NFHS paper honored

The Nation Ford High School newspaper, "The Talon," earned an Honors award at the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association April 28 at the Spring State Convention.

Several Nation Ford students won individual awards: Tess Balk won second in the state for artwork for her editorial cartoon about school overcrowding; Tina Farnum won third in the state for Centerspread Layout and Design; and Braden Keith won second in the state for photography and advertising design.

Ruddy in NSHSS

The National Society of High School Scholars announced that Fort Mill High School student Jessica Ruddy has been selected for membership.

Membership in NSHSS entitles qualified students to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, publications, participation in programs offered by educational partners, online forums, personalized recognition items, and publicity honors. For more information about NSHSS, visit www.nshss.org.

Goldsbury awarded

Ryan Goldsbury, a junior physics major at Clemson University, was awarded the L.D. Huff Junior Award for Excellence in Physics and Astronomy. He was awarded a cash prize along with a plaque that was presented at a ceremony April 13 on the Clemson campus.

Goldsbury is the son of Sandy and John Goldsbury and a 2005 Graduate of Fort Mill High School.

Library offers homework help

York County Libraries have expanded the hours for Live Homework Help, a free online tutoring service from Tutor.com, allowing students to begin getting homework daily from 2 p.m. to closing.

Students in grades four through high school and college introductory level can get expert instruction from tutors in math, science, social studies and English. Spanish-speaking tutors offer help in math and science from 4-10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday.

This free service is available from computers in all York County Libraries. Students must have a valid York County Library card, which are free to individuals who live, work, or own property in York County. To access Live Homework Help, visit the library's Web site at www.yclibrary.org and click on the Live Homework Help link. If using the service at a computer outside the library, students will need to enter their library card number to be connected to a tutor.

All tutors are certified teachers, college professors, professional tutors or graduate school students from across the country.

Farm scholarship available

Arthur Q. Black, president of the York County Farm Bureau, would like to make residents aware of its annual Scholarship Program.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to a worthy student pursuing a higher education in agriculture or in an agriculturally related field, after completion of a first semester at a four-year higher learning institution. The scholarship provides $1,000 annually - $500 each semester with the check payable to the institution and the student. This scholarship will be awarded to a resident of York County.

Applications for this scholarship should be picked up and returned to York County Farm Bureau no later than Monday, June 30. For details, call Laverne Spoon at (803) 684-4235.

--compiled by staff

Special needs screenings offered

The Fort Mill School District will be conducting a screening clinic for children aged 3 to 5 who are suspected of having special needs. Hearing, vision, speech-launguage, and development will be screened. The clinic dates are June 24-26. To arrange an appointment, call Cynthia Yocum at 548-8358.

Get your child a Head Start

The local Head Start program is now accepting applications for children under age 4 for the 2008-2009 program year. Head Start serves children from low-income families and children with disabilities. The Head Start Center in your area is located at 100 Lestina Court, Fort Mill. Call 802-7587.

Food program available

Avery Lake Head Start is the local provider of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program is available to all eligible residents and federal law requires that no one can be denied on the basis if race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Eligibility is based on household income. For details, call 802-7587 or 1-800-795-3272.

Host families needed

n Learn firsthand about another culture without leaving the United States and establish a friendship that will last a lifetime. Forte International Exchange Association has international students from many different countries arriving into the area and surrounding communities for home stay programs. They speak English, have their own spending money and medical insurance. Most importantly, they have a lot of love to give their American host family. F.I.E.A. is a nonprofit educational organization who is looking for caring host families to share the American way of life. If you think you may be interested in hosting a foreign teen or would like more information about the program, call District Director Karen Shell at 1-888-866-9148.

n Local host families are also needed by the Pacific Intercultural Exchange to place students from Germany, Russia, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Macedonia, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Australia, Yugoslavia, China, and many predominantly Islamic nations such as Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar. The agency also has travel/study program opportunities available for American high school students as well as possibilities for community volunteers to assist and work with area host families, students and schools. Families interested in learning more about student exchange or arranging for a meeting with a community representative may call P.I.E., toll-free, at 1-866-546-1402.

Support group for parents meets

A parent support group for children with any disorder, disability or learning issues meets at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road in Fort Mill. The group discusses coping skills, experiences, self care and school-related issues. For details, call 802-4484.

--compiled by staff