The Book Club at Cary High School invited Beaux Foy, lead singer of the band Airiel Down, to visit the high school on Dec. 19. Foy discussed the importance of obtaining a library card and reading.

DILLARD DRIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL

National Geographic Kids magazine set the Guinness World Record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period and students from the Wake County Public School System helped with the record. Michelle Obama kicked off the challenge on the White House lawn along with 464 Washington-area children. Physical Education teacher Julie Mardis at Dillard Drive Middle School coordinated school-wide participation Oct. 12. National Geographic Kids reported 300,265 jumpers participated in the event.

HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

The Cary American Legion Post 67 will hold its annual High School Oratorical Contest on Jan. 7. The winner at the post level will advance to the district level and that winner will advance to the division level and finally to the state level. The winner at the state level will receive $1,500 and go to the national contest in Indianapolis, Ind. National winners receive $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 for first, second and third place. For information, call 919-481-4811 or visit www.legion.org .

JFK ESSAY CONTEST

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is accepting submissions from high school students for the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest. Deadline for entries is Jan. 7.

The winner will be awarded $5,000 and an additional $5,000 to grow in a John Hancock Freedom 529 College Savings Plan. The student's nominating teacher will be awarded a $500 John F. Kennedy Public Service Grant to be applied toward projects involving student leadership and civic engagement. For information, visit www. jfk library .org .

OLIVE CHAPEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The PTA at Olive Chapel Elementary School in Apex donated $6,000 to the school to begin purchasing new technology for the classrooms.

The teachers received seven data projectors, seven document cameras and seven sets of computers speakers, enough for each grade level and department to add one full technology cart for classroom use.

WAKE ELECTRIC SCHOLARSHIP

Wake Electric is seeking applicants for a $1,000 college scholarship and trip to Washington, D.C., for the 2012 Rural Electric Youth Tour June 15-22.

Students who win the two available North Carolina Rural Electric Youth Tour spots will join 1,500 high school students from across the country to learn about electric cooperatives, American history and the U.S. government. Students will visit historic sites and meet with congressional leaders.

Youth Tour winners will also create podcasts and digital photo projects while learning about renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change legislation.

Applicants must be current high school juniors in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Vance, Granville, Nash or Franklin counties. Applicants do not have to live in households served by Wake Electric in order to win. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winning students the following year upon proof of enrollment in a college or university.

Deadline to submit applications is March 15. To download an application, visit www.wemc.com/youthtours.aspx.