For the past three years, Kate Eckert, hiring manager at Clark's Ace Hardware in Ellicott City, has had HC DrugFree's Teen Job and Volunteer Fair to thank for finding most of her cashiers and loaders.

"I love coming to these things," she said at the event, which was held March 7 at Long Reach High School. "It's our way of giving back to the community."

The event, sponsored by the nonprofit HC DrugFree organization, whose goal is to empower the community to raise drug-free teens, has been held every year since 2005. It includes exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations, executive director Laura Smit said.

This year, there were 99 exhibitors -- ranging from Six Flags America to The Volunteer Center serving Howard County to the Howard County Library -- and more than 700 parents and 1,300 teens attended the event.

"Every year, it gets bigger and better," Smit added.

Hammond High School senior Zakia Gilmore was impressed by the number of exhibitors and amount of information available, particularly the "Dress for Success" fashion show that was aimed at showing teens proper business attire.

Centennial High School sophomore Rachel Gertler, who was at the event looking for a summer job or volunteer opportunity, said she enjoyed meeting with different vendors and felt she got a lot out of the experience.

"I know a lot of my friends would benefit from (the event)," she added.

Her mother, Stephanie Gertler, also thought the event was beneficial.

"For somebody just getting into the job market, I think it's a great experience," she said of the fair.

* Hammond Middle School's student variety show, HMS Live, will be held Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the school's gym. Admission is $2, or $1 and a canned or nonperishable food item. Contact Susan Costenbader at 301-776-8820 or Adrienne Trainor at 301-317-9315 for more information. The school is at 8110 Aladdin Drive, in North Laurel.

* River Hill High School's PTA is holding a Yard Sale Saturday, March 14, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. inside the school. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $20 registration fee. The school is at 12101 Route 108, in Clarksville. Call 410-531-4939.

* Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School will hold its annual International Night March 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. The school is at 13400 Triadelphia Road, in Ellicott City.

* Bushy Park Elementary School's Leo Club is sponsoring a shoe drive for the Soles4Souls organization. For more information, contact Kathy Perry at 410-313-5500.

* The PTAs from Patapsco Middle School and Mt. Hebron High School are holding a spring mulch sale. Orders are due by April 3 and mulch can be picked up at Patapsco Middle on April 18. To place an order, volunteer or get more information, go to www.mulchsale.net or call Rhonda Canham at 410-480-2472.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

---

user comments (0)