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Smith Named Finalist for the Washington Post’s Principal of the Year

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Alisha Yocum

On April 23, Principal Janine Smith was surprised as she entered the Thurmont Middle School (TMS) Gym to be applauded by students, staff, and family for the recent announcement that she was a finalist for the Washington Post Principal of the Year.

In its 41st year, the Washington Post Principal of the Year Award aims to acknowledge principals who are determined to enrich their schools in all aspects of education.

Dr. Markoe, Deputy Superintendient of Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) led the celebration and presented Smith with her award. Board of Education President, Karen Yoho, and other FCPS staff were also on hand to acknowledge the accomplishment.

Smith started out as a Middle School Teacher before becoming Assistant Principal at Windsor Knolls Middle from 2016-18. Later she became Assistant Principal at TMS before taking on her most recent position as Principal.

Assistant Principal Anita Shank nominated Smith for the award. The two have known each other for over 20 years. Shank thought her colleague was deserving of the recognition because of the change she has brought to the school. In fact, the school motto has become ‘Be the change”. Shank says she has really made students feel like they have a voice and makes sure everyone feels welcome.

Smith’s husband, also a FCPS Teacher, said his wife being a finalist confirms her hard work and dedication to ensuring that her students strive for excellence.

While still in shock from the surprise, Smith said she is so proud and grateful to be the Principal at TMS and she thanked her staff. “Without you [the staff] we could not do the amazing things we do here at TMS”.

Dr. Dr. Zadia Gadsden of Takoma Park Elementary School was named the winner of this year’s Washington Post Principal of the Year Award.

Janine Smith, a finalist for the Washington Post’s Principal of the Year, poses for a picture with her

Catoctin High School’s Kayla Delcid Selected As a 2024 Carson Scholar

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Congratulations to Catoctin High School student Kayla Delcid for being named a 2024 Carson Scholar. Kayla was chosen because she demonstrated the highest standards of academic achievement, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.

With this honor, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for her college education. In addition to the scholarship money, she will receive a medal and a certificate. 

Kayla will be honored at the Carson Scholars Fund’s 28th Annual Maryland Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 19.

Catoctin High School PTSA  Needs Your Help

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The Catoctin High School (CHS) PTSA needs your help! The CHS Parent Teacher Student Association exists to help support all of our kids and the professional staff that works so hard on their behalf. They want to continue that level of support, and they are looking for volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can send an email to CatoctinPTSA@gmail.com.

CHS PTSA meetings are held monthly via Google Meet from your home. All are welcome to attend! The next upcoming date for the meeting is May 14 at 4:00 p.m. To join the video meeting, go to https://meet.google.com/vqc-zgfr-zkh. Otherwise, to join by phone, dial 1-402-282-0447 and enter PIN: 952 544 193#.

Lewistown Elementary School Teacher Becomes Finalist for FCPS Teacher of the Year

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Alisha Yocum

Brandy Baptiste didn’t necessarily set out to become a teacher. In fact, it wasn’t until after college when she was working for a company that specialized in Autism that she found her calling to become a teacher while working at a summer camp.

“I absolutely loved everything about it. I loved the kids, the different personalities, everything. I knew then that I needed to go back to school and get my Master’s in Special Education,” Baptiste said.

Now, sixteen years after taking her first teaching job with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) as a Special Education Teacher at Centerville Elementary, Baptiste was selected as one of five finalists in the running for FCPS Teacher of the Year.

Baptiste currently is a teacher in the Pyramid Program at Lewistown Elementary and has students in third, fourth, and fifth grades.

The Pyramid Program is a specialized program for students with significant social and emotional needs, allowing them to get special education and therapeutic services in a small classroom setting.

Building relationships with her students is what motivates Baptiste every day. She knows that those relationships build a sense of safety that allows her students to grow and take risks in the classroom. 

Although Baptiste is extremely proud to be a finalist for the Teacher of the Year, what she wants most from her nomination is to be a platform for all the great things happening with the Pyramid Program and at Lewistown Elementary.

“ I have found at Lewistown, we have some of the most hardworking and dedicated people I know. I cannot speak more highly of the staff and students I work with daily. They consistently go above and beyond what is expected of them,” said Baptiste.

“We are so pleased to have Ms. Baptiste representing Lewistown Elementary in this way. She is a committed and innovative educator who prioritizes her students’ needs each and every day,” said Principal Melissa Burton.

When not in the classroom, you will find Baptiste spending time outdoors. She especially enjoys hiking and riding her ATV at her camp in Pennsylvania (PA). Being from Pittsburgh, she is also a diehard Steelers fan and frequently goes back to PA to catch a game!

AnnaClaire Ayoub of Brunswick Elementary, Rebecca Delp of Lincoln Elementary, Heather O’Brien of Urbana High, and Ivette Taboas of Urbana Elementary are the four other finalists for 2024.

The winner of the FCPS Teacher of the Year will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Brandy Baptiste, teacher at Lewistown Elementary, is a finalist for Fredrick County Public School’s Teacher of the Year.

MSM Forges Out A Unique Class

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In the breadth of a single stanza, Longfellow evokes the image of two icons that have all but disappeared from our shared American experience: the village blacksmith and the American chestnut. Mount Saint Mary’s (MSM) is doing its bit to revive one of those icons by offering credited courses in blacksmithing.

MSM is in its second year of offering the course. There were six students the first year for just one class. This year, there are fifteen students in three classes. Each of the three classes meets once a week in the evening for four hours. One of the classes is an advanced class for the students who wanted to continue learning from the previous year.

As a testament to the class’s appeal, there is a waiting list forty-six students deep—and counting—for next year’s course.

The course is taught by Harold Green of Emmitsburg at his shop on Waynesboro Road. He prefers to be addressed simply as Harold. Initially reluctant to teach, Harold has been wowed by his students. He constantly comments on how enthusiastic his students are and what a pleasure it is to teach a skill to such eagerness.

When asked why they would take a course in such an old technology, senior math/computer science major Thomas Passaro simply expressed a desire to create something with his hands. That seemed to be the consensus of the others—a desire to create something tangible.

Annie Brennan, a neuroscience major from Northern Virginia, was one of the charter students of the first year. She’s in the advanced class this semester and helps Harold teach the class, all while learning the trade. She’s done well enough to have some of her work picked up to be sold in the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s gift shop in St. Augustine, Florida.

In watching Harold conduct his class, it’s easy to see the truth in his statement that his students have become friends. There is a continual, good-natured banter between student and teacher not often found in a typical classroom. His wife, Diane, often feeds the students.

After seventeen years, Harold retired from Camp David in 2016. He’s been a blacksmith for more than forty years. In a year’s time, he exhibits his skills and wares at as many as twenty-seven vendor shows, including Colorfest.

Harold’s shop, Horseshoe Forge & Ironworks, is located at 9245 Waynesboro Road, just west of Emmitsburg. Besides the items from the forge found in the gift shop, Harold is a farrier and does custom ironwork as well.

If you want to find him at Colorfest, you can find him up front in the town park near the tennis courts. Just listen for the ring of the anvil.

MSM blacksmithing instructor, Harold Green, in his Emmitsburg shop.

Annie Brennan demonstrates for the class.

Annie Brennan demonstrates for the class what the taper for a wall hook should look like.

Olivia Irvin, a Health Sciences junior from Calvert County, Maryland, starts forming a piece of bar stock that will become a wall hook.

Thomas Passaro discusses with Annie Brennan his progress with the wall hook project.

Attention All Graduating Seniors

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Are you looking for a scholarship? Check the Community Foundation of Frederick County (www.Frederick CountyGives.org) for the scholarships offered by the Thurmont High School Alumni Association.

The application’s new final date is April 15, 2024. You must be a graduating high school senior and related to someone that graduated from Thurmont High School or from Catoctin High School, classes of l969 to l974.

Then remind those that did graduate during those years that the annual alumni banquet will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Thurmont Ambulance Event Complex. Any questions may be directed to Viola Noffsinger at 301-418-1760 or by email vmnoff@gmail.com

EHS Alumni Association Offers Scholarships

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The Emmitsburg High School Association is accepting Scholarship Applications. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in May to deserving students. Any Catoctin High School senior or graduate who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning is eligible if he/she resides in the Emmitsburg School District. This includes Emmitsburg 21727, Rocky Ridge 21778, and Taneytown 21787 (Taneytown boundary is determined by Bridgeport on Rt. 140). Applicants may apply each year as long as they are enrolled in an institution of higher learning.

Selection is based on having a 3.0 or higher GPA, being a full-time student, presenting two letters of recommendation, and pursuing higher education (4-year college, community college or technical). No GPA is required for full-time technical school.

Applications may be obtained by contacting the Guidance Department at Catoctin High School (240-236-8082, Mike Marquez) or EHSA (443-677-5705, Vickie Frushour).

All applications must be received by May 1, 2024.

Catoctin High School Distinguished Graduate Organization Nomination Form

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The Distinguished Graduate Organization was established to recognize the graduates of Catoctin High School (CHS) who have made a difference locally, in the state, and/or in the nation. These men and women are nominated in five categories: Academics, Arts & Humanities, Athletics, Business, and Service (community, military, or public).

Nominated graduates will be mailed an application to complete. Honorees are selected from those applications returned to the committee. All nominees must be graduates of Catoctin High School. Students who attended CHS but did not graduate from CHS are not eligible for recognition.

The Distinguished Graduate Organization would also like to recognize former Catoctin staff members who have had a significant impact on the graduates of Catoctin High School. The community can nominate former cafeteria workers, custodians, instructional aides, secretaries, administrators, or teachers. The earliest a former staff member can be nominated is two years following their departure from CHS.

Please return completed Nomination Form by April 15: USPS—Catoctin Distinguished Graduate, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788; Fax—240-236-8101; Email—Rebecca.Hurley@fcps.org or Lacee.Andrew@fcps.org.

Nominees will then receive an application to be completed by May 15. The Distinguished Graduate Organization committee will determine the award recipients by June 21.

Catoctin High School Drama Department Presents Little Shop of Horrors

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Stephanie and Evan Felmet, Directors

This spring, the Catoctin High School (CHS) Drama Department is trying something a little different: a double cast show.

Little Shop of Horrors—the horror comedy rock musical—will take the CHS stage on April 18-20. The “Green” cast, led by George Hawkins and Colette Hartman-Carstensen as Seymour and Audrey, will perform on Thursday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m.,  and Saturday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. The “Red” cast, led by Doug Whitworth and Anna Code in the same roles, will perform on Friday, April 19, at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 20, at 1:00 p.m. Each main cast brings their own interpretation of the characters. The actors are encouraged to make their own acting and staging choices to ensure the performances are unique.

Creation of the various Audrey II puppets has taken months to complete. The man-eating plant begins as a small handheld puppet, then grows three times until it, and its grasping vines, take over most of the stage.

Meanwhile, the cast has been hard at work memorizing lines, practicing songs, and perfecting their dance steps. The crew has also been busy creating sets, lighting, and effects that will draw the audience into this bone-chilling story.

The show is rated PG-13 due to violence, substance abuse, and mild language.

What happens when a young florist finds a plant that’s out of this world?

Come find out at Catoctin High School on April 18-20.

Pictured (above) are George Hawkins, Colette Hartman-Carstensen, Doug Whitworth, and Anna Code.

A Cut Above the Rest!

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Danielle Jackson

Do you know where your food comes from? How is it processed? Or even packaged? A lot of people think that their food comes from a store. But how does it get there? What steps are taken to get it to your table? This is something that is slowly slipping away from younger generations today.

Today’s youth are not as educated about the agricultural industry and where their food comes from. But the Catoctin High School FFA Chapter in Thurmont has a passion for agriculture and teaching! They keep our youth informed, educated, and active in the agriculture industry.

Every year in February, the Catoctin High School FFA Chapter, the Catoctin FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter, and surrounding community members all come together to participate in their annual hog butchering.

This year, the annual butchering was held on February 9 and took place in the agriculture area and agriculture classrooms at Catoctin High School. The day started around 7:00 a.m. and didn’t end until all the orders were processed and picked up. The Catoctin High School teachers, staff, and administration have always been so supportive of this tradition. Many teachers even bring their classes to the butchering. The butchering isn’t just an agricultural lesson or experience, it can be tied into other aspects of learning, too, such as math, science, photography, social studies, health, and history. Some of the teachers who bring their classes to visit create lesson plans and assignments based on the butchering. Math teachers will incorporate the scales and weighing of the processed meat into their assignments. Some science teachers will include the biology and chemistry of butchering in their lessons. Health teachers can incorporate how pork is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Any student who is part of the Catoctin High School FFA Chapter or in any ag class at the high school can participate in the butchering if their grades are eligible. Students help cut up meat, package meat, stuff sausage into casings and bags, and fill customer orders in the evening. By doing this, ag students actively experience the hard work that goes into a butchering, and they learn how food is processed and then put on their own tables. The experience also gives non-ag students at the school a new and better appreciation for agriculture.

Every year, the butchering continues to grow in more ways than one—in members, volunteers, and orders! There were about 120 total students, volunteers, and alumni members present, with 40 of those being FFA members. The students, members, and volunteers butchered 23 hogs, with an additional 3,000 lbs. of extra meat to fill over 300 orders.

We asked Amy Jo Poffenberger, one of the ag teachers and FFA Advisor at Catoctin High School, what her favorite part of butchering was every year. She said that her favorite part would have to be the sense of community, and everyone coming together to help with the entire day. This is Mrs. Poffenberger’s fourteenth year at Catoctin High School and her fourteenth butchering at the school.

We also spoke to Daniel Myers, who is a lifetime member of the Catoctin FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter and head of the butchering committee. We asked him what he hopes this experience teaches the students at Catoctin High School. He said that he hopes it gives them all a better understanding of how their meat is processed and packaged, and that they know that food does not just come from a store.

Everyone who helped said that this year’s butchering was probably the best and smoothest-running butchering that they have ever had, and they hope that they can top it next year.

This event would not have been possible without the help of students and chapter members, alumni and supporters’ members, the staff of Catoctin High School, and the surrounding community members.

The Catoctin High School FFA Chapter hopes to keep this tradition alive for as long as possible and for generations to come.

Catoctin High School FFA members stuff sausage into casings.

Catoctin FFA Alumni, Supporters Chapter members, and community members work together to cut meat into portions to be processed.

Students from Catoctin High School take a tour and watch while Alumni and community members tend to the kettles.

Catoctin Feeder Community Night Brings Families Together

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Alisha Yocum

The community came together for its annual Catoctin Feeder Community Night on January 24 at Catoctin High School. Families from all the feeder schools within the district, including Catoctin High (CHS), Emmitsburg Elementary (EES), Lewistown Elementary (LES), Sabillasville Environmental (SES), Thurmont Elementary (TES), Thurmont Primary (TPS), and Thurmont Middle (TMS), came together for a chance to share dinner together, connect with local community agencies, and watch some cougar basketball! Dinner was provided thanks to donations by the Thurmont and Emmitsburg Lions Clubs, as well as the Parent Teacher Associations/Parent Teacher Organizations from LES, SES, TPS/TES, TMS, and CHS.

Essays and drawings from students who wrote about what they love about their Catoctin Community were on display. Kindness seemed to be the re-occurring theme that students highlighted in their writings. This year’s essay winners were:

Primary

Analee Winfrey, LES

Aidan Clark, SES

Intermediate

Franek Zielinski, TES

James Dugan, TES

Middle School

James Clements, TMS

Students Visit Annapolis to Advocate for Charter School Funding

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Alisha Yocum

Members of Sabillasville Environmental School’s Student Government Association (SGA) joined over 600 other charter school advocates at the Maryland State House on January 31 to advocate for charter school facility funding.

The group included Bradley Brauning, Kalee Hall, Maycee Grimes, Ruby Jones, and Wyatt Roderick, along with their teacher, Mrs. Isennock; President, Mrs. Yocum; and parent, Mr. Jones.

While Charter Schools are public schools, they currently receive no funding specifically designated for maintaining and updating facilities. Throughout the day, students were able to meet with Senators and Delegates and explain what they love about their school and why this funding is important to its future.

Peace Groups Sponsor Writing Contest for Maryland Middle School Students

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All Maryland middle school students are invited to enter a statewide writing contest focusing on the themes of peace and social justice.

The contest, which is sponsored by Anne Arundel Peace Action, the Maryland Peace Action Education Fund, the Benjamin Peace Foundation, and the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Annapolis Friends Meeting, is open to all 7th and 8th grade students enrolled in public or private schools in Maryland and to homeschooled students corresponding to the same grade levels. This is the 25th year the contest has been conducted.

Four cash prizes will be awarded: $500 for first place, $300 for second place,  $200 for third place, and $100 for fourth place. The winners will be honored at a special ceremony, although attendance is not required to receive an award.

To enter, students must submit an entry of up to 1,200 words on this topic:

It is arguable that the most important development in the early 21st century has been the emergence of social media. There can be little question that platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now “X”), Instagram, Snapchat, and many others have revolutionized the avenues with which citizens can communicate with one another. However, these vehicles have been criticized for interfering with privacy, giving voice to extremists, and causing emotional harm. What role has social media played in your life? Do you think that it has been a mostly positive or negative force—and why? Has social media contributed to or obstructed world peace?

Entries  must be accompanied by a separate cover sheet, including the student’s name, address and phone number or e-mail address; school’s name, address and phone number; and the name of the teacher sponsor if applicable.

Entries and accompanying materials must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2024, and mailed to: Fred B. Benjamin Peace Writing Contest, 310 Riverview Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403-3328.

Anne Arundel Peace Action and the Maryland Peace Action Education Fund are affiliated with Peace Action, the country’s largest grassroots peace and disarmament organization with approximately 100,000 members nationwide.

For more information, call 410-263-7409 or e-mail mjkeller@att.net.

Attention All Graduating Seniors

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Thurmont Grange Offering Two Scholarships

Thurmont Grange No. 409 is offering two scholarships to any 2024 Catoctin High School graduating senior or graduating homeschool senior, residing in the Catoctin feeder area, who will be attending a technical or trade school, community college, or four-year college.

Applicants are required to submit one letter of recommendation, an essay about how furthering your education will have a positive impact on your community, and your official high school transcript. Scholarships will be awarded on May 31, 2024. Applications may be obtained by emailing thurmontgrange@gmail.com or contacting the Catoctin High School Guidance Department at 240-236-8100. All applications must be received by April 30, 2024.

Thurmont High School Alumni Association Scholarship

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Are you looking for a scholarship? Check the Community Foundation of Frederick County for the scholarships offered by the Thurmont High School Alumni Association.

The application is open February 15 through March 15, 2024. You must be a graduating high school senior and related to someone who graduated from Thurmont High School or from Catoctin High School classes of l969 to l974. Remind those that did graduate during those years that the annual banquet will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Thurmont Ambulance Event Complex.

Any questions may be directed to Viola Noffsinger at 301-418-1760 or by email at vmnoff@gmail.com.

Thurmont’s Masonic Lodge Offering Two Scholarship Awards

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Since 1995, Thurmont Masons have awarded scholarships worth over $100,000 to area students! Scholarships are available to all graduating high school level seniors from a Maryland State accredited public, private, and/or homeschool program who reside within the Catoctin High School district boundaries. The “Mary and Robert Remsberg Memorial Scholarship” is worth up to $5,000, and The “Bernhard Cohen Memorial Scholarship” is worth $2,500.

Applications will be judged upon the following criteria in order of importance:  (1) Participation and leadership roles in community and/or school activities; (2) Content of a personal resume; (3) Academic record and/or special achievements; (4) Need for financial assistance; (5) Evaluation by school official and/or mentor; (6) Organization, appearance, and completeness of the application.

Scholarship application forms are available at the Catoctin High School Guidance Office and the Thurmont Public Library. Interested students must complete an application and return it to the location where it was obtained on or before April 30, 2024. The successful applicant and their family will be invited to Acacia Lodge’s Annual Strawberry Festival in June for the presentation of the scholarship.

Questions regarding the application should be directed to Acacia Masonic Lodge No. 155, Attn: Scholarship Committee via the Lodge website at thurmontmasons.com.

Community Foundation Announces More Than $1 Million in Scholarships

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The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s online scholarship application for the 2024-2025 academic year is open through April 15, 2024. For the ninth consecutive year, more than $1 million in scholarship funds are available to students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. By completing one general application, students may qualify for more than 200 scholarships. The completed application must be submitted online by end of day on April 15.

Last year, Community Foundation scholarships supported 340 students and totaled $1.8 million.

The Community Foundation is making adjustments to the application process to account for delays with the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Important details about this and the scholarship program can be found on the Community Foundation website at www.ScholarshipsFrederickCounty.com.

Students about to complete their senior year of high school; students already enrolled in a trade school, college or university, or graduate program; and nontraditional students over the age of 21 are eligible to apply. Some scholarships do not consider financial need. All students are encouraged to apply.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is a recognized leader in providing scholarships to area students, made possible by generous donors who establish funds or add to existing funds. For more information, visit www.FrederickCountyGives.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr Award Recipients Honored

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Alisha Yocum

Each January, Frederick County Public Schools recognizes students who demonstrate leadership qualities based on those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Those characteristics include responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship, and respect. Students, families, and staff attended a celebration on January 4, where students from each school in the district were recognized on stage and given a medal and certificate. Congratulations to all our local award recipients!

Catoctin High School (CHS) — Furious Trammel, 12th Grade

Thurmont Middle School (TMS) — David Ofori, 8th Grade

Lewistown Elementary (LES) — Bryan Bower, 5th Grade

Emmitsburg Elementary (EES) — Austyn Tsikerdanos, 5th Grade

Thurmont Primary (TPS) — Braden Shankle, 2nd Grade

Thurmont Elementary (TES) — Emily Page, 5th Grade

Sabillasville Environmental School (SES) — Evan Matthews, 6th Grade

Furious Trammel, CHS

David Ofori, TMS

Braden Shankle, TPS, with teacher, Mrs. Harrington

Evan Matthews, SES

Austyn Tsikerdanos, EES

Bryan Bower, LES

Emily Page, TES

Sabillasville Environmental School

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Alisha Yocum

SES Receives Grant for Gettysburg Battle Field Trip

Sabillasville Environmental School – A Classical Charter (SES) received a grant from the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program.

The grant is awarded based on a competitive national application process. Mr. Hanna and Mrs. Isennock, middle school teachers at SES, applied and were awarded the grant to take their sixth and seventh graders to the Gettysburg Battlefield.

“This field trip is an exciting opportunity for our students to see and experience Gettysburg beyond the classroom and what it is like to be in the fields and locations where the turning point of the Civil War took place in 1863,” Hanna said. “We are incredibly grateful to the American Battlefield Trust for funding this opportunity for our Maryland middle school students.”

The American Battlefield Trust is the largest battlefield land preservation organization in the country, having saved more than 562,000 acres of hallowed ground across 24 states. The Trust focuses on providing educational opportunities for students, and during the 2018-2019 school year, over 7,500 students from 24 states benefited from the grant program.

Lottery Now Open for 2024-2025 School Year

As a public charter school, each year, SES opens up a lottery for available seats for the upcoming school year. The school offers grades K-8 and uses a classical curriculum that focuses on agriculture and environmental science. All Frederick County residents are welcome to apply to the lottery. There is no cost to attend. The lottery deadline is March 15. To find out more and to enter your child into next year’s lottery, go to www.sesclassical.org.

Words For Thirds

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Members of the Thurmont Grange  No. 409 recently presented dictionaries to all Northern Frederick County third-grade students. This is a community service project called “Words for Thirds,” and all of the third-grade students in the Catoctin feeder system received dictionaries (Sabillasville Environmental School, Lewistown, Thurmont, and Emmitsburg Elementary Schools).

The Grange is an agricultural organization which is deeply rooted in the community. Many of its members are farmers, businessmen and women, and its focus is on community service, legislation, education, and agriculture. Many of our local members hold local, county, and state offices to promote the Grange.

Every year, the Grange helps at events such as the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, the Frederick Fair (where they put in an exhibit at the Farm and Garden Building), the Catoctin Colorfest, and the annual Cookie Walk in December, to name a few. The Grange holds a Veterans’ Appreciation Night, and has also donated funds and items to the Thurmont Food Bank, Catoctin FFA, Boy Scouts, Catoctin Safe & Sane, and so forth. 

The dictionary has many features, such as the history of the Presidents of the United States, the solar system, sign language, and also the longest word in the United States.

Emmitsburg Elementary School

Pictured from left: (back row) Grange members, Carolyn Wiles, Robert Wiles, and Paulette Mathis; (front row) third-grade students, Jack Wivell, Dylan Ridinger, Telsa Moore, and Kelsie Merriman.

Catoctin High School Students Serve Community

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Five students from the Catoctin High School’s Spanish Honor Society spent an evening serving as Spanish translators for a Christmas event at the Thurmont Community Closet. The event is held annually at the start of the Christmas season. The purpose of the event is to serve families in need and provide them a way to have clothing, gifts, and home goods for their own needs or to give as gifts. 

Spanish Honor Society Advisor Mrs. Griffin said, “Catoctin students Olivia Baker, Keelyn Swaney, Kayla Delcid, Noah Delcid, and Amy Eichelberger (pictured left to right) did a great job interacting with the Spanish-speaking community and providing translating services. Please applaud their efforts when you see them!”

Local Fire Company Assists Catoctin High School Forensics Class

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Mr. Trice’s Catoctin High School Forensic Science students received some real-life advice from the Guardian Hose Company of Thurmont for their arson experiment.

This was a thoroughly engaging activity for the students. The fire company personnel provided very in-depth and interesting information about what they look for and how they can tell when a fire is not accidental. They had some real scenarios that they shared with students. The students created the structures (shown above) and wrote a story of the events that occurred in the structure prior to the fire. Many thanks to our local firefighting heroes for sharing their time and expertise.