LOCAL BRIEFS

The Brainerd High School economics' team took fourth place Thursday in the Minnesota State Economics Challenge in St. Paul.

Brainerd competed in the David Ricardo Division along with four other schools. Hibbing won the division, Wayzata took second, Fairmont third and Fergus Falls fifth.

On the Brainerd team were Grant Bowers, Christina Roberts, Jessie Rosenthal and Maggie Sweeney. The team was coached by Dave Stark and was sponsored by Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

Brainerd Fun 'N' Friends program to be honored

The Brainerd Community Education Fun 'N' Friends program will be honored for its commitment for striving to meet the essential needs of young people by America's Promise.

America's Promise is a collaborative network that builds upon the collective power of communities to help fulfill five promises that include the more support young people receive from their community the more likely they are to be successful.

The Fun 'N' Friends program at Baxter and Lowell elementary schools will be presented a certificate Tuesday and Nisswa and Lincoln elementary schools will be presented a certificate Wednesday. The program at Garfield Elementary School also will be recognized.

The Brainerd lakes area has been a Community of Promise since June 2002.

Brainerd school planning committee to meet Friday

The Brainerd School District's Long Range Planning Committee will meet 11:30 a.m. Friday in the multi-purpose room at the Brainerd School District Learning Center office to hear presentations on partnerships with area school districts.

Presenters will be Bob Meeks and John Sylvester, both of the Minnesota School Board Association, and Tom Watson, a consultant.

Brainerd woman wins trip to child-care conference

A Brainerd woman won an all-expense paid trip to the National Association for Family Child Care Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Kathy Stevens was selected from four finalists. Stevens was chosen because of the quality of her family child care business; her advocacy for child-care issues; and her community involvement. Her selection as a finalist is a recognition of her dedication and contributions she makes to children in her care and the child-care community.

The sponsor of the trip is Providers Choice Inc., a non-profit corporation that provides services to family child-care providers.

Five Brainerd school volunteers recognized

Five volunteers in the Brainerd School District were recently recognized by the Outstanding Layperson in Education Committee.

In the senior citizen category, Alyce Gibson was honored for volunteer time at Riverside Elementary School and Ann Grussing for time at Whittier Elementary School.

In the parent-teacher organization category, Shelly Kennedy was honored for volunteer time at Baxter Elementary School.

In the classroom, media and office category, Greg Skoog was honored for volunteer time at Harrison Elementary School and Nancy Wangstad for time at Nisswa Elementary School.