Education

Amanda Catherine Wicker, a student at Shelby County High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program after scoring in the top five percent of students taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.

She is among some 34,000 students to receive recognition for excellent academic promise. More than 1.5 million students entered the competition by taking the test. Wicker will continue in the 2010 competition for the National Merit Scholarship.

Shelby County High School senior Lana Jo Barnett was elected Homecoming queen for 2009.

Barnett was escorted across the field by an ROTC cadet to take her place of honor on the stage during halftime of Friday's game.

Barnett's crowning was a significant achievement for her. She was severely injured in a ATV accident in 2004.

When President Barack Obama addresses American students Tuesday through TV and the Internet, Shelby County’s school principals will decide if local students get to see it.

Shelby County Public Schools Superintendent James Neihof gave the option to the schools, which in turn would notify parents of their decisions either through a note or by using the OneCall Now system.

Most of us know the story of how Michelangelo lay on his back as he painted his incredible mural of God and man on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, his skill, love and genius coming together to create an artistic gift for the ages.

Though it might not be quite of the same historical proportions, some richly talented art students and their teacher have created their own impressive work of art on a ceiling right here in Shelby County.