students learned and sang the "National Anthem", danced and sang a song about being the "Heart of America", and let their lights shine in "This Little Light of Mine". Some students memorized and recited stanza's in a diversity poem called the "Crayon Box", and select students dressed up as famous Americans and played a "Who am I?" game with the audience. Wilson's Mills Book Fair a Success* Wilson's Mills Spring Scholastic Book Fair, sponsored by its PTA, raised a total of $5,574.66 thanks to the generosity of parents, students, and teachers. The fair was open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Wednesday, March 8, and until 3:25 p.m. Tuesday, March 14. Thursday's Family Night event featured Spider Man posing for free photos with the children (and kids of all ages). Spider Man gave away a complimentary coloring page to each child. Teachers were available in the Learning Lab to read books from the fair using a document camera, while parents shopped. Parents donated $150.66 worth of books to classroom libraries through the Teacher Wish List program. The winner of the Family Night's $25 drawing was Keja Stevens from Mrs. Markham's kindergarten class. Keja won $25 worth of free books from the book fair. The fair also sponsored class competitions and daily drawings for students in K-2 and 3-5, as well as the staff. Bonus Bucks worth $5 were drawn daily with a total of $185 given to lucky winners. The media center received $381.53 in books to add to its collection, in addition to a cash profit of $1393.67, which goes towards the purchase of more books for the school. For more information, please call Dee Edmundson, Principal, at 919.934.2978. Selma Chorus to Perform The Selma Elementary Chorus will be performing at the Selma Baptist Church on Webb Street on Sunday, April 2, at the 6:30 p.m. service. The event is open to the public. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please call Jeannie Barnes, Music Teacher, at 919.965.3361. Selma Middle Student to Perform Selma Middle fifth-grader Travis Avery will recite an excerpt of Dr. King's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech at Selma Baptist Church on Sunday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. Travis' recitation will somewhat coincide with the tragic death of Martin Luther King, Jr., as Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, and gave his speech the day before, on April 3, 1968. For more information, please call Suzanna Worrells at 919.965.2555. SSS Wind Ensemble Makes History The Smithfield-Selma High School Wind Ensemble made school history with its performance Tuesday, March 14, at the North Carolina Bandmasters Association State Concert Festival when it earned straight superior ratings, the highest possible score. Three judges graded the band on stage as they performed three prepared pieces. All of these judges rated the Smithfield-Selma Wind Ensemble Superior. The band then moved to another room and performed a piece that they were given only seven minutes to prepare. The Smithfield-Selma Wind Ensemble received a Superior rating for this sight-reading performance as well. The band performed music from the Grade VI category, the most advanced music category in the North Carolina system. Receiving a Superior rating in the Grade VI music category is equivalent to winning a state championship in athletics, as only 10 to 12 bands in the state achieve this level of distinction each year. In the history of Smithfield-Selma High School, only two groups had performed in the State Concert Festival in the Grade VI categories prior to Tuesday. Both the 1992 and the 1993 edition of the Smithfield-Selma Wind Ensemble received an overall rating of Superior in the Grade VI category, and those group's ratings were mixed Excellent and Superior ratings. For more information, please call Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal, at 919.934.5191. Riverwood Middle Band Earns Superior Rating The Riverwood Middle School Eighth Grade Band performed at the North Carolina South Eastern District State Band Festival last week and earned a superior rating, the highest rating you can achieve. Riverwood Middle was the only middle school band from Johnston County to perform at this high level. For more information, please call Chris Germanoski, Band Director, at 919.359.2769.
