By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

MOUNT WASHINGTON - In conjunction with McNicholas High School's Mardi Gras celebration, students will collect school supplies for children in Iraq.

Emily Gruesser 11 (left), Lizzie Vollman 12, and Tom Crotty 12, design a Grecian urn to be drawn and painted on paper in Helen VonHolle's 6th grade art class at Cardinal Pacelli School in Mount Lookout. (Glenn Hartong photo)

Operation Pencil Box will run through Friday. The supplies were requested and will be sent to Maj. William Butler (Class of 1986), who is in command of 700 soldiers of the 173rd airborne brigade in Tikrit, Iraq. The soldiers are restoring school buildings.

Already, 15 boxes of supplies have been sent by students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Anderson Township, where Butler grew up. Schools interested in helping with this project should contact Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 388-4086.

Badin honored for adapting to needs of disabled coach

HAMILTON - Stephen T. Badin High School is among 20 organizations to receive a Leadership Award from the Inclusion Network, an organization that recognizes efforts to include the disabled or those with special needs.

Badin was honored for its initiative to keep Marv McCollum, longtime freshman girls' volleyball coach and varsity assistant, on the coaching staff. He coached in a motorized wheelchair and used oxygen tanks. He died last week.

Marva Collins Prep has open house and registration

SILVERTON - The Marva Collins Preparatory School is accepting registrations for 2004-05 for grades preschool-8.

An open house will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 6760 Belkenton Ave. Information: 761-6609.

Grace Christian Academy opens doors to visitors

WESTWOOD - Grace Christian Academy is holding an open house 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. today, 3628 Boudinot Ave.

Parents can observe a typical school day in session or come after 2:30 to talk with individual teachers. The school offers grades preschool through eight.

Information: 661-8467 or www.GraceMin.org.

Purcell's Hall of Fame ceremony comes with dinner

MOUNT WASHINGTON - Purcell Marian High School will host the 13th annual Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies Monday in the Alumni Hall, 6536 Beechmont Ave.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a social followed by a buffet dinner and a 7:30 awards ceremony. Guest speakers include Jim Hermann, defense coordinator at University of Michigan.

This year's inductees are Tom Kiehfuss (Class of '61), Cliff Pope (Class of '88) and Coach Terry Meinking. Tickets, $30, can be purchased by calling 487-3120 or 751-1230.

St. James of the Valley has kindergarten open house

WYOMING - Parents can go to a kindergarten open house at St. James of the Valley School at either 9:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the school, 411 Springfield Pike.

Principal Melissa Mathis and kindergarten teacher Karen Lucas will give presentations. The school offers half- and full-day kindergarten. Open enrollment for other grades begins Feb. 21.

St. Ann in Hamilton has Mass and open house

HAMILTON - St. Ann Catholic School, 3064 Pleasant Ave., will host an open house 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday. An 8 a.m. Mass will precede the open house. Information: 863-0604.

E-mail items to suek@infionline.net or fax to 755-4150.