Three recent high school graduates -- Andrew Byun, Megan Orth and Hope Llanso -- received scholarships from Special Olympics of Howard County as a recognition of their volunteer service.

Byun, a Glenelg High School graduate, was named the winner of this year's Jackie Burk Memorial Award for the Outstanding Student Volunteer and received a one-time scholarship of $1,500. Byun helped coach three sports: tennis, bowling and bocce. When he saw the need for permanent bocce courts, he made building those courts his Eagle Scout project. He worked with the county recreation department to find a place for the courts at Cedar Lane Park. He also obtained grants from the Columbia Foundation and Wal-Mart and donations from other local businesses to fund the project. Byun will go to Penn State University this fall.

Orth received the Allan Homes Award of $1,000 as an Outstanding Student Volunteer. She volunteered with SOHO for three years in cross country, track and field and softball. She also raised $800 for the Inspiration Walk and provided a cheering section for the SOHO volleyball tournament. Orth, a Centennial graduate, will attend Michigan State.

Llanso, a River Hill graduate, was the runner-up for the Allan Homes Award and received $500. She has been an aquatic coach for Special Olympics for the past three years.

Boat Float holds water

The Boat Float June 13 held on, and sometimes in, Lake Kittamaqundi provided the large crowd on hand with the usual cheers and groans as 23 cardboard boats tried to reach the finish line before sinking. Some boats didn't make it 10 yards.

The first entrant, the Yellow Submarine, did a single revolution as boat and crew went down almost immediately. Rotoract's entry was a combination boat and vacuum cleaner. It didn't sink just once; it sank twice.

The Boat Float sponsors, the combined Rotary Clubs of Howard County, deserve to be recognized for putting this event on year after year. Most of the boat crews are young people who end up combining math, science and teamwork in an effort to try to keep their boat afloat. Add to that the enthusiasm of the crowd and you have a win-win situation for everybody. I can't wait until next year.

Youngsters try triathlon

The Atholton Swim Club hosted its first annual USA Triathlon June 7. Youngsters aged 5 to 17 competed. The different age groups had different distances to cover. The running and bike events were confined to the Allview/Arrrowhead area. Lucy Carruth, a club member, was the triathlon's director.

"This was about kids feeling good, safe and comfortable (and giving) something completely new a try without pressure or expectation," she told me. Lucy also pointed out that the event was "100 percent" powered by volunteers.

The large turnout for the club's first event means that there definitely will be a second next year.

Klose wins Munson Award

Ellicott City resident and Mount St. Joseph's junior Andrew Klose received the Eric Munson Award at the school's annual lacrosse banquet. The award is given to the junior who made a substantive contribution to the success of the St. Joe lacrosse team during the season. The award was established by the Munson family in memory of their late son.

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