Huntington's Disease Society of America hosts hoop-a-thon

We at the Huntington's Disease Society of America, North Carolina Chapter, believe it is important to help families in North Carolina affected by Huntington's Disease, including the children. This year, we are putting on a youth-focused hoop-a-thon on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 8:30 am to noon at Gravelly Hills Middle School in Orange County. Geoff Schwarts of the Carolina Panthers will be participating as a team captain of one of the teams, and we will also be auctioning off a football signed by Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton. All proceeds will be going to the North Carolina Chapter of Huntington's Disease Society of America to help families in North Carolina affected by Huntington's Disease.
Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder which is caused by an expanded gene in a person's DNA. It is is also a neurodegenerative disorder, which means the condition affects the cells of the brain and causes damage over time. This stops the brain and body from working as well as they used to. As a result, people develop symptoms of Huntington's disease. These symptoms can be divided into three main types: involuntary movements, cognitive and behavioural. Currently, there is no cure for Huntington's, and there is a 50 percent chance of it being passed on to offspring. It is fatal. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with Huntington's have a juvenile form, which is much worse than adult onset.

Hillsborough police, UNC Habitat to resume tutoring Jan. 23

Free tutoring sessions offered by the Hillsborough Police Department and UNC Habitat for Humanity will restart Jan. 23.
The sessions—available to youths in Orange County Schools—will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday at the Community Policing Substation, 501 Rainey Ave. UNC students will offer tutoring in all subjects except computers.
The Police Department and UNC Habitat began offering the free tutoring in 2008.
For more information or to register, contact Cpl. Tereasa King at (919) 732-2441, ext. 26.

Pet Pals celebrates one year expanded service

No one can deny the immediate connection between humans and dogs. Wendy Stewart, school social worker at Hillsborough Elementary School and Partnership Academy, capitalized on that bond a few years ago when she first certified her pooch, Ella, as a therapy dog and began bringing her into Partnership. This spring, Wendy's program—dubbed Pet Pals—celebrated its first year using community volunteers (instead of just Wendy's dogs). About 15 volunteers visit five different Orange County schools, watching their canines help children of various ages read and practice social behavior.

For more information, see the Wednesday, June 15, edition of the News of Orange.

All life's a stage...but sometimes, you need a real one

C.W. Stanford Middle School in Hillsborough finally broke ground for its new free-standing auditorium—a nice change from using the school cafeteria. And it's been a long time in coming! In its 41-year history, the middle school has never had its own auditorium.
See next week's paper (Feb. 9) for more details about the upcoming theater and how it will affect Stanford Middle School students!
Preview picture—Orange County Schools Superintendent Patrick Rhodes gives applauding students the thumbs up after the ground breaking ceremony.