LC’s John Hagney wins state award

John Hagney tries to model what he expects of his students at Lewis and Clark High School each day.

Hagney’s commitment to practicing and also teaching the importance of service to the community has been noticed across the state.

The social studies teacher was recently one of 12 teachers and other community members to be awarded the first Civic Educator Award from the Washington State Senate. He is the only individual in Eastern Washington to be nominated.

The new award recognizes outstanding civic educators, who are nominated and selected by state senators, for the work they have done in their communities.

Hagney was nominated by Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane.

Hagney joined legislators and the other 11 nominees in Olympia on Wednesday to receive his award.

Part of his nomination stems from a course he has taught at Lewis and Clark since 1994. The Practicum in Community Involvement class is offered to college-bound seniors who wish to make a positive difference in the community.

Students are awarded internships at various nonprofit organizations through the course. They can also earn college credit.

“One of the aspects of the research they do through the internship … is they look for ways to improve the status quo – policy solutions to problems that challenge the nonprofits they serve,” Hagney said.

Hagney also served on the Spokane County Boundary Review board for six years, on the Chase Youth Commission for four years, and has served on the boards of various local nonprofit organizations for more than 20 years.

Spokane earns cash for energy savings

Avista Utilities awarded Spokane Public Schools last week more than $219,000 in rebates for building energy-efficient schools.

Avista officials presented the rebate to the school board at its regular meeting last week.

The district recently completed three new elementary schools – Ridgeview, Lidgerwood and Lincoln Heights – all built with energy-efficient features such as natural lighting and automatic temperature controls.

The district also received a state grant through the U.S. Green Building Council to study the efficiency of the Lincoln Heights school.

The Avista rebates will go back into the capital projects fund for other district building projects and cannot be used for programs paid for through the general fund, said Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for school support services.

Scholarships for drug-free youth

The Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council will award drug-free teens college money through the 2007 Harry Kennedy Memorial Scholarship fund.

Any Spokane County high school student is encouraged to apply for the $1,000 scholarship by submitting an essay highlighting why he or she has chosen to be drug-free.

There will also be one alternate scholarship awarded for $250.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the GSSAC Web site at www.gssacpreventioncenter.com and click on the link for the 2007 Harry Kennedy Memorial Scholarship.

Mead presents old-fashioned melodrama

Mead High School Theatre Department presents a tale with lovers and villains with “Lily, the Felon’s Daughter” beginning Wednesday at the school.

The play is a story of the two lovers and the villain who attempts to keep them apart. The play includes interaction between the audience and cast members, with booing and cheering of the villain and heroine, Karen Brathovde, the school’s theater director, said in a news release.

Performances begin Wednesday and continue through March 3 at 7 p.m., in the school theater, 302 W. Hastings Road.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.