Union County Weekly

Morgan Laird, Golfer of the Year

Union County

Find your holiday

fun!

page 16

page 20 Serving Indian Trail, Marvin, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington and Wesley Chapel

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Volume 9, Number 49 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014

Move over, Santa; Katie is back

Katie’s Kidz aims to collect at least 8,000 gifts for hospitalized children

by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com

Photo by Gary Ohmstedt Weddington and Cuthbertson meet for a state championship game berth on Friday. See Hannah Chronis’s story on page 18

WEDDINGTON – If you want to know what it might be like to be Santa Claus at Christmas time, just ask Katie Greene.

The Weddington 13-year-old has brought holiday smiles to hospitalized children through her initiative, Katie’s Kidz, since 2007. Now in its eighth year, Katie’s Kidz hopes to provide between 8,000 and 9,000 gifts to children’s hospitals in North and South Carolina in time for Christmas.

It all started seven years ago, when then-6-year-old Katie stood in a department store, clutching a teddy bear and wishing she could give a gift to all of the sick children in the hospital for Christmas. With the help of her parents, Dean and Liz Greene, Katie collected $162 worth of toys for Levine Children’s Hospital in (see Katie’s Kidz on page 4)

Indian Trail resident fights for fair treatment of autistic son

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com

Jennifer Harris stood before the Union County Board of Education on Tuesday, Dec. 2, on the verge of either filing a lawsuit, pulling her child out of the school system, or perhaps doing both, after six years of nightmarish memories.

Harris is the mother of a 9-year-old student with autism who is currently enrolled in Union County Public Schools (UCPS).

Her child is unable to attend until he is provided a proper classroom setting, and Harris was speaking on behalf of fellow members of two support groups for parents of

children with disabilities in Union County, some of whom were in attendance.

Harris cited multiple objections and demands regarding what she calls the rights violations of children with disabilities in UCPS. She called on board members, some of them sworn in minutes before her address, to confront the roadblocks she has faced for years while trying to make sure her son gets the education and treatment he is promised under law.

Harris’ son, Matthew, has been suspended from multiple schools within Union County following fits of anxiety and rage caused by his autism. Matthew was kept at John’s Hopkins Hospital (JHH) for

a psychiatric stay in July 2014 following multiple disruptive and sometimes violent outbursts at home and at school over the previous year.

JHH confirmed his outbursts were due to his diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety Disorder of Childhood, and stated that Matthew was not receiving specific behavioral therapies geared toward children with autism in his current school setting.

“They were suspending him for behavior that JHH has documented is beyond his control,” Harris said. “It would be like taking someone with epilepsy and saying, ‘We are going to punish you every time you have

a seizure.’”

Following his stay there, JHH staff sent a letter to Matthew’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) team, which is responsible for laying out an IEP for Matthew helping teachers and school staffs understand his specific needs. Some, however, say the IEP is too broad for students with a disability as complex as autism.

In the letter, Dr. Arkaprava Deb, with the JHH Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, laid out 12 recommendations, which included small classrooms with a low student-teacher ratio, an on-site therapist and stopping any intervention or restraining (see Autism on page 10)

INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Scores, 8; Education, 11; Honor Roll, 12; Faith, 15; Calendar, 17; Sports, 18; Classifieds, 23

Page 2 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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News

Twinkle of the lights Area author publishes children’s book about holiday lights

by Courtney Schultz courtney@unioncountyweekly.com

INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail resident Brooke Kramb remembers nearly 30 years ago when a former teacher taught her the writing process, sparking her interest and fueling her inspiration by allowing her to add illustrations in Brooke Kramb her stories.

“She called our writing ‘masterpieces,’” Kramb said, recalling the connection she had with her teacher inspired her to want to pursue teaching.

Kramb went on to become a fifth-grade teacher and has worked in the Union County Public Schools system for the last 15 years and South Piedmont Community College for 10 years.

Although she enjoyed teaching, Kramb said she always had an itch to write a

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book.

She decided to dedicate her first children’s book, “Applesauce Afternoon,” to her grandfather, Dr. Herbert Hadley, who served as a father figure in her life.

“I had so many memories with my grandfather,” she said. “I’d tell my daughter stories about him, and some impulse told me I need to write these things down.”

After seven different drafts and the addition of illustrations from her cousin, she crafted the final issue in time for her grandfather’s 90th birthday.

“He called me his author and he kept a copy in the back of his scooter everywhere he went,” Kramb said, who was thankful to give that gift to her grandfather.

Kramb’s writing itch continued after publishing her first book. While serving as

a literary facilitator, she was brainstorming story ideas with a group of students when the topic of Christmas traditions came up, sparking inspiration for her next book.

“My mom always made everything special – especially Christmas,” Kramb said. “I remember we would get into our pajamas, drink hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights.”

Kramb decided to write “Christmas Lights” about her holiday traditions around the twinkling lights of the holidays.

“I just though it was a unique Christmas story,” Kramb said. “I just had that idea.

I just knew for some reason that I had it in my head.”

Kramb wrote the story around Christmas and family traditions that are centered around the “lights” theme and can be sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” She said children have enjoyed listening to her reading and singing the book, and often share their personal Christmas memories.

“It’s a way for families to remember their traditions around Christmas lights,” Kramb said.

The book, which is intended for elementary-age children, also has a place in the back of the book for families to write down and preserve their memories.

Writing her second book presented different challenges than the first, Kramb said.

With her first book, her cousin created the images digitally, but for the second book, Alan Capps, an Indian Trail artist and the book’s illustrator, painted each illustration and adjusted them to fit the book. She said formatting and making sure the images fit with the text were the biggest challenges.

Despite the challenges, Kramb said she’s glad to publish a book that reminds readers to treasure their time with their families and their memories.

“That time together with people is a better gift than an actual present,” Kramb said.

Kramb will host free readings for “Christmas Lights” this month that will feature story time, a craft and hot chocolate.

Families can attend the following events: Thursday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. at Union West Regional Library in Indian Trail; Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. at Park Road Books in south Charlotte; and Dec. 13, a Saturday, at 10 a.m. at Madison’s Coffee House in Indian Trail. Signed books will be available for $7 at all the events. Books also can be purchased at www.amazon.com.

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 3

News

Katie’s Kidz (continued from page 1)

Charlotte in two weeks. Little did they know, Katie’s Kidz would go on to collect tens of thousands of toys for children of all ages in multiple hospitals.

“The first year I started, I (collected) only two bags of gifts to Levine Children’s Hospital,” Katie said. “Now I’m thinking about how (Katie’s Kidz) has gotten so big, and I could not do Katie’s Kidz without the literally thousands of people who have donated.”

Last year, Katie’s Kidz supplied 6,000 gifts to nine regional hospitals. Her goal for 2014 is to surpass last year’s amount of toys collected by at least 2,000, and she’s already on schedule to deliver gifts to nine different hospitals: Levine and Hemby children’s hospitals, both in Charlotte; Carolinas Medical Center – Union in Monroe; Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Charlotte; Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville; Duke Children’s Hospital in Durham; N.C. Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill; Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem; and James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville, a first for Katie’s Kidz. She also hopes to provide gifts for MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, if she reaches her goal.

Katie speaks about Katie’s Kidz at area churches, civic groups, schools and other organizations throughout the year. She also partners with local businesses and individuals for toy drives and monetary donations, which are used to purchase toys for Katie’s Kidz.

Each year on Black Friday and Saturday, Katie and her parents take the money raised by that point and brave the department store crowds, seeking the best deals on toys, DVDs, art sets, makeup kits, gadgets, gift cards and more. Katie’s Kidz continues collecting toys and funds to purchase gifts through “packing Saturday,” an annual endeavor in mid-December where dozens of volunteers sort the donations and pack them into boxes to be delivered to specific hospitals.

Katie and her family deliver the gifts personally to each of the receiving hospitals.

Though she doesn’t see the kids receive their gifts on Christmas morning, Katie knows she’s making a difference.

At one of her speaking engagements, Katie heard the story of a woman whose granddaughter was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery on Christmas Eve several years ago. The child received a number of presents from “Santa” on Christmas morning, including some Katie’s Kidz gifts.

“It’s an incredible story about the impact the ministry has,” Liz Greene, Katie’s mom said. “There are kids there who have ongoing illnesses, but there (also) are kids who never expected to be (in the hospital on Christmas).”

Hospitals keep the surplus toys on hand and give them to children throughout the year for birthdays, milestones or, at times, Page 4 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Katie displays a buggy full of toys during a recent Black Friday sale. Photo courtesy of Liz Greene

simply to generate a much-needed smile.

Katie also heard a story from a minister who has been supportive of Katie’s Kidz for a number of years. The minister’s son was hospitalized with a heart condition in January, and, while in the hospital, he received some of the Katie’s Kidz gifts left over from Christmas.

“It had come full circle for (this minister) and her congregation,” Liz Greene said. “You never know who it’s going to be who it makes an impact on.”

The Greenes have worked to ensure the gifts are given to any and all children who are in the hospital on Christmas day.

“The thing that I really like about Katie’s Kidz and make a point to believe is any child, no matter what the situation is, they need a toy (for Christmas),” Katie said.

“Everyone needs a smile in the hospital, no matter what your age is, what your illness is, if you’re rich or if you’re poor …

Not one group gets toys – it’s anyone in the hospital.”

Toy drives will be held through Dec. 12, a Friday, at Weddington and Sun Valley high schools; Mills Cleaners in Weddington; Little Otter Swim School in Huntersville; and Elements Massage in SouthPark. Katie’s Kidz also will collect gift items – baby toys and gifts for teens are needed most, Katie said – through the week following this year’s packing Saturday (Dec. 13).

“We’ll collect through packing day, but if someone came and wanted to have a toy drive into the next week, we’ll work with you,” Liz Greene said.

People interested in hosting toy drives or donating items can call 704-443-8543.

Katie’s Kidz also collects toiletries yearround for parents of hospitalized children, as well as character Band-Aids, which Katie believes make a child’s hospital experience a little brighter. Donations can be mailed in a flat-rate shipping box to Katie’s Kidz, P.O. Box 436, Waxhaw, NC 28173.

Find more information and donate online at www.katieskidz.org. www.unioncountyweekly.com

News

Union County residents named Man and Woman of the Year

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com

Margaret Pigg of Marshville and David English of Monroe have been honored with the annual Union County Woman and Man of the Year awards, respectively.

Pigg, a longtime volunteer at Carolinas Medical Center – Union and a key player in the opening of the Marshville Museum and Cultural Center, is the 30th recipient of the Union County Woman of the Year Award. English, a board member at the Union County Community Shelter (UCCS) and a member of the advisory board formed to reopen the Monroe Theatre, is the 57th county resident to win Man of the Year.

A committee made up of past winners present the awards, which recognize community leaders who often accomplish their philanthropic and volunteer efforts away from the spotlight. This year’s winners will be honored at the annual Man and Woman of the Year luncheon on Jan. 30, 2015, a Friday, at the Old Armory Community Center

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in Monroe.

Nancy Stephen, the 2010 Woman of the Year Award winner, said that, although women only help choose the female winner, she was familiar with the work of both of this year’s winners and described them as “quiet, behind-the-scenes people who were never looking for credit.”

Stephen said between 10 and 15 people were nominated through an application process this year. “(Margaret and David) were selected due to their wide range of volunteering efforts,” Stephen said.

“It wasn’t just one volunteering project, nonprofit or agency they had each worked with. They both have a lot of experience with volunteering.”

Pigg said she had no idea she was nominated until she was visited at home by a group of former winners, including Stephen, last year’s winner Joyce Rentschler, 2002 winner Ruby Stegall and 1998 winner Nancy Noles.

“That was very exciting and humbling because I feel like there are a lot of people who do much bigger (see Man and Woman of the Year on page 9)

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 5

News Union County Weekly

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News Briefs Wesley Chapel to hear resident feedback on new zoning process WESLEY CHAPEL - The Wesley Chapel Village Council will hear from residents about a proposed change to the town’s zoning ordinance on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

The proposed amendment to Chapters 3 and 12 of the ordinance would allow for conditional zoning as an option for rezoning properties.

The current ordinance allows only for the use of conditional-use permits within Wesley Chapel, which allows for certain building uses in certain zoning districts.

Conditional zoning would allow prospective applicants for development to request a rezoning to a general or conditional zoning, freeing a given piece of land up to more options for developers.

During discussion at a council meeting on Nov. 18, zoning administrator Bill Duston said the town’s planning board voted not to recommend that council approve the proposed amendment.

The reason for the planning board’s apprehension, said Duston, is due to a difference in rules regarding when and with whom the council is allowed to discuss a proposed development.

With the current conditional use permit ordinance in place, councilmembers can only discuss a proposed land use plan at a called meeting. If conditional zoning were accepted as an option, nothing prohibits outside discussion of a project, and the planning board brought up worries about the possibility of backdoor deals, either between councilmembers or councilmembers and developers.

However, some planning board members do support the idea of conditional zoning.

Duston relayed planning board chairperson

Page 6 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Stephen Heeney’s thoughts to council that he believed conditional zoning could be a “useful tool for the toolkit,” which would let the town be imaginative and engage people through public information hearings.

Residents will be able to sign up to speak on the issue prior to the hearing on Monday evening.

Community Blood Centers of the Carolinas holds blood drives throughout Union County The Community Blood Centers of the Carolinas (CBCC) has announced a list of sites throughout Waxhaw and Indian Trail where blood drives will be held during December.

Throughout the month, blood donors will be invited to sign a gift tag to be attached to a stuffed puppy and delivered to children in local hospitals as part of CBCC’s 10th annual Puppies for Patients program.

The entire Union County list of remaining drives for the month is below. Each drive at Sun Valley 14 movie theater in Indian Trail offers free movie tickets to participants.

Dec. 7 Amazing Grace Lutheran Church 416 W. North Main St., Waxhaw 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dec. 12 Lowe’s Home Improvement 2508 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 13 Hunter Oaks Club House Beckford Glen Drive, Waxhaw 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dec. 20 Sun Valley 14 6449 Old Monroe Road

Indian Trail 1 to 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 Sun Valley 14 6449 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail 2 to 7 p.m.

Dec. 27 Sun Valley 14 6449 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail 1 to 6 p.m.

Union County offers heating assistance to qualifying residents MONROE - The Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Social Services (DSS), is accepting applications from citizens interested in receiving assistance with their heating costs during the cold-weather months. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31 at 1212 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Potential recipients of a one-time benefit from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program must be 60 years old or older or have a disability and receive services from the county’s Division of Aging and Adult Services. These include home-delivered meals or nutrition site meals from Union County Nutrition for the Elderly or inhome aid services provided through DSS or the council on aging.

Households without a member in the specified target groups may apply to receive benefits beginning Jan. 5, 2015, a Monday.

This is a first-come, first-served program in which funds are distributed until they are gone. Certain income and reserve criteria also apply.

If approved, an assistance payment will be made directly to the heating provider.

For more information in English or Spanish, contact DSS at 704-296-4300.

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News

Union County Weekly

Crime Blotter The following people were arrested in western Union County between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, according to the Union County Sheriff ’s Office.

Indian Trail

Road at Greenway Drive: Driving while impaired. Nov. 30 • Brandon McKechnie, 2700 block of Stallings Road: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Dec. 2

• Michael Kiker, 4500 block of Morningwood Drive: Failure to appear. Dec. 2 • David Michaels, 12800 block of East Independence Boulevard: Assault on a female. Dec. 3

Waxhaw • Jeremy Robinson, 300 block of South High Street: Financial card fraud.

Nov. 26 • Edson Garcia, 8400 block of Gray Byrum Road: Failure to appear for driving while license revoked. Nov. 26 • John Spera, 300 block of Hickory Bark Court: Cyberstalking. Nov. 26

• Robert Caldwell, 2000 block of Hamil Ridge Drive: Assault on a female.

Nov. 26 • Spencer Reed, 2000 block of Dunsmore Lane: Assault with a deadly weapon/ knife. Nov. 26 • Jimmy Garlins, 8300 block of Pine Oak Road: Drunk and disruptive. Nov. 26 • Jackson McCoy, 2200 block of Madeira Circle: Theft from a motor vehicle. Nov. 26 • Carlton Polk, 3600 block of South Providence Road: Failure to appear for assault by pointing a gun. Nov. 28 • William Moffitt, 500 block of (see Crime Blotter on page 9)

• Angie Blount, 2100 block of Younts Road: Misdemeanor larceny. Nov. 26 • Leola Roland, 2100 block of Younts Road: Misdemeanor larceny. Nov. 26 • Sarah Pendry, 8000 block of Hembywood Drive: Failure to appear. Nov. 26 • John Stokley, 5600 block of West Highway 74: Probation violation. Nov. 27 • Larry Harris, 8000 block of Idlewild Road: Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance. Nov. 29 • Tracy Williams, 8000 block of Hembywood Drive: Assault and battery. Nov. 29 • William Walker, 5600 block of Potter Road: Possession of Schedule VI controlled substance. Nov. 29 • Eric Lewis, 3100 block of Wesley Chapel Stouts Road: Possession of marijuana. Nov. 29 • Laurell Mungo, 4000 block of Salmon River Road: Communicating threats. Nov. 30 • Della Hunt, 2100 block of Younts Road: Misdemeanor larceny. Nov. 30 • Angela Blanks, 2100 block of Younts Road: Misdemeanor larceny. Nov. 30 • Jayce Kear, 3000 block of Semmes Lane: Cyberstalking. Nov. 30 • Danielle Stemen, 2000 block of Ridley Park Court: Misdemeanor larceny.

Nov. 30 • Natalie Stemen, 2000 block of Ridley Park Court: Misdemeanor larceny. Nov. 30 • Alexander Paulk, 2100 block of Younts Road: Larceny by employee. Dec. 1 • Matthew Rushing, 1000 block of Sentinel Drive: Domestic criminal trespassing. Dec. 2 • William Stallings, 2100 block of Younts Road: Misdemeanor larceny. Dec. 2 • Bryan Hancock, 1000 block of Green Terra Road: Driving while impaired.

Dec. 2 • Brian McCormack, 13700 block of East Independence Boulevard: Worthless check. Dec. 2

Lake Park • Matthew Perez, 3900 block of Alden Street: Failure to appear. Nov. 26 • Gene Vlieg, 3300 block of Faith Church Road: Possession of marijuana.

Dec. 1

Stallings • Robert Goodall, Stevens Mill www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 7

News Union County Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2.

Lowest Scores: • Bob Zip Asian Kitchen, 1369 Chestnut Lane, suite A-109 – 88 Violations included: Owner’s covered drinking cup stored on top of sushi rice container; three portions of sushi rice wrapped in plastic wrap inside of sushi rice container at room temperature; numerous knives and a vegetable peeler stored with food debris; date marks on non-potentially hazardous sauces only; package of tofu without date marks inside walk-in cooler; container of spicy, cooked beef with preparation date of Oct. 30; ice scoop not stored on clean surface; and general cleaning needed.

Monroe Road – 98 • Villa Mia, 5922-13A Weddington-Monroe Road – 98 28079 • El Cafetal, 4409 Old Monroe Road – 92.5 • Francesco’s Pizzeria, 6751 Old Monroe Road, suite 10 – 91 • Sun Valley Café, 6751 Old Monroe Road, suite 106 – 97.5 28110 • Goodtimes Bar and Grill, 1905 Dickerson Blvd. – 96.5 • Longhorn Steakhouse, 2117 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 97.5 • Mayfair Seafood, 2568 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 95 • Michael Angelo’s Pizza and Sub House, 1902B W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 94.5 • Napoli Italian Restaurant, 2263 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 97 • O’Charley’s, 2412 W. Roosevelt Blvd.

–95

All Scores: 28173 No restaurants inspected this week.

28104 • Bob Zip Asian Kitchen, 1369 Chestnut Lane, suite A-109 – 88 • Mama’s Pizza & Pasta, Inc., 15080 Idlewild Road, suite C – 99.5 • Subway, 5922 A-11 Weddington-

Page 8 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

28112 • Bus Stop Soda Shop, 209 E. Franklin St. – 95 • Union County Jail Kitchen, 3344 Presson Road – 97 About the grades…Restaurants are given grades of A for scoring at least 90, B for 80 to 89 and C for 70 to 79. The state revokes permits for restaurants that score below 70.

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News Man and Woman of the Year

three other former Man of the Year winners and Nancy Stephen, Engthings,” Pigg said. “Not just the lish took the hint. tiny, little volunteering that I do.”

“I had my suspicions once I Pigg has been a staple in the continued to watch all of these volunteer community for decades. esteemed individuals walk into my When she moved to Marshville in office,” English said. “That was the late 1960s, she special, especially realized she would to see (1975 winneed to commute to ner) Charles NorCharlotte to practice wood. I’ve known histology, which she him all my life, and was studying. Instead, he grew up with my she chose to stay at father.” home with her two English joined small children, volunthe board at UCCS teering at the hospital nine years ago, and that is now CMC – said he’s developed Union whenever she a deep passion for could. Since then, she helping the homehas logged over 5,500 less. hours at the hospital.

“I didn’t have Pigg began a promuch exposure to gram called Happy that community Hatters with a group prior to joining the Margaret Pigg of fellow churchgoers board,” he said. and knitting enthu“Just being around siasts in the 1990s, that and seeing the knitting small caps for need and seeing newborns at the hoshow many people pital. She never realin our commuized how far-reaching nity need help. It’s those efforts could really incredible all be. of the things that “Once in a while, go on in that shelsomeone will tell me ter.” they saved their little English said he is baby cap to use for very proud to be “a that child’s baby, when small part” of how the time comes,” Pigg far the shelter has said. come in the past Pigg’s most recent nine years. community efforts English also meninvolved helping tors youth through David English open the Marshville the Upward Sports Museum in 2012. She recruited basketball league at Central United volunteers and found more than Methodist Church, where he has 40 people willing to give their time coached for years even after his to work at the museum. Today, the daughter aged out of the league. museum is fully operational, teachMost recently, he has joined the ing students and residents local Center Town Theater Advisory history through interactive displays Board of Directors to help revitalize such as settler cabin interiors and and re-open the theater in downearly 20th-century classrooms. town Monroe. He hopes the theDespite Pigg’s multiple contribu- ater can be the springboard to revitions to the community, which go talize a new wave of culture during further than CMC-Union and the nights and weekends in downtown Marshville Museum, she remains Monroe. humble.

As English continues to work in “I really don’t feel worthy of the the community, he said he doesn’t ones on the list of previous win- believe the true honor of the award ners. I’m not anywhere in that com- has hit him yet. pany. I just figured it’s because I’ve “I’m ecstatic to be held in the been at it so long,” she said with a same regard as these past winners. laugh.

There are a lot of people on that Like Pigg, English was taken list that I have a lot of respect for,” completely by surprise regarding English said. “It hasn’t sunk in to his nomination for Man of the Year. full depth yet but I know its someHe received a text from 2011 Man thing I will be proud of until the of the Year winner Jack Hargett day I die.” saying Hargett needed to drop by his office. When he walked in with (continued from page 5)

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Crime Blotter

vandalism incident. Dec. 2

(continued from page 7)

Jackson Avenue: Failure to appear for larceny. Nov. 30 • David Naundorff, 7100 block of McCain Boulevard: Resisting/delaying/ obstructing an officer. Dec. 2 • Dustin Naundorff, 7100 block of McCain Boulevard: Resisting/delaying/ obstructing an officer. Dec. 2 • Quinton Owens, 500 block of South Providence Street: Disorderly conduct in a school. Dec. 3

Weddington • David Teague, 2000 block of Fitzhugh Lane: Driving while license revoked. Nov. 29 • Johnathan Warren, 3900 block of Fox Run Road: Assault on a female. Dec. 1 The following crimes were committed in western Union County between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, according to the Union County Sheriff ’s Office.

Indian Trail Home/Business Break-Ins • 3100 block of West Unionville Indian Trail Road: Origami pieces, check, DVDs, safe box, birth certificate and various heirlooms, worth $6,559 total, stolen during home break-in. Dec. 1 Property Theft • 14000 block of East Independence Boulevard: $35 license plate stolen. Nov. 26 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $148 vacuum stolen from business. Nov. 26 • Kangaroo Express, 13719 E. Independence Blvd.: $15 in beer stolen from business. Nov. 28 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $108 worth of beer, steak and seafood stolen from business. Nov. 29 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $62 in clothes stolen from business. Nov. 30 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: Soda, tie-dye kit, fabric and wallet, worth $16 total, stolen from business. Nov. 30 • 2800 block of Chamber Drive: $1,000 trailer stolen. Dec. 1 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $378 in coffee brewers stolen. Dec. 2 Vandalism • 2400 block of Devon Drive: $400 damage to Toyota Highlander and $400 damage to Dodge Ram in vandalism incident. Nov. 26 • 1800 block of Travis Court: $5,600 damage to Buick Century in vandalism incident. Nov. 29 • 5800 block of Sunnywood Place: $10 damage to mobile home in vandalism incident. Nov. 29 • 1400 block of Wesley Chapel Road: $200 damage to Ford Super Duty in

Financial Crimes/Fraud • 1000 block of Revelwood Drive: Obtaining property by false pretenses.

Dec. 1 • 1000 block of Exodus Court: Financial card fraud. Dec. 2 • 1000 block of Southwind Trail Drive: $60 lost in swindling scheme. Dec. 2 Animal Calls • 8000 block of Red Lantern Road: Animal bite. Nov. 26 • 4000 block of Cornflower Lane: Animal bite. Nov. 27 Other • Fitness Connection, 13709 E. Independence Blvd.: Trespassing. Nov. 28 • 3300 block of Wesley Chapel Stouts Road: Possession of marijuana. Nov. 29 • 1400 block of Wesley Chapel Road: Curfew violation. Nov. 30 • 1000 block of Forbishire Drive: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Nov. 30 • Faith Church Road Extenstion: Possession of marijuana. Dec. 1 • 1000 block of Green Terra Road: Carrying a concealed weapon. Dec. 2

Waxhaw Vehicle Break-Ins • 1700 block of Laurel Hill Drive: Four cars broken into. Nothing reported stolen.

Nov. 26 • 8800 block of Summerhill Road: Vehicle break-in. Nothing reported stolen.

Nov. 28 Property Theft • 4600 block of Trails End Road: $889 landscaping equipment stolen. Nov. 29 Animal Calls • 3900 block of New Town Road: Animal nuisance. Nov. 26 • 5800 block of Bigham Road: Animal nuisance. Nov. 26

Weddington Home/Business Break-Ins • 2100 block of Keegan Court: $1,115 landscaping equipment stolen during home break-in. Dec. 2 Financial Crimes/Fraud • 700 block of Eagle Road: Debit card fraud. Nov. 28

Wesley Chapel Miscellaneous • 1100 block of Woodwinds Drive: Possession of marijuana. Nov. 28 • 5000 block of Goldmine Road: Consuming alcohol under 19 years old. Nov. 29

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 9

News

Autism (continued from page 1)

activities by police during one of Matthew’s outbursts.

“Without these aforementioned recommendations,” the letter reads, “Matthew is at risk for continued emotional, psychological and social decompensation. He would also remain at high risk for academic failure, repeat hospitalizations or possibly a placement in a residential treatment center.”

Shortly after the letter was sent, Harris hired an attorney and threatened legal action against the school. Since, she has been in touch with UCPS staff, who have Matthew Harris and his sister, Noelle, at a church event in November. contracted an aide to Photo courtesy of Jennifer Harris work individually with Matthew and tried to supply him with a “sensory room” that could help him decompress during fits.

Now more than three months into the school year, Harris has yet to see a placement plan that would make her consider putting Matthew back in school.

UCPS staff offered him a placement in New Town Elementary School, where he would be put in a class filled mostly with behaviorally-challenged children much younger and smaller than him, between kindergarten and second grade. Harris said the “sensory room” she was shown was an occupational therapy room, with computers and desks,

Page 10 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

which could not safely hold a child during an outburst.

Harris received support following her address, specifically from new Board of Education member Gary Sides. Sides and his wife adopted three children with disabilities, two of which are still in the UCPS system. He volunteered to head a committee to oversee any inconsistencies in the school system’s treatment of children with disabilities be fixed.

Sides calls his experience with raising children with disabilities through the UCPS system an overall positive one, but believes there is still much to be done.

“I’ve been through the system, and I’ve had my frustrations and my victories,” Sides said. “I hope (her speech) was eye-opening for some of the more traditional children’s parents. I understand that it is difficult for a system to individualize and customize to meet the needs of one child, but I feel like we need to do a better job of helping these parents who need us.”

Sides said some of the focuses of a committee would be to act as a conduit between the school staffs, the parents and the UCPS Special Needs Advisory Council. Many of the parents of children with disabilities who came to support Harris on Tuesday night were unaware such a council existed.

Following Harris’s speech, UCPS Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis said she would be open to Matthew and his dog, Timmy, playing in October 2014. Photo letting more parents courtesy of Jennifer Harris become involved with

the council.

On the day following the meeting, Tahira Stalberte, spokesperson with UCPS, said they plan to follow up with Harris and the other parents in similar situations.

“We are going to look into the concerns that parents brought up last night, and we are going to be looking at these things immediately,” Stalberte said.

During a budget report in Tuesday’s meeting, it was announced that $42,542 would be removed from the budget previously allotted for an Exceptional Children teacher supervisor. Dan Karpinski, chief finance officer with UCPS, said these funds were allotted by the state based on student population and the “headcount” was not high enough to keep the money.

There are currently approximately 4,000 students with disabilities enrolled in UCPS, making up about 10 percent of the student population.

Harris saw the budget decrease as an affront to one of her biggest complaints with the Exceptional Children program at UCPS: that many of those in charge of exceptional children’s classrooms do not have degrees in the special education, nor is the system’s autism specialist trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, which is the standard in autism education and was highly recommended for Matthew by JHH. “That money alone could have paid for a qualified teacher, technician or specialist,” Harris said.

On Wednesday, Harris was still not sure whether she would pursue a lawsuit against UCPS, but felt no closer to finding answers to her problems.

“This board, superintendent and county seem to think they are the sheriffs,” she said. “They don’t listen to anybody in authority, not doctors, therapists or parents. They don’t bother to surround themselves with people who know what they’re talking about. How is that possible?”

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Education

‘A Christmas Carol’ coming to the windows of downtown Waxhaw Student actors to give window performances of Charles Dickens’s holiday classic

by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com

WAXHAW – The windows of seven storefronts in downtown Waxhaw will soon come alive with the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as student actors from Parkwood Middle School perform scenes from the classic holiday tale.

Seventeen student performers will present seven different scenes from a scripted adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by area playwright Judy Simpson Cook. The scenes will tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s holiday epiphany, beginning with his miserly refusal of all things Christmas and ending with his dramatic, soul-saving transformation.

Melody Howe (left) will play Jacob Marley, while Dianna LaTerra will play Ebenezer Scrooge. Photo courtesy of Nicole DePietro

“This is something we’ve been involved in for the past several years,” Parkwood Middle drama teacher Nicole DePietro said. “The idea is if you went to every window, you will get the story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ through the selection of scenes that give you a basic idea of the story.”

Performances will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Waxhaw’s First Friday event, slated for Friday, Dec. 5. The student actors will perform their scenes every 15 minutes, giving browsers an opportunity to see the story play out at various times throughout the evening.

The first scene, in which Scrooge turns down his nephew’s invitation to a Christmas gathering, will take place at Prestige Properties, located at 108 E. South Main St. Six more downtown Waxhaw storefronts will host the six additional scenes: Scrooge’s refusal to donate to charity; his encounter with the ghost of Jacob Marley; one scene each from Christmas Past, Present and Future; and his transformation from a cold, hateful miser to a caring, loving man.

“You see the new man Scrooge has become and how this experience has really changed him – all the moments that have really changed him in the story,” DePietro said. www.unioncountyweekly.com

From left, Adyson Plyler, Hunter Bass and Josh Batton will play the roles of Belle, the Ghost of Christmas Past and young Ebenezer Scrooge, respectively. Photo courtesy of Nicole DePietro

The students are all eighth-graders and members of the Junior Thespian Honor Society at Parkwood Middle. The cast began rehearsing about a month ago, and DePietro said the most challenging aspect of the production for students has been the dialogue used in the script.

“It is still written in a way that very much reflects Charles Dickens’ language in the text,” DePietro said.

Another challenge for students has been the fact that they won’t be performing on stage like they would in a typical play – they’ll be performing right in front of their audience, which DePietro said forces students to work harder at staying in character.

For 13-year-old performer and student Abigail Ball, performing in a nontraditional venue has been a welcome change.

“I guess (the challenge is) staying in character and not getting distracted because you’ll have a lot of people coming in,” said Abigail, who will play the role of Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. But, in a certain way, Abigail said the change makes her feel more comfortable. “Because I don’t know these people, I have nothing to lose, so it’s easier for me.”

Thirteen-year-old student performer Carolyn Daly will take on the role of a “charity woman” and said it’s also been a challenge to stay in character.

“I just try and focus on what is going on and what the character wants and the obstacles they face,” Carolyn said, adding her favorite aspect of being involved in the production is the opportunity to perform for the community with her friends.

DePietro said visitors to downtown Waxhaw on Friday can expect to be inspired by the students’ performances, as well as encounter a dose of holiday spirit.

“I think it’s really cool for (the students) to be able to get out in the community and perform for people who they don’t know or have a personal relationship with,” she said. “It’s nice for the community to see how talented kids in eighth grade can be.”

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 11

Education Union County Weekly

Honor Roll

East Union

Middle School A Honor Roll Sixth grade:

Abarca, Rosa Casandra; Almanza, Andrea; Atempa-Roman, Yamilet; Ayala Ayala, Erica; Baker, Brooke Danielle; Brewer, Nathaniel James; Clonts, Anna Elizabeth; Daniels, Payton Breann; Deason, Emma Claire; Depeyster, Kiara Tane'lle; Diaz-Garcia, Lyzbeth; Fuerte Guerrero, Jennifer; Galiana-Ramirez, Jeydi; Gallegos, Maria; Greene, Ava Celeste; Hammond-Helms, Shelby Simone; Helms, Austin Ray; Helms, Grayson Cole; Hernandez-Rodriguez, Dalia; James, Madison Rachel; Kiker, Katelyn Michelle; McManus, Jana Lynn; Pierce, Taylor Elizabeth; Plue, Georgia Stillwell; Roets, Philip Alexander; SanchezSoriano, Karen; Smith, Alexis Elizabeth; Smith, Peightyn Sway; Strawn, Karlie Jean; Tarlton, Olivia Beth; Tillman, Keyshawn Markell; Xiong, Tracy; Zapata, Angel Javier; and Zavaleta, Sebastian N.

Seventh grade:

Barrier, Brandon James; Baucom, Emma Grace; Blakney, Shakyla Amaya; Hall, Hailey Grace; Hicks, Jasmine Fayth; Hinson, Harrison Seth; Martin-James, Chantal Amber; Mascorro, Olivia; Newsome, Landon Blake; Perez, Wizdom; Reyes Gonzalez, Marlon Imanuel; Steele, Leigha Nicole; Thomsen Cox, Douglas Rayne; Tran, Khang Duy; Walden, Ciera Jade; Whitley, Payton Michelle; and Yoder, Ethan Morris.

Eighth grade:

Gardner, Ashlyn Makenna; Green, Tiffany Rene; Hincemon, Hailey Marie; Howard, Jelaysia Nazia; Medley, Candice Sabrya; Owens, Savannah Leigh; and Thomas, Peyton Elizabeth.

A/B Honor Roll Sixth grade:

Almanza Castro, Stephanie; Arellano, Mercedes Maria; Armstrong, Mackenzie Ann; Baker, Luke Jonathan; Barrett, Jauana Renee; Basilio, Alexander P; Benson, Hope Danielle; Blackmon, Jahnasty Jiasha; Brooks, Tori Tytianna; Byrd, Deoveon Rashawn; Cano, Adrianna Isebell; Carrillo-Morelos, Maria; Chavez, Abby Citlaly; Conard, Jessica Marie; Conover, Alton Zackary; Contreras Cortez, Aletxa Guadalupe; Cortes Rivera, Jair Iszack; Cranfill, Joshua McKinley; Cruz, Karla Denise; David, Samuel K'Len; Davis, Cannon Nash; Davis, Kayden Hope; De Los Santos, Alexa; Flores, Wendy C.; Francis, Shenique Millicent; Funderburk, Brianna Mae; Gonzalez Navarrete, Rocio; Gonzalez, Innese Isabel; Gonzalez, Jordan; Guarda, Matthew William; Hargett, Justin; Hayes, Tristan Alexander; Helguera Aguilar, Alan; Helms, Jada Ann; Helms, Jayla Marie; Helms, Jonathan Richard; Helms, Taylor Jade; Hernandez-Molina, Lluliana; Hovick, Zachary James; Huntley, Malekia; Kirby, Christian Blake; Landa-Sandoval, Brinny; Lee, Katherine Rose; Legrand, Trinity Jamia; Lindsey, Jamaya Simone; Lorenzana, Natalia Elizabeth; MacDonald, Charly; Maness, Brandon Michael; Mangaro, Katlyn Dawn; Marsh, Tarry; Mckoy, Shikieara; Melchor-Cruz, Perla; Melchor-Garcia, Ivan; Miller, Kaleb Roland; Moore, Griffin Baylor; Mullis, John Griffin; Munoz-Gomez, Cesar Jovanni; Nicholson, Niya Ali; Norris, Kerrisa Marie; Odendahl, Tyrell J; Olea-Sanchez, Katia; Oliver, Destiny Grace; Ortiz-Garcia, Johana; Palmer, Christian Robert; Pantoja-Juarez, Isaac; Perez Sims, Isaiah Chandler; Perez, Mackenzie Cecilia; Perez, Yesenia Idaly; Perry, Mahogany Brajhyna; Phillips, Cameron Bryce; Porter, Kadrian; Prater, Joshua Vance; Price, Skylar Nicole; Rhodes, Shania Lee; Rogers, Caleb Ray; Sandoval, Sorely; Santillo-Quizapa, Mayra; Saucedo-Leana, Rosaura; Shine, Zakira Zion; Silsby, Spencer Thomas; Smith, Brian Lentrell; Solis-Ortiz, Martin; Stafford, Briceton Heath; Stephenson, Will James; Sturdivant, Nyla Semone; Teresa, Emily Diane; Tobias, Alaisha Irene; Torres Martinez, Axel; Trull, Brooke Alexandria; Villanueva-Villanueva, Luis; Walker, Katelyn Marie; Wallace, Iysis; Washington, Ja'Niyah Symone; White, Ji'Asiya Zamia; White, Shakira Nicole; Widmaier, Nathan Oliver; Williams, Camden Hess; Williams, Joshua Jaylan; Zapata, Amy; and Zhou, Zhi Jie.

Seventh grade:

Adams, Casey Michele; Aldridge, Jana Ariel; Anderson, Dasia

Page 12 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Makayla; Baker, Averon Jashown; Barrino, Azuria Nicole; Bass, Alexander Wallace; Beltran, Karina Nichole; Benton, Jessica Leigh; Blake, Kwame' Tyrese; Blakeney, Zanobia DeKira; Boone, Alyssa Lafaye; Brace, Karmyn Zykel; Cano, Sarai; Clements, Trevor Douglas; Clyburn, Denajha Symore; Collins, Shelby Ann; Contreras, Ana Victoria; Covington, Rochell; Crowe, Elijah Lebron; Farmer, Leah Caitlyn; Griffin, David Lavern; Grooms, Hayden Michelle; Guion, Jessica Elizabeth; Hailey, Kyndall; Harris, Joshua Kordale; Hasty, Jiovani Pellem; Helms, Hunter Logan; Helms, Isaac Durant; Helms, Katie Scarlett; Helms, Trevor Donald; Hickson, Jessica Lynn; High, Gavin Blake; Horne, Elizabeth Hope; Horne, Travis Richard; Laney, Hannah Nicole; Leary, Jaymond Joseph; Leyva Camacho, Brandon; Little, Levandria; Loredo Menindez, Martha Angelica; Lumpkin, Josiah Davon; Lynch, Xavien; Marsh, Mya Denise; Moore, Kaliyah Alexis; Nance, Audrey Leigh; Owens, Joshua Debro; Phifer, Hunter Hayes; Porter, Ashlyn Elizabeth; Preslar, Luke Myles; Prince, Bryson Connor; Ramos-Pastor, David; Reitz, Ashley Taylor; Rodriguez, Maria Isabel; Segee, Kenneth Samuel; Sellars, Skylar Ashlen; Shanley, Dalton Blake; Sharpe, Madeline Gail; Sitton, Olivia Corinth; Starling, Emma Compton; Starling, Timothy Austin; Taylor, Madison Marie; Timmons, Jamarcus; Tucker, Alexis Diane; Tucker, Kayden Elizabeth; Velasquez, Diana; Williams, Elijah Ismael; Wright, Dillon Conrad; and Zapata-Hernandez, Gaby.

Eighth grade:

Armstrong, Shawn Russell; Ashburner, Daniel Edward; Avila, Jose Diego; Baker, Colby David; Barrera, Andrew Javier; Belin, Jonathan Trey; Bostic, Harley Lisa; Calderon-Reyes, Rosa Angela; Capps, Joshua Dillon; Castrejon Maldonad, Jesenia; Castrejon Ortiz, Judith; Chin, Vitta Miracle; Gillespie, Deanna Diamond; Griffin, Braxton; Griffin, Logan Ellis; Guin, Caroline Olivia; Hamilton, Diamond Shanice; Hargett, Phillip Matthew; Harpe, Maggie Laine; Hernandez Garcia, Amayrani; Hernandez Garcia, Brenda; Hinson, Davis Robert; Huntley, Russell Ruben; Jones, Addison Faith; Little, Amya Delouis; McClain, Malik Monta; Medina, Jessica Faith; Melchor-Garcia, Anajancy; Myers, Emily Frances; Nelson, Mystikal Zione; Parson, Kiyanna S; Pipes, Emily Myra; Porter, Zackery Clayton; Price, Samantha Leigh; Prince, Kersten Lillian; Rorie, Averi Blake; Salazar Arias, Avigail; Sanchez-Vazquez, Carlos Daniel; Starling, Haley Marie; Stegall, Christopher Alan; Tyson, Christopher Keeshawn; Walker, Donovan Anthony; Wilson, Emily Meredith; and Zavaleta, Stephanie.

marvin ridge Middle School A Honor Roll Sixth grade:

Ziyad Abdelaziz, Nour Abodabba, Samantha Angeli, Rebecca Ankenbruck, Jake Atlas, Lucas Barbu, Isabelle Bay, Reagan Baylog, Maxime Beaulieu, Simran Bhargava, Lyndsey Bigham, Tanner Blackwell, Carter Blankner, Alexander Braund, Brayden Brewer, Rachel Brewer, Anna Bryson, Connor Budd, Madeline Buff, Emily Burns, Nathan Calamas, Kelsey Carlson, Carmen Cary, Annabelle Chang, Mateo Checa, Lynn Check, Lucas Chepul, Tyler Cherry, Andrew Chinn, Brandon Clarke, Grant Cokley, Annabella Cotugno, Andrew Cruz, Neal Damani, Matthew Davis, Julia Day, Jenna DePollo, Joseph Despard, Cambrie Dewulf, Jack Downes, Emma Drake, Kaitlin Dunegan, Lucas Dunker, Michael Eisenberg, Nina Emanuel, Kaitlyn Fetter, Abigail Finch, Grace Fletcher, Camryn Ford, Alexander Fox, Garrett Garcia, Matthew Garrett, Xavier Gorman, John Gouin, Naomi Green, William Griset, William Gross, Addison Hankins, Melinda Harrison, Colin Headrick, Brynn Hennessey, George Holevas, Kori Horten, Claire Hussey, Ian Hutter, Cole Jackson, Suchitha Jalavancha, Alexander Kappos, Alexa Karger, Holden Kern, Ashley Kiker, Sean Kim, Ramesses Kitchen, Emily Klein, Megan Klingenberg, Paige Klingenberg, Jordan Komito, Hadley Ladue, Rigopoula Lahanas, Macey Land, Jack Lannagan, Shaelyn Lavalle, Brooke Lavelle, Grace Lyons, Shriya Madhavaram, Isabella Maffei, Lillian Magee, Hannah Manning, Ryan Marr, Erin Martin, Julia Mattson, Kyleigh McCoy, Jake Mead, Justin Melendez, Alexis Metro, Ethan Michalski, Jacob Montano, Keeli Morgan, Brody Morrissey, Caroline Moss, Sarah Motteler, Gavin Murphy, Amelia Myers, Sandra Myers, Keerthi Nagapudi, Aditya Nair, Michael Nowak, Sarah Oldakowski, Livia Olsen, Anthony Orloski, Benjamin Palmer, Alexandra Papageorge, Brennan Petrane, Anthony Piccirillo, Rebekah Poskie, Sean Quade, Ashton Rains, Zyncli Ramirez, Olivia Reasons, Zoe Renner, Carter Rhule, Elizabeth Rose, Ellen Rose, Matthew Rosser, Dylan Sabogal, Prateek Sanisetty, Madelyn Schoen, Gavin Scotto, Matthew Semcesen, Aaron Shelton, Siddharth Sivaram, Brian Smith, Landon Smith, Michele Sperduto, Keshav Srivenkatesh, Jayden Starke, Jack Steury, Ava Stewart, Aidan Sunris, Nicole Tanguay, McKenzie Tano, Anika Tapita, Alyssa Tauro, Brooke Taylor, Connor Texas, Tiffani Thalacker, Audrey Thomas, Chloe Thomson, Mason Toth, Mary Tsantes, Autumn Tucker, Jacob Tucker, Leah Wang, Kinsey Wasko, Kathryn Whitehead, Ashley Wiederspiel, Kendall Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Emma Wong, Russell Wong, Ethan Woodward, John Yeagley, Kyle Young, Robert Young, Roberto Young, Kelsea Yount, Andrew Zanino, Max Zdimal and Matthew Zhang. (see Marvin Ridge on page 13)

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Education

Marvin Ridge (continued from page 12)

Seventh grade:

Catherine Anderson, Gabriel Azie, Julia Barhydt, Ethan Basinger, Mark Bauer, Ally Bigham, Carter Blessing, Kendall Byers, Alexandra Calder, Kody Carmody, Gabriella Castro, Delaney Caulder, Christian Chung, Meagan Conant, Isabel Crandall, Sarah Cuddy, Harrison Cutrone, Joyce Deng, John DePollo, Maya Elden, Ana Eleta, Abigail Emanuel, Jefferson Ensey, Colin Erb, Samantha Femia, Laura Ferko, Isabelle Ferrugia, Emma Friese, Janet Green, Patrick Gregson, Anumitareddy Gudepu, Angelina Ha, Kelsey Haines, Connor Hill, William Hodges, Erin Holden, Camilla Horn, Lauren Huffstetler, Kinnereth Huxtable, Sophia Imhof, Alexandra Jacob, Rashi Jagani, Laura Jeniski, Ankith Kanderi, Esther Kang, Silpitha Kapireddy, Ryley Keefe, Rachel Kessler, Asim Khan, Justin Killi, Jackson Klein, Jonathan Lambert, Jacob Laube, Annie Le Baron, Manasi Londhe, Sophia Lukavsky, Andriana Mahairas, Pallavi Maladkar, Matthew Maloney, Rebecca Mastrangelo, Maariya Moiz, Alexander Morrell, Sharon Mulaparthi, Evan Myers, Conrad Nelsen, Daniel Neuman, Patrick O'Brien, Grace O'Carroll, Chiebuka Onuoha, Antonio Pacheco, Sara Pallante, Jacob Parvin, Maya Patel, Sonia Patel, Franklin Pippin, Samantha Podewils, Larson Preisser, Ethan Primm, Gianna Reinhart, Matias Rosado, Madeline Russo, Huda Sait, Robert Savage, Shreya Sawant, Kiersten Schachner, Lucas Schroeder, Elizabeth Schupp, Brooke Sevchik, Paige Sevchik, Madison Skinner, Nicholas Spiers, Tyler Stanton, Jack Stephen, Christopher Sutherland, Carolyn Szempruch, Aarushi Talesara, Ellie Tidwell, Kelly Tieu, Jason Traub, Colby Trumbo, Aidan Twombly, Anna Utesch, Madeleine Walker, Fiona Wallace, Macy Warren, Samantha Weidman, Jake Williams and Alexandra Zettlemoyer.

Eighth grade:

Aiello, Victoria; Akkaramongkolrojn, Maytee; Alexander, Lauren; Araya, Lauren; Arthur, Megan; Asano, Yuna; Auzenne, Christopher; Barnette, Lauren; Barry, Megan; Baylog, Gabrielle; Beard, Nathan; Blanton, Aniya; Blizzard, Jason; Bowman, Noah; Bozarth, Rachel; Bryant, James; Calamas, Lauren; Capoziello, Lauren; Cardwell, Samuel; Carter, Marissa; Caulder, Keely; Checa, Santiago; Chiarenza, Gabriella; Colucci, Caitlin; Cruz, Ashley; Davis, Brooke; Demarco, Angelina; Deveaux, Kendi; Donahue, Montana; Drake, Thomas; Duerrich, Laura; Ensey, Abigail; Fanning, Kaleigh; Ferrugia, Anna; Fullmer, Alyssa; Gagis, Nicholas; Garrett, Samantha; Geada, Sydney; Ghosh, Mohona; Gnanakkumaran, Iniya; Gorman, Maeve; Graveline, Madison; Gravelle, Shane; Greer, Dylan; Gross, Connor; Gundlach, Julia; Hadley, Tucker; Haller, Grace; Halmy, Elizabeth; Hambright, Amanda; Hannon, Emily; Harrison, Lindsay; Heilferty, Kylie; Hinton, Anthony; Holevas, Ronnie; Horn, Zoe; Ingram, Ana; Jacobsen, Anna; Jarnagin, Maryann; Johansen, Lauren; Johnston, Lacy; Jones, Anson; Jordan, Adriana; Khaderi, Ismail; Kiley, Christian; Lavelle, Kristen; Liapis, Lillian; Lorenzo, Sophie; McCann, Sarah; McCrossan, Regan; McDonough, Mackensie; Meewes, Jordan; Moore, Kennedy; Moulton, Lauren; Mowlavi, Mina; Mueller, Abigail; Mueller, Mike; Mulloy, Molly; Murphy, Elizabeth; Nally, Spencer; Neal, Michael; Obika, Kendra; Osborne, Anna; Overby, Sarah; Parr, Lauren; Patti, Nicole; Plutt, Jacob; Pollino, Lauren; Powel, Sydney; Price, Colin; Quade, Kendall; Roma, Margaret; Rose, Hannah; Rosen, Evan; Rowe, Julius; Ruttenberg, Emily; Ryan, Collin; Sabogal, Lauren; Sawyer, Ann; Schorr, Blake; Schreiber, Allie; Semcesen, Melanie; Sherman, Parker; Spellman, Paige; Spizzo, Riley; Stablein, Joshua; Starr, Madelyn; Stratton, Madeline; Subburaj, Saisahana; Texas, Ashton; Titus, Isabelle; Treinen, Makenzie; Turner, Kathryn; Utesch, Andrew; Uthra, Sohni; Van De Wal, Lauren; Vanblarcom, Nina; VanNote, Elizabeth; Walker, Holly; Walter, Anna; Williams, Isaiah; Wood, Blake; Wood, Elyse; and Young, Maggie.

A/B Honor Roll Sixth grade:

Jackson Adams, Dylan Afrifa-Akwamoah, Zaid Ahmed, Dominick Aman, Ethan Anderson, Kaitlyn Ardite, Isabella Ashi, Anthony Bagliore, Alex Baja, Madelyn Baucom, Lauren Boyce, Karli Brtalik, Lily Burke, Carsyn Burns, Charles Canata, Connor Charity, Caden Charrette, Logan Clegg, Brooke Cohen, Candace Coleman, Samuel Colucci, Allen Coppinger, Samuel Cordle, Olivia Cormaci, Owen Crooks, Daniella Cruz, Hayley Currens, Mya Davis, Hannah Delavega, William DeMore, Katherine Dobos, Isabella Dolan, Christian Draper, Landen Duckett, Jed Duncan, Andrew Edwards, Colin Ferris, Nicholas Forrester, Michael Fox, Kaycie Fullmer, Meghan Gadsden, Nathan Garcia, Shane Geada, Daniel Giles, Michael Gilfillan, Andrew Goodson, Kayla Gordon, Alexandros Grafakos, Rebecca Graiger, Jathan Grant, Miles Hagler, William Hagner, Timothy Hansen, Eliza Harding, Christina Hatchell, Andrew Havrilak, Samuel Hedlund, Cole Hernandez, Nicholas Heyde, Damien Hudson, Marissa Huggins, Mikai Hunt, Madeline Jacobsen, Emil James, Ryan Johnstone, Aayu Kalaria, Jack Kasell, Cori Kelson, Elliot Kerry, Abigail Kersten, Ethan Kersten, Jaden Kroll, Nolan Lacjak, Kylie Lehtela, Camille Letamendia, Nia Lipscomb, Jackson Listwan, Brendan Little, Abigail Livesey, Caleb Lopansri, Sainasri Macha, Lauren Maloney, Luca Mangione, Emma Mayer, Landry Mazzarell, Sullivan McDermott, Ryan McEvoy, Alexander McLaughlin, Elli McTamney, Justin Meadows, Kathryn Megginson, Kylie Menkin, Cody Merrill, Kyle Moulton, Anton Muccia, Christian Neel, William Nicosia, Nicholas Nigro, Caden Noonkester, Ugochukwu Onuoha, Madison Pasko, Marissa Patrao, Erin Paul, Mark Pearson, Nicholas Piscitelli, William Poe, Erika Polyi, Noah Price, Laurel Pruitt, Daniella Ramirez, Alexis Rawls, Julia Raykovicz, Megan Rink, Ethan Robitaille, Nathan Saltzman, Breanna Sameit, John Scalise, Kayley Schmitt, Markus Schyberg, Paige Sciolino, Timothy Seabolt, Andrew Secker, Aarsh Sharma, Rachel Smith, Ryan Smith, Keaton Snider, David Soliman, Blake Spickard, Eli Spizzo, Austin St John, Joseph Starr, Harley Stegall, KellyAnne Sullivan, Michael Terrando, Parnikaa Thumu, Bryan Travis, Brogan Trott, Noble Tsumas, Luis Villanueva, Connor Wichnoski, Ryan Wilson, Joseph Wissa, Sarah Wuerslin, Ethan Younis and Geoffrey Zhu.

Seventh grade:

Mickey Baia, Jake Ballway, Kyle Basile, Matthew Bennett, Michelle Berglass, Blake Berrey, Sahil Bhave, Charles Bitter, Riley Blackmer, Peter Bonfilio, Samantha Bozeman, Faith Broxton, Sarah Budds, Julia Burkart, Paige Buttrey, Shea Callinan, Danielle Cannon, Amber Capote, Thomas Capul, Benjamin Cargnel, Myles Carnohan, Marguerite Carsten, Daniel Casella, Arden Christian, John Cirincione, Ethan Claxton, Henry Cline, Carlie Cochran, Kaitlyn Cole, Jackson Colling, Daniel Cook, Amber Cornatzer, Nathaniel Crouse, Mitchell Crowley, Gabriella Cunningham, Ishan Dalsania, Brandon Davis, Lauren Davis, Allison Defelice, Ryan Delehanty, Grace Dempsey, Hannah Dixon, Joshua Drummond, Kaitlyn Duckett, Daniel Eaton, Anders Eek, Jonah Elkins, Amarachi Emezie, Victoria Estes, Andrew Fant, Sameeha Fatima, Hailey Flo, Maxwell Foltz, Harrison Fortney, Alexis Frazzini, Jonathan Freeman, Caitlin Fromm, Arianna Fronzaglia, Justin Fuss, Sophie Gattis, Adam Gentile, Richard Gillespie, Andrew Giocondi, Anthony Giocondi, Katharine Gras, Harrison Green, Tanner Greer, Dallas Griffin, Rachel Griffin, Evan Gross, Carrie Hamilton, John Hamilton, Ryan Hank, Kaiden Harding, Carson Harris, Drake Hartzell, Paul Hatzinikitas, Hamilton Hauder, Lorin Hedlund, Jagger Heine, Jewel Herlong, Jacob Holland, Joshua Holmes, Lauren Howes, Alexa Hulse, Anna Hutchins, Maxwell Hyman, Tala Jazairi, Michael Jenkinson, Cameron Joffe, Carson Kanipe, Preethi Kavadekar, Julia Keagy, Kyle Keller, Caroline Kelly, Casey Kelly, Dylan Kelly, William Kennon, Patrick Kiley, Nicolette Kim, Hannah Klovstad, Joseph Kompare, Olivia Kovach, Anna Kuntz, Stephen Lacy, Georgios Lahanas, Catherine Leach, Nathaniel Lee, Luke Lein, Neal Lemon, Emma Lesack, Sydney Lineberry, Sean Logan, Tanner Loren, Lauren Lovitt, Alec Luna, Ryan Lynch, Max Lynn-Lato, Kate Macleod, Hannah Makarewicz, Jack Makarewicz, Ethan Malecki, Brendan Maloney, Adam Manuel, Tyler Maple, Jackson Marky, Emily Mattis, Grace Mayer, Caitlyn McCoy, Darcy McGehee, Jillian McInerny, Morgan McKay, Brittany Merkel, Megan Meyer, Andrew Misocky, James Monk, Jonathan Moran, John Morris, Trystan Morris, Jackson Motteler, Susan Mumford, Elizabeth Murphy, Robert Murray, Daniel Naranjo, Isabel Neumann-Rivera, Sarah Nielsen, Nathan Nored, Sheridan Oldham, Megan Ortel, Jack Otterson, Sophie Palermo, Alessandra Parrino, Ansley Patton, Harrison Paul, Nolan Pelino, Zachary Penny, Mariana Perez-Hurtado, Alexander Pezold, Nicholas Pezzo, Martha Phillips, Clare Pickhardt, Abigail Pierotti, Braelyn Pippin, Sarah Pippin, Boyd Poelke, Kira Polchow, Mackenzie Polzin, Dylan Powell, Jack Rhodes, Bryce Richardson, Savannah Richburg, Kandyce Rink, Isabella Risher, Austin Rogers, Anna Ropers, Davis Rowe, Lily Savage, Anna Scalise, Jake Schmidt, Joshua Schwartz, Parker Sciolino, Anthony Sforza, Abigail Sgan, Shelby Shogan, Aisha Siddiqi, Rahul Singh, Cooley Smith, Mark Smith, Suzanne Smith, Evan Smits, Caitlyn Sodergren, Madeline Soik, Chase Speicher, Gabriel Spera, Greyson Stevens, Daniel Stirewalt, Matthew Stroube, Andrew Travers, Halle Treinen, Brittany Venable, Grace Villanueva, Rider Walther, Asia Wegh, Christopher Yon and Joshua Zeller.

Eighth grade:

Aboufoul, Lolo; Addis, Virginia; Aladzeme, Gaddy; Alford, Rachel; Anderson, Zoe; Ashley, Sarah; Bailey, Jillian; Baim, Charles; Barbu, Chloe; Bhatt, Meher; Bittner, Nathalie; Blanton, Zachary; Bonifacio, Luke; Bowman, Emily; Bradford, Christa; Brewer, Robert; Brown, Ashlynn; Brown, Sarah; Burns, Mason; Calder, Hannah; Campbell, John; Campbell, Lydia; Cannon, Bridget; Carleton-Smith, William; Castagna, Evan; Castleberry, Keira; Cheek, Meredith; Chilton, Benjamin; Clark, Jonathan; Cognac, Andrew; Collins, Joshua; Colmenares, Stefany; Cooper, Grace; Cooper, Matthew; Cortelli, Ava; Critcher, Avery; Cross, Carson; Curran, Elizabeth; Currens, Hannah; D'Auria, Gianna; Davis, Jessica; DeFazio, Anthony; DeFazio, Riya; Despard, Bridget; Dobos, Kelly; Draper, Charlotte; Duggan, Matthew; Dunbar, Jackson; Dunbar, Jamie; Dwyer, Devin; Eastland, Michael; Emery, Chal; Esquer-Corea, Julian; Estes, Aidan; Fava, Sarah; Feeley, Devon; Fetter, Brandon; Fiedor, Chase; Finn, Ailey; Florian, Ellie; Ford, John; Frunzi, Connor; Futia, Jacob; Gibilaro, Kyle; Glukhoman, Evelyn; Gonzalez, Steven; Gonzalez-Moran, Elisa; Grammont, Kevens; Grant, Allayna; Green, Harrison; Gross, Courtney; Handler, Alexis; Hankins, Jordan; Harding, Adelaide; Hardwick, Sara; Harrison, Christopher; Harrison, Stewart; Hartley, James; Havala, Sebastian; Hedlund, Emma; Hefron, Anna; Herrera, Emiliano; Heyde, Megan; Hicks, Jack; Higgins, Rachel; Hornberger, Grace; Hornberger, Lily; Huddleson, Makayla; Hunter, Alec; Issa, James; Jackman, Thomas; Jackson, Mackenzie; Jenkins, Madeline; Jensen, Davis; Johnston, Adrianna; Jones, Dane; Jones, Nicholas; Jones, Robert; Jordahl, Jamie; Kadak, Nuha; Kerry, Andrew; Khan, Saad; King, Alexander; Kitchen, Gianna; Kitteringham, Ryan; Knight, Madison; Krishna, Ankith; Laatsch, Emily; LaMontagne, Sean; Lane, Skylar; Lavalle, Ashlyn; Lee, Derrick; Lewandowski, Morgan; Lewis, Olivia; Light, Natalie; Linford, Benjamin; Long, Jackson; Lowe, Aimee; Lukavsky, Anya; Lynch, Kelsey; Lyons, Maggie; Magee, Caroline; Mann, Crawford; Matthews, Noah; Mattson, Isabelle; Mazzocca, Kaitlyn; McCabe, Julia; McDonough, Caroline; McDonough, Conor; McEntee, Evin; McEvoy, Colin; McGady, Joshua; McGinley, Kevin; McKillip, Erin; McQueen, Graham; Melissaris, Konstantine; Melton, Haley; Menkin, Joshua; Miller, Christopher; Miller, Jackson; Moore, Justin; Moran, Jacob; More, Julia; Moreira, Jennifer; Moss, Emory; Nguyen, Felicia; Nicosia, Riley; Ochsner, Isabella; Pace, Abigail; Pannem, Dheeraj; Panto, Zachary; Papa, Anthony; Pardoll, Zachary; Parekh, Yash; Parratto, Cole; Parvin, Alexandra; Patrao, Sofia; Payeur, William; Pennington, Victoria; Perez, Kaleigh; Perry, Anne; Pezold, Adam; Pollack, Jocelyn; Prabhakar, Siddarth; Quemelen, Jodi; Rafferty, Brienna; Rains, Marion; Randall, Brooke; Repke, Henry; Reyna, Daniel; Richardson, Alyssa; Ridge, Lauren; Rivera, Jonathan; Robertson, Lauren; Rothenberger, Charles; Rudick, Madison; Ruffalo, Alexis; Satalino, Sierra; Schmidt, Emma; Schyberg, Jesper; Scobee, Natasha; Scott, Brandon; Seabolt, Dustin; Selkin, Dylan; Sheets, Nicholas; Sledd, Jay; Sledd, Robert; Sledd, Samuel; Smith, Luke; Smith, Olivia; Soto, Ivan; Spear, Carter; Spencer, Kaylee; Stauffer, Zachary; Stevanovski, Nicholas; Stroube, Grace; Targonski, Connor; Thomas, Alexandra; Tognela, Harrison; Torrise, Ava; Trapp, Landon; Traub, Ethan; Tsui, Brendan; Vadhulas, Pratham; Vallat, Nicolette; Ventura, William; Villa, Sabrina; Villanueva, Ashley; Walker, Taylor; Wang, Carter; Ward, Nina; Wasp, William; Watson, Maxwell; Wheaton, Jacob; Whitaker, Zachary; Williams, Patrick; Williams, Sophia; Wood, Benjamin; Woodward, Kailer; Yaggi, Maurice; Yando, David; Young, Audrey; Zarrillo, Nina; and Zubrinsky, Ainsley.

Maham Ahmad, Nashawn Allum-Anderson, Christian Alston, Dahlia Bagley,

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 13

Education

Union County Weekly

Education News & Notes

Central Academy launches elementary cheerleading squad LAKE PARK – Central Academy at Lake Park recently launched a new cheerleading team for elementary-aged students.

The Encouraging Eagles Cheer Squad made its debut during the Nov. 13 Central Academy middle school boys’ basketball team game. The squad is comprised of students in kindergarten through fourth grade, who have practiced together since early October.

The squad is led by Central Academy at Lake Park administrator Adriane White and parent and former cheerleader Hannah Canady. The team was formed with the mission of providing “support, inspiration and enthusiasm to Central Academy at Lake Park sports teams, members and the community,” according to a news release from the school.

Central Academy is a private Christian school open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Find more information at www.calpnc.org, or call 704-882-6267, ext. 254.

The school is located at 3624 Lake Park Road.

UCPS teacher name Regional Teacher of the Year MARSHVILLE – Union County Public Schools teacher Jennifer Whitley was recently chosen as the 2014 Southwest Regional Teacher of the Year.

Whitley, who teaches civics and world history at Forest Hills High School, was named the UCPS Teacher of the

Page 14 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Central Academy at Lake Park’s Encouraging Eagles Cheer Squad made its debut at a middle school boys’ basketball game last month. Photo courtesy of Adriane White

Year earlier this year. Forest Hills staff, students, various school and elected officials and Whitley’s family attended a presentation on Nov. 24 in the Forest Hills media center, where Whitley received news that the Region 6 team had chosen her as the Regional Teacher of the Year.

“I’m excited and overwhelmed.

There are so many great educators Jennifer Whitley out there. I’m really excited that Forest Hills is going to be showcased in an even larger arena … There’s always that competitive edge that makes you want to win, but I never thought it would be a reality.

You always want to do the best you can when you’re representing the school. You want to win, but when it happens it seems so surreal. This is very exciting,” Whitley said in a news release.

Whitley’s fellow educators described her as “always happy” and a teacher who goes above and beyond to make learning engaging and help students be successful.

“That is a special teacher who can teach kids who are

going to any four-year university, but also can teach a student who struggles every day to get out of bed and come to school. She teaches all those students equally well. I’m very proud to have her on the staff,” Forest Hills Principal Dr. Kevin Plue said in the release. Plue was recently chosen as UCPS’s 2014-15 Principal of the Year.

As Regional Teacher of the Year, Whitley will serve as an ambassador for the Southwest Region and have the opportunity to network with other regional Teachers of the Year throughout the state. She also will compete against the state’s other regional winners for a chance at becoming North Carolina Teacher of the Year. The state-level winner will be announced in April 2015 and advance to compete nationally.

Region 6 includes Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties.

Two other UCPS teachers previously have won the Regional Teacher of the Year title – former Porter Ridge High School Spanish teacher Jessica Garner in 2009, and former Marvin Ridge High School science teacher David Dahari in 2010, the release said.

Students at Weddington High to perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ WEDDINGTON – Students at Weddington High School will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare this weekend.

The show is set in the 1920s, and many characters use modern translations of Shakespeare’s writing. Performances are set for Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets cost $5 and are available at the door.

Weddington High is located at 4901 Monroe-Weddington Road.

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Around Town

Union County Weekly

faith & Religion News & Notes

Youth Christmas program and luncheon at Indian Trail Presbyterian INDIAN TRAIL – People are invited to Indian Trail Presbyterian Church for a Youth Christmas Cantata and Pageant during the 11 a.m. worship service on Dec. 14, a Sunday.

The program will feature familiar Christmas carols and hymns sung by a choir and soloists. Scenes from a live nativity will be portrayed during the cantata.

A Christmas luncheon will follow the worship service in the church fellowship hall. Rumor has it that “a special guest from the North Pole may make an appearance” at the luncheon, according to a church newsletter. Find more information at www. itpcusa.org, or call 704-821-8751.

Indian Trail Presbyterian is located at 200 Indian Trail Road S. Spirit of Joy Lutheran to host Christmas cantata, handbell concert WEDDINGTON – Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church will host its Christmas choir cantata, “Christmas Makes Everything New,” on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.

“Christmas Makes Everything New” is a “passionate combination of Christmas favorites and new praise and worship

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songs” by renowned worship leaders David Moffitt, Travis Cottrell and Sue C. Smith, according to a news release from the church.

Spirit of Joy also will host a Queen City Ringers Handbell concert on Dec. 16, a Tuesday, at 7 p.m. Find more information about the group at its website, qcr.weebly. com.

Call 704-821-8494 for more information about these events or other happenings at Spirit of Joy Lutheran. The church is located at 8600 Potter Road.

Christmas program to feature entertainer Jeff Whittington INDIAN TRAIL – Christ Baptist Church will host a Christmas program on Dec. 13, a Saturday, at 7 p.m.

Jeff Whittington, a “multi-talented entertainer,” will perform at the program, according to a news release. Whittington’s credits include appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, a staff musician on “The Arthur Smith Show,” a North Carolina Banjo Champion, movie and television soundtracks, numerous radio and television appearances and more. Call 704-254-0511 for more information.

Christ Baptist is located at 2018 Hwy. 218.

Send faith news items to josh@ unioncountyweekly.com. Announcements should be sent two weeks in advance.

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 15

Around Town

Find your holiday fun Celebrate the season in western Union County December is officially here, marking the season for Christmas tree lightings, gingerbread houses, nativities, holiday performances, seasonal craft shows and the Man in the Red Suit himself.

Check out Union County Weekly’s guide to holiday happenings around town scheduled for the weeks leading up to Christmas. And if you know of an event that’s not listed here, email us at news@unioncountyweekly.com with a few details about the event, including when and where it is, any cost associated and what people who attend can expect.

The production will feature a motorized bed, a growing Christmas tree, fake snow falling and Mother Ginger, who reaches to between 15 and 16 feet tall. The Union County Youth Ballet will present six performances in two days, two of which are school performances.

Performances are open to the public and slated for Dec. 12, a Friday, at 7 p.m., and Dec. 13, a Saturday, at 10 a.m. and 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for children, students (through 12th grade) and senior citizens. Find more information at www.ucyb.org, or call 704-289-5733.

Performances take place at Wingate University’s George A. Batte Jr. Fine Art Center.

The campus is located at 220 N. Camden Road.

Holiday Tour of Homes

Christmas Tree Lighting and annual Parade of Trees

WAXHAW – The Waxhaw Woman’s Club will host its biennial Holiday Tour of Homes – “Waxhaw, Then and Now” – on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“Then and Now” will include historical buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, as well as those of the current era, according to a news release. Each building will be decorated “tastefully” for the holidays, the release said, with several being within walking distance of each other in the business section of Waxhaw. The more modern homes will require a short car ride, the release said.

The tour costs $20 per person, and funds generated through ticket sales will benefit organizations that help the community and provide scholarships for local women, the release said. Call 704-843-3495 for more information.

The tour will begin at the Waxhaw Woman’s Club, located at 200 E. Main St.

STALLINGS – The town of Stallings will host its annual Stallings Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade of Trees on Friday, Dec. 5.

The event will feature a special meeting with Santa for children 4 years old and younger from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the tree lighting, caroling, free hot cocoa and sweets and live music, all at 6:30 p.m.

People are invited to visit the annual Parade of Trees during December. The Christmas trees are sponsored by local community partners, according to a news release. Find more information at www.stallingsnc.org, or call 704-821-8557, ext. 227.

All activities and the Parade of Trees will be held at Stallings Municipal Park, 340 Stallings Road.

by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com

22nd annual production of ‘The Nutcracker Ballet’ WINGATE – The Union County Youth Ballet, under the direction of Bonita Simpson, will perform its 22nd annual production of “The Nutcracker Ballet.”

Monroe Middle School eighth-grader Henry Helms will dance as the title character, while the female lead character Clara is double cast and will feature Union Academy Charter School senior Selena Brannan and Piedmont High School junior Anna Hottle.

Central Piedmont Community College student Victoria Dickson will dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Porter Ridge High School junior Cecilia Barnard will portray the Rat King.

The entire cast will feature nearly 200 dancers – most of them students – ranging in age from 5 years old to “somewhere in the 50s,” according to a news release. Dancers from Bonita’s School of Ballet will portray most of the roles, but the cast also will include students from other dance schools in Union County and the surrounding areas, as well as guest artists and parents.

Brandon Oaks Winter Wonderland INDIAN TRAIL – The Brandon Oaks 2014 Winter Wonderland festival will take place Dec. 13, a Saturday, and will include a plethora of activities for the entire family.

Santa will visit the Brandon Oaks clubhouse from 10 a.m. to noon, 1:30 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on the day of the event. Each child is asked to donate $2 at the event, and funds will benefit the Union County Christmas Bureau. Santa’s workshop elves will be on hand to help children make crafts, and each child will receive a treat box and coloring book from Santa. There also will be refreshments, cookies and drinks for everyone, according to a news release.

The tree lighting will take place at the clubhouse at 7 p.m. and will include luminaries, Santa, Rudolph, cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate and the fifth Brandon Oaks Community Holiday Tree.

The clubhouse is located at 7006 Fountainbrook Drive.

Live Nativity WEDDINGTON – Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church will host a Live Nativity on Dec. 20, a Saturday, from 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall between the two performances.

Page 16 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Find more information at www.spiritofjoy.us, or call 704-821-8494.

Spirit of Joy Lutheran is located at 8600 Potter Road.

Robinson Presbyterian Church Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ STALLINGS – The Robinson Presbyterian Church Ballet program will perform “The Nutcracker” at Next Level Church on Dec. 12, a Friday, at 7 p.m., and Dec. 13, a Saturday, at 3 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 general admission and $5 for students in kindergarten through college; college students must present a valid school ID to receive the discounted price. Children 5 years old and younger can attend for free, with the purchase of one general admission ticket.

Next Level Church is located at 4317 Stevens Mill Road.

A Victorian Winter Wonderland WESLEY CHAPEL – Dogwood Park in Wesley Chapel will host A Victorian Winter Wonderland on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Wesley Chapel Friends of Parks and Recreation and will feature carriage rides, Victorian games, Union County Players, story time, crafts, cookies, carolers, hot chocolate, funnel cakes, raffle, music, uniform collection (new or used) and more. Proceeds will help fund a roof for the amphitheater at the park.

Event parking is at the nearby Southbrook Church, located at 5607 Monroe-Weddington Road. Dogwood Park is located at 121 Lester Davis Road.

Christmas book signing featuring local author INDIAN TRAIL – Local author Brooke Kramb will visit Madison’s Coffee House for a book signing event, featuring her newest children’s book, “Christmas Lights,” on Dec. 13, a Saturday, at 10 a.m.

Local artist and book illustrator Alan Capps also will attend the event, which will include a story reading, craft and a chance to meet the author and illustrator. The event is free to attend, and signed copies of the book will be available for $7.

People also will have an opportunity to purchase hot chocolate, coffee and treats.

Madison’s Coffee House is located at 7878 Idlewild Road.

The Streets of Bethlehem MONROE – Shiloh Baptist Church will host The Streets of Bethlehem, an interactive Christmas experience, Dec. 19 to 21, Friday to Sunday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each evening. The event is free.

People will have the chance to experience Bethlehem as it was at the time of the birth of Jesus, as re-enactors portray merchants, Roman soldiers, street musicians, beggars and more. Refreshments will be served in the church’s family ministry center. Find more information at www.shilohbaptistmonroe.com.

Shiloh Baptist is located at 2301 N. Rocky River Road.

Festival of the Nativity WEDDINGTON – A Festival of the Nativity celebration will take place Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4 and 5, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 9 p.m.

This indoor display of nativities from around the world also will feature Christmas musical performances by school, church and community groups. Find more information at www.charlottenativityfestival.com.

The event will take place at 5897 Hemby Road.

Walk Through Bethlehem WAXHAW – People can visit Waxhaw Baptist Church on Dec. 20, a Saturday, anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. to take a step back in time 2,000 years to Bethlehem as it would have been at the time of the birth of Jesus.

The church’s Walk Through Bethlehem is an indoor/outdoor, interactive guided tour that takes visitors on a journey through “the little town of Bethlehem.” Visitors will see the inn with no room for Mary and Joseph, the city blacksmith, Roman soldiers, merchants, shepherds, Wise Men and the Holy Family. The event is free and open to the public.

Find more information at www. waxhawbaptist.org, or call 704-843-4822.

Waxhaw Baptist is located at 8213 Old Waxhaw-Monroe Road.

IT’s a Wonderful Life Christmas Celebration INDIAN TRAIL – The annual Indian Trail IT’s a Wonderful Life Christmas Celebration will take place Sunday, Dec. 7.

The town’s annual parade begins at 3 p.m. along Indian Trail Road, followed by free activities and festivities at Crossing Paths Park from 4 to 6 p.m. and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at dusk.

People are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Indian Trail Cultural Arts Center. The items will be given as Christmas presents to families in need in Indian Trail.

Crossing Paths Park is located at 120 Blythe Drive, and the Cultural Arts Center is located at 100 Navajo Trail.

Union County Christmas Parade MONROE – The annual Union County Christmas Parade will take place Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. in downtown Monroe.

The annual event features various floats, local marching bands, food vendors and appearance by Santa Claus as the grand finale of the parade.

Waxhaw’s Twelve Days of Christmas WAXHAW – Waxhaw’s annual Twelve Days of Christmas will continue through Dec. 24, with various events throughout town on the weekends and days leading up to Christmas. Find a full listing of events www.waxhaw.com.

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Around Town Union County Weekly

Calendar 12.4.14 Thursday

MOMS Club of Indian Trail open house, 10 a.m. to noon MOMS Club of Indian Trail is a nonprofit group designed to support both stay-at-home and working moms with part time or flexible schedules. Through the various activities and events, the group helps moms and their kids keep busy, make new friends and have a lot of fun.

This new chapter is open to anyone with a 28079 or 28110 zip code. RSVP to the event by emailing momsclubofindiantrail@gmail. com to be entered in our gift basket raffle.

Visit www.momsclubofindiantrail.com for more information.

Bonterra Village Clubhouse, 2401 Bonterra Blvd., Indian Trail

12.5.14 Friday

Stallings Christmas tree lighting and annual Parade of Trees, 4:30 p.m.

Stallings is holding its annual Parade of Trees and Christmas tree lighting in a funfilled evening designed with the whole family in mind.

The evening kicks off with a special meeting with Santa Claus for the little ones (up to 4 years old) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., there will be caroling, free hot cocoa, sweets, live music and Santa will assist with the tree lighting.

In addition, the Parade of Trees, which is sponsored by local community partners, will be on display through December.

Visit www.stallingsnc.org or call the Parks and Recreation office at 704-821-8557, ext.

227 for more information.

Stallings Municipal Park, 340 Stallings Road, Stallings

12.5.14 Friday

Weddington Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 to 7 p.m.

The town of Weddington is inviting all area residents to its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

The celebration includes music and special performances by local school and church groups. Food will be available with selections ranging from cookies and hot chocolate to soups and sandwiches.

Guests are encouraged to bring a new toy and/or a non-perishable food item to be given to the Union County Christmas Bureau, and will receive a ticket to be entered to win a prize.

Pictures with Santa will be available for $5, and there will be a special visit from Santa himself and the 2014 Weddington Carrousel representative.

In the event of inclement weather, a rain date is scheduled for the next night, Dec. 6.

Contact the town hall at (704) 846-2709 for more information.

Weddington town hall, 1924 Weddington Road, Weddington www.unioncountyweekly.com

12.6.14 Saturday

Light up MillBridge, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Each year MillBridge, a 900-acre, masterplanned community located in Waxhaw, welcomes the holiday season with luminarylined streets, a glowing and decorated tree and a special appearance from Santa. The tradition of Light Up MillBridge continues this year, and will be lit with hundreds of twinkling lights, wreaths and greenery to complement the covered bridge on MillBridge Parkway.

The covered bridge is the only functional covered bridge in the region, and it will be lit by thousands of luminaries, placed one by one by members of the community.

Light Up MillBridge involves over 2500 luminaries and numerous volunteers to assemble.

Contact MillBridge at 704-834-3190 for information.

MillBridge Community House, 1401 Millbridge Pkwy., Waxhaw

12.9.14 Tuesday

Adults helping adults learn to read, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Literary Council of Union County will host it Literary Council 101 class as they seek volunteer tutors to help teach adults to read and/or speak English.

With the insight into how literacy expands individual potential from the class, prospective tutors must be prepared to come back at a later date for a seven-hour tutor training.

Completion of Literacy Council 101 and tutor training are required before new tutors are matched with a student.

The need is great.

Call 704-226-1425 or info@literacyunion. org for more information.

Literary Council of Union County, 105-A E. Jefferson St., Monroe

12.10.14 Wednesday

Author Julie Kemp book signing, 7 p.m.

Waxhaw resident Julie Kemp will sign copies of her book, “Faith Has Its Reasons,” a story of how struggles, heartache and tears eventually turn from a nightmare into a ministry.

Sardis Baptist Church, 3602 Unionville Indian Trail Road W., Indian Trail

12.12.14 and 12.13.14 Friday and Saturday

Waxhaw hosts community blood drives The town of Waxhaw will host two community blood drives. The first will be held Dec. 12 at Lowe’s Home Improvement store, located at 2508 Cuthbertson Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second blood drive, on Dec. 13 at Madison’s Drive Hunter Oaks Club House, located at Beckford Glen Drive, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dec. 4

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 17

Sports

Rivalry Renewed

Photos by Gary Ohmstedt

Nick Patterson (84 tackles, eight sacks) will need to put pressure on Kendall and the explosive Cavs offense to keep them off the scoreboard.

And it’s a challenge Moore and his defense is he hopes is the same result - including standout ready for.

“The defense is amazing out there,” Moore said.

Weddington and Cuthbertson meet again wide-receiver Muckelvene.

“Last time we played, we were able to come “We have a special bond and nothing can break it, on Friday in the Class 3-AA semi-finals together as a team,” said Mucklevene. “Everyone especially in that fourth quarter. We’re going to

by Hannah Chronis did their part and did what they needed to do and go out there and play our game. Last time, we had hannah@unioncountyweekly.com it worked for us. We got the ‘W’ and we have to do a totally different mindset. We took it for granted For the first time in school history, Weddington the same thing this time around. that time and now we’re more prepared and ready. and Cuthbertson will square off in the N.C. High “We’re assuming that since I had a good game We’re expecting the best they can give and I know School Athletic Association Class 3-AA semifinals last time, they’ll try to bring more pressure on my they want the same from us.” on Dec. 5. The two schools, separated by just four side. We’re ready for that though and hopefully But the fate of the Warriors on Friday could miles, will play at Cuthbertson for a chance to we’ll have other people open. We’re going to be come from how Mitchell Carson and Bensch compete in the state championship game on Dec. prepared for anything though. Their defense is adjust in the secondary, as no one has stopped 13 at N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium. good but we’re prepared for that.”

Kendall’s passing game in the playoffs; in the last Weddington’s (14-1) sole loss this season came But things have changed for Weddington since three weeks, the Tennessee commit has passed on Oct. 17 at the hands of the Cavs, who started then, as the Warriors’ tough defense – a staple for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. Mucklevene the season 1-3 before winning their next 10 games of any Tim Carson-coached team – has improved, (1,426 yards, 23 TDs) has been on the receiving on their way to the Southern Carolinas conference recording four shutouts and giving up just 51 end of most of those, but the Cavs boast a loaded crown. After trailing 28-21 at the half, quarter- points in seven weeks. On the season, they’ve offense with receivers JT Cauthen (1,365 yards, back Austin Kendall (Tennessee commit) capped held opponents to 13.8 points per game while 13 TDs) and Casey Stamper (400 yards) and tight an 80-yard drive in the final minutes of end Nick Karas, a Wofford commit who’s the fourth quarter with a rushing touchtotaled 715 yards and seven touchdowns, down with 18 seconds to go, leading breaking the county record in receiving them to a 42-38 win. yards, receptions and scores for a tight Kendall finished the night with 433 end. passing yards and four scores breaking “We’ve really been focusing on defending a Union County record, while receiver the pass and running, too, because they BJ Muckelvene had nine receptions for

have a really nice run set,” Moore said.

283 yards – another county record.

14-1 Season record 11-3 “We want to stop that as well. We need “I tell people all the time that the only 4-1 Conference record 5-0 everyone on the team to step up and be reason we won that game on Oct. 17 is 2013 (tie) Last conference title 2014 100 percent mentally focused. We have to because we had the ball last,” Cuthbert468 Points scored this season 490 be on the same page to beat those guys.” son coach David Johnson said. “It was 212 Points allowed this season 305 As for stopping Kendall and Mucklevone of those back-and-forth games and 38 Last Meeting (Oct. 17, 2014) 42 ene, Moore said they’re more prepared I expect the same thing on Friday. We’ll 5 Head-to-head wins 1 than ever. pick up from where we left off. It was 72-63 All-time record 31-42 “We’re going to make him uncomforta state-championship-caliber game last 5 All-time winning seasons 1 able,” he said. “That’s all I have to say time and I don’t expect anything differabout that.” ent on Friday.”

With an offense that’s been in the spot: Cuthbertson Weddington If that game was any indicator of light all season and an imposing Warrior what’s to come, the state semifinal will defense keyed in on stopping them, Johnbe a nail-biter as the Warriors enter the matchup putting up an average of 32 of their own behind son has said the strength of this team is defense looking for vengeance while the Cavs are playing a three-head receiving attack featuring Chris Tre- and he isn’t looking to make any changes going with something to prove in arguably the biggest visan (814 yards, 13 TDs), Zach Goins (789 yards, into Friday’s game. game in Union County history.

12 TDs) and Joe Bensch (391 yards, five TDs) – Linebackers Connor Gerlits (129 tackles, 18 Until this year, the Cavs hadn’t won more than three guys that have been a nightmare to opposing sacks) and Zach Carver (112 tackles) secure the six games in a season, or made it past the second defensive coordinators. middle and Karas wreaks havoc from his spot at round, while Weddington finds itself in the state Hard-hitting linebackers Jack Jenkins (135 tack- defensive end. semis for the first time in the school’s 15-year his- les) and Joey Hobbs (119 tackles) will look to cut “We’re not preparing any differently,” Johnson tory. off any running lanes, but the game could hinge said. “You have to stick with what’s gotten you this Kendall will be no stranger to the pressure of on Weddington's ability to disrupt Kendall in the far. We’re going to do what we know to do. We’ll a semifinal matchup, having led Charlotte Chris- passing game. have another battle royale on our field, and the tian to a state title just last season before transferSix-foot-two, 220-pound junior defensive end winner will go to the state championship while the ring back to Cuthbertson. This time around, he’ll Lance Moore has racked up a county-high 22 sacks other will go home. But the accomplishments of rely on a different set of weapons to produce what this season on a team that’s recorded 50 sacks, both of these teams is nothing to be overlooked.” with 30 of those in the last six weeks. Moore and

Tale of the Tape :

Weddington VS. Cuthbertson

Hannah’s pick

Page 18 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Andrew’s pick:

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Sports

sports shorts

by Hannah Chronis hannah@unioncountyweekly.com

Girls Player of the Week: Stephanie Watts, Weddington The senior North Carolina commit hasn’t disappointed this season. In the Warriors loss to reigning Class 4A champion Stephanie Watts Myers Park, Watts put up 34 points, six rebounds and six assists. She’s averaging 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists on the season.

Boys Player of the Week: Emeka Nwankwo, Metrolina Christian

The 6-foot-5 junior forward has jumped onto the scene this season. On Nov. 21 in a 67-48 win over Covenant Day, Nwankwo Emeka Nwankwo scored 24 points but even more impressive were his 27 rebounds. On Nov. 25 in a five-point loss to Cannon, he put up 41 points and grabbed 23 rebounds.

Marvin Ridge hosts college recruitment seminar

Marvin Ridge High School has partnered with Dynamite Sports to host a free seminar for student athletes and their parents on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Marvin Ridge auditorium.

The seminar is open to all athletes in grades 7-12 who hope to play a sport at the collegiate level.

The seminar, entitled “Student Athletes and the College Recruitment Process” will feature guest speaker Darnell Dinkins.

Dinkins has partnered with Dynamite Sports and brings collegiate and professional experience to the Dynamite Sports team. Dinkins, a former NFL free safety, was a threeyear starter at free safety for the University of Pittsburgh. After college, Dinkins was signed as a free agent in 2001 by the New York Giants. During his nine-year NFL career, Dinkins played for the Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, where he helped lead the Saints to a Super Bowl win in 2009.

Weddington boys crosscountry compete at Nike Cross Regionals

The Weddington boys crosscountry team competed at the 2014 Nike Cross Regionals on Nov. 29 at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, www.unioncountyweekly.com

alongside 35 teams and over 300 runners from across the country.

Ryan Hobbs set the pace for Weddington, finishing in 16 minutes, 17 seconds to finish in the top 90. Teammate Mitchell Resor finished next, running in 16:18.

Brandon Dalla Rose (16:32), Colton Jordan (16:40), Alex Hazan (16:41), Matthew Conner (16:43) and Jackson Bivens (17:09) also competed in the event to close the Warriors season.

Parkwood girls top Marvin Ridge

The Parkwood girls basketball team had three double-digit scorers on Nov. 24, leading the Rebels to a blistering 64-34 win over Marvin Ridge.

Star forward Brittany Autry led the Rebels scoring effort with 18 points and recorded an impressive doubledouble with 13 rebounds while adding two assists and two blocked shots.

Teammate Baylee Morton recorded her first double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds while Lillian Geehring added 13 points and grabbed three steals.

The Rebels (2-1) have benefited from even scoring from their roster in their three games so far this season as their five starters are all averaging six or more points.

The Rebels host Weddington on Dec. 4.

Spartans throttle Union Academy, fall to Cuthbertson

The Sun Valley girls basketball team grabbed a sound 62-39 win over Union Academy on Nov. 28, improving to 2-1 on the season while the Cardinals fell to 0-2.

Senior Hannah Adamczyk was 43 percent from the 3-point line for a team-high 17 points and had 12 rebounds to record her second double-double of the season. She also recorded six assists and three steals.

Adamczyk had help from a trio of sophomores in Karli Mason (12 points), Isabella Limon (11 points) and Aleisha Cumberbatch (six points).

Junior forward Holly Van Kuren added another six points for the Spartans while grabbing nine rebounds and adding two blocks.

On Nov. 29, the Spartans suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a four-point heartbreaker to Cuthbertson, 50-46. Adamczyk led the team with 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to combat sharp-shooting Cav guard Taylor Helms who tossed in 24 points in the win and made 13 of 14 free throws.

Sun Valley travels to West Stanly on Dec. 4.

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 19

Sports

Union County Weekly’s Girls Golf Super Team Morgan Laird Marvin Ridge

Laird, the 2013 Union County Weekly Girls Golfer of the Year, was the Class 3A western regional runner-up after firing a team-best 77. The Southern Carolinas conference MVP had a season average of 37.8 and helped lead the Mavs to a regional title and second-place finish at states, where she tied for sixth.

Lizzie hordes Cuthbertson

Hordes, a junior, finished third in the Southern Carolinas conference and represented the Cavs at the regional and state level. She finished tied for 28th at states with a 176 total and a personalbest 87 on the second day.

sophia nicolosi Cuthbertson

Nicolosi made Cav history two seasons ago as the first Cuthbertson golfer to qualify for the state tournament. This season, she didn’t disappoint, shooting 105 at regionals and competing at the state level for the third year in a row.

Ahra Ko

Marvin Ridge The freshman star quickly made a name for herself on the acclaimed Marvin Ridge team when she finished third at regionals, firing a 78, after being named an allconference selection. At states, her twoday 153 was a team-high and helped the Mavs place second in the tournament.

julia lubinecky Weddington Lubinecky’s score of 103 at the Class 3A regional tournament was a team best for Weddington and a Top 15 finish. Consistently one of the top performers for the Warriors, the senior golfer fired a solid 196 at states.

haley mccrossan Marvin Ridge A key member of the conference championship team, McCrossan’s score of 106 at the regional tournament helped the Mavs secure first place. She went on to compete at the state level.

Second Team: Hannah Lee, Weddington Teagan Sullivan, Marvin Ridge Hannah Harvey, Weddington Abby Duggan, Marvin Ridge

Emily Anderson Porter Ridge Anderson, a sophomore, was the sole Pirate competitor at the Class 4A regional tournament, where she finished in eighth place and went on to represent Porter Ridge at states.

ashley milliken Piedmont At the Class 3A regional tournament, Milliken fired a 103 to record the best performance from a Piedmont golfer and a Top 15 finish. At states, she was Piedmont’s only representative where she has a strong performance with a score of 195.

ellie laymon Weddington

Laymon was one of two Weddington golfers to advance to the state tournament. The sophomore fired a 107 at regionals to advance to the tournament, where her score of 195 put her in the top 50.

Alexis Dicenza, Sun Valley Kayli Tolleson, Central Academy Makenzie Baucom, Piedmont Bethany Snodgrass, Central Academy Olivia Peppin, Central Academy

Repeat Performance

by Hannah Chronis hannah@unioncountyweekly.com

Morgan Laird is the 2014 Union County Weekly Golfer of the Year. Photo by Troy Cherry

Page 20 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Morgan Laird, a senior at Marvin Ridge High School, didn’t start playing golf competitively until her freshman year. Considering she led the Mavs to a Class 3A first-place finish at the Western Regional tournament this season and a second-place finish at states for the first time in school history, her accomplishments on the course over of just four years are extraordinary.

“I’ve improved so much over four years,” Laird said. “Most girls start playing golf when they’re really young, (but) I just started as a freshman, so it makes me really happy to know that I’ve been able to develop my game over such a short time.”

Despite her short golf career, Laird, who was named the 2013 Union County Weekly Golfer of the Year, is no stranger to success on the course. Last season Laird was one of two Maverick golfers to make it to the state tournament. There, she fired a two-day 161, which was good enough for an eighth-place finish and the best performance from a Union County golfer.

This season, she took it a step further.

After winning the Southern Carolinas conference tournament and being named the conference MVP, Laird’s score of 77 at regionals earned her a solid second-place finish. Joined by up-andcoming freshmen Ahra Ko (78) and Haley McCrossan (106), the Mavs secured a first-place win for the first time since 2011. At the state tournament, Laird improved from her already-impressive performance last season and shot a two-day 154 for a bittersweet ending to her golf career at Marvin Ridge.

“I was very pleased with the overall season,” she said. “I knew it

was going to be my last season for high school golf and I wanted to have fun and do great as a team and individually. I’ve been working harder and harder every year, so it’s nice to see that pay off.”

After four wildly-successful seasons on the golf team at Marvin Ridge and spearheading the resurgence in the program that’s growing at unprecedented rates, Laird is once again the Union County Weekly Golfer of the Year.

But her acclaimed career isn’t necessarily over just yet. Laird is receiving interest from several Division I and II programs and already has several offers on the table. A student who’s as dedicated in the classroom as she is on the golf course – Laird is enrolled in Marvin Ridge’s IB program – she wants to make sure her school of choice meets her expectations for challenging academics.

“The IB program is very intense,” she said. “It’s a lot of studying and learning how to manage my time. After school I go home, go straight to golf practice, come home and do homework all night and then do it again the next day.

“I’m excited about what’s next. I’m looking for a school that has all around good qualities. I’d like to go somewhere that has great academics but also a great, team-first golf program.”

Though the Marvin Ridge golf team will lose one of its best golfers, Laird is confident that the program will continue to grow and compete for conference, regional and state championships – especially with young, talented golfers like Ko and McCrossan.

“The program has grown so much lately, which is really exciting,” she said. “The coaches are improving, the competition is getting better, the conference is getting better and we’re getting interest from younger players. We’re heading in the right direction and even as a senior, that’s exciting.” www.unioncountyweekly.com

Sports

basketball stats Boys

POINTS

Name Hughston Finklea Caleb Homesley Emeka Nwankwo D’Andre Dennis Cameron Tripp Nick Dietrich Hakeem Rowe RJ Filio Jordan Barber William Pleasants Kenan Turpin Joseph Similton Victor Thompson Terrell Williams Aaron Peace AJ Gallagher

rebounds Name Emeka Nwankwo Cameron Tripp Elijah Patterson Jalen Mathis Jeremiah Miller D’Andre Dennis Ryan Schweiger Jordan Barber

assists

Name Hughston Finklea RJ Filio Dexter York Cameron Corey Nick Dietrich Joseph Similton Emeka Nwankwo Hakeem Rowe

School Games Sun Valley 1 Porter Ridge 1 Metrolina 5 Porter Ridge 1 Piedmont 2 Lake Park 4 Metrolina 5 Porter Ridge 1 Weddington 4 Lake Park 4 Parkwood 1 Lake Park 4 Parkwood 1 Parkwood 1 Porter Ridge 1 Porter Ridge 1

School Metrolina Piedmont Porter Ridge Piedmont Sun Valley Porter Ridge Weddington Weddington School Sun Valley Porter Ridge Porter Ridge Sun Valley Lake Park Lake Park Metrolina Metrolina

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Points 28 21 21 19 18.5 18.3 16.6 15 14.3 12.8 12 11.8 10 10 10 10

Games rebounds 5 19 2 14.5 1 11 2 7.5 1 7 1 6 4 5.8 4 5.5 Games 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5

Assists 6 5 4 4 3.8 3.3 3 3

steals

Name Caleb Homesley Hughston Finklea Noah Blair Emeka Nwankwo Jordan Barber Chandler Rivers Hakeem Rowe RJ Filio Cameron Tripp Albert Funderburke Jaysen Shular Cameron Corey

blocks

Name Cameron Tripp Ryan Schweiger Caleb Homesley Aaron Peace Emeka Nwankwo

School Porter Ridge Sun Valley Porter Ridge Metrolina Weddington Metrolina Metrolina Porter Ridge Piedmont Sun Valley Sun Valley Sun Valley

Games 1 1 1 5 4 5 5 1 2 1 1 1

School Piedmont Weddington Porter Ridge Porter Ridge Metrolina

Games 2 4 1 1 5

Steals 4 4 3 3 2.5 2.3 2.2 2 2 2 2 2

blocks 3 1 1 1 1

Points

Rebounds

Metrolina CATA Monroe Sun Valley Weddington Parkwood Union Academy CATA Cuthbertson Metrolina

6 2 1 3 4 3 2 2 3 6

Assists

School Name Games Stephanie Watts Weddington 4 Amanda Cherry Sun Valley 2 Alyssa Carbone CATA 2 Hannah Adamczyk Sun Valley 3 Isabella Limon Sun Valley 3 Taylor Helms Cuthbertson 3 Brianna Ingram Cuthbertson 3 Dezeree McCormick CATA 2 Kiara Patterson CATA 1 Lauren Brown Parkwood 3

12.5 11 11 9 9 9 8.5 7.5 6.7 6.3

assists 6 4 3.5 3.3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Steals

Girls

Name Stephanie Watts Zasha Barrett Alyssa Carbone Taylor Helms Amanda Cherry Brittany Autry Sierra Lunn Hannah Adamczyk Bria Roddy Dezeree McCormick Hannah Gordon Bella Sheprow Baylee Morton

Hannah Gordon Dezeree McCormick Zasha Barrett Hannah Adamczyk Stephanie Watts Baylee Morton Cara McNulty Alyssa Carbone Taylor Helms Caitlyn Logan

School Weddington Monroe CATA Cuthbertson Sun Valley Parkwood Union Academy Sun Valley Monroe CATA Metrolina Metrolina Parkwood

Games 4 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 2 6 4 3

School Name Games Brittany Autry Parkwood 3

Points 29.5 24 22 18.3 17.5 17 15.5 15 13 12 11.2 11 10.7

rebounds 14.3

School Name Games steals Stephanie Watts Weddington 4 4 Linsey Starnes Union Academy 2 3.5 Alyssa Carbone CATA 2 3.5 Karli Mason Sun Valley 3 3 Tyriona Houston Monroe 1 3 Bella Sheprow Metrolina 4 2.8 Isabella Limon Sun Valley 3 2.7 Taylor Helms Cuthbertson 3 2.3 Mara Arnold Cuthbertson 3 2.3 Remi Roberts Weddington 4 2.3 Hannah Gordon Metrolina 6 2.2

Blocks

School Name Games Cara McNulty Union Academy 2 Stephanie Watts Weddington 4 Breanna Mcadams Cuthbertson 3 Sierra Lunn Union Academy 2 Alyssa Carbone CATA 2 Remi Roberts Weddington 4 Zasha Barrett Monroe 1

blocks 5 2.8 1 1 1 1 1

Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 21

Page 22 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

www.unioncountyweekly.com

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46 Cookie sometimes dunked in milk 48 Genetic info carrier 49 Service at Staples or FedEx Office 53 ___ Jima 56 To the ___ degree 57 Ancient Roman robes 58 Person in overalls sucking a piece of straw, stereotypically 63 Ancient 71-Across land in modern-day Turkey 64 Pieces with 90° bends 65 Taxis 68 Long guitar parts 69 Assistant

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

70 It may be slapped after a joke 71 Like Zeus and Hera 72 Did some weeding 73 Meat-andvegetables dish DOWN 1 La ___, Bolivia 2 Dictator Amin 3 No longer on the air 4 Baseball great known as “The Georgia Peach” 5 Exchange 6 Tibetan priest 7 Birds, scientifically speaking 8 Bowl or boat 9 Polynesian wraps 10 In ___ of (as a replacement for) 11 Frighten 12 Like one-word answers 13 ’50s Ford failure 21 Baseball great Willie 22 Major component of the euro symbol 23 Milan’s La ___ opera house 24 Sank, as a putt 28 How some packages arrive, for short 29 Praiseful poem 30 Process leading up to childbirth 31 Heart diagnostic, in brief 35 Highly offended 36 Food from heaven

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PROVIDENCE PET SITTING is licensed, insured, and pet CPR/ First Aid certified. We have been lovingly caring for pets for over 10 years. Contact us at 704-591-7274 for more info. 101014

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Cats cradle boarding beautiful 5 star cats only kennel. Huge sunfilled suites, 3 levels, climbing tree. Pickup/ delivery. 20% Senior discount. For rates and requirements call 704.771.6052 www.

Cat boardingcharlotte.

Com. 072514

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HELP: LOST DOG, \”Dotty\”, Australian Cattle mix, 7yrs, 35lbs.

Lost 8/1/14, Rea Rd. Black/White, black patch right eye. pink/ grey collar. Contact Kim 704-763-3661.

Her loving family misses her very much!

No. 1103

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easily, quivers and shakes a lot. When lost, had collar with outside cable attached, but may have fallen off. He has seizure. Call Cindy – 704-614-5600.

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PUZZLE BY JANET R. BENDER

37 Male-only parties

47 Makes a choice

39 Tape machine button abbr.

50 8›” x 11” page size: Abbr.

59 Brand with a swoosh

41 ___ de Triomphe

51 “Definitely!”

42 1920s car that had its inventor’s initials

52 Bygone cry of high spirits 53 Cake topper

62 Secondhand

45 Exasperated response to “How was your day?”

54 Beau with roses, say 55 1/16 of a pound

66 Hive dweller

60 Muse of history 61 Ye ___ Antique Shoppe

67 Do needlework

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Page 23

Page 24 • Dec. 4 to 10, 2014 • Union County Weekly

www.unioncountyweekly.com