Award

North County High School freshman Jack Andraka stood on the auditorium stage, speaking about the invention that earned him the $75,000 grand prize at the recent Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Behind him stood Dr. Anirban Maitra, a professor in the Johns Hopkins University's department of pathology who gave Jack use of his lab to craft his invention, a cheap and effective "dipstick-sensor" method of testing blood or urine to identify early-stage pancreatic cancer and other diseases.

Et cetera Stanwick, Durkin win major lacrosse awards Virginia senior Steele Stanwick (Loyola) was given the Lt. Col. J.L. (Jack) Turnbull Award, presented to the country's outstanding attackman. Stanwick is the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner and this year is one of five finalists for the honor, awarded to the top college player. Johns Hopkins junior Tucker Durkin was selected as the recipient of the William C. Schmeisser Award as the nation's outstanding defenseman.

The Baltimore Sun's features section has been honored as one of the nation's best by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, the organization announced recently. The Sun was named one of the Top 5 in its 2010 Best Sections contest among newspapers with a circulation of 90,001 to 199,999, along with the Austin American-Statesman and The Charlotte Observer. Judges described the sections as filled with stories "driven by solid reporting and reader service," noting the writing and easy to navigate, well-designed pages.

The One Love Foundation, the nonprofit organization created in 2010 to honor the memory of Yeardley Reynolds Love (YRL), announced that Maryland attackman-midfielder Joe Cummings (Loyola High) and Virginia Tech senior attacker Ryan Rotanz were selected as the 2012 YRL Unsung Hero Award recipients. The award is given annually to one men's and one women's lacrosse player within the Atlantic Coast Conference for their dedication to leadership, for their community service, and for being a positive role model on and off the field.

Salisbury defenseman Zeke Smith was named the Capital Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore anchored a Sea Gulls defense that surrendered just seven goals in two wins against McDaniel and No. 15 Gettysburg. Smith had a team-best five caused turnovers and was tied for second on the team with six ground balls in those two victories. He leads Salisbury with eight caused turnovers this season.

Eileen Ambrose, The Baltimore Sun's personal finance columnist, was recognized this week as one of the best business columnists in the country by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Ambrose was one of three columnists at large U.S. newspapers to win a "Best in Business" award. Ambrose, who joined the Sun in 1999, received the same award in 2008 for columns written in 2007. - Baltimore Sun

For years Darlene Sanders Harris donated money to the Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation and looked forward to the annual ceremony in Baltimore where she could mingle with the NFL players who won the prestigious honor and hear their inspiring stories. But as the Ed Block organization formally announces its winners today, the Glen Burnie animal advocate, along with at least a thousand others, will be protesting, appalled that the Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick, just released from prison for his role in a brutal dog-fighting operation, was chosen to be on the winners list.

Snook named top principal The Maryland Association of Student Councils has named Carl Snook, principal at North Carroll Middle School, the Wayne Perry Principal of the Year. This award recognizes middle and high school principals who enable and empower student leaders and organizations while maintaining high standards for the entire school program. Snook provides encouragement and support for ideas and promotes Student Government Association activities, such as fundraisers for the swim club and three Fire Departments that serve the school community.

Nominees sought for volunteer award Nominations are being accepted for the Richard H. Carter Memorial Award, which will be presented to an outstanding volunteer at the Glen Burnie Memorial Day Parade on May 18. A $299 donation will be made to the charity of the winner's choice. The Glen Burnie Improvement Association's annual award honors the late Richard H. Carter Nominees must reside in ZIP codes 21060 or 21061 and must have performed a variety of volunteer services. They must have served the greater Glen Burnie community as volunteers, not as part of a job. Those who have previously received the award and members of the award committee are ineligible.

In the three years that she battled leukemia, Kamryn Lambert spent more time at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children in Baltimore than she did at home with her family. When she was home in Pasadena, Kami, as she was called, would often accompany her maternal grandmother, Debi Katzenberger, on shopping trips for pajamas. "She rarely ever got to go to school, so her way of expressing herself and being able to always be fashionable was to always buy really fun or cool pajamas when she returned to the hospital," Katzenberger recalled last week.

Mike Sawyer would take the high road and never lower himself to criticize an individual achievement, but I think the Loyola junior attackman was snubbed in the voting for the Division I All-American first team. Colgate junior Peter Baum and Virginia senior Steele Stanwick were locks for the first team. It's the third spot occupied by Massachusetts junior Will Manny that is disputable. Statistically, Manny is the better all-around player, ranking third in the nation in points per game (4.8)

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will be honored tomorrow for his support of the U.S. Army. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno , the Chief of Staff of the Army, will present Harbaugh with one of five Outstanding Civilian Service Awards during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.  The program honors those who have passionately supported the U.S. Army. The citation that will be presented to Harbaugh by Gen. Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army, will read:  “For outstanding service to the United States Army, Soldiers, families, veterans and military communities.

As part of ESPN's coverage of the NCAA tournament's quarterfinal round this past weekend, Paul Carcaterra was the sideline reporter for all four contests. The former Syracuse All-American midfielder, who can be followed on Twitter via @paulcarcaterra, provided his thoughts on the most stunning result in the quarterfinals, the hottest team in the Final Four and the race for the Tewaaraton Award. Which was more exciting: the first round or the quarterfinal round? I thought both rounds wre entertaining and provided fans with different styles in lacrosse.

An Anne Arundel County parent whose gentle spirit is said to have built bridges between cultures at her sons' elementary school was named the Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award winner Friday night. Ambareen Jafri, a 35-year-old Crofton mother of three boys, began her volunteer work four years ago when a Nantucket Elementary School teacher put out a request for someone who spoke Urdu to be a translator for Indian and Pakistani families. "Sometimes, you just [say], 'OK, this is my opportunity to help the community.

South River High School senior Caitlin Byrnes says her parents have been stressing the importance of college since she was young, and though she listened to the message, she didn't think it applied to her. The Crofton resident would consider the family hardships — her father struggling through a myriad of illnesses since his childhood, her mother never fulfilling her dreams of going to college because of a disability — and she didn't see how...

Clarion University senior Joanna Catalano, of Joppa, was selected as a finalist for the 2012 Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence, open to all students of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Catalano received a certificate of recognition and a check for $500 during Clarion University's Academic Excellence Week, April 15-21. Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a founding member of PASSHE Board of Governors, established this program to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement.

Tickets for the second Baltimore Grand Prix should be on sale by the end of the month, the latest group to organize the race announced Wednesday. Race On, a team led by two local investors that has partnered with racing champ Michael Andretti's sports marketing firm, also finalized sanctioning agreements with the IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series for the Labor Day weekend festival, organizers said Wednesday. Investors J.P. Grant III, president of Grant Capital Management, and Greg O'Neill, vice president of BMW Construction, spoke of their plans for the race at a news conference at the city-owned Hilton Baltimore hotel, hours after the city's spending board approved the contract with Race On. "I'm honored to take on this important opportunity in the city we both love," Grant said.

He pioneered one the most influential, far-reaching musical genres of the past 50 years. He became a galvanizing force, too, in the cause of human rights. When he died, more than a million people turned out to witness his funeral cortege. Among those mourning his loss were the 27 women who had once been his wives. The extraordinary story of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti inspired the 2009 musical "Fela!" which garnered three Tony Awards. Judging by the ecstatic reviews, the international touring production that comes to Baltimore this week has only increased the show's reputation.