education Notes

Inspiration Award Winner

The Carter G. Woodson campus of Friendship Collegiate Academy has been named one of the most improved high schools in the United States by the College Board. The Ward 7 school will receive a $25,000 award to help promote excellence and higher education.

The 2008 Inspiration Awards recognize three high schools that improved their academic environment and helped students achieve equitable access to higher education despite social, economic and cultural challenges. The other winners are Edinburg High School in Texas and Berkmar High School near Atlanta.

Friendship was recognized for using rigorous course work to prepare students for college (every student takes at least one AP or college course before graduating), and for building relationships with colleges through its Dual Enrollment program.

Project Earns Medal

Hezekiah Williams III, a freshman at McKinley Technology High School in Northeast D.C., won top honors at the International Sustainability World Energy, Engineering and Environmental Project (I-SWEEP) Olympiad this month in Houston.

Students from 61 countries and 40 states participated in the contest, which featured more than 500 science fair projects. Williams's project, "Gasoline or Diesel Fuel," was awarded a bronze medal in the Senior Engineering Division, and he won first place for the Engineering Show Board Award. He was the only participant from D.C. public schools.

Williams is also the recipient of two other awards: the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Award and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Award.

Women's Achievements

The Alumni Association of Ballou STAY High School will celebrate Women of Excellence at an awards gala Wednesday at 6 p.m. at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE.

The event will honor the achievements and accomplishments of women in their careers, businesses and communities. Honorees include: Dorothy Height, chair and president emerita, National Council of Negro Women; Zellen Cook, mother of 15; Jacqueline Gale Webb, WHUR radio personality; Tawana Williams, author and motivator; Ida Lewis-Polite, chief executive of Ida Ideal's Boutique; Aneisa Simon, executive and recording artist; evangelist Mae Wright; the Rev. Judith Talbert of Faith Tabernacle; Erline Whitaker, principal of Spingarn STAY High School; and S. Pamela Gray, a magistrate judge in D.C. Superior Court.

Ballou STAY was established in 1989 as an alternative for students older than 16 to complete their high school education. It offers the External Diploma Program, geared to residents 25 and older.

Grant to Help Fight Obesity

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) announced that the District has been awarded a $100,000 grant to help fight childhood obesity. The money will be distributed to four area schools and organizations for programs that help young people improve their nutrition and physical fitness.

The Healthy Communities program is sponsored by the General Mills Foundation. Recent studies show that the District has the nation's highest percentage of overweight youths, ages 10-18.

The Mayor's Commission on Food and Nutrition will distribute grants of $25,000 each to the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, Unity Health Care, Brainfood and the Young Women's Project.

-- Compiled by JILLIAN S. JARRETT