Decorating educational at King's Fork High

The cafeteria staff at King’s Fork High is to be commended for its division-wide win in the district’s holiday decorating contest. Jackie Cross and Alvin Harris were the instigators in getting staff and students engaged in the contest. Using donated materials, students made ornaments with the bulldog mascot theme for the cafeteria tree. And in Monica Smith’s English class, students were making gingerbread houses as part of their action research. Students read “The Gingerbread Man,” researched the history of gingerbread, and wrote essays and business letters. Students had to write captions for gingerbread houses that they liked, draw their own creations and write a poem or rap on their gingerbread creation. It was a spirited interpretation on a traditional holiday theme.   

There are numerous radio talk shows devoted to improving your financial health. Eight four-person teams of DECA marketing students from King’s Fork High got experience by competing in the seventh annual Stock Market Challenge sponsored by Junior Achievement of Hampton Roads. Seventy-seven teams competed; three from King’s Fork placed in the top 25. The VAL Jay Incorporated team finished highest in ninth place with a net worth of more than $1 million. The challenge is a modern technology-based twist on a Monte Carlo-style event creating an atmosphere of fun, excitement and competition. Stakes are high, synergy electric and the money imaginary. The goal of each of team is to accumulate the highest net worth. Teams are given a list and description of 26 fictitious stocks as well as $500,000 to invest in their desired portfolio. On the date of the event, teams gather and prepare for the opening bell. Once the gong is rung, the market is open and each day is only 60 seconds long. Trading takes place for two 30-day sessions. Teams track the performance of their portfolios and view their standings on three big screens at the front of the room. Throughout the event, news releases, stock tips, and portfolio printouts bombard the teams. Interpreting the information is crucial to their success. Teams make trades by attracting the attention of a floor trader who is equipped with a handheld computer that instantly enters the team’s orders via wireless transmissions. All transactions occur in real time, which further adds to the drama and thrill of the moment. Kudos to marketing coordinator Lisa Quinn for encouraging so many Bulldogs to participate.

Home Instead Senior Care Community Service Representative Deneen Evans was instrumental in initiating the Be a Santa to a Senior program for residents of the Oakwood Assisted Living facility on East Washington Street. The downtown Suffolk Walmart allowed a decorated tree to be set up with wish-list tags for more than 80 low-income residents with little or no family. Gift requests were simple: toiletries, slippers, socks, blankets and throws. Deneen was overwhelmed with the response! Folks are quite familiar with the Salvation Army Angel Tree concept for kids; but this provided an opportunity for extending Christmas cheer to some seniors who may have seen this cherished holiday fade in importance. Deneen is looking forward to expanding the program in 2012 and insuring these elders feel the love Suffolk can extend.

Do you have a story to share about yourself, a family member or neighbor? Please let me know at k.billue@charter.net so I can spread your news to Your Corner!

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