West metro school briefs

National Achievement program semifinalists The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced the high school seniors who are semifinalists in the 47th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program.

They will go on to compete this spring for about 800 awards worth more than $2.5 million.

Local semifinalists are Omar K. Bushara of Eden Prairie's International School of Minnesota, Jade A. Carter of Edina High School, Imadeldin Makawi of Mahtomedi High School, Candice K. Akiti of The Blake School in Minneapolis, Mayyadda M. Major of Breck School in Minneapolis, Nathan C. Wilson of De La Salle High School in Minneapolis and Jabari C. Jones of South High School in Minneapolis.

MOA hosts third 'thinkPINKkids Day' The annual "thinkPINKkids Day," a student-led event that aims to raise awareness and funding for finding a cure for breast cancer, is set for Saturday at the Mall of America.

In its third year, the effort has raised more than $56,000 to fund research projects at the University of Minnesota's Cancer Research Center, Scripps Research Institute and Bosom Buddies.

The event starts with a 5K walk at 8 a.m. Then bands from Bloomington Jefferson and Kennedy high schools will lead walkers around the mall. Timberwolves dancers, Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders and the Vikings' mascot Viktor the Viking will cheer on participants. At 9 a.m., the walk will end with a celebration.

Cost of registration is $10 for students or $15 for adults. For more information, go to www.thinkpinkkids.com.

The event, open to children ages 4 to 14, will take place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the St. Louis Park school's Haben Center.

No dance experience is necessary. It costs $35 to register before Oct. 23, or $40 for same-day registration. For more in formation or to register, go to the school's main office or www.bsmsports.org.

Northport Elementary tops in summer reading Robbinsdale School District students read more for than 11,000 hours over the summer, and their schools claimed the top three spots among Minnesota students participating in a national competition.

Students at eight Robbinsdale schools participated in the annual Scholastic Read for the World Record Summer Challenge.

Students at Northport Elementary in Brooklyn Center were tops in the state, reading a total of 199,190 minutes over the summer, or 3,319 hours. Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School in New Hope came in second in the state with 156,000 minutes (2,600 hours), and Neill Elementary in Crystal was third with 131,370 minutes (2,189 hours).

For more information on the program, go to www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.htm .

Fundraiser for science field trip A fundraiser will be held this month to help ensure Westonka School District students can take a field trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minn.

The Oct. 16 event will benefit Shirley Hills Primary School fourth-graders so they can attend the annual science field trip to northern Minnesota.

The fundraiser will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mound American Legion. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. and includes prizes such as Twins memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates and Minnesota Gopher hockey tickets.

Vikings cheerleaders will pose for pictures and sign autographs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event also includes music and food.