The membership of the Sandhills Branch of the English-Speaking Union will shift into a new role during its spring gala -- that of a quasi-participant during the May dinner/program.

This informal event at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Country Club of North Carolina, features an eclectic array of current talent and future leaders.

During the evening, music will be provided by the Moore County Philharmonic Chamber. E-SU members will test themselves against a talented array of newly minted experts from Pinecrest High School who have achieved their expertise as a result of the soon-to-be-required State of North Carolina Graduation Project.

The graduation project first requires graduating seniors to select a project topic that must be completely new to them and also a true stretch of their abilities. The student researches the topic with a written paper and creates a tangible product or result. The project culminates with the student making a formal oral presentation to a panel of judges.

The student projects topics being presented are: "Journalism and Such," by Doug Tableman; "Pottery," by Maddison Hartney and "Teaching Youth Shag Dancing," by Sullivan Williams.

Pinecrest teacher, Kris Bebout, is the students' project mentor.

The E-SU's mission is the "drawing together in a bond of comradeship the English-speaking peoples of the world." The E-SU is committed to promoting scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in a global community. The Sandhills branch of the E-SU approaches the mission with a monthly program of informative and entertaining speakers on topics ranging broadly from literary to special insights on the geopolitical stage; the E-SU Scholarship program for local educators to study in England; the Moore County High School Shakespeare Competition; and the E-SU Speaking Program held each spring for local students.

For information on the E-SU, contact Martha O'Conner at 235-0635 or e-mail Dr. Phil Hinesley at phil@chanticleerproperties.com.