`Kudos for Brookfield teacher, students for CyberFair success`

By James A. Raykie Jr.
Editor, The Herald

THE HERALD AND NEWSPAPERS across the country are criticized by their readers for a lack of good news. Gleaned from pages of The Herald, these are people deserving a round of applause.

To MARY HUDSON, a teacher at Addison Elementary School in Brookfield, and her class of gifted students, who placed third in their category in the International School CyberFair '96. The students had to design and compose a home page on the World Wide Web, and they did for the category of local businesses and community organizations. The teacher got the idea for the students while exploring the Internet last February. ``We wanted to share a lot of information about ourselves, and this is what we have a lot of,'' said Carli Brant, 10, about their selection of the businesses and organizations category. Other winning students were Jessica Zebroski, Sarah Bates, Nikki Baker, Melissa Simeon, Jonathan Mosora, Nick Ferrara, Zac Wike, Holly Roscoe, Patrick Brennan, Sara Jugenheimer, Luke Eliser and Jeff Price.
To JOE GILL of West Middlesex, who despite the majorimpairment of being unable to hear, has beaten some incredible odds in accomplishing a great deal at West Middlesex Area High School. Joe, 15, underwent a cochlear transplant six years ago, when a powerful microprocessor was connected to a transmitter surgically implanted in one side of his head. What he hears is far different than people without hearing problems, but that hasn't stopped him. ``He has made honor roll every nine weeks since he came here in seventh grade,'' said his mother Diana. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as well. He is thinking about a career as a robotics engineer.
To LISA DAVIS of Masury, a sophomore at Brookfield High School, who won the zone, regional and state speaking competitions of the optimist International State Oratorical contest. It is a case of perseverance and practice for Lisa, who give her first speech in the contest as a sixth-grade student. ``I failed miserably. It was awful. I did not place anywhere,'' she told Herald reporter Denise Kadilak. She lives with her mom, Nanette, and her sister, Angela Prater. Both support Lisa's speaking skills, but are encouraging her to look at another major when college rolls around. ``They think I'm smart and should be more practical. But I'd rather be happy and poor than rich and miserable,'' she said.
To MERRILL H. ``Bucky'' GILES, who is retiring after 26 years with the Mercer Area School District. In his most recent job, he was administrative assistant. Giles, 59, has been an educator for nearly 40 years, doing everything from driving bus to coaching in addition to teaching. He came to Mercer from West Middlesex High School, where he served as assistant high school principal in 1970. ``They wanted to talk to me and I've been here since. But it's time to look at some other things,'' Giles said. The Wilmington High Schol graduate said he'll travel, fish and work around his West Middlesex-area house.
To EMILY BOBBY of Farrell, who as tipstaff in charge of jurors at Mercer County Courthouse watches over the herds of potential jury candidates and makes sure they are where they need to be and out of places they shouldn't be. ``Sarge,'' as she's called, dodges the issue of her age, but recently celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her husband, Carl. ``I love people. I would take this job for nothing,'' she told Herald reporter Jim Martin. ``I don't argue with the people. I only argue with my husband.''
To LOUIS A. DeNOME of New Wilmington, who will be named Mercer County Labor Management Committee person of the year for his role as a founder and leader of the Mercer County Health Care Alliance. DeNome, who is a vice president at Armco Corp.'s Sawhill Tubular Division in Sharon, will receive the honor at a dinner June 24 at the Rosemont banquet and conference center in Sharon.

James A. Raykie Jr. is editor of The Herald. This column appears on page A-2 each Sunday.