Columbia newsmakers

Merchants Association crowns queen

The Merchants Association of Columbia County sponsored the 30th annual Columbia County Fair Scholarship Pageant on Sept. 21 at Evans High School.

Tori Ray, the daughter of Stewart and Rita Ray, Evans, was crowned queen and awarded a $500 scholarship. She will compete in Atlanta at the State Fair Pageant in January. Tori also won the talent and swimsuit portions of the pageant.

First runner-up, Leigh Ann Hobbs, Avera, Ga., was awarded a $250 scholarship. Rachael Rosada, Martinez, second runner-up, received a $150 scholarship.

Jessica Callan, of Evans, was named third runner-up and won the pageant's Miss Congeniality award.

Stars competed in Macon tournament

The Columbia County Stars traveled to Macon for the Fall Classic USSSA Qualifying Tournament on Sept. 6.

After starting out with a 9-1 loss to the Stockbridge Braves, the team beat the Auburn Crush 14-1, the PJL Stars 12-0, and the Macon Redstixx, the No. 1 Georgia ranked USSSA team, by 14-6.

The 3-1 record left them in a three-way tie in which they were awarded second place and a chance to compete in the 2003 USSSA World Series.

Cousins compete in soapbox derby

Cousins Corey Brush and Danni Adcox represented Augusta for the last time in the Rally division of the All-American Soap Box Derby national competition in Akron, Ohio.

Local students enter private university

Three Columbia County students entered Liberty University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Lynchburg, Va.

Adrienne Daniels, of Martinez, Evans High graduate Erin Diamond, of Evans, and Greenbrier High School graduate Matthew Seymore, of Grovetown, entered the university as freshmen this fall.

Lakeside grad trains on Navy sub

Navy Seaman James D. Anderson, a Lakeside High School graduate, recently completed the Basic Enlisted Submarine Course at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn.

During the five-week course, Anderson learned basic theory, construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines, and basic hydraulics, water and air systems, shipboard organization, damage control and sub safety and escape procedures.

Anderson participated in reality simulators, firefighting and flood control on submarines and practiced escaping from a simulated sinking sub.

Anderson, son of Rosemary and James A. Anderson, Appling, joined the Navy in April 2002.