Up & Coming Weekly

For more information go to THURSDAY, JULY 1 SWAMPDOGS BASEBALL returns to Fayetteville. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at the J.P. Riddle Stadium. For more infor- mation, visit www.goswamp- dogs.com. FRIDAY, JULY 2 WHAT’S UNDER THE TENT? at Lake Rim Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Stop by the tent and check out the hands-on ac- tivities and items on display dur- ing these informal environmental education sessions. The topics change from week to week and include animals, insects, rocks and minerals, fossils, and plants. Park staff will conduct the activ- ity and be available for ques- tions. For more information, visit the Web site at www.fcpr.us/. SATURDAY, JULY 3 HOPE MILLS 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION Experience the home- town feeling of the fi reworks display at Hope Mills, parade bands perform- ing throughout the day, children’s activities, food vendors, arts and crafts, infl atables, and a fi reworks display about 9:30 p.m. Events kick-off at 10 a.m. with the annual parade. Events are held at the Hope Mills Municipal Park. SWAMPDOGS BASEBALL returns to Fayetteville. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at the J.P. Riddle Stadium. For more information, visit www.goswamp- dogs.com. SUNDAY, JULY 4 FORT BRAGG’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION at the Main Post Parade Field. Events begin at 3 p.m. and end with fi reworks at 10 p.m. Headlining this year’s concert event are Chevelle and Colt Ford. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www. fort- braggmwr.com/july4th.php. TUESDAY, JULY 6 SWAMPDOGS BASEBALL returns to Fayetteville. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at the J.P. Riddle Stadium. For more information, visit www. goswampdogs.com. Get the V.I.P Early Bird Edition delivered “Free” directly to your computer every week. Sign on today! www.upandcomingweekly.com COMMUNITY NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS Howard High Recognized by New Schools Project a STAFF REPORT Howard Health & Life Sciences High School, one of North Carolina’s 36 small, redesigned high schools, was recognized today as a fi nalist for the annual Innovator Award, presented by the North Carolina New Schools Project (NCNSP) to innovative high schools demonstrating strong results in preparing all students for college, careers and life. Howard Health & Life Sciences High School was one of six fi nalists selected from 106 schools in all that were partners with NCNSP during the 2009-10 school year. Howard Lee, executive director of the North Carolina Education Cabinet, recognized each of the schools during the closing session of NCNSP’s Summer Institute, attended by 600 educators from innovative high schools across the state. In recognizing the schools, Lee said the fi eld of contenders was so strong this year that the “six schools landed in a virtual photo fi nish.” All the schools, he said, “have created a culture where supportive relationships allow teachers to grow and students to thrive. And all of these schools are going the extra distance to ensure that every student is well prepared for college, career and life.” About Howard specifi cally, Lee cited the school’s success in achieving a 100 percent graduation rate and the success of the class of 2010 in completing college courses while in high school. Among the factors NCNSP cited for its selection of Howard for the award were these: • Nearly 80 percent of the school’s enrollment are under-represented minorities and more than half are from low-income families. • Low dropout rate of 0.5 percent (N.C.-statewide dropout rate was 4.27 percent in 2008-09) • Narrow achievement gaps between white and black students and white and Hispanic students • 100 percent 9th grade promotion rate • Few suspensions • High rate of students taking Algebra II, indicating strong academic challenge The selection of Howard represents the second Innovator Award for a school in Cumberland County. Cross Creek Early College High School was chosen for NCNSP’s WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM inaugural award in 2008. The North Carolina New Schools Project works to accelerate systemic, sustainable innovation in secondary schools across the state, with the goal of helping all high schools graduate every student ready for college, careers and life in the 21st century. Created in 2003 by the Offi ce of the Governor and the Education Cabinet with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NCNSP has partnered with school districts and educators to establish more than 100 small, innovative high schools. CEED celebrates 20th anniversary The Center for Economic Empowerment & Development, CEED, formerly the Women’s Center of Fayetteville, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a nonprofi t organization. The group began with one program named New Choices. The Business Center and a housing program named Lease to Home were added later to complement the fi rst program and address the needs of the community. The new name refl ects what the Center has been doing for more than 11 years. CEED provides assistance and programs for people who have gone through personal problems and are seeking to return to the work force; helps people to become homeowners; and offers credit counseling and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners, both men and women. The Center’s 20 years of service in the community have generated tremendous benefi ts not only for its clients but for the entire community. For example, in the past fi ve years serving small entrepreneurs, the Business Center has helped more than 4,000 clients and provided 200 business loans totaling $2.4 million. “My vision 20 years ago was to serve women as a resource and referral center. My vision for the next 20 years is to expand housing programs for low income families and individuals, particularly lease-to-own affordable housing, as well as to expand our Business Center to serve a larger area to empower small business owners to expand their services,” said Sylvia Ray, founder and director of CEED. For more information, contact WCOF by visiting our Web site, www.wcof.org, or call 910-323-3377. JUNE 30-JULY 6, 2010 UCW 3 www.upandcomingweekly.com Subscribe Now!

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