School notes for Sept. 27, 2011

Student makes UM dean’s list

Kathryn Norcross, a 2010 Camas High School graduate, has been named to the dean’s list at the University of Montana in Missoula.

To be named to the list, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Norcross earned a 4.0 GPA.

Fall writing contest open to teens

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District is hosting a writing contest for sixth- through 12th-grade students.

The contest runs through Oct. 8. Winners will be announced Friday, Oct. 21, in an awards ceremony and author visit from Blake Nelson.

For more information, contact the Washougal Public Library at 835-5393 or e-mail teens@fvrl.org.

Spaghetti dinner to benefit ‘Stuff the Bus’

There will be an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner at Columbia Ridge Senior Living, 2300 W. Ninth St., Washougal from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Proceeds will benefit the Washougal School District “Stuff the Bus” foundation.

A minimum $5 donation is requested. Those who plan to attend should call 335-1238.

High school essay contest opens

High school students and their teachers are invited to participate in the Bill of Rights Institute’s sixth annual Being an American Essay Contest.

The largest contest of its kind in the country, the Being an American Essay Contest explores the Founding principles outlined in the Constitution. The contest is administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a non-profit educational organization in the Washington, D.C. area devoted to educating young people about the Constitution and Founding principles. The 2011-2012 contest is sponsored by the History Channel.

Specifically, students are asked to share their thoughts on the Constitution by answering the following question: “How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?”

The top three student winners from each of the five geographical regions will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000 (first place), $500 (second place), and $250 (third place). Teacher sponsors for each student winner will also receive a cash prize of $100.

Complete contest details can be found at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Contest.

Further information, including submission criteria, lesson plans and background information on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Founders and the Founding principles are available at the website as well.

Skills Center to host lunch tour

Parents, businesses, elected officials, community volunteers, educators, economic development participants and interested citizens who live, work and/or play in Clark County are invited to the next Clark County Skills Center VIP tour and luncheon.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Skills Center, 12200 N.E. 28th St., Vancouver.

It begins with an all-campus tour of classrooms, equipment and student skill demonstrations.

Then, students from the American Culinary Federation-affiliated restaurant management and culinary arts program will host, prepare and serve a gourmet lunch. The cost is $5.

For more information and to make reservations, call Jan Strickland at 604-1050, Ext. 2151 or e-mail janice.strickland@evergreenps.org by Monday, Oct. 24.