Minot author releases book of poems

FREDERICK, Md. "Old Waves, New Beaches," a collection of poems by Minot author Lou Marin, has been released by PublishAmerica, Frederick, Md.

Marin, an Air Force master sergeant, is a native of Maine, who has lived his entire adult life in Minot. He is married and has a daughter who resides in Tehachapi, Calif.. He has another book of poetry titled "Awash with Words," also published by PublishAmerica.

PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers. It makes its books available in both the United States and Europe.

Documentary honored at Fargo Film Festival

FARGO "When the Landscape is Quiet Again: The Legacy of Art Link," a film documentary produced by The Dakota Institute, was honored with the Prairie Spirit Award during the first week of March at the Fargo Film Festival. On hand for the film's screening and award presentation was executive producer David Borlaug, representing filmmakers Clay Jenkinson and David Swenson.

Link was governor of North Dakota from 1973 to 1980, during the height of a great energy crisis in America. Facing coal and energy development of a grand scale, Link ensured that rules and regulations were in place to make certain that reclamation of the land would follow "when the landscape is quiet again." Link's strong conservation ethic forms the centerpiece of the hour-long film.

The film previously won Best Documentary and Viewer's Choice awards at the Forx Film Festival in Grand Forks. It has aired on Prairie Public Television and the NBC North Dakota Network. The Dakota Institute, directed by Jenkinson, is part of the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation of Washburn.

More of the Art Link story is available online at (www.artlinklegacy.com). DVDs of the film may be ordered online or by calling 1-877-462-8535.

United Way accepting funding application

Souris Valley United Way is accepting applications for 2010 grant funding. Nonprofit organizations serving social and human service needs in Ward County are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is March 26.

Souris Valley United Way supports the community by securing financial contributions and directing available resources to assist those who have unmet basic human needs. Funding priority will be given to programs that meet meet that vision and mission.

Call 839-2994 for more information and to obtain grant application forms.

Teacher at Minot AFB to receive national award

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. Kim Hunt, an infant teacher at the Child Development Center, Minot Air Force Base, was selected to receive the Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Award.

Hunt, one of 50 early care and education teachers nationwide, was chosen for her commitment to maintaining high quality child care practices and dedication to the children she teaches.

Each year, child care teachers from across the nation participate in the program.

Hunt will receive her award April 1 at a ceremony in King of Prussia.

Area students named to Academic All-State

Members of the 2009 Class A and B Academic All-State teams include area high school seniors. The Academic All-State Team is chosen by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals. The students will be recognized at the North Dakota State Parade of Champions during the state basketball tournament later this month. Students are chosen based on academic achievements and leadership qualities. Area students selected include:

Class A Gold team: William Bergstrom, Devils Lake; Asta Lee, Minot High School; Class A Silver team: Lindsey Hiltner, Devils Lake; Class A Bronze team: Teresa Iverson, Minot High School; Class A honorable mention: Mari Goldade, Williston High School; Natalie Bittner, Devils Lake High School; Seth Knudsen, Williston; Sarah Walz, Williston; James Chattin, Devils Lake; Joshua Frueh, Minot High School; Mollie Fearing, Williston High; Benjamin Clark, Minot High; Deserea Simons, Minot High; Emily Evanoff, Minot High; Stephanie Greer, Minot High; Kayla Nelson, Minot High.

Class B Gold team: Marne Johnson, Rugby; Clay Brinkman, Hazen; Christian Heller, Beulah; Cameron Boster, Halliday; Allee Mead, Hazen; Class B silver team: Paige Scherer, Beulah; Christina Myers, Garrison; Marci Johnson, Kenmare; Sarah Wilz, Killdeer. Class B Bronze team: Ben Gibson, Bottineau; Danielle Boehmer, Carrington; Amy Kassian, Wilton; Class B honorable mention: Kylie Artz, Bottineau; Kristen Waldock, Parshall; Deland Weyrauch, Ray; Nolan Swenson, Watford City; Jonah Mihaleck, Des Lacs-Burlington; Amy Swenson, North Star of Cando; Elizabeth Letvin, Velva; Annie Klebe, TGU-Towner; Brett Tinnes, Tioga; Mitchell Smette, TGU-Granville; Carissa Hirchert, New Rockford; Whitney Walsh, Wolford; Blair Tande, Powers Lake; Emily Schmidt, Center-Stanton; Trenton Bruner, Drake; Teresa Werner, McClusky.

Bishop Ryan senior among finalists in national award

Matt Charley, a senior at Bishop Ryan High School, Minot, is among students named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. He explained the National Merit program and provided a glimpse of his future plans in an e-mail to The Minot Daily News.

About 15,000 high school students nationwide earn finalist status. The students qualify through their SAT college admission test scores. Charley scored in the 97th percentile nationwide for the Critical Reading portion and the 95th percentile for Writing. He previously scored in the 98th percentile overall on his PSAT as a junior, which is how he became a semifinalist.

Because of his finalist standing, he was offered a full ride (about a $100,000 value) to the University of Texas at Dallas, along with various other (smaller) offers from other colleges. He is planning to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., to major in philosophy, theology, Catholic studies, and, possibly, music.

Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.

Three types of National Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in the spring. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis.

Daily News Staff

Devils Lake elementary receives Title I state award

DEVILS LAKE Sweetwater Elementary School in Devils Lake is a recipient of the 2008 Title 1 Distinguished School Award for the state. The National Association of State Title I Directors selected the recognized schools upon nominations of the Department of Public Instruction. The Distinguished Schools Award program is an annual project to honor Title 1 schools that have implemented innovative education practices resulting in improved student achievement.

The National Association of State Title 1 Directors honored 74 Title 1 schools (representing 41 states) at its annual Distinguished Schools award ceremony during the opening session of the National Title 1 Conference in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 19.

"These academically outstanding schools have risen above obstacles of poverty with the help of the Title 1 program," says association president Julie McCargar.

Sweetwater Elementary school of the Devils Lake School District was recognized for exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years.

For more information regarding the North Dakota Distinguished Schools Award, contact Stefanie Two Crow, Department of Public Instruction, Title 1 assistant director, at sttwocrow@nd.gov.