Published: December 12, 2008 11:45 pm      

12-13 Education news in brief

EDMOND — Cimarron student named to honor choir

Graydon Lidia, an eighth-grade student at Cimarron Middle School recently was selected for the American Choral Directors Association National Junior High Honor Choir. He is one of 200 fifth through 10th-grade students selected for this choir out of 1,200 entries received from across the nation. The choir will be performing at the National Convention in Oklahoma City scheduled for March at the Civic Center.



Edmond home-schooler makes Eagle Scout

Harris Sweigart, 15, a member of BSA Troop 11 in Edmond, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Sweigart is the son of Kurt and Jane Sweigart of Edmond. His father is the Outdoor Coordinator for the troop.

For his Eagle project, Sweigart planned and carried out the construction of an in-ground worm composting bin at Keystone Adventure School and Farm in Edmond. This project involved 178 hours, including his supervision of nine youth volunteers and six adult volunteers. Sweigart, a former Keystone student, loves the school and said he was happy to provide this service to them.

He has earned 43 merit badges, 22 more than are required for the Eagle rank.

A ninth-grader, Sweigart is homeschooled.

As a first-grader, Sweigart joined Cub Scouts in 2000 and, with his Arrow of Light Award, crossed over to Boy Scouts in 2005. As a Boy Scout, he has served as Den Chief, Troop Historian, Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. He is currently the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He enjoys doing service work, particularly ushering at University of Oklahoma home football games. He received the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award in 2007.

Sweigart’s future plans including developing a wildlife refuge, on which he would like to have a Scout camp. He also hopes to establish a school to meet the needs of children who learn differently.

Troop 11, which was organized and is led by homeschool families, meets twice a month at the Memorial Road Mennonite Brethren Church in Edmond. First-graders can join Tiger Cubs. Cub Scouts is for boys ages 7-11. Boys ages 11-18 participate in Boy Scouts. Scoutmaster Jeff Massey said he was “very proud” of Sweigart.

“Harris has worked exceptionally hard in attaining this prestigious distinction,” Massey said, “and his family has faithfully supported his diligence. Harris and his family are to be commended for their devotion to Troop 11 and to Scouting.”

For more information about Troop 11 or Pack 1, visit the web site, http://www.homeschoolscouts.org/troop11.