By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

The Scholars Bowl team at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School picked up where it left off last winter with an exciting championship performance at Monday's season opener at Norton.

The Monarchs, who finished first or second at every regular-season tournament last year, went 6-1 in pool play Monday, then beat Stockton in the semifinals to get a shot at the host school.

Norton lead 65-60 with just one question remaining, but the Monarchs answered that question correctly to pull out a 70-65 comeback victory.

Although it lost some veterans off last year's team, TMP-Marian has promise to be strong again this year with four returnees from the '07-08 team -- seniors Nathan Felder and Paul Flesher and sophomores Alex Becker and Tanner Younie.

Rounding out the team Monday were freshmen Samantha Wilson and Kaleb Stark, the younger brother of former Monarch scholars bowl standout Zach Stark, who graduated last spring.

Hays High to have financial aid work night

Hays High School will host its annual financial aid work night at 7 p.m. Monday in the HHS Lecture Hall.

The work night is for all interested seniors and their parents to learn more about the types of financial aid available for post-secondary education and to learn step-by-step how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Completing the FAFSA is a required step when seeking most types of financial aid from all Kansas colleges and vocational schools, some private trade schools and most out-of-state colleges.

The FAFSA enables students to apply for need-based scholarships, grants, loans and work study.

Guest speakers for the night will be Vicki Johansen and Dixie Balman, financial aid counselors at Fort Hays State University.

For more information about the work night, call the HHS counseling office at (785) 623-2608.

Deadline approaching for restaurant's writing contest

Students wanting to get a chance at winning a savings bond can take part in the Olive Garden Pasta Tales writing contest.

Olive Garden is accepting essays from first- through 12th-graders answering the question, "How would you use the Internet to change your community for the better?"

A winner will be named in each grade, earning a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at an Olive Garden restaurant.

The overall winner will receive a $2,500 savings bond and a trip to New York City for dinner at the Times Square Olive Garden.

Essays must be between 50 and 250 words and be mailed or submitted online by Dec. 19.

Entry forms and complete rules can be found on the Web at www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp, as well as in all Olive Garden restaurants.