JARED A. LIBIN EARNS EAGLE SCOUT RANK - Jared A. Libin earned his Eagle Scout rank on Feb. 6 and received his ranking at the Troop Court of Honor on March 21.

He joined the scouting program in first grade as a Tiger Cub with Pack 1882 at the age of 6, and on becoming a Boy Scout joined Troop 1631 in Sugar Land where he has been a member since the fifth grade.

To achieve his Eagle rank, Jared earned 24 merit badges and served in several leadership positions, his most recent as the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

For his Eagle project, Jared aided the Emergency Aid Coalition in Houston, which feeds and clothes low-income people. He led a team of Scouts and Scout Leaders by collecting 300 pair of men’s pants. The project involved 165 hours and the help of 12 volunteers.

Jared is a junior at Brentwood College Prep High School in Mill Bay, Canada.

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DEW HOUSE EXHIBITS FBISD YOUTH ART SHOW-YARD SALE - Toria Eyo-Nsa from Elkins High School, along with other FBISD art students, recently displayed her artwork at the historic Dew House during March. The Dew House Docents hosted their third annual Rain or Shine Yard & Porch Sale on March 19 to raise funds in support of East Fort Bend County’s only interactive museum. Support for the Dew House allows the docents to work toward their goal of bringing the past alive for kids of every age at the DeWalt Heritage Center (the old Dew House) in Kitty Hollow Park.

Visit fortbendmuseum.org/dewalt-heritage-center for more information.

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READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY AT COLONY MEADOWS ELEMENTARY - Colony Meadows Elementary celebrated Read Across America Day by honoring author Dr. Seuss. Students, faculty and staff dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. Every class­room door depicted a Dr. Seuss book, and the school was abuzz with many guest readers. FBISD superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre and assistant superintendent Dr. Anthony Indelicato read Dr. Seuss tales to students. Tim Heller, ABC channel 13 meteorologist, read to fourth-graders while streaming live on Facebook. Other local celebrities got in on the fun, including representatives from Sugar Land Skeeters, Dr. Halford, and Ft. Settlement Middle School principal Mike Hejducek. One of the fifth-grade classes really took the theme of “Read Across America” to heart and connected via video conference with a classroom in Minnesota. The class performed, “The Grinch that Stole Christmas.”

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CAMPBELL STUDENT LANDS TITLE ROLE IN NATIONAL TOUR OF MATILDA, THE MUSICAL - Campbell Elementary fourth-grader Sarah McKinley Austin is one of three girls selected to share the title role of Matilda in the National Broadway Tour of Matilda, the Musical.

She was selected after auditioning in New York City. The early reviews are in for her portrayal of the title character.

The review in the Palm Beach (Florida) Post noted, “The role of Matilda is rotating among three young performers, and if they are all as accomplished as pint-sized Sarah McKinley Austin, this national tour is in good, if tiny, hands. Austin sings with authority, has stage presence far beyond her years and is simply adorable.”

Based on a Roald Dahl novel, the show is the winner of 50 international awards, including the Tony Award and is one of the biggest hits on Broadway.

Matilda, the Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Previously, Sarah toured for 10 months as Ivanka in the National Broadway Tour of Once the Musical.

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FBISD STUDENTS EARN MORE THAN 480 REGIONAL AND AREA MEDALS IN VASE 4S EVENT - Fort Bend ISD high school students recently competed at the 2016 VASE 4S, the UIL Regional and Area Visual Arts Scholastic event, earning more than 480 regional and area awards. Hosted by FBISD, the event welcomed students from 13 school districts across the state who entered more than 1,300 pieces of art.

Based on the results of students’ evaluations and personal interviews, the event awarded FBISD students with 434 regional medals and 55 area medals. Students earning area medals have advanced to the state VASE competition, hosted by the Texas Art Education Association, which will be held April 22-23 in San Antonio.

Student artists at the following high schools earned area medals: Austin (2), Clements (33), Dulles (12), Elkins (1), Kempner (2) and Ridge Point (5).

Students earning regional medals are represented at the following campuses: Austin (9), Bush (15), Clements (149), Dulles (92), Elkins (20), Hightower (9), Kempner(29), Ridge Point (89) and Travis (22).

FBISD thanked all of the volunteers (including Regional VASE 4S director and art teacher Donna Reedy, event site manager Rebecca Root and jury foreman Dr. Joan Maresh), who assisted in making the VASE 4S event a great experience for students and for supporting the District’s art program.

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RAY THIRD-GRADER TAKES CROWN AT HLSR ART SHOW - Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo is a time for students to show off the animals they have raised. Or, in the case of Ray Elementary third-grader Jeremiah Castrillon, the animal he drew.

Castrillon’s work, a chalk and glue relief titled “The Bright Chicken” was named Elementary Champion at this year’s HLSR Art Show. Prior to being shown at the Rodeo, Castrillon’s chicken earned Best of Show in the Elementary Student category at the Lamar CISD HLSR Art Show.

“I know he was in shock when his name was announced,” said Lynnette Brown, the art teacher at Ray Elementary. “He could barely lift the trophy.”

Brown said Castrillon’s work is a product of a “guided” process. She first led the students through a step-by-step method. Then the students did the same picture, but received little or no direction.

“That’s when the student’s character comes through,” she said.

Brown said Castrillon has a gift and has seen the same gift in his brothers.

“Using the entire space available is a difficult concept,” she said. “Jeremiah does a great job of understanding how to use space. I talk to them about the elements of art, getting the students to focus on using the entire space, recognizing the math shapes that are present. I also talk to them about colors, shades, tints and other elements of design.”

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BUSH HIGH SCHOOL’S NAVY JROTC UNIT NAMED TEXAS STATE CHAMPIONS - Bush High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Unit competed in the 23rd annual Navy JROTC Area-10 Field Meet and earned the title of Texas State Champions after demonstrating superb performances in various team and individual competitions. This is the first state championship for the Bush Broncos. The unit instructors include Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Minnard, Master Sergeant Reinaldo Mannings and Chief Renier Sudul.

Hosted by Texas A&M University’s NJROTC, the two-day competition (held Feb. 26-27) welcomed more than 500 high school students from NJROTC units throughout the state. The competition scores cadets in 10 events, testing their academic prowess, physical strength and military bearing and precision. Day 1 of the competition involves cadets completing physical training (including push-ups, sit-ups and a 1600 yard relay) and academic events; and Day 2 includes various military basic and exhibition drill events, including personnel inspections, armed and unarmed drill and color guard.

Led in competition by Cadet Commander Dillon Williams, the Bush cadets earned the following awards:

Team Awards: First Place Overall awards in three categories – Drill, Inspection and Physical Fitness; First Place – 1600 Yard Relay; First Place – Armed Drill Team Regulation (Cadet Dillon Williams, Commander); First Place – Color Guard (Cadet Jordan Capola, Commander); Second Place – Unarmed Drill Team Exhibi­tion (Cadet Ashley Chala, Commander).

Individual Awards: Best Armed Drill Commander in State Award – Cadet Dillon Williams (second consecutive win); Third Best Unarmed Drill Commander in State – Cadet Ashley Chala (had held commander position for only three weeks); First Place, Male Cadet Push-Ups – Cadet Jordan Capola; Third Place, Male Sit-Ups – Cadet Xavier Stephens; Fifth Place, Female Push-Ups – Cadet Joceline Barrientos.

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CLAIRE LEFEVERS EARNS GOLD AWARD - Claire LeFevers, a Sugar Land resident and senior at St. Thomas Episcopal School, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. The award recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Less than 5 percent of Girl Scouts earn the award.

To earn the award, LeFevers rallied a team of volunteers to beautify an outdoor space at Colonial Care Center in Schulenburg. She and her team built benches and tables as well as hosted a painting day for residents where they decorated large pots. The pots were later filled with plants and placed on the outdoor patios along with the tables and benches. LeFevers also visited several churches and schools in the community asking for donated items that were included in the center’s wish list. Approximately 70 people were impacted by her project.

“Through this project, I learned that I can really make a difference in my community and in people’s lives,” said LeFevers. “I have also enjoyed helping others and working with wood, so completing this project really made sense, and most of these residents have very little money and I knew they would really appreciate what I was doing for them.”

After graduation, LeFevers plans on attending college and majoring in business.

To learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award, which turns 100 in 2016, visit girlscouts.org.

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CALVARY EPISCOPAL PREP PERFORMS CHEATERS - Calvary Episcopal Preparatory thespians followed up their award-winning comedy performance at PSIA One Act Play competition in February with a serious drama performance of Cheaters. The drama featured Middle School and High School Thespians presenting a focus on integrity and loyalty despite personal reward and punishment. A final mime interpretation/vig­nette was a performance of Everything by Lifehouse, which sends the message of sin, redemption, salvation and God’s love.

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GOODMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RISING STAR, MACEO SMEDLEY, SHINES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM - Goodman Elementary School third-grade student Maceo Smedley III is co-starring in Underground, a TV series based on the historical Underground Railroad.

The series, created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, tells the story of a group of slaves who are planning their escape from a Georgia plantation. Smedley plays a young boy named James, who is a slave during the antebellum period. The show airs on Wed­nes­day nights at 9 p.m. CST on WGN.

Smedley started his acting career at the age of 5, and has appeared in local and nationwide commercials.

“Maceo’s mother and I are extremely excited about his present career opportunities,” shares his father, Maceo Smedley II. “His personality and positive character has allowed him to do more than we could have imagined. Even more so, we are proud of him for being able to maintain good grades in conjunction with being a leader on his athletic teams while meeting the strenuous demands of an acting career.”

Principal Carmela Levy-David said that Maceo is a brilliantly talented and positive third-grader. “He is always eager to participate in class and school activities,” she said. “Maceo has impeccable manners, and is loved by his teachers and peers.”

When Maceo is not acting, he enjoys basketball, football and dancing.

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SUBURBAN SUGAR LAND WOMEN AWARDS SEVEN SCHOLARSHIPS - Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) and Phenomenal Partners recently held their 27th annual Service and Academic Excellence Luncheon honoring seven 2016 scholarship recipients: Christine Ayorinde, Fort Bend ISD–Travis High School, plans to attend Texas State University and major in economics; Alexandria Brown, Fort Bend ISD– Marshall High School, plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in pre-pharmacy;

Ugochi Chuka-Ipere, Fort Bend ISD–Travis High School, plans to attend Midwestern State University and major in nursing; Lauren Jackson, Lamar CISD–Foster High School, plans to attend Texas State University and major in education; Cerina Riley, Riley Christian Veritas Academy, plans to attend Abilene Christian College and major in business; Davis-Edward Smith, Fort Bend ISD–Ridge Point, plans to attend Prairie View A & M University and major in digital media and communications; Simone Smith, Lamar CISD–Foster High School, plans to attend Prairie View A & M University and major in business management.

Annual and competitive scholarships are awarded to qualifying Fort Bend county-wide applicants based on community service, academic excellence, and leadership. Annual service with the nonprofit SSLW is a scholarship requirement.

Veritas Steak and Seafood in Sugar Land was the generous partial underwriter. Kevin Rios, owner, coordinated the exemplary service from entrance to exit. Mose Austin was the “ keep it moving” master of ceremonies. He also designed and printed the programs. Marvelyn Harris, chair, shared the history, purpose, mission, programs/projects and the final steps in completing the process. She also presented each recipient a framed scholarship certificate. Melvin Petitt blessed the food. Monica Riley designed and printed beautiful table name cards. Mable Scott Austin shared membership and partnership opportunities.

Mose and Mable Austin presented each recipient a college bag filled with a flash drive, pens, pencils, highlighters, notebook, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, lotions, first aid kits, sewing kits, sanitizer, ruler, daily devotionals, laminated keys, college success pamphlets, and a thank you card to be mailed in 30 days. SSLW’s partners were also in attendance.

The SSLW Scholarship Committee members are Marvelyn Harris, chair; June Peggs, co- chair; and Mose and Mable Austin.

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LAUREN PHILLIPS EARNS SILVER AWARD - Girl Scout Lauren Phillips of New Territory (Brazos Bend Community-Troop 28155) recently completed her Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can accomplish. Earning this award puts a Girl Scout among an exceptional group of girls who have used their knowledge and leadership skills to make a difference in the world by identifying issues that they care about it. They develop ways to solve problems and discover how to incorporate community connections and sustainability into their projects.

Phillips’ project benefited Reining Strength-Therapeutic Horsemanship. She designed and constructed a sensory trail (a large blackboard, a tetherball system, two large sensory boards, a large peg board and donated numerous toys to the center) that allow participants in the therapeutic program to improve their posture, increase balance, core control, develop eye-hand coordination, increase attention span, bilateral grasping and visual attention.

Phillips, an eighth-grade student at Sartartia Middle School, hopes that people will learn more about this type of therapy, which involves the special non-verbal bonding between the horses and the humans. She also thinks everyone should be able to live their life to the fullest, regardless of their abilities or behavioral health.

Reining Strength, which is located at 8811 FM 359 RD in Richmond, encourages anyone interested in volunteering at the center to contact the director, Heather Hernandez, at [email protected].

Therapeutic riding and hippotherapy uses a horse as a treatment tool.