Howard County Education

* Name: Jim Paige, 17, of Columbia.

* School: Wilde Lake High School.

* Why Jim was chosen: He is state delegate for Howard County for the International Thespian Society as well as president of the Drama Club. He placed as a finalist for the arts in the Maryland Distinguished Scholarship. He is a member of the all-state choir, National Honor Society, madrigals and the debate team. He is also the communications director for the senior class. He has been chairman and coordinator of Lake Aid, a benefit show to raise money for the Maryland Food Bank, for the last two years.

* His comments: "After [Lake Aid] is over and I find out how much money we raised, it just overwhelms me. The feeling is undescribable. It's just a great, rewarding feeling."

* Goals: He wants to study theater or acting at either Towson State University, Goucher College, Ohio State University or UCLA.