OUR VIEW: Local kids deserve props for hard work

Staff Editorial
Published: September 5, 2008

» SUMMARY: A number of Culpeper young people have been recognized lately for their accomplishments.

If any of her teachers should ask how she spent her summer vacation, Culpeper County High School sophomore Jessie Nerkowski has a ready answer.

Jessie wanted the community to know that despite the opening of Eastern View High School, plenty of Blue Devil pride still filled the halls of CCHS. So she spearheaded an effort to clean up and repaint areas of the school, donating more than 250 hours of her time.

Principal Jeff Dietz recognized Jessie’s efforts, awarding her the first “Blue Devil Pride” plaque at an assembly the first day of school.

We commend Jessie — as well as the 50 to 100 other students, parents and faculty members who helped over the course of the summer — for seeing a need and stepping forward to meet it. It’s good to see young people who care enough to make a difference.

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FUTURE STARS: Five area youths showed their football skills recently, taking first-place honors in the local Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick competition hosted by the Culpeper County Parks and Recreation Department.

Kevin Devine, Gabe Farmer, Tristan Weakley, Nicole Willing and Ashley Miller rose to the top of their divisions. They are now eligible to compete in the Washington Redskins sectional competition Oct. 12 at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton. Best of luck, guys and gals!

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WATER POWER: Natalie Coughlin won six medals in Beijing. But the 26-year-old may have some competition if she’s still swimming by the time the 2016 games roll around.

OK, it may be a stretch to compare 10-year-old Annie Boone of Culpeper to multimedal winner Coughlin. But Olympic stars have to start somewhere, and Annie is one of the top swimmers in her age group in Virginia. She was one of 16 girls age 10 and younger from Virginia to advance to the East Coast Zone competition in Potomac, Md., last month.

Way to go, Annie! Keep up the good work.