Middle school students are academic competitors

A group of motivated students have met faithfully after school every week on Tuesdays since the beginning of September to practice for "Math Counts." Math Counts is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school math achievement through grass roots involvement. The program is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Middle school teachers, Kathy Peterman and Bo Olson, have diligently worked with the students to hone their math skills.

Sasha Richardson, Patrick Burgan, Tyana Dansereau, Tyler Sparks were on the first team and Iris Warner, Jerrett Mendez and Erik Vanden Bos made up the remaining members of the competitive group who represented Antelope Elementary.

The students had also prepared by participating in a local, mini winter math competition held last month in Bridgeport with Mammoth, Bridgeport and Alpine County students.

This last Friday during Presidents' week break, the team, teachers, and parents Kathy Fowler and Janice Mendez caravanned to Sacramento for the Math Counts State Regionals held at Sacramento State.

On Saturday, Math Counts Regionals were judged on an individual basis and then on a combined team effort. To begin with, all students were given 30 minutes to answer 40 math problems. They then were given a variety of math problems throughout the morning while being timed. Our students that represented Antelope did a great job and performed well while having an excellent experience.

The team and teachers would like to thank the Antelope Valley PTO and the Mono County Office of Education for their sponsorship. Congratulations to all the team members for a job well done.

Spelling Bee Coming Up

Tori Park, Jacob Park, Buh Hamilton, Nicole Smith, Joey Cruz and Hannah Cain make up the spelling bee middle school competitors. Teachers, Janine Hamilton, coaching the seventh through ninth grades, and Sandra O'Hara, coaching the fourth through sixth graders, have met after school since the beginning of January to prepare for the county-wide spelling bee to be held in Lee Vining on March 23. The Mono County Office of Education sponsors this academic event. The winning teams will return home with trophies and then will be eligible to compete at state. Last year local Tori Park finished in the top 20 statewide which was a wonderful achievement. Coach Sandra O'Hara says the spelling bee competitors are working hard and soon the core team and alternates who represent Antelope will be chosen. Looking forward to hearing the results of all the students' hard work.

Sewing class for adults

Sandra O'Hara teaches an adult education sewing class for students and adults. O'Hara wants to encourage valley residents to gather up their unfinished projects and bring them to class to work on. Garments, quilts, handwork and crocheting are just some of the projects that O'Hara can assist you in completing. You can bring your own machine or one is available at the class to share. The class has been meeting on Wednesdays at a classroom at Antelope Elementary from 3 to 6 p.m., but this could change if needed. Phone Sandra O'Hara at 495-2231 at ext. 255 for further information.

RPAC meeting March 2

The Regional Planning Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Walker Community Building. The public is most welcomed to attend and may comment. Some of the agenda items are; consider "unmet transit needs" for input to the local transportation commission, update on draft housing ordinance, Mountain Gate update and discuss access to river on Mono County lands. The next scheduled meeting will be April 6.

Hoffmans' anniversary

Recently Neoma and Dieter Hoffman celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary and Neoma's birthday with a 10-day vacation on the beautiful Island of Kauai. They enjoyed a traditional luau that started with a prayer for 150 people who enjoyed a marvelous meal. One of the highlights of their trip was a sunset cruise around the island. On the cruise Neoma and Dieter saw humpback whales, green sea turtles, monk seals and a variety of dolphins. Dieter said that Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island with fresh water and that the average rainfall is 400 inches. The Hoffmans saw where the 1961 Elvis movie, Blue Hawaii was shot, the 1957 movie, South Pacific was filmed and also where Jurassic Park was shot in 1992. Sounds like they had a wonderful time.

Medical fund set up for Helen Sturdy

Helen Sturdy has a serious medical condition and friends have set up an account in her name at the Gardnerville Bank of America located in Raleys. All donations will be greatly appreciated. Cindy Evans and Olga Gilbert are planning a local fundraising event to help defray Helen's medical costs since she has no insurance. Helen and her family moved to the valley in September of 1987. For 13 years she has worked as an aide at the elementary school and at the local library. She has been an active member of the Baptist Church in Walker since 1989. We wish her well and hope volunteers will come forward to help with future fundraisers.

n Marylin Portman can be reached by e-mail at mportman@direcway.com