Youth

Two students from Shelby County were among 16,000 who earned the semifinal round of the in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship program.

Sam Saarinen from Shelby County High School, who is attending the Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University, and Liam Stanton-Baker of Collins High School scored among the best in the state from among the 1.5 million who took the test.

In February 15,000 finalists will be selected, followed by 13,000 special scholarship recipients. The 8,300 Merit Scholarship winners will be notified in March.

Campbell Stahl, Ethan Perry and Jaci Brown sat side-by-side while playing the Magic Tree cards math game in Scott Patton’s second-grade class at Heritage Elementary. The numerical cards were stacked “like a mountain,” said Campbell as Ethan replaced cards to keep the pattern of 1, followed by 2, then 3, and finally 4. The object was to find two cards that equaled 10. Jaci found 9 and 1; Ethan picked 10 and 0; and Campbell chose 4 and 6 as the game began.

Marcuse Moorman (left) holds a French horn, and Sami Monarch shows off a trumpet – donations to the school system through a Partners In Education program at First Presbyterian Church. Accepting the donation from Gary Steinhilber are Maree Collins, a music teacher, and Christian Carrasco. If you have an instrument to donate, contact First Presbyterian at 633-2693. Steinhilber said 45 have been given since the program started in 2003.

“May I have another apple?” I asked Mom as we traveled down the Mountain Parkway.

“You’ve eaten two, son,” Mom said. “I’m afraid more will hurt your belly.”

“The oatmeal and grapefruit were good, but they aren’t sticking to my ribs like a bacon-egg biscuit does,” I replied.

“My oatmeal was yummy,” Chloe said, “especially topped with honey. Besides, remember what Doc said about co-letter-straw?”