CARY ACADEMY
• The middle school’s Eighth-Grade Celebration took place June 6 in the theater. The program consisted of student speakers, student-performed readings and musical interludes. After an awarding of certificates, Marti Jenkins, head of the middle school, presented the Class of 2013 to the Upper School. A reception in the cafeteria followed.
• A three-student team from Cary Academy took first place in its division at the American Computer Science League All-Star Contest in Huntsville, Ala., May 22-24. In CA’s division, 12 teams qualified for this international contest, which included teams from Croatia, Romania and Canada, as well as the best U.S. teams in the country. Cary Academy’s team of Jason Chow (’10), Jeffrey Dudek (’11) and Allen Yang (’12) competed in two rounds: team programming and individual written. All worked for almost three hours and earned a perfect 40/40 on four difficult programs. On the written round, each tied with a score of 10/12. This total written score, combined with a perfect programming round, won CA first place in its division. For their written performances, all three students won book awards, as well as first-place plaques for the team finish. CA also received a team plaque and the grand prize of a digital notebook.

DILLARD DRIVE ELEMENTARY
Matt Regan was named the Wake County Public School System’s School Social Worker of 2008-09. Regan joined WCPSS in 2003. He is a highly skilled social worker who provides exemplary services to students and families of Dillard Drive Middle, Dillard Drive Elementary and Yates Mill Elementary. Regan’s fellow social workers and other student services personnel recognize his involvement in the lives of his students and his contributions to their educational success. Social workers are shared across multiple schools. They serve as liaisons between schools and families, serve on student support teams and work with other staff to provide intervention services. Social workers also play an important role with students who have attendance problems by helping parents be more accountable for their children’s attendance.

FUQUAY VARINA HIGH
Fuquay’s Finest Step Team will hold a step clinic, Friday June 26, 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.(lunch provided) for middle and high school students only. Winners in the competition on Saturday will bypass first cut during trying outs for Fuquay’s Finest 2009-10 season. Cost is $25. Register before June 23 and pay only $20. For information and registration call Yvonne Adkins at 523-5450 or Paula McKoy at 332-2038.

HOLLY SPRINGS HIGH
SECU Foundation, funded solely by State Employee Credit Union’s membership, presented a $10,000 four-year college scholarship to Sarah Abigail Brady, a senior at Holly Springs High School. Sarah is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Brady and will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The scholarship was given based on SECU’s philosophy of “People Helping People,” recognizing the recipient’s community involvement, leadership skills, character and integrity, as well as scholastic achievement of maintaining a 2.5 or higher grade point average.

ST. MICHAEL
Congratulations to the following students who received the Spirit of St. Michael Award: Pre-K: Aidan Wood and Alexabelle Schick; Kindergarten: Marie Dawson, Tommy Manley, Connor Pencola and Chiara Palumbo; Grade 1: Mae Ostrom, Josh Pollaci, Liam Peeples, and Amelia Zahn; Grade 2: Jaden Wagner, Karly Fitzgerald, Sophie Macomber and Andrew Marshall; Grade 3: Emma Zayas and Connor Miles; Grade 4: Kelly Bright and Madeline Lips; Grade 5: Joseph Fitzgerald and Nate Kochuyt; Grade 6: Kathryn Combs; Grade 7: Shannon Thompson; Grade 8: Andreane Reynolds. In addition, Mr. Paul Gauthier received the 2008-09 Teacher of the Year award. For a complete awards list, the remaining student award winners can be found on the “St. Michael School News” link on the school’s Web site at school.stmichaelcary.org.