Life Skills

Members of the Washington County Show Kids and Show Company can do some amazing things with a baton such as twirl it around their necks, toss it under a leg and catch it twirling, and twirl two batons at once. Amongst all the baton-twirling, dancing, singing and acting, the youths have learned intangible lessons that will last throughout their lives. Teamwork was often mentioned by Show Kids members, including Megan Heller, 12, of Boonsboro. Even though they each have to learn the skills involved, they perform as a unit and often toss batons to each other.

Springfield Middle School's Gery teaches life skills By TARA REILLY tarar@herald-mail.com Editor's Note : The Herald-Mail is featuring one middle-school teacher each month through May. The eight-part series highlights excellent educators on the first Monday of each month. Coming in May: Western Heights Middle School. Every day is different for Bob Gery. Not only do his classroom activities vary from day to day, but so do the needs of his students in his life-skills class at Springfield Middle School.

In recent years, as sportsmanship and civility in society have declined, programs and organizations involving competitive experiences for youth have come under increasing criticism. Some people have even called for the elimination of competitive programs for youth, citing examples of cheating, poor sportsmanship, inappropriate parental involvement and young children competing before they are emotionally ready. However, 4-H has successfully offered young people opportunities to develop important life skills through hands-on projects and competitive events for more than 100 years.

By KERRY LYNN FRALEY Staff Writer The piercing scream broke her sleep. Groggy and annoyed, 15-year-old Naomi Pike got up to attend to the baby, knowing that if she didn't, it would just keep crying and wake up everyone else. The fact that it was a doll, not a real child, didn't make much difference at that point, since the South Hagerstown High School sophomore knew she couldn't just turn it off. The way the realistic doll is designed, Pike had no choice but to keep turning its feeding plug as long as it kept crying.

Hannah Violet, a senior at Boonsboro High School, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with the state-level Certificate of Excellence from the 2013 Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards program, which signifies that she was among the top 10 percent of all applicants from Maryland in this year's program.  Her volunteer activities stood out as an impressive example of what young people can do to improve their communities. Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

FREDERICK, Md. - This winter, getting children to develop their life skills could end in applause. At least that's what the folks at the Montana-based Missoula Children's Theatre are banking on. Part of Missoula's mission is to teach life skills via live theater. The Missoula Children's Theatre will present two performances of "Robin Hood," Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick. "It's not about creating child stars, it's about developing life skills in children," said Jonna Michelson, Missoula's tour marketing director.

andrear@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - Certified occupational therapy assistant Nancy Horst counts on her faith, compassion and skill to help patients recovering at home from injuries, surgery and strokes. The Maryland/National Capital Homecare Association recently honored Horst as the Community Health Professional of the Year for her work with Home Health Care of Washington County Hospital. "I truly believe God puts you in the right place at the right time to help people," said Horst, 55, of Maugansville.

Schools take well-earned break Summer vacation from school is beginning this week. It's early this year because there were very few snow days to extend the academic year. Kids are ready, parents are well, maybe ready. They are looking for opportunities for fun and education over the summer, arranging child care with relatives and friends, and making plans for vacations. I have already mentioned the day camp sponsored through the Washington County Recreation Department and openings at the Good Shepherd Preschool at the United Methodist Church on Main Street.

Every spring, there comes a day when area schoolchildren beg to have class outside as warmer weather returns. The 175 students at Franklin Learning Center will get that wish granted this year. Their school has plans to develop a sensory garden, where the students with disabilities can do more than dig in the dirt. If developed as planned, the garden would feature aromatic herbs, a waterfall and specially designed instruments that generate vibrations in the ground. “It truly is encompassing all the senses we're trying to shoot for,” said Jackie Drooger, a life skills teacher who is acting supervisor at the school.

Next week, you will read in the paper about the annual 4-H/FFA Market Sale that takes place during Washington County Ag Expo & Fair.  Many folks will look at the prices paid for these animals and question if they are worth the price. So, are these animals overpriced?  The short answer is “no.” The buyers would also agree.  Most cynics would say the buyers agree because of the publicity they receive, but that is only part of the story.  The buyers know what many in the 4-H/FFA world know; it is not about the animal, it is about developing youth.

Hannah Violet, a senior at Boonsboro High School, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with the state-level Certificate of Excellence from the 2013 Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards program, which signifies that she was among the top 10 percent of all applicants from Maryland in this year's program.  Her volunteer activities stood out as an impressive example of what young people can do to improve their communities. Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

Every spring, there comes a day when area schoolchildren beg to have class outside as warmer weather returns. The 175 students at Franklin Learning Center will get that wish granted this year. Their school has plans to develop a sensory garden, where the students with disabilities can do more than dig in the dirt. If developed as planned, the garden would feature aromatic herbs, a waterfall and specially designed instruments that generate vibrations in the ground. “It truly is encompassing all the senses we're trying to shoot for,” said Jackie Drooger, a life skills teacher who is acting supervisor at the school.

The Franklin County (Pa.) Commissioners are expected to enter into an agreement this week with Waynesboro's New Hope Shelter to reimburse the shelter for services it provides to people being released from jail. The homeless shelter takes in Franklin County Jail inmates who do not have approved housing plans when they are ready to be released. Once there, the individuals receive not only meals and beds, but also job-readiness training, life skills instruction and one-on-one counseling.

Next week, you will read in the paper about the annual 4-H/FFA Market Sale that takes place during Washington County Ag Expo & Fair.  Many folks will look at the prices paid for these animals and question if they are worth the price. So, are these animals overpriced?  The short answer is “no.” The buyers would also agree.  Most cynics would say the buyers agree because of the publicity they receive, but that is only part of the story.  The buyers know what many in the 4-H/FFA world know; it is not about the animal, it is about developing youth.

Cecil Hamilton is a man who wants to be measured not by what he did, but by what he is going to do. The Chambersburg resident has a lengthy criminal record that provides glimpses into his troubled past, when he stole a car, sold crystal meth and drank to excess nightly. But sometimes only the person who has hit the bottom can offer a hand to others and help show the way out. “In a life where I took, took, took, now I want to give,” Hamilton said. Hamilton rehabilitated himself largely through the programs offered by the Franklin County (Pa.)

Cokey Robertson coached many, many players during his 34 years as boys basketball coach at St. Maria Goretti. When asked about the all-time greats he had, Rodney Monroe obviously heads the list. But it doesn't take long for him to mention Phil Lane, a three-year starter at point guard. The 5-foot-11 Lane was the glue that kept everything together during his time, which ended with graduation in 1996. He was the catalyst behind three seasons of 20-plus wins, averaging 18 points a game in his junior year and 24 points and eight assists as a senior.

Legends move people in different ways. In the grand scheme, Dan Gable won't be confused with Albert Einstein, George Washington or Mark Twain, but the words of the former Olympic wrestling champion and college coach have inspired many. “Dan Gable said, 'Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy,'” said Tim Almany, a board member and coach for the Williamsport Wrestling Club. “This is one of the toughest things a kid will ever do. We try to express values to the kids in addition to teaching them wrestling.” Wrestling and life skills are the two underlying themes the club has hung its headgear on since it started in 1973.

The Washington County Board of Education this week unanimously approved several improvements at the Boonsboro school complex, relocation and demolition of portable classrooms and a supply contract for bottled drinking water. The items were part of what is called the consent agenda during a school board meeting Tuesday afternoon at the central office off Commonwealth Avenue. GRC General Contractor, of Zullinger, Pa., was awarded the contract to create the new school-based health center at Boonsboro High School, according to presentation documents.

A Christmas stocking collection campaign for The Salvation Army, coordinated by the Smithsburg High School Life Skills class, far surpassed expectations. For two weeks in November and two weeks in December, students in the class, supervised by instructional assistant Debra Neal, solicited participation by all classes at Smithsburg High. Neal, Life Skills teacher Paul Newman and the students expected to collect about 50 to 75 stockings filled with toys and essential items for needy children and families.

Schools take well-earned break Summer vacation from school is beginning this week. It's early this year because there were very few snow days to extend the academic year. Kids are ready, parents are well, maybe ready. They are looking for opportunities for fun and education over the summer, arranging child care with relatives and friends, and making plans for vacations. I have already mentioned the day camp sponsored through the Washington County Recreation Department and openings at the Good Shepherd Preschool at the United Methodist Church on Main Street.