The trip for students in Danielle Derwich's English class was designed to provide a deeper insight into the history of genocide and injustice, but from at least one student's perspective, it also provided a more vivid picture of the past and a sharper focus on the struggles of others.

Grant Emory, one of the students who participated in the trip, prepared this summary of the lessons learned:.

"Over the last month, our class had the privilege of traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to further our studies. It was a great experience, not only from a student's standpoint but from an educational standpoint also. Students were there for three days, and various activities were attended. Such activities were the Holocaust museum, CNN Studios, and the (Coca-Cola) factory. All of these activities were designed to further broaden the studies in which we have been doing in class. However, students were primarily there for a genocide panel that took place at the Holocaust Museum.

"Over the last unit, the topic of genocide had been the main issue. In order to attain more information, students had the opportunity to sit in on a four-hour panel on genocide, and all of the negative effects that it has on society. This was an eye-opening experience, because one does not know all that goes on until they have actually heard it from somebody who has been through it.

"There were several other activities that did not carry such heavy emotional impact, like Zoo Atlanta that students attended, or the Coke factory, in which fellow classmates were just simply able to enjoy themselves.

"It was also a great experience to see Loung Ung, the author of First They Killed My Father. She spoke on her personal experiences in Cambodia, and I must say it was very interesting. Out of all the trips that I have been on in my school career, this trip is definitely at the top of the heap."

Emory's memories from the trip, along with the experiences and comments provided by other students, will be compiled into a comprehensive collection by Derwich and fellow teacher Leslie McFarland to be used in presentations about the trip and future classroom discussions.

Teacher in China for language class

A language instructor from Davidson Day School is in China this week participating in a professional development conference.

Jing He, who teachers Mandarin at DDS, is taking part in a language teaching materials program specifically designed for oversees instructors of the Chinese language.

During the training, which continues through Saturday, Dec. 17, He will be taking classes focusing on teaching materials and methods, and sharing experiences and educational techniques during discussion sessions with other teachers.

A native Chinese speaker, He is the only Mandarin teacher in the Charlotte area taking part in this program.

"As an experienced teacher," she said, "I continuously seek new knowledge to improve my skills. I am confident this opportunity will provide me a boost in knowledge that will translate into heightened success for my students."

Mandarin was added this year to the world language class offerings at Davidson Day. It is a required course for all early childhood and lower school students and provided as an elective for eighth graders. The program will expand to additional grades next year.

He has 15 years of experience teaching Mandarin to children and adults, including duties teaching business professionals at various corporations in the region. A graduate of Tianjin Normal University in China, He taught in Union County before joining the faculty at DDS.

Twins among service academy nominees

Twin brothers from Huntersville have earned nominations to United States military academies. Alan and Ryan DeOre, seniors at Pine Lake Preparatory School, received the nominations from Rep. Sue Myrick.

The brothers have been nominated for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy In Colorado Springs, Col., and Alan was also nominated to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

The brothers, sons of Jeffrey and Mary DeOre of Huntersville, were selected as nominees on the basis of hard work and determination. Appointments to military academies will be announced in spring to early summer of next year.

Student's work earns place in publication

An essay by a sixth grader at Davidson Day School will be included in a writing anthology publication to be distributed next spring.

Kara Bringewatt of Davidson wrote the essay "In Defense of Some of My Favorite Books" as a class project related to a writing contest. Her essay was selected to be included in the book Celebrating What is Important to Me.

Bringewatt's essay focused on defending the Harry Potter book series written by JK Rowling.

"Speaking as a person who read all seven Harry Potter books five times and was crazy enough to watch the final movie at midnight, it greatly annoys me when people criticize the series," Bringewatt's essay begins, going on to praise the writing, the story and the overall series of books.

Bringewatt's essay was selected from entries throughout the Southeast for inclusion in the book, scheduled to be published in April.

"I am very impressed with Kara's persistence to take her writing farther and deeper than what is expected," says Jolie Fabrizio, Bringewatt's creative writing instructor at DDS. "I introduced this contest in class one day and she ran with it. I am very proud of her accomplishment."

Preschool project provides pajamas

A pajama party was the reward for students who took part in the "The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive" at Discovery Village preschool in Cornelius. School director Amanda Brochu hosted the party for the children in celebration of the group's success in meeting and surpassing the goal of collecting 50 sets of children's pajamas to donate to the Charlotte chapter of the pajama program.

"It's a fantastic way for us to give back to our community while teaching our kids the value of giving" said teacher Kristy Serdinsky.

The goal was 50 sets of new children's pajamas, which was quickly accomplished. As part of the discussion at the school, kids learned that there are some children who don't have pajamas, and in many instances have never had a bedtime story read to them.

"The pajama drive resonates so strongly with our families. Everyone wanted an opportunity to participate this year" said Brochu.

Pajama Program is a nonprofit organization that since 2001 has donated more than one million pajamas and books to children nationwide. For more information about the program visit www.pajamaprogram.org.

— Compiled by Lee Sullivan