Severn School

A reality television show that usually chronicles the exploits of harried airplane passengers and the employees who serve them will dedicate some time tonight to a happier tale about some Severn kids. The "Fly Babies" episode of A&E's Airline will feature members of a fourth-grade class at Van Bokkelen Elementary who this spring studied math, science and ways to achieve one's goals with Southwest Airlines pilot Anthony C. May. The episode - which focuses on the airline's hubs in Los Angeles and Chicago and at Baltimore-Washington International Airport - also followed the pupils on a flight to Birmingham, Ala., in June to visit key sites in civil rights history.

Severn School has hired one of the big names in local la- crosse in John Tucker to coach the Admirals' boys team. Athletic director Charles Duckett made the announcement yesterday that Tucker will succeed Jamie McNealey, who resigned after five seasons. "John brings a broad under- standing of the [Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association] lacrosse commuity, and has demonstrated success as an administrator, teacher and coach, " said Duckett. Tucker, who was inducted into U.S. Lacrosse's Greater Baltimore Chapter Hall of Fame this year, has an extensive back- ground in the sport.

Truman E. "Ted" Deyo, former Severn School business manager and retired career Army officer, died in his sleep Saturday at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 87. Mr. Deyo was born in Dunkirk, Ind., and raised in Fort Washington in Prince George's County. After graduating from Oxon Hill High School in 1933, he enlisted in the Army and later entered West Point, graduating in 1941. During World War II, he was assigned to the 1st Army staff at Clifton College in Bristol, England, where plans for the invasion of Europe were developed.

SEVERN Elementary School recently celebrated an extra-special Back to School Night. Parents always look forward to meeting their children's new teachers and learning what to expect for the coming school year. But this year at Severn Elementary, the event also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school's new educational climbing wall, marking the completion of a yearlong project that won the support of parents, businesses, faculty and pupils. The project was the brainchild of Aaron Vetter, who teaches physical education at the school.

THE SEVERNA PARK Optimist Club Foundation has awarded its second annual Ken Allor Volunteerism Scholarship to 2002 Severn School graduate Clayton S. McCarl III. A National Merit finalist and Maryland Distinguished Scholar finalist in academics and the arts, the 18-year-old son of Clayton and Lisa McCarl of Millersville graduated last month with top departmental honors in science, math, technology and music. Clayton's awards include being named a Capital-Gazette Academic All-Star, receiving a computer science award from the county Board of Education and winning a Maryland Merit Scholastic Award for being in the top 5 percent of his graduating class.

David Allen Beardmore, a well-known golf pro and teacher whose nearly lifelong struggle with diabetes failed to dim his enthusiasm for the game, died Thursday of the disease at his Millersville home. He was 56. Mr. Beardmore, who was born in Baltimore and raised in Severna Park, was age 12 when the disease was diagnosed. He graduated from Severn School in 1963 and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he discovered the joys of playing golf. He was an assistant at Annapolis Roads Course from 1965 until 1967, when he joined the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Va., in a similar capacity.

Hearing planned on middle school schedules for '02-'03 The county school board will hold a public hearing on middle school schedules for 2002-2003 at 7 p.m. Monday at the board's headquarters, 2644 Riva Road in Annapolis. The board is considering four-, six- and seven-period school days. Speakers at the hearing can talk for three minutes each. Two from Severn School take top honors in contest McClean Robbins of Severn School received $100 and a plaque for taking first place in the Anne Arundel County Soil Conservation District's 2001 Speak Off Contest.

Flanked by a Marine Corps color guard, the 10 elderly veterans stood in the Severn School gymnasium yesterday and their gravelly voices called out the names of 84 classmates who had died in the wars of the 20th century. To signify the loss, the school had arranged 84 chairs at center court and filled them with current Severn students. As each name was read, a student stood up and walked away, escorted to the door by a Marine sergeant. After a half-hour, all 84 chairs sat empty, mute testament to the lives lost from this private school in Severna Park that has channeled students to the Naval Academy for almost a century.

SEVERN SCHOOL'S new capital campaign, Giant Strides, has taken a huge step forward with a record-setting contribution from Severna Park businessman Chris McCleary. McCleary's pledge of $1.2 million, announced during homecoming activities two weeks ago, is the largest donation in the school's 87-year history and brings the total committed by individuals to the school's building fund to $3.1 million. The donation also could be the impetus for the campaign to reach its goal of raising $7.3 million for such improvements as a new upper school academic building and renovated classrooms, and to strengthen the school's endowment.