Newsweek Names 4 Columbia Schools Among 'America's Best High Schools'

The magazine's 2013 rankings came out Monday.

On mobile? You can see interactive map here. Newsweek has ranked four of Columbia's high schools among its list of the best high schools in the country. In its list, Atholton High School ranked 772; Oakland Mills High School ranked 1,596; Wilde Lake High School ranked 1,765; Long Reach High School ranked 1,897 and Hammond High School was not ranked. See how Columbia schools compare. Here is the full list of Howard County rankings from Newsweek: For its rankings, Newsweek sent out a survey to more than 5,000 high schools in the U.S., with about 2,500 schools responding in 2013. You can see the details about Columbia schools' ranking, and every other ranked high school by clicking on the markers in the interactive map above. The survey …

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Hammond High Students Highlighted for Video Documentaries

Four students won $250 and honorable mentions for their submissions to C-SPAN's video documentary competition.

  Four Hammond High School students won honorable mentions and $250 for their short documentaries submitted as part of CSPAN's 2013 student video documentary competition. Eric Smith, Tim Baker and Bryce Rosenberg, 10th graders at Hammond, received an honorable mention for the documentary "Set the Standard for Safe Fracking" about hydraulic fracking. The students stood in front of Lake Elkhorn, while detailing the dangers of hydraulic fracking. Their video included clips from the well-known fracking documentary "Gasland" and statements from politicians. Monyi Lwin, also a 10th grader at Hammond, received an honorable mention for her documentary "It's Time" about reducing reliance on foreign oil. Lwin's video features animation, news clips, …

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LOOK: Hammond Wins on New Turf

Local leaders cut the ribbon on one of the first three synthetic fields in Howard County on Friday.

By Polly Khoury Delegates Frank Turner and Guy Guzzone, Board of Education Member Ellen Flynn Giles, County Council member Jen Terrasa and Howard County Public School System's Chief Academic Officer, Linda Wise, were all on hand to help Hammond High School officially open their newly installed synthetic turf field. Before kick off of the first game of the season, Principal Marcy Leonard thanked those who worked on the school's behalf, in particular, former Booster President, Ralph Albano, who rallied support for the field among Hammond parents and community members. With over 30 years at Hammond, Joe Russo, Athletic and Activities Manager, cut the ribbon. Hammond won the game 29-0 against Marriott's Ridge. Sign up for the Savage-Guilford …

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UPDATE: Police Looking into Possible Connection of King's Contrivance Robberies

No one was injured in the robberies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to police.

(UPDATE: July 24, 4:50 p.m.) Investigators are looking into the possibility that the three robberies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are related, according to police spokesperson Bryce Buell. "When robberies occur in groups, either by location, time, type of location, or method, police actively look into the possibility they may be connected," Buell told Patch. "With these particular incidents, no definitive conclusions have been made at this time." Buell said the department is still investigating the incidents. --- Three robberies took place in King's Contrivance between early Friday afternoon and late Sunday, according to police. Two of the robberies occurred on Guilford Road and the third was on Early April Way, all within a mile of each…

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Hammond High Grad Who Died of Cancer Honored in 5K

Friends raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation in memory of Michael Panzera, who had a wish fulfilled by the organization.

When Michael Panzera was battling the brain cancer that eventually took his life, he had a dream fulfilled by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A longtime fan of "The Simpsons," Panzera was flown to Los Angeles, where he visited the set of the popular animated comedy and met writers and many of the actors who give their voices and personalities to the show's characters. Panzera, who was diagnosed with brain cancer while a junior at Hammond High School, died at 19 in August 2005, the summer after his freshman year at the University of Maryland. The aspiring special education teacher died before he could fulfill his own dream of helping others, but his friends and family members are committed to that goal in his name. To honor Panzera's memory, …

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Things to Know in Columbia, 11/3

My week has flown by! How about yours?

The Weather: "Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. South wind between 5 and 8 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Light and variable wind." — The National Weather Service Tonight: The Hammond High School GSA sponsors a free screening of Out in Silence: A Film and Campaign for Fairness and Equality in Rural and Small Town America in the school's auditorium on November 3 beginning at 7 p.m. The film deals with the announcement of the filmmaker's wedding to another man and the backlash that it ignites in his small rural hometown somewhere in Pennsylvania. This viewing is free for all students, staff, parents and community members. Thanksgiving Stories Wanted: I'm working on a story about family Thanksgiving traditions. I'm…

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Things to Know in Columbia, 10/7

I can't believe it's time to start raking leaves!

The Weather "Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind." — The National Weather Service Shout-Out: A tip of the hat to the Hammond High School Chamber Choir, which opened Wednesday night's bullying symposium with a bluesy version of "This Little Light of Mine," with a twist of gospel treatment thrown in as well. Director Ross Rawlings told me that the same group of 16 singers also doubles as the school's madrigal group, so the performance was a bit of a stretch. I sure couldn't tell — they were great! Getting to Know You As you have figured out, I'm new to Columbia. I have visited, played and shopped in Columbia in the past (who hasn't been to Merriweather?), but this will be my first chance to really get to know the community "up close and …

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Daily PatchCast

PatchCast: Columbia Mall Armed Robbery, Students Explore Wind Energy and Local Lacrosse

A look at some of the week's headlines from around the region.

Armed Robbery at Columbia Mall Jewelry Store; Police Seeking Suspects No Turbine Required: Wind Powers Education at Ellicott City School Boys’ Lacrosse: Hammond Can’t Keep Pace With River Hill

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VIDEO: Hammond-Southern Playoff Game Decided as Time Expires

Golden Bears get their first taste of playoff victory, despite post-game scuffle.

Technically, the only lead Hammond had in the 48 minutes of football last night was for 88 seconds of the third quarter. But after an incredible pass drive, the Golden Bears broke a goal-line stand as time expired to win the first playoff game they have seen in 25 years. Southern had an early lead in the first quarter, with a touchdown reception by running back Davonte Burke, but the teams battled evenly for the next 14 minutes. Hammond running back Devon Paye ended the silence with a short touchdown rush with 5:49 left in the half. Within two plays, though, Southern was back on the board with a 63-yard Burke touchdown reception from quarterback Hunter Riggs. Missing an extra point, Southern cruised into halftime sitting on a 13-7 lead. …

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Bryan Goehring

9:13 am on Sunday, November 14, 2010

Actually, Southern was called for three other unsportmanslike conduct penalties. They were also jawing with the referees the entire game. My son plays on the Dline and he said that they (Southern) players were punching and kicking the entire game not to mention all the trash talking. I was very impressed the way the Hammond players help their cool the entire game. It is unfortunate the scuffle …   more ›

Hammond Coach Brings Wins, Has 'Nothing to Hide'

Coach Dan Makosy in search of playoff victories and privacy after dismissal from Damascus.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story originally ran Friday, November 12. Considering the short time between the original story and the Hammond victory over Southern last week, the editor has chosen to republish the article and update facts in anticipation of the regional final playoff game at McDonough. Only the popping of cleats on tile floor and the slamming of lockers could be heard for a moment in the locker room. "Uh-huh," says Coach Dan Makosy, into a cell phone. "You guys lost to South River, right?" Silence. "Yeah, well if you give us South River, we'll give you River Hill – a loss for a loss," says Makosy. "Okay, I'll get one of my guys to meet you halfway." A handful of assistant coaches sit scattered around the room, looking back and …

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