Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Notable accomplishments in and out of the classroom by Laurel natives.
Below, find a roundup of the latest honors, degrees, and extracurricular accomplishments from Laurel-area college students. Descriptions are courtesy of the institutions named and/or students' family members. Bob Jones University: Michael Hammons of Laurel—a Junior Criminal Justice major—was among approximately 1,500 Bob Jones University students who were named to the Spring 2013 Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a 3.0 grade point average. DeSales University: James V. Raymond of Laurel graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre from DeSales University on Saturday, May 18, 2013. During the ceremony, DeSales President Father Bernard O'Connor, OSFS, conferred degrees upon 405 graduates, including …
Teams from across the country competed recently in Virginia Beach, VA.
Middle and high school-aged cheerleaders from Prince George's County Public Schools were recognized at a national competition. PGCPS cheerleaders competed against others from across the country in different catergories—including Varsity, Junior Varsity (JV) Advanced, Varsity and JV Intermediate—at the U.S. Finals Cheerleading and Dance National Competition in Virginia Beach, VA. Winning PGCPS cheerleaders include: Walker Mill Middle School placed in the top ten nationally in their category. PGCPS cheerleaders ranked as the following in the U.S.:
Monday, May 20, 2013
Baseball's Iron Man delivered the commencement address Sunday at the University of Maryland's Comcast Center.
Drawing on his experience with talent, attitude, and success in professional baseball, hall of famer Cal Ripken, Jr. delivered the University of Maryland commencement address Sunday at the Comcast Center in College Park. The "Iron Man"—best known for playing a record 2,632 consecutive games with the Baltimore Orioles—spoke to some 7,000 members of the class of 2013 along with their family, friends, and professors. Recalling his transformation from a headstrong rookie to American League MVP, Ripken urged each student to "thoroughly examine your attitude, to make it positive, and to go forth and make your mark on this world." Ripken, who was raised in Aberdeen, played shortstop and third base for Orioles from 1981 to 2001. He is one of just …
The job fair will be held in Upper Marlboro on June 1.
Prince George's County Public Schools are recruiting school bus drivers and will host a job fair on June 1. The position offers a starting salary of $16.68 per hour, but drivers can advance to $30 per hour. Drivers will be provided with commercial drivers license training when hired. According to the county schools: Offered benefits include health insurance, dental, vision and retirement plan(s). A complete history driving record is required for Maryland drivers, and a full history driving record is required for District of Columbia drivers. Those attending the job fair must bring their complete or full history driving record and current DOT card. Eligible candidates may not have more than three previous points in their complete driving …
Friday, May 17, 2013
In a speech rich with historical references, the first lady reminded the Bowie State class of 2013 why education is important.
In a speech celebrating the history of Bowie State University and the struggles of African Americans forced to fight for their education, First Lady Michelle Obama told the class of 2013 on Friday that it was time to "feel hungry" again. “For generations, in many parts of this country it was illegal for black people to get an education,” Obama said, telling tales of students who were threatened, teachers who were beaten and schools that were burned when African American first sought education. “But despite the risks, students flocked to these schools in droves,” she said, speaking to a crowd of thousands at the University of Maryland's Comcast Center in College Park. Bowie State—Maryland’s oldest historically black university—was founded …
You can register for any course in the fall semester up until 11:59 p.m. the day before classes begin.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Laurel authorities have created multiple strategies to bring awareness and regulation to pedestrian safety.
There has been a decline in pedestrian accidents in the city of Laurel since 2007, which can be attributed to a combination of changes in enforcement and general traffic safety awareness, officials said. To address these incidents, the Laurel Police Department has utilized educational campaigns, stricter enforcement, improvements to pedestrian visibility and installments of speed and red light cameras, according to Richard McLaughlin, Laurel’s Chief of Police. “We’re treading into new territory,” McLaughlin said. “Obviously it’s an awareness that is practiced by the pedestrians and the vehicle operators also.” Much of the scenarios in pedestrian accidents involved people who didn’t wait for the traffic light to turn red or who didn’t use …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Three stations will be closed along the Green Line in Prince George's County the weekend of May 17-19, according to WMATA.
If you were hoping to avoid some of the traffic along Route 1 this weekend, when thousands of University of Maryland students and their families will be on campus for commencement, take note that three Metro stations will be closed along the Green Line. According to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, College Park metro station will be closed this weekend along with the Greenbelt and Prince George's Plaza stations while crews perform track upgrades—"including tie and insulator renewal, interlocking maintenance and work associated with construction of a new test track for 7000-series railcars." The stations will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and will reopen Monday morning. However, if you must use metro to …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The applicants are vying for four open seats on Prince George's County Board of Education, county officials told The Washington Post.
Interest in being on the Prince George's County Board of Education has peaked since County Executive Rushern L. Baker III's legislation passed to expand the school board and appoint the chief of the school district. According to The Washington Post, about 160 people applied for the four open positions on the school board. Baker's education liaison, Christian Rhodes, told the Post that applicants vary from active parents, CEOs, university professors and civic leaders. Read more about the school board applicants on The Washington Post.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Albert Lewis teaches language arts at Walker Mill Middle School.
A language arts teacher at Walker Mill Middle School in Capitol Heights was named Prince George's County Public Schools 2013 "Teacher of the Year" in a ceremony Thursday night in Greenbelt. According to the county's press release on the award, Lewis began teaching in PGCPS schools as a substitute teacher in 2006. After earning his teaching certificate through the school system's Resident Teacher Program, he began teaching language arts at Walker Mill in 2007. “Mr. Lewis brings a wealth of intellect, experience, and expertise to the job,” said Walker Mill Principal Nicole Clifton. “His dedication and passion for the craft and his community is evident in his instruction and other areas, as well.” In addition to teaching, Lewis serves as …
Brian Doon
1:48 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
The Chief of Police knows that automated enforcement was what slowed Laurel drivers down, not education (though the cameras are a form of education). Laurel also has worked miracles with improved sidewalk and crossings in the US 1 Corridor plus other pathways in other locations like Van Dusen Rd. All this was based on good planning by the City plus Konterra bringing in more consumers followed by … more ›