While other student musicians were in full swing in the band room at Stewart Middle School, 14-year-old Benjamin Pittman sat tucked away in the band director's office, staring at a computer screen and caught up in a musical world of his own. ...more

November 21, 2009

legal and illegal - it is an article of faith that vast numbers of new arrivals are fracturing American traditions, recalibrating our values and undermining our language. Spanish spoken on the streets of L.A. is, to those inclined to see it that way, evidence of something essential slipping out of our culture, or of a scary kind of reverse assimilation. Instead of becoming more like Americans, the fear is that immigrants are trying to absorb parts of this country into Latin America. ...more

September 26, 2008

AVON PARK –– Every child dreams of what they might become. Yet few actually know where their talents lie and what will realistically be required. Even fewer possess the energy and focus to pursue and achieve it. One of those rare individuals who differs is 16-year-old Jerry Lee Wright of Avon Park. "In middle school I knew I wanted to be in education," Wright said, "and every chance I got I'd help any teacher who needed it." He continued volunteering and kept track because he needed 15 service hours for National Junior Honor Society. For the Academic Bright Future Scholarship given by the state, 80 service hours from ninth grade to senior year are required. At Park Elementary School, second graders had an after-school tutoring program that fit with Wright's schedule. He'd arrive with the teacher and help students with timed readings and fluency. He'd read stories to them, grade papers, and involve them in activities. ...more

January 21, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County kindergartners entered school this year better prepared to learn, according to three screening tests. ...more

December 25, 2007