Bouser Tapped

Katharine Bouser of Southern Pines has been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's highest undergraduate honor society, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

A senior linguistics and French major, she is scheduled to graduate in May 2009 and plans to attend graduate school to study speech pathology.

A graduate of Pinecrest High School, she is the daughter of Steve and Brenda Bouser, of Southern Pines.

Bright Ideas Grant

Sandhills Classical Christian School won a grant from North Carolina Bright Ideas to teach sixth- and seventh-graders to harvest alternative energy.

Science teacher Mary Leusink applied for the grant to fund a study of alternative energy sources including solar, wind, and hydrogen fuel cell. The hands-on project requires that students build models of renewable energy windmills, solar energy houses, and hydrogen fuel cell cars. Their studies will conclude with students making their own solar-powered car and competing in what Leusink calls the "Big Sol Race."

"The solar-powered car project is a fascinating, cutting-edge approach to harvesting alternative energy," said Headmaster Brad Johnson. "Mrs. Leusink's philosophy of hands-on learning is what makes our science program strong."

Leusink aims to increase students' awareness of production, storage, and use of energy in alternative sources readily available. The interactive nature of the project fosters students' critical thinking skills and encourages them to make wise decisions about their own energy use in the future.

North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation sponsors the Bright Ideas grant program and awards money to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects that would not otherwise be funded. Since its inception in 1994, Bright Ideas has awarded $5.9 million for projects benefiting almost one million students. Bright Ideas receives more than 2,000 applications annually.

"[The] application was a standout, and Mrs. Leusink's commitment to the education of our state's youth is evident," said Morgan Lashley, communications specialist for NCEMC.

Leusink won the full amount she requested ($1,125) out of a possible $1,500 to be used in the spring.

Cangemi Honored

Craig Howard M. Cangemi, of Southern Pines, a junior at Davidson College, has been named to the Order of Omega honor society. He is the son of Doreen Cangemi and is a 2006 graduate of Pinecrest High School.

Cangemi is a political science major. He was community service chairman for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in the 2007-2008 school year, and received the Patterson Court Council Award for Community Service for his efforts. He holds a Bonner Community Service Scholar-ship and tutors elementary school students at the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson. He is currently studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Attending Inauguration

Jake Strickland, a seventh-grade student at New Century Middle School, is among outstanding middle school students from across the country who will attend the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States as a part of the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, a five-day program that will provide scholars with a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.

Strickland, who was recommended by Carol Kelly, one of his sixth-grade teachers, attended the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., last summer.

He is the son of Stuart and Katie Strickland, of Pinehurst.