Community newsmakers
**North Harlem student shakes up 4-H win
Brian Jordan, a student at North Harlem Elementary School, won first place in the Most Nutritious Category of the 4-H Milk Make Competition on Dec. 5 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Brian is the son of Jim and Debbie Jordan, Harlem.
Students from Columbia County schools submitted milk shake recipes through 4-H , which were narrowed to 25 students in five categories who made their creations for judges.
Toccoa graduate
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Lauren E. Rabb graduated summa cum laude from Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa, GA, on Dec, 14, 2002. Rabb completed a double major in the fields of early childhood education and cross-cultural studies. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rabb Jr. of Evans and a 1998 graduate of Greenbrier High School.
Honor Roll
Amanda J. Rabb was named to the Fall Semester 2002 Honor Roll at Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC. A student must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA for this distinction. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rabb Jr. of Evans and a 2002 graduate of Augusta Christian Schools.
Harlem city leaders receive certificates of recognition at conference
Harlem Mayor Scott Dean and City Councilman William Craig Brooks each received the prestigious Certificate of Recognition from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute at the Georgia Municipal Association's (GMA) Mayor's Day Conference on Jan. 27.
The Georgia Municipal Training Institute provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for elected city officials.
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 493 member cities.
Navy seaman graduates from Operations Specialist School
Navy Seaman Jana R. Henderson, whose husband, Arthur, is the son of Carolyn Henderson of Martinez, Ga., recently graduated from Operations Specialist School.
During the course at the Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, Va., students learn to operate surveillance and search radars, recognize and identify electronic signals, control aircraft approach devices and operate electronic navigation systems.
Area educator receives national recognition
Dee Varnadoe, a teacher at Riverside Elementary School, was awarded Reading Renaissance Model Classroom Recertification. Model Classroom certification indicates that Varnadoe's efforts to adopt Reading Renaissance methods have continued to result in measurable increases in student reading performance.
Evans grad heads to Arabian Gulf
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy D. Bell, the son of Sharon J. and Ronny D. Bell of Grovetown, recently departed on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook.
Bell is one of more than 8,000 Atlantic Fleet Sailors and Marines aboard the ships and squadrons of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Battle Group.
Bell's ship is one of the most powerful warships put to sea. The computer-based AEGIS weapons system is the heart of the ship's warfighting capability.
Bell is a 1996 graduate of Evans High School and joined the Navy in Sept. 1996.
Appling man promoted in Coast Guard
Coast Guard Seaman Christopher D. Wigginton, the son of Deborah E. and Dale W. Wigginton of Appling, recenty was promoted to his current rank while serving at Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, N.J.
Wigginton was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.
Wigginton joined the Coast Guard in Nov. 2002.
American Legion honorees
The American Legion National Cmdr. Ronald Conley visited the Augusta areaJan. 31. A banquet honoring the commander took place at Post 205.
Jim Hussey from U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood's office presented the commander with a Congressional award for his 30 years of dedication to veterans.
Conley presented Miriam and Arnold Stein, from Post 192 in Evans, with an appreciation award from Department of Georgia for their outstanding service to veterans and their families.
Local student named candidate in Presidential Scholars program
Ashwin Rajendra, a graduating senior at Augusta Prep, has been named one of more than 2,600 candidates in the 2003 Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 2.8 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2003.
Now in its 39th year, inclusion in the Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed on graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.
Ashwin is the son of Ajita and Dushi Rajendra.
Appling student makes Wofford College dean's list
Allison Paige Cook, the daughter of Tim and Kathy Cook of Appling, made the dean's list of Wofford College for the 2002 fall semester. Cook graduated from Augusta Christian in 2001.
Graduation from UGA
Natalie Brooke Horseman, the daughter of Dr. Bob Horseman and Mrs. Barbara Adkins, graduated from the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development on Dec. 21. Horseman graduated Cum Laude and has been nominated as a Collegiate All-American Scholar.
Columbia County shines at FBLA Region 4 Conference
Greenbrier High School students recently competed at the Region IV Conference in Dublin. Winners included: Theresa Joyce won first place in Economics; Pierre Zellars placed second in Public Speaking II; Jaimie Pate placed second in Business Calculations; Claire Outley took second place in Word Processing I; Geoff Shealy won third place in Accounting II; and Britney Graham placed fifth in Future Business Leader.
Also, Sam Gaston announced his candidacy for state president.
Three students receive Chick-fil-A leadership scholarships
Exemplary leaders and students, Laurel O'Neal of Evans, Brian Baldowski of Augusta and Amanda Morgan of Clearwater have been awarded $1,000 Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarships in recognition of their commitment to personal and professional excellence.
O'Neal is employed at the Chick-fil-A restaurant at the Washington Road Kroger and brings the scholarship total there to 12. The restaurant opened in November 1993. O'Neal is attending Augusta State University where she is studying psychology.
Berry College dean's list announced
Berry College, located in Mount Berry, Ga., students who excelled in the classroom during the 2002 fall semester have been named to the dean's list. The dean's list honors students who earned an academic average of 3.5 or better on a scale of 4.0 while carrying a class load of at least 12 hours during the semester.
Columbia County students making the grade include Joshua Roberts Lee of Martinez, Anthony Michael Chiles of Evans and Christy Deason Hill of Evans.
Local student earns academic achievement
Mark M. DuBose of Martinez made the Academic Achievement List of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Ga.
Academic Achievement is earned by being enrolled in 3 to 14 hours of cources and earning a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
McRae inducted into Order of Gownsmen
Reagan Lee McRae of Evans was inducted into the Order of Gownsmen at the University of the South's opening convocation for the 2003 Easter semester. McRae is the child of Drs. Charles and Peggy McRae.
To become a member of this honorary student organization, students must achieve a superior grade point average.
The University of the South is an independent liberal arts college, owned by 28 dioceses of the Episcopal Church, and located atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau.
Students earn faculty honors at Georgia Tech
The following local residents earned the distinction of Faculty Honors for the fall sememster 2002 at the Georgia Institute of Technology: Kunal Khosla of Augusta, Justine Wayne Gregg of Evans, Aaron Michael Scott of Evans, Victoria Lynne Balcer of Martinez and Christopher Lee Golden of Martinez.
Undergraduate students earning a 4.0 academic average for the semester gain the distinction of Faculty Honors at Georgia Tech.
Making the Georgia Tech 2002 fall semester dean's list was Michael Barton, the son of Bobby and Darlene Barton of Martinez. Barton is a senior majoring in computer engineering.
Augusta student graduates from TCU
Megan Margaret Goodell of Augusta earned a Bachelor of Science in fashion promotion from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth. Commencement exercises were Dec. 21.
Harlem student honored
Jennie Prosnak, a sophomore majoring in mass communication from Harlem, has been selected as Emerging Student Leader of the Semester at Georgia College & State University, announced Dr. Bruce Harshbarger, the vice president for Student Affairs.
Prosnak was selected for the honor by the GC&SU chapter of Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the nation's campus leadership honorary society. She was nominated for the award by Alice Loper, an assistant professor of nursing and director of the Student Health Center.
As the Emerging Student Leader of the Semester, Prosnak will receive a plaque, and will be invited to a luncheon in her honor hosted by GC&SU President Rosemary DePaolo. She is also a finalist for Emerging Student Leader of the Year to be announced in April.
Prosnak is the daughter of Mark and Cindy Prosnak of Harlem. She graduated with honors from Harlem High School where she was the president and a charter member of Interact, a member of Beta Club and Y-Club, treasurer of National Honor Society, editor of the school newspaper, softball captain, and in the Flag Corps.
Program participant
Laura E. Hooks of Augusta, Ga., has been chosen to participate in GEM, the Georgia Education Mentors Program at Georgia College & State University.
Hooks, a junior majoring in informational systems at GC&SU, is the daughter of Mike and Kim Hooks of Augusta. She was an honors graduate of Greenbrier High School in Evans, where she was in the marching band, the wind ensemble, Beta Club, the National Honor Society, Students Against Drunk Driving, and Future Georgia Educators.
At GC&SU, she is a member of the National Panhellenic Council, the Baptist Student Union, Delta Zeta sorority, and the Campus Outreach program. She is also president of Students in Free Enterprise.
**Evans senior chosen for UGA flagline
On Feb. 8, the University of Georgia announced Erin Dayle England of Martinez, as a member of the award-winning Redcoat Marching Band after a highly competitive four-hour audition.
Erin, who is current captain of the Evans High School Flag Corps, was evaluated with others on her ability to learn quickly and accurately and to perform stylistically. The group had only two hours to learn a flag fundamentals routine and a large flag/dance routine including intricate dance steps, high-speed spinning, vertical and horizontal tosses and various difficult flag position changes.
Erin was selected as best new flag her freshman year and top intermediate flag at the 2000 UGA Redcoat Marching Band summer camp, where she received scholarships to attend as a student assistant in 2001 and 2002 and was awarded the Phyllis Dancz award, the highest award UGA presents to high school band auxiliary members.
As first chair oboe in the Evans band, Erin is a member of the school's Wind Ensemble I and the District X Honor Band. She has performed with the Georgia All-State Orchestra and the Air Force Band of the Rockies. She has been offered early admission to UGA and plans to double major in music education and genetics.
**FCCLA members help children collect Valentines
Evans High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members joined the Early Childhood Education preschooler children to collect Valentine cards for children in the Shelter for Abused Children recently.
This community service project was part of the FCCLA's "Helping Children Wherever There is a Need" project and the character education program in the preschool.
Grovetown student selected as Who's Who
B. Darlene Miller, of Grovetown, is among 29 students at Georgia Southern University recently named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Miller is a senior art major.
The juniors and seniors were selected based on grade point average, campus and/or community leadership and service and achievement or recognition in their area of study. Students are nominated by faculty, staff and the student body.
Marine promoted
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Willie L. Terry Jr., whose wife Yolanda, is the daughter of Elna F. Harris of Oxon Hill, Md., and James T. Harris of Evans, was recently promoted to his current rank while serving with the First Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Wing Control Squadron 19, Okinawa, Japan. Terry was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.
Martinez native named to Who's Who
Robert Adams is one of 53 Furman University students selected to be included in the 2003 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Adams, Martinez, was selected based on grade point average, campus and/or community leadership and service and achievement or recognition in their area of study.
Are students graduate from Georgia Southern
Fourteen local students were recently named Fall 2002 graduates of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., They are:
Jeffery Edwin Fox of Appling, B.S. in Justice Studies; Robert Carl Bagwell of Augusta, B.S. in Building Construction; Amy Michelle Banister of Augusta, B.S.in Recreation/Community Leisure Services; Christopher T. Mobley, of Augusta, B.S. in Biology; Ahsha Michelle Diebold of Evans, M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education; Daniel Arthur Hopkins of Evans, B.B.A and M.A. in Accounting; Bonnie Lee Jones of Evans, B.S. in Public Relations; Marie P. Klofenstine of Evans, Ed. in Education Administration; Tynisha Lavonshae of Evans, B.S. in Early Childhood Education; Todd Gregory Oblak of Evans, B.B.A. in Information Systems; Erin Mara Schaeberle of Evans, B.F.A. in Art; Torri Mitchell Jackson of Grovetown, M.Ed. in Counselor Education; Katherine E. Parrish of Grovetown, M.Ed. in Special Education; and Douglas Conrad Varner of Martinez, M.B.A. in Business.
Martinez native makes Dean's List
Anne Stewart Mertins of Martinez was named to the Dean's Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi for the fall 2002 semester. A grade point average of 3.5 to 2.74 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours for listing on the Den's Honor Roll.
Appling native makes Wake Forest Dean's List
Levi Anderson Pollard of Appling was named to the Dean's List at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C., for the fall 2002 semester. A grade point average of at least 3.0 is required to be named to the Dean's List.
Furman names Dean's List
Several local students were named to the Furman University Dean's List for the fall 2002 semester. To be named to the list, full-time undergraduates must earn a 3.4 or higher grade point average.
The students are: Kathryn A. Dickson of Evans, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dickson; Stephen M. Heathman of Harlem, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Heathman; R. Nathan Adams of Martinez, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Adams; Adnan Filipovic of Martinez, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Damir Filipovic; Michael Petrides of Martinez, the son of Dr. and Mrs. George Petrides; and Jennifer A. Walters of Martinez, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Walters.
Martinez native graduates from Valdosta State
Holly Lyn Blount of Martinez graduated from Valdosta State University in the fall 2002 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media.
Art Competition
Evans High School student Daniel Amrhein won the Best of Show award at the 24th annual Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition and Exhibit.
Forty-two schools throughout the CSRA participated in the exhibition which included nearly 200 works of art.
Other Columbia County winners include:
Drew Fransoso of Riverside Elementary School, Division I merit, teacher Katherine Crossan; Richard Ferguson of Grovetown Elementary School, Division II merit, teacher Camille Spires; Samantha Presley of South Columbia Elementary School, Division II merit, teacher Ivey Coleman; Ami Flowers of Greenbrier High School, Division IV merit, teacher Dawn Graves; Robin Reif of Greenbrier High School, Division IV merit, teacher Dawn Graves; and Hannah Inouye of CSRA Home School Association, Division IV first place, self-taught.
Foreign language honor
Augusta Preparatory Day School senior Aswin Rajendra was selected the 2003 Foreign Language student of the CSRA (private and public schools) at the FLAIR (Foreign Language Alliance for International Rapport) induction ceremony recently at Augusta State University. Ashwin also was recently named Columbia County's STAR Student.