Names in the news

GRADUATE
>> ATLANTA, GA. Anna Ford of Odessa, daughter of Dr. Ralph Lee Ford and Cheryl Warrick Ford, received a bachelor of business administration from the Goizueta Business School of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., at its 163rd commencement ceremony on May 12.

DEAN'S LIST
>> WACO Seven Odessa students of Baylor University were named to the Dean's Academic Honor List for the spring semester.
Honored students are: Alexandra Ashley, senior, major in communication specialists; Tonya Ellis, senior, major in music; Brittany Gardner, junior, major in sociology; Luis Gonzalez, senior, major in music; Katherine Keith, senior, major in communication sciences and disorders; Clayton Kenworthy, junior, major in prebusiness; and Jamie Yarbrough, senior, major in music.
To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be an undergraduate with a minimum grade-point average of 3.7, while enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours.

SCHOLARSHIPS
>> Megan Pieper, daughter of Paul and Joyce Pieper and a senior at Permian High School, has been honored by the Midland Gem and Mineral Society as the recipient of the annual scholarship award for $1,000. Megan is active in Texas Scholars and Math UIL Academics. She plans to attend University of North Texas and major in biology.
 >> Tsvetelina Churalska of Midland was named a winner of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship. The foundation awards lower-income students up to $30,000 per year to help with transfer expenses from community colleges and complete their bachelor's degrees at selective four-year institutions.
Churalska came to the U.S. at the age of 18 from Bulgaria. She plans to become an architect.

AWARDS
>> Rose Gerhart has been selected to receive unlimited local and long distance calling for an entire year from Cable ONE.
Gerhart was nominated by her daughter, Terena Renbarger, who wanted to help her mother who is on a fixed income stay in touch with her family and friends.
Cable ONE launched the free phone service contest the beginning of May and received more than 200 nominations in the participating Cable ONE markets.

INDUCTION
>> Juan Luna, Farmers Insurance Agent of Odessa, has been inducted into the Farmers "Topper Club" of Farmers' top sales producers.
Luna has been recognized by Farmers for outstanding sales achievements in 2007. Luna represents Farmers Insurance at 309 N Grant Ave.

LONE STAR
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
>> Mikayla Ballew, daughter of Jason and Cindy Ballew and a student at Barbara Jordan Elementary School, has been selected to travel next week to the Education in Action's Lone Star Leadership Academy in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Mikayla's selection for the academy was based on her outstanding academic success, demonstrated leadership ability, a recommendation by her teacher, Angela Bledsoe, and her involvement in school and community activities.
Education in Action, dedicated to fostering educated and involved Texans, hosts the Lone Star Leadership Academy to "Instill the Spirit of Texas in Tomorrow's Leaders."
Mikayla's Ector County Independent School District Superintendent Hector Mendoza will be notified of her accomplishment.
Joining a delegation of outstanding students from across the state of Texas, Mikayla will develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas and its leaders. She will learn about future career and internship opportunities and visit significant Texas sites including the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Science Place at Fair Park, the Dallas World Aquarium, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, the Amon Carter Museum, the Texas Civil War Museum, the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
Academy participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity and practice presentation skills in leadership groups. In addition, participants meet other outstanding students from across the state of Texas and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.
Participants on the Lone Star Leadership Academy at Dallas/Fort Worth program must be in the fifth or sixth grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate academic and leadership ability, receive an educator recommendation and be involved in community or school activities.
Education in Action also offers a Lone Star Leadership Academy, Austin program for outstanding sixth and seventh graders and Houston/Galveston program for outstanding seventh and eighth graders. Students involved in student government and service organizations are especially good candidates for Lone Star Leadership Academy programs. Facilitator/student ratio is 1 to 10 and all facilitators are Texas educators. For more information about Education in Action or the Lone Star Leadership Academy at Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin or Houston/Galveston programs, call 817-285-8961 or visit www.educationinaction.org.
In addition, Mikayla participated in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference June 21-26.
The Congressional Youth Leadership Council selected Mikayla for her demonstrated leadership potential, history of academic achievement and contribution to the strength and character of the JrNYLC, for outstanding individuals who represent a variety of backgrounds and possess a broad range of interests and goals.
Nominations are extended to students who have demonstrated these abilities and who will be in the sixth and seventh grade during the 2008-09 academic year.
The JrNYLC offers mature, high-achieving middle school students the opportunity to learn about leadership by studying the leaders of the past and by focusing on social advocacy to make a positive impact in their homes and communities. Through an examination of both different historical time periods and characteristics of leadership, students learn the understanding of what it takes to become an effective leader.
The JrNYLC curriculum was developed by Marguerite Regan, a former high school teacher and social science department chairperson with a doctorate in political science from Purdue University. Regan has been involved in the creation and development of innovative educational curricula and programs for more than 30 years.

EAGLE SCOUT HONOR
>> LOCKNEY Zach Montandon received his badge of Eagle Scout at his court of honor July 7 at the Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney.
Zach is the son of Francis and Debbie Montandon of Lockney. He is the grandson of Mary Montandon of Aiken and of the late F.L. Montandon. He is also the grandson of Teresa Ford of Odessa and of the late Tommy Ford.
Danny Huggins, the scoutmaster of Troop 259 of Lockney, conducted the ceremony with the help of Andrew Cravatt of Lubbock, Jonathan Sustaita of Lockney, Jim Huggins of Lockney, Zach Pruitt of Lubbock and Bryan Cooper of Lockney. Jerry Chappell of Floydada was the usher.
There were 68 who attended the ceremony. Following the ceremony there was a reception. Beth Bramlet made the cake that was decorated with the "Eagle medal." Those who helped with the reception included Billie Hamlin of Plainview, Joyce Lopez of Lockney, Debbie, Beth, Amy and Billy Horn of Tulia. Herb Steward of Plainview recorded the ceremony. Beth and Billy Horn of Tulia took pictures.
The trail to Eagle Scout leads through the ranks of Star Scout and Life Scout - an exciting pathway that will challenge you, test you and open many doors to new ideas and opportunities.
The requirements emphasize the roles that the Scout Oath and Law play in your life and the importance of service to your Scout troop and to others. Fewer than four percent of all scouts earn the Eagle rank.
During the ceremony, Zach pinned his mom and dad with Eagle Scout pins. He was also given a pin to give to the one who motivated, encouraged and supported him through his Eagle Scouting trails.
Zach later presented this pin to Marjorie Cypert at her home in Lockney with her husband Homer, son James Cypert, Francis, Debbie Montandon and Teresa Ford "Mema," who were all present.