Nominations of teachers sought

The U.S. Department of Education again plans to honor outstanding classroom teachers through its American Stars of Teaching program. The department's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is seeking nominations and information about teachers who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom, and making a difference in the lives of their students.

Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as 2006 American Stars of Teaching. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can nominate an exemplary teacher whom they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from each state.

To learn more or nominate a teacher, visit the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative Web site at www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html.

All nominations must be completed by April 15.

The U.S. Department of Education received more than 2,000 nominations for the 2005 school year. A list of past years' honorees can be found at www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/american-stars-teachers.html.

Lincoln Peterson, a fifth-grader at Northeast Elementary School in Kearney, Neb., has adopted Nevada as the topic of a research project.

"I am in hopes some of your readers will be able to help me with my project," he wrote. "I was able to research your city and newspaper on the Internet, and I'm excited to learn more about your state."

He would like to receive postcards, as wells as maps, brochures, souvenirs and any other information that he could display at his class 'States Fair' event in May.

"This is a big project," he writes, "And I hope your readers can help."

Write Lincoln at Northeast Elementary School, Ms. Hargens' Class, 910 East 34th St., Kearney, Neb., 68847

Despite a strong showing during the voting, The Jennifer Echo, a Portland, Ore.-based power pop band featuring Carson City native Jim Wadsworth, was not selected to be the opening act for Bon Jovi at their show tonight.

A local radio station sponsored a contest looking for local acts then allowed listeners to vote for the winner.

A band named Velabonz won the honor. For more on The Jennifer Echo band, go to MySpace.com.

Carson City resident Annette Jarecki will graduate Wednesday from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration.

She called to say that she and her six classmates - David Millar, Daniel Cane, Deborah Young, Dayna Brown and Jason Sanches - are the final survivors. It seems when they began classes, there were 20 students in the program.

"I will be awarding the final-survivor plaques to my fellow students with goodbyes," she said. "We were working together for the last two years and stayed together as the small group for the last six months. We have worked closely in teams, and we all know each other very well.

"It was important to all of us to finish and not lose any one of us. So I say with full respect and honor, we are the final survivors."

Congratulations to them all.