Aberdeen High School

Students at Aberdeen High School were in mourning yesterday for Louis Gaffney, a beloved coach and dedicated educator who died during the weekend in a traffic accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Gaffney -- a longtime coach, but first-year social studies teacher -- was killed about 1:45 p.m. Sunday when a tractor-trailer rear-ended his car near New Sewickley, Pa. The 41-year-old coach, who lived in the 700 block of Rainbow Court in Edgewood, was driving east on the turnpike in snow flurries when the truck hit his 1989 Buick sedan, said Pennsylvania State Trooper Jonathan Helsley.

The Harford County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America announces the winners of their five $1,000 conservation/environmental scholarships: Hunter Howell, Harford Christian School; Maggie Weese, Aberdeen High School; Cora Summerfield, Aberdeen High School; John Swab, Edgewood High School and Kourtney Rutkowski, C. Milton Wright.

Harford County's school system has received state funding for the construction of the much-heralded Science and Mathematics Academy at Aberdeen High School. But that did little to take the sting out of the state's rejection of another major project - plans for a new middle and high school complex in the Bel Air area. "It was like going to the dentist for a root canal, but learning that the dentist didn't have to drill as deep as he previously thought," Joseph Licata, assistant superintendent for school operations, said of the state funding approval last week for county school construction projects.

Elliott and Phyllis Ruby of Aberdeen announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristin Ruby, to Nathan Ander, son of Paul and Janet Ander of Baltimore. The bride-to-be is a 2003 graduate of Aberdeen High School and is employed at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The prospective groom, a 2001 graduate of Calvert Hall College Preparatory High School, graduated from Towson University in 2004 with a bachelor of science in business administration. He also graduated from U.S. Army Infantry School in 2008 and is a sergeant in the Maryland Army National Guard 1/175th Infantry.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Harford County Public Schools and two school officials on behalf of a disabled student, who the suit claims was subjected to years of continuous bullying and threats from other students beginning when he was a student at Church Creek Elementary School and continuing when he was a student at Aberdeen Middle and High schools. The suit contends the school system not only failed to address the problem, but also failed to protect the student from the abuse.

The Harford County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America announces the winners of their five $1,000 conservation/environmental scholarships: Hunter Howell, Harford Christian School; Maggie Weese, Aberdeen High School; Cora Summerfield, Aberdeen High School; John Swab, Edgewood High School and Kourtney Rutkowski, C. Milton Wright.

The following Harford County schools will be closed Friday because of the potential for flooding: Havre de Grace Elementary Havre de Grace Middle Havre de Grace High Meadowvale Elementary Aberdeen High School All other Harford County Public Schools will be open Friday.

Aberdeen High School senior Jimmia McCluskey signed her letter of intent last week to attend and run track at Temple University in Philadelphia. McCluskey will major in physical therapy. Pictured in the front row from left are Tonia McCluskey (mother), Jimmia McCluskey, Jimmie McCluskey (father) and in the back row from left are Coach John Mobley, Athletic Director Tim Lindecamp and Coach Kyree Edwards.

The Carson Scholars Fund announces that 425 students across the country have been named 2013 Carson Scholars. Each year the Fund recognizes a select group of high achieving students in fourth to 11th grade who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship award and the coveted honor of being named a Carson Scholar. In addition, 714 students have renewed their Carson Scholar status. These previous winners have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities and are being recognized for their continued efforts.

KELLY: Davon T. Kelly has been promoted to the rank of private first class in the U.S. Army. Kelly is a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Calvary at Fort Hood, Texas. The new private first class has served in the military for one year. He is the son of Davon F. Kelly of Farm Road, Aberdeen, and Neshia Hoke of Branch Avenue, Harker Heights, Texas. Kelly graduated in 2008 from Aberdeen High School.

Hey there! My name is Mattia Tomay, and I'm a World Heritage Italian exchange student in Aberdeen. Did you know that April was National Volunteer Recognition month? I bet in every community there is someone that with his/her goodwill and talent help some other people, and that many times we forget to thank. I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who have been so important and fundamental to the great experience that I'm living in the USA. Firstly, to my amazing American family: My mom and dad (Tom and Cindy Beilman)

Jim and Karen Claypool of Abingdon announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Claypool, to Steve Thacker, the son of Sam and Janet Thacker from Aberdeen. Claypool graduated from Bel Air High School and received her undergraduate degree from Washington College. Thacker graduated from Aberdeen High School and received his undergraduate degree from Towson University. Both are continuing their education in North Carolina. Claypool is a doctorate student at the University of North Carolina and Thacker is working on his master's degree at the East Carolina University.

Aria Real, a student at Aberdeen High School, was the winner of a Toyota Camry donated by Jones Junction for the school's recent after prom party. Aberdeen High PTSA president, Keith Bruso worked with Jones Junction to secure the donation. Aria is an honor student who has been accepted into High Point University for the coming fall semester with the class of 2017 to study Vocal Performance and Interior Design. She said in a press release she is blessed to have received this car, because it is one less thing to worry about as she transitions to North Carolina.

Harford County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police Reports: Aberdeen Ronald B. Comer, 26, of the first block of North Post Road, was charged Friday with second-degree escape. Prentis James Vinson III, 24, of the first block of North Post Road, was charged Saturday with violating probation in a case in which he was found guilty of theft below $100. Justin D. Baughman, 24, of the 800 block of Matthews Avenue, was charged Sunday with concealing a dangerous weapon and possessing drug paraphernalia.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Harford County Public Schools and two school officials on behalf of a disabled student, who the suit claims was subjected to years of continuous bullying and threats from other students beginning when he was a student at Church Creek Elementary School and continuing when he was a student at Aberdeen Middle and High schools. The suit contends the school system not only failed to address the problem, but also failed to protect the student from the abuse.

All you can eat breakfast will be served this Saturday, April 13, from 7 to 10 a.m. at Harmony Lodge, Tome Highway, Port Deposit. Events supports the scholarship fund. The second annual Cody G. Richardson Relentless Run 5K and 3K fun walk will be June 1 at Perryville Middle School. The event benefits the Cody G. Richardson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Registration and packet pick up starts at 8 a.m. with the runners taking off at 9 a.m. and walkers at 9:05. There will be a cash prize for the first place male and female finishers.

Five people, including two Aberdeen High School students, suffered minor injuries yesterday when a Harford County school bus struck the rear of a pickup truck's trailer in Churchville. Donald R. Morrison, a school system spokesman, said the students, the bus driver and two occupants of the truck were taken to Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace for evaluation. The two students were the only passengers on the bus when it hit the small trailer at Routes 22 and 156.

Jim and Karen Claypool of Abingdon announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Claypool, to Steve Thacker, the son of Sam and Janet Thacker from Aberdeen. Claypool graduated from Bel Air High School and received her undergraduate degree from Washington College. Thacker graduated from Aberdeen High School and received his undergraduate degree from Towson University. Both are continuing their education in North Carolina. Claypool is a doctorate student at the University of North Carolina and Thacker is working on his master's degree at the East Carolina University.

It's not every day a Harford County high school team wins a state championship, and it had been largely unheard of for a girls basketball team to make it to the state final game until but a few years ago. Sports editor Randy McRoberts pointed out Wednesday in The Aegis , sister newspaper to this one, that in the modern era of high school sports – which began in 1973 when Title IX went into effect stipulating that girls have the same athletic...

The Carson Scholars Fund announces that 425 students across the country have been named 2013 Carson Scholars. Each year the Fund recognizes a select group of high achieving students in fourth to 11th grade who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship award and the coveted honor of being named a Carson Scholar. In addition, 714 students have renewed their Carson Scholar status. These previous winners have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities and are being recognized for their continued efforts.