Maryknoll School teacher Lance Suzuki is the Hawai'i winner of the 2006-07 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. One teacher from each of the 50 states is recognized with a $1,000 prize.

Suzuki teaches Advanced Placement economics and statistics and is the faculty adviser for Maryknoll's math team.

This is the second national award for Suzuki, who was honored in 2005 with the Nasdaq National Teaching Award. Suzuki holds a bachelor's degree in economics, math and government from Claremont McKenna College and a master's degree in international policy studies from Stanford University.

A faculty member at Maryknoll School since 2000, Suzuki currently teaches AP economics and AP statistics and also has developed curriculum for and taught algebra and U.S. history.

The Siemens Award recognizes teachers and high schools making significant strides in AP. Teachers with a minimum of five years of teaching experience in math, science or technology courses are selected for their exemplary teaching and enthusiastic dedication to the students in the AP program.

ORATORY COULD BE WORTH $18,000

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, students from five Hawai'i high schools will be vying for a national scholarship award worth $18,000.

The winner of this weekend's competition, which is part of the 69th annual American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest, will go on to represent Hawai'i in the national finals April 13 to 15 in Indianapolis.

First-place winner of the national finals receives an $18,000 scholarship, with the next two finishers receiving $16,000 and $14,000, respectively.

The Hawai'i competition will be held at the Sacred Hearts Academy auditorium. The finalist will receive $500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the national finals.

All state winners who participate in the first round of the national finals also will earn a $1,500 scholarship. Contestants advancing to the second round will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.

KYOGEN WORKSHOP AT LIBRARY IS FREE

The Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library will host a "Kyogen: On the Go!" free mini-performance and workshop at 5:30 p.m. March 14 in the library's atrium.

Kyogen, which translates as "mad words" or "wild speech," is a form of classical Japanese comic theater. The 75-minute event is co-sponsored by the UH-Manoa Outreach College's Statewide Cultural Extension Program and the Friends of the Library of Hawai'i.

Call the library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.

The library is at 3225 Salt Lake Blvd., across from the Salt Lake Shopping Center. For more information, call the library at 831-6831.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR GERONTOLOGY STUDY

Applications for a $5,000 scholarship from the Japanese Women's Society are being accepted until March 31.

Applicants must be graduate students enrolled in or accepted into a graduate degree program in the fields of medicine, nursing, public health, social work or arts and sciences, with a focus on gerontology/geriatrics. Information and e-applications are available at www.jwsf.org.

Applicants must be Hawai'i residents who plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university. They must be able to demonstrate financial need, academic achievement and solid moral character.