SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium seeks top 10 Young Environmentalists

In an online contest, SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium is giving 10 students, between ages 8-12, the chance to earn a spot on its SEA LIFE Young Environmentalist panel.

The aquarium is set to open at Concord Mills this spring.

The panelists will share SEA LIFE's "Breed, Rescue, Protect" conservation message at their schools, get an annual pass to the aquarium and participate in grand-opening events.

To enter, students must:
1. Write a 200-word essay that answers, "How can you protect your favorite endangered sea creature?"
2. Create a piece of art, using any medium, illustrating the endangered sea creature.
3. Be willing to talk to their school and class about the importance of taking care of sea creatures.

Submissions are due by Nov. 18, and are accepted through Facebook at www.facebook.com/SEALIFECharlotteConcord or by email to YoungE@SEALIFEUS.com. To view terms and conditions, click here.

All entries will go on the aquarium's Facebook page, and winners will be chosen and announced in December.

Nash Grier said to meet with Disney star Zendaya in Charlotte

Zendaya.
Photo courtesy zendaya.com

Attention Vine-viewers: Expect some Vines this weekend from Nash Grier with Disney Channel star Zendaya.

After a whirlwind trip to New York City, local Vine sensation Nash Grier said he'll meet with her and film some Vines.

Vines are six-second, looping videos.

Zendaya stars as Raquel "Rocky" Blue in Disney's "Shake It Up!" and is currently recording her first album.

Nash filming at GMA this week.
Photo courtesy Elizabeth Grier-Floyd

She will be in a "Beats by Dre" commercial with Cam Newton and is coming to Charlotte this weekend to meet him, promote her album and sing the national anthem at a game, Panthers officials said.

Nash, a 15-year-old sophomore at Davidson Day, returned this week from New York where he was featured on "Good Morning America" and "Inside Edition."

He said the national attention was spurred by the Observer's story about him that was published Monday. According to rankzoo.com Friday, he is the 20th most-followed person on Vine with more than 1.6 million followers.

St. Mark Catholic raises more than $62,000 for diabetes research

St. Mark Catholic officials gave a final tally this week that students raised more than $62,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes for the school's annual spring service project.

They raised money through penny wars, a raffle, family donations and corporate matches.

Students learned about what it's like living with diabetes and the importance of finding a cure when five of the school's students who have Type 1 diabetes presented a video showing how they test their blood sugar, make safe food choices and give themselves insulin.

This is the second year in a row that St. Mark has been the school to raise the most amount of money for the JDRF Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes, said school volunteer Amy Burger.