Thirty-four high school sophomores and juniors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The students are part of the inaugural class of the Links Youth Docent program class of 2004. They were selected from a diverse group of students from private and public schools, and will receive four months' training about the Freedom Center.

"The training will include history about the Underground Railroad, lots of African-American history and how to conduct tours at the center," said Theresa Henderson, president of the Cincinnati Chapter of Links Inc.

Students were chosen through a competitive application and interview process, Henderson said.

The chapter has provided a $200,000 gift for the Youth Docent Program. The funds came from the Clarke, Edwards, Spencer Fund - the philanthropic arm of the chapter.

Henderson said a committee of the chapter has met for six years planning the program. Committee members along with Henderson include Miriam West, Yvonne Robertson, Carole Rigaud, Regina Daily, Miriam Kinard, Deborah Spradley, Lloyce Jefferson and Deborah Butler.

Retired federal judge William A. McClain gave the students the docent oath Jan. 31. Spencer Crew, CEO and president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, gave a speech to the students.

Links Inc. is an international service organization involved in educational, civic and intercultural activities. There are 54 members in the local chapter.

Lift Every Voice award

For his part in contributing to the growth of ethnic and racial diversity in opera, blazing trails worldwide with his voice, and serving on a panel about discrimination and diversity, Arthur Herndon, a tenor, has been awarded the 2004 Lift Every Voice Legacy Award.

Herndon will be honored at his church, Calvary United Methodist, 3215 Woodburn Ave., Evanston, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will also be a special black history exhibit on display.

"This was quite a surprise to me," said Herndon whose career spans 35 years. "I thought they had forgotten about me."

Herndon received the award at the National Opera Association's 49th annual convention in Kansas City, Mo., last month.

Herndon graduated from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He continued his studies at the Rome Opera House after receiving the prestigious John Hay Whitney Fellowship Award and the Fulbright Scholar Award.

He was the first African-American tenor to have a leading role in a German Opera House when he made his operatic debut in the role Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Staats Theater, Kassel, Germany.

Herndon, 71, lives in Woodlawn.

100 days of school

Students at Mariemont Elementary came up with a unique way to mark the 100th day of school last week.

They started a food drive to benefit the Loveland Interfaith Effort, asking students in each grade to bring a specific kind of canned good. The goal is to gather at least 100 of each item.

The drive runs through the rest of this week.

Susan Fiorina, a fifth- and sixth-grade math teacher, said the effort was a combination of involving the students in math while learning about community service.

"We will package the canned goods and deliver them to a charity," Fiorina said.

Last Tuesday, the kindergarten class of Trisha Short, Sarah Rodgers and Nancy Bobbitt conducted special 100th-day activities.

The students gathered 100 snacks, made crowns and made necklaces out of 100 Froot Loops,10 of each color.

"The idea is to emphasize math," said Principal Sandra Sommer. "The students have to count a hundred of something."

First-graders, led by teachers Elise Zito, Marge Smith and Darlynne Rief, made hats with 100 different items.