Sixteen local Latter-day Saints high school students were honored at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Evans for completing four years of early-morning seminary classes. The students are John Soderquist (standing, from left), Chandler Jones, Austin Evans, Joel Bassett, Auben Kendall, James Hunt, Dakota Richardson, Hyrum Higgins and D. J. Headrick; T'cherise Howard (seated, from left), Alyssa Urbanawiz, Madyline Spencer, Megan Mayfield and Angellica Prather. Not pictured are Brandon Michael Nylen and Vanessa Marie Ingram.
The Merchants Association of Columbia County recognized its scholarship recipients during a monthly meeting at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. This year's recipients are Daniel Banks, Harlem High; Norman Herrington, Harlem High; Kendyl Pennington, Lakeside High; Lauren Lanier, Lakeside High; Morgan Ivey, Greenbrier High; Zachary Pace, Greenbrier High; Falynn Cheek, Evans High; Logan Barnes, Evans High; Stephen Turner, Grovetown High; and Thomas Knight, Grovetown High.
Coach George Adkins of River Ridge Elementary School and parent volunteers Anna De Jong (from left), Jackie Michael and Caroline Matthews made fruit smoothies for pupils. Adkins is a 2011-12 winner of the First Down for Fitness Teacher of the Year through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. The winners were selected from 191 teachers in the Falcons First Down for Fitness program for their commitment and dedication to finding ways to ensure their pupils engage in physical activity for 60 minutes, five days a week, and maintain healthy eating habits.