Columbia County newsmakers

West Georgia degree

Jennifer Marie Bailey of Harlem was one of 437 students awarded degrees at West Georgia State University's commencement ceremonies Dec. 13. Bailey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Gartland award

Millie A. Townsend, a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, was one of 68 people presented with the Bishop Gartland Service Award at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah on Nov. 30. Recipients are chosen based on their service to their churches and communities by the Catholic Diocese of Savannah.

Townsend is active at St. Teresa as a Eucharistic minister, coordinator of the adult Bible study, member of the Diocesan Lenten Program Disciples in Mission, and a member of the Catholic Social Services, where she interviews clients, handles financial aid matters, organizes the church's volunteers to the Soup Kitchen, organizes meals for volunteers of the Christmas Angel Project and as a member of the Bereavement Committee. She is a native of Verona, Italy, and has lived in Augusta with her husband, Dwight, since 1980.

Order of Gownsmen

Laura Alison Walters of Martinez was inducted into the Order of Gownsmen at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. To become a member of this honorary student organization, students must achieve a superior grade-point average. As an outward symbol of academic and organization leadership, students wear black academic gowns to classes.

Walters is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick T. Walters.

Dean's Lists

Amy Hendrickson, a 2001 graduate of Evans High School, was named to the fall semester 2003 Dean's List at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dental Hygiene. She is the daughter of Phil and Carol Hendrickson of Martinez.

Aaron Bethune, a 2002 graduate of Greenbrier High School, has been named to the fall semester Dean's List at Augusta State University. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bethune of Evans.

DeMargo Lewis of Martinez was named to the Dean's List for 2003 Fall Semester at Limestone College, Gaffney, S.C.

Levi Anderson Pollard of Appling and Michael Douglas Soucy of Martinez were named to the Dean's List for fall semester 2003 at Wake Forest University.

Rebecca Elizabeth Brown of Evans was recently named to the Valdosta State University's Dean's List for the fall 2003 semester.

Heather Marie Deppe and Alvaro Ortiz of Evans were named to the fall 2003 Dean's List at Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

Justin Heath Brewer of Martinez was named to the fall 2003 Dean's List at Charleston Southern University.

Andrew Anderson, Russell Carter and Ashley Drummond, all of Appling, were named to the fall 2003 Dean's List at Georgia College and State University.

Argosy grads

Shawn Myers of Evans graduated after fall semester 2003 from Argosy University's Atlanta campus with a master of arts in professional counseling. Colleen Shirley of Martinez received a master of arts in professional psychology.

Studying abroad

Allison Cook, daughter of Tim and Kathy Cook of Appling, is studying abroad during spring semester 2004 in Vienna, Austria.

Cook is a history and government major and Dean's List student at Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.

President's List

Jamie Lee of Appling and Natalie Spires, a 2001 graduate of Lakeside High School, were named to the President's List for fall semester 2003 at Georgia College and State University.

Alison Leonard of Grovetown, a 2003 graduate of Greenbrier High School, was named to the President's List for fall semester 2003 at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega.

Duke Dean's List

Hillary Underwood, the daughter of Kathleen and George Hovan of Martinez, was named to the Dean's List at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Underwood is a senior majoring in political science and markets and management/global economics and is an active student on campus.

Underwood graduated from Westminster Schools of Augusta in May 2000, where she was named Youth of the Year by The National Exchange Club for excelling in academics, leadership and community service.

Basic training

Air Force Airman William D. Fraatz has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Fraatz, a 2003 graduate of Lakeside High School, is the son of Charles Fraatz of Martinez and the grandson of Charles Fraatz of Toms River, N.J.

Drug enforcer

Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron M. Schupska, the son of Karen M. and John R. Steele of Evans, recently participated in the seizure of an estimated 2,800 pounds of hashish with an estimated value of $11 million, after intercepting a small Arabian sea vessel in the North Arabian Sea.

He is assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, home based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The interceptions are designed to hinder the funding of terrorist organizations by denying the use of the seas for the smuggling of illegal contraband. This is the third such interception by coalition maritime forces in recent weeks.

Schupska's unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2,000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and command element. With this combination, Schupska's unit supplies and sustains itself for quick mission accomplishment and for clearing the way for follow-on forces.

Schupska joined the Marine Corps in June 2000.

Youth Challenge

Two Columbia County teens are among 14 who graduated from the National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy located at Fort Gordon.

Matthew Weber of Appling and Ryan Conrad-Davis completed the 22-week, in-residence program and graduated at commencement ceremonies at the Macon City Auditorium on Feb. 28.

The 11-year-old, all-voluntary, National Guard-sponsored youth program focuses on academic completion and the development of important life skills.

It is designed to help high school dropouts complete their education and receive a GED. Georgia has two Youth Challenge Academy campuses. The original campus is located at Fort Stewart near Savannah and the second campus at Fort Gordon.

The commencement speaker for the YCA graduation was Jennifer C. Buck, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (Resources).

For additional information on Georgia's National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy, contact Admissions at (912) 767-9327.