Laurel High School

Laurel High School will host a Veterans Day program on Nov. 10, 7:45-9:30 a.m., at the school, 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel. The program will honor school staff veterans and those in the community. For more information, call 301-497-2050. —Lauren Budik

Laurel Boys and Girls Club officials have not only decided to put off plans to open a charter high school in their Montgomery Street headquarters indefinitely, but they will not renew the lease of its current tenant, Princeton Day Academy, for next year. According to club president Levet Brown, the charter school is being delayed because club officials have not been able to raise the money needed to bring the building up to code in order to house a school in the facility. Brown said Princeton Day, a private high school with about 40 students, was using space in the annex portion of the building free of charge.

Army Pvt. Emanuel Lay Jr. graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. A 2010 graduate of Laurel High School, he is the stepson of Marion Lay, of Laurel.

The Laurel High School Class of 2013 graduates on Monday, June 3, 2013. That evening, in celebration of our graduates' achievements, the Grad Night Committee of the PTSA of Laurel High School will hold the 25th annual Grad Night. The city of Laurel co-sponsors this unique all-night, alcohol- and drug-free, chaperoned event. Graduates are entertained with music, games, door prizes, food, drinks, memories and much, much more! We anticipate that approximately 200 of our graduating seniors will attend this year's celebration.

Laurel High School once again had a successful Grad Night thanks to the support of many. I can't possibly thank everyone in limited space, but I want to especially thank Mayor Craig Moe and the city of Laurel for continuing to support and sponsor our all-night, substance-free celebration; and Levet Brown, and the Laurel Boys and Girls Club for his support and use of their facilities. Thank you to all the businesses, individuals and groups that have continued to support this program through donations of money, food, door prizes or services — some for 23 years!

Army National Guard Pvt. Anthony Kucan graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. Kucan is a 1999 graduate of Laurel High School. Air Force Airman Mario Jackson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Sheryl Jackson, of Laurel, and Marshall Jackson, of Capitol Heights.

Side by Side, a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen Laurel's public schools, will hold a fundraising kickball tournament on Sept. 24 at Laurel High School, located at 8000 Cherry Lane. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to enter a team in either the "competitive" or "fun" division. For more information and entry forms, go to http://www.sidebysidelaurel.org. 

Occasionally this column takes a look at what happened to a person or thing that was a memorable part of Laurel's past. This month it looks at two Laurel icons from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Laurel High coach set the standard Laurel High School was never known for fielding excellent football teams. Ron Ladue changed that. Ladue inherited a football program that was not expected to win. But Ladue's teams did win and changed the expectations for Laurel High.

Join St. Mark's United Methodist Church in its annual Emancipation Day Celebration, Saturday, Sept. 3, starting at 11 a.m. at Emancipation Park, on Eighth Street at Route 198. Emancipation Day is the oldest annual event in Laurel, going back more than 100 years, and celebrates the freeing of slaves in America. This year, coed softball games at McCullough Field on Eighth Street are part of the events, and food vendors and music will fill Emancipation Park. A parade kicks off at 3 p.m. near St. Mark's Church, 601 Eighth St. Parade participants include bands from Bowie State University, the Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corps and the Laurel High School poms squad.

Laurel native Mike Cardamone has been named regional director of FranNet of Maryland, which assists individuals interested in exploring self-employment as a career option through franchised business ownership. Cardamone will work with clients in Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert counties; and the District of Columbia. Cardamone began as a FranNet client in 1999 and now owns two Huntington Learning Center sites. Although now a Port Tobacco resident, Cardamone remains active in the Laurel community.

Alexander Pendleton, of Laurel, was named to the honor roll for the fall semester at the University of Kansas, in Lawrence. A senior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, he is the son of Michael and Vibeke Pendleton, of Laurel. Christine Baumgarten and Roberta Goldenpenny, both residents of Laurel, were named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Notre Dame of Maryland University, in Baltimore. Mital Patel, of Laurel, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester at University of the Science, in Philadelphia, Pa. She is a pharmacology and toxicology student.

Occasionally this column takes a look at what happened to a person or thing that was a memorable part of Laurel's past. This month it looks at two Laurel icons from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Laurel High coach set the standard Laurel High School was never known for fielding excellent football teams. Ron Ladue changed that. Ladue inherited a football program that was not expected to win. But Ladue's teams did win and changed the expectations for Laurel High.

Laurel native Mike Cardamone has been named regional director of FranNet of Maryland, which assists individuals interested in exploring self-employment as a career option through franchised business ownership. Cardamone will work with clients in Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert counties; and the District of Columbia. Cardamone began as a FranNet client in 1999 and now owns two Huntington Learning Center sites. Although now a Port Tobacco resident, Cardamone remains active in the Laurel community.

Many people find the holiday season to be a time to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Local organizations and advocacy groups such as those below would put your gift to good use. • Lovely Ladies of Laurel is a nonprofit organization committed to providing mentoring services to young ladies residing in Laurel and the surrounding areas. L3 seeks to promote responsibility, respect and academic rigor to a diverse group of young ladies within the community. http://www.lovelyladiesoflaurell3.org . Wish List: Coats, coat drive underway until Dec. 17. Drop off Mondays between 6:30 and 8 p.m. at the second trailer at Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Lane.

Army Pvt. Emanuel Lay Jr. graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. A 2010 graduate of Laurel High School, he is the stepson of Marion Lay, of Laurel.

Henrique Vissotto , a foreign language teacher at Laurel High School, is among 21 educators nationwide selected as Healthy Schools Program Champions by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. Program champions held to motivate and lead students and staff, and serve as national representatives for the Healthy Schools Program Laurel High students and staff have embraced new initiatives, such as more nutritional choices in the cafeteria and vending machines.

Laurel Boys and Girls Club officials have not only decided to put off plans to open a charter high school in their Montgomery Street headquarters indefinitely, but they will not renew the lease of its current tenant, Princeton Day Academy, for next year. According to club president Levet Brown, the charter school is being delayed because club officials have not been able to raise the money needed to bring the building up to code in order to house a school in the facility. Brown said Princeton Day, a private high school with about 40 students, was using space in the annex portion of the building free of charge.

Lawrence R. "Larry" Bird, a longtime chief financial officer of Riggs, Counselman, Michaels & Downes Inc., died of melanoma Jan. 2 at his Laurel home. He was 79. Mr. Bird was born in Oneida, N.Y., and was 6 months old when he was adopted by Russell P. and Arrah Louise Bird. The family lived in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and later moved to Laurel, where Mr. Bird graduated in 1945 from Laurel High School. He worked at Westinghouse Electric Corp. as a drill punch operator and later for seven years for the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. He attended night school and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1950 from Strayer's Business College.

Laurel High School will host a Veterans Day program on Nov. 10, 7:45-9:30 a.m., at the school, 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel. The program will honor school staff veterans and those in the community. For more information, call 301-497-2050. —Lauren Budik

Three groups in Laurel are collecting new and gently used coats, which will be distributed locally to those in need. • Faith African Methodist Episcopal Church , 13714 Briarwood Drive, is holding its annual winter coat drive through Sunday, Nov. 13. New and gently used winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves to fit school-aged children can be dropped off at the church Sundays, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday...