Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 16

1) Newsbit of the Day: Marathon Monday marks the start of spring vacation for Swampscott public schools.

2) Swampscott Scholars: The website reports the following about Paulina Perlin.

 "The SHS senior and student in French 5/AP, has won first prize in the 17th Annual French Language Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Club Richelieu Salem. The contest is open to French language students in North Shore area high schools.  The contest was held on March 21, 2012 at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. This year's topic was: 'Si vous pouviez rencontrer une personne francophone, morte ou vivante, de votre choix, qui choisiriez-vous et pourquoi? Comment imaginez-vous la conversation?'

Paulina wrote and presented a beautiful essay in French about the 19th-century writer George Sand. She wins a $400 cash prize as well as the opportunity to compete in the Regional contest in Manchester, NH.

3) Swampscott Athletics: Big Blue softball plays Winthrop at 10 am on the Forest Avenue softball diamond behind the middle school.

4) Weather Watch:  The National Weather Service is calling for a partly sunny day, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 78. 

5) Business Listing Watch: 

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