School Notes

Anderson Wang, an eighth grader from

Wissahickon Middle School

in Ambler, finished as a semifinalist in the 25th annual National MathCounts Competition, held May 9 and 10 in Denver. He received a $4,000 scholarship.

Only first and second places were awarded, and the next two finishers were designated as semifinalists.

The top four students from each state and several international teams competed for scholarships, a trip to the White House, and other prizes. Wang had earned his trip to the national meet by winning the state competition held in March in Harrisburg.

Jeremy Bierema, of Glenside, an eighth grader at

Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy

in Erdenheim; Bryan Cai, of Bryn Mawr, a seventh grader from Radnor Middle School; and a student from Pittsburgh also represented Pennsylvania.

MathCounts is a program for sixth, seventh and eighth graders that promotes mathematics through coaching and competitions.

About 200 students from

Mount Saint Joseph Academy

in Flourtown participated last month in a volleyball tournament that raised more than $12,000 for four programs aimed at helping children.

The beneficiaries were a robotics program at a school in Ghana, Africa; a scholarship fund for the children of firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks; Operation Smile, which repairs children's cleft palates; and the Mount Saint Joseph Academy scholarship endowment fund.

Fifth grader Julia Roshelli of

Spring-Ford Intermediate School

in Royersford won the grand prize in Pennsylvania American Water's sixth annual Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest.

Students from across the state were asked to illustrate the importance of protecting Pennsylvania's watersheds and water resources. Students also had to write a short description of how watershed protection affects them. Overall, 450 fifth graders submitted entries.

Roshelli's artwork depicted a relaxing watershed scene inhabited with fish and a turtle. It also showed a stoplight design with "Stop," "Think" and "Protect" in reference to Protect the Watersheds.

In her description, she wrote, "I think artwork is a good way to tell people how important wildlife and watersheds are."

Roshelli will have her artwork featured on "Bloomers" cards distributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomers are cards filled with seeds that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.

The cards will be available beginning June 15 by calling 800-565-7592.

The contest was split into two divisions - the western and eastern regions of the state - and first, second and third places were selected in each.

Roshelli also placed first in the eastern division; Jaycie Loomis, a fifth grader at Spring-Ford Intermediate, finished second. Margaret Godillot, also a fifth grader at Spring-Ford, placed third.

All three students were honored during an assembly at the school May 9, and received gift cards to the Discovery Channel's online store.

Three Montgomery County educators were named winners May 9 during the second annual Voices of Inspiration for Teaching Excellence awards dinner, sponsored in part by the

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit

.

They winners were Wendy Parkany, first-grade teacher at

Fort Washington Elementary School

in Upper Dublin; Diane Barrie, English teacher at

Arcola Intermediate School

in Lower Providence; and Antoinette Rapp, a special-education teacher at

Pottstown Senior High School

.

Overall, 23 Montgomery County teachers were recognized as finalists from a pool of about 800 nominations. All finalists were awarded $500 awards. Each of the three winners received an additional $1,500 award.

- Erica Lamberg