The Lee Brothers of North Carolina and Virginia held its 22nd annual Tae Kwon Do tournament Nov. 12 at the Herbert Young Community Center in Cary. About 1,500 watched as more than 28 schools and 400 Tae Kwon Do students competed for trophies. Grand Master K.S. Lee, with three schools in the Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Holly Springs area, directed the event. Lee Brothers of Raleigh won first place, Black Belt World of Knightdale came in second, and Eagle Tae Kwon Do of Herndon, Va., placed third.

STUDENTS ACHIEVE GIRL SCOUT GOLD

Five Cary students received the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.

Ritika Patil is the daughter of Preeth and Suma Patil. For her Gold Award project, Patil worked with the Ronald McDonald House of Durham to make it more colorful and lively for the families who stay there. She rejuvenated the garden outside the house by adding accessories and by planting low-maintenance perennial flowers. She also added colorful handmade cushions and decorative accents to the family room.

Patil is a senior at Panther Creek High School and is a member of Girl Scout Troop 1917. She serves on the Student Action Board, and belongs to National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Key Club.

Emma Thorpe is the daughter of Suzanne and Tod Thorpe. For her Gold Award project, Thorpe created a series of lessons on exercise and nutrition. She worked with the children's program at The Carying Place, a local organization that assists working families with housing and finances.

Thorpe is a senior at Athens Drive High School and a member of Girl Scout Troop 1860. Thorpe runs on the cross country and track teams and is a member of National Honor Society, Youth and Government, Spanish Club, Math Club and Junior Marshalls.

Julia Hujar is the daughter of Aimee and Dan Hujar. For her Gold Award project, Hujar organized and hosted an orchestra club at a local elementary school. Twenty third-, fourth- and fifth-grade participants learned how to play the stringed instrument of their choice.

Hujar is a graduate of Cary High School and was in Girl Scout Troop 1870.

Gabriela Quinlan is the daughter of Helen and Shane Quinlan. For her Gold Award project, Quinlan taught more than 300 Lufkin Road Middle School students about the effects of litter on the environment. She also recruited volunteers for the annual Clean up at Crabtree at Lake Crabtree County Park.

Quinlan is a graduate of Cary High School and was a member of Girl Scout Troop 1870.

Kayleigh Remavich is the daughter of Susan and Michael Remavich. For her Gold Award project, Remavich planned and hosted two educational theme week programs at a YMCA after-school program. Participants learned about healthy living and the United States.

Remavich is a senior at Green Hope High School and a member of Girl Scout Troop 1860. Remavich is also a member of Future Teachers of America and the youth group at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.