ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 1996 TAG: 9610010036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Class notes
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
Libraries across America are marking Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read through Saturday. The week recognizes that Americans have a freedom to choose what they read.
Bookmarks are being handed out to celebrate Freedom to Read Week at the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library system. Jo Brown, associate director of the libraries, said the libraries' weeklong celebration emphasizes the freedom to read aspect rather than the censorship.
"I think it's an important fact that the American public library system in the United States grew in support of a democratic society. The library is one of the ways to support an educated electorate," Brown said.
The Library Bill of Rights, which was adopted June 18, 1948, is a statement that affirms libraries should follow certain guides such as provide materials for all people in the community, present information regarding all points of view and to challenge censorship.
Several area bookstores have on display books that have been challenged - and sometimes successfully censored. Books include Alice Walker's "The Color Purple," and Lee Harper's "To Kill a Mockingbird." To learn more about freedom to read and book censorship, visit your local library.
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Six students at Blacksburg High School have been recognized as Commended Students in the 1997 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1 million students who entered the 1997 Merit Program by taking the 1995 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
The students are all seniors. They are: Bryce Geyer, Evan Hughes, Matthew Ogburn, Amoreena Ranck, Christopher Schlosser and Leigh Waldron.
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It's homecoming week at Pulaski County High School. Activities during the week include dress-up days; contests, such as showcase decoration and floats; and a pep rally. The football team will play Fairfax County's W.T. Woodson High School Friday.
On Wednesday, it will be girls who take the field in the annual powder puff football game. The game, with rules similar to flag football, starts at 7 p.m. in the Kenneth Dobson Stadium. The senior girls will battle the junior girls.
More than 50 teens are on the "roster" of each team. Their coaches are teachers from the school. The senior coaches are Harriet Farris, David Parks and Gary McCoy. The junior coaches are Carla Halstead, Jeff McCoy, Tony Dunford and Gene Owens.
The event will raise money for the junior class to use to throw the prom in the spring. Tickets are $3 for high school students and $1 for middle and elementary students. Children not in school are admitted free.
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Gilbert Linkous Elementary School PTA will have a yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the school's multipurpose room. Items on sale include children's books, toys, clothing, household items, baby equipment and adult clothing. The PTA will accept donations for the sale until Friday. Drop-off can be made at school from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
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The Blue Demon Bank Classic will be Saturday at Christiansburg High School. The program will start at 11 a.m. in the school's athletic complex. Several high school marching bands from the area will participate, including Auburn, Shawsville and Radford high schools. The Christiansburg marching band will be on exhibition.
Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students. Children under 10 are admitted free.
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