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January 10th, 2015 9:45 am by Rick Wagner

GREENEVILLE Five Northeast Tennessee high school seniors have been selected to joint the Niswonger Scholars program, according to a foundation news release.

The Niswonger foundation, founded by Greeneville, Tennessee businessman and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger, has selected the five. There are already 20 Niswonger Scholars, with the newly selected students for 2015 bringing the total to 25. The Foundation also has 52 alumni of the program.

The five new scholars are Courtney Johnson, Gatlinburg Pittman High School; Morgan Thomas, Science Hill High School; Zachary Ward, Volunteer High School; Matthew Widener, David Crockett High School and Trenton Yount, Hancock County High School.

The foundation's guiding philosophy of "Learn, Earn and Return" is firmly embedded in the Niswonger Scholars program, according to the news release.

The program takes the brightest young leaders in Northeast Tennessee, provides them the opportunity to attend the college or university that will best prepare them for their chosen career and supplements that education with four years of leadership development activities.

The plan is to see Niswonger Scholars come back to the region with not only strong earning potential, but an entrepreneurial spirit and overwhelming desire to return their talents and energy to this region. The goal is that at the end of their experience as Niswonger Scholars, they will embody the values most important to the mission of the Foundation: exceptional leadership ability, exemplary personal character, and a strong commitment to building community.

The new scholars are:

Morgan Alexandra Thomas, a student at Science Hill High School. She has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. She serves as junior varsity women's soccer assistant, SHHS Youth Ambassador, Student Government representative and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta. She enjoys volunteering with Rotary Wheel, Girls on the Run, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church and Second Harvest Food Bank. Her desire is to become a pharmacist. She is the daughter of Robert and Beth Thomas of Johnson City.

Originally posted here:
Five Northeast Tennessee high school seniors named Niswonger scholars

McCauley is PASR volunteer of year

Judith Gatto McCauley was honored by the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees as Volunteer of the Year during a luncheon program led by association president Nancy McDonald, and attended by family and friends.

A retired elementary teacher, Judith spent 44 years teaching third and fourth grade students in Dunmore, retiring as head teacher in charge of 120 third grade students and six faculty members at the Elementary Center.

Judith is a 16-year Retired Senior Volunteer Program pen pal who corresponds with a Scranton School District student. A Life Member of St. Josephs Auxiliary, she has volunteered at Community Medical Center Mercy Hospital Gift Shops.

She assists on Bereavement Luncheons and at Divine Mercy Churchs fair bake sale booth and is a member of the Century Club.

Active in the Marywood Alumni Association, she served as president of the Marywood Northeast Alumni Club. She is a member of the Marywood Alumni Planning Board which is preparing the 2015 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Marywood University.

Marywood alumni, including Dolly Reilly Densevich, Eleanor Deviney, JoAnn Magnotta Ligorio, Joan Ratchford Lloyd, Marlene Parks, Annette Maldonato Profera and Betty Lou Luvender Zapp, were among those honoring her at the luncheon.

Also on hand was Kim Grochowski Marchese who Judith has been assisting as she prepared for the opening of Building the Kingdom of God, a religious gift store at Dunmore Corners.

Dunmore educators joining in included Peg Hart and Judith Spinelli, and Alice ODonnell Foley , a retired Dunmore Elementary teacher who was last years PASR Volunteer of the Year.

Global volunteers

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Namedropper, Jan. 8, 2014

Alumni reunions are usually just gaiety and revelry. But not all are so.

Last year, when old students of the Malabar chapter of the Sainik School at Kazhakuttam in Thiruvananthapuram gathered for their annual celebrations, they used the opportunity to pay something back to society.

They chanced upon a news report on the plight of Rema, a budding poet living with her tuberculosis-inflicted father in a makeshift shack in a water-logged region, at Pallikkara, Payyoli here.

With most of the alumni doing well in life, they decided to fund a housing project for the girl and her aged father.

On Saturday, Rema and her father moved into their dream home, bidding goodbye to the shack. They received the keys of the house called Aadima to mean the beginning from Hari Ashwin, 12, from Beypore, who joined the Sainik School this academic year.

Rema, who is physically challenged due to medical negligence from childhood, had passed Class X and had also won prizes in poetry. Like any other young girl, she too dreamt of higher studies, a job, and a happy life. But her poor father could not send her to college, Ramesh Babu, Project Director, Nirdesh, said.

The girl was left with nothing after her father partitioned his 7 cents of land among his five children. Without a place to live, Rema was forced to sleep on verandas, under hospital beds, in bus stand, and in front of shops.

Over a period of time, she was able to purchase a 3-cent plot in a waterlogged area.

Meantime, she applied for government funds under Indira Awaas Yojana to build a house on the plot. The first instalment of Rs.60,000 she received was used up to fill up the waterlogged plot.

She would get another Rs. 40,000. But that would not even fetch a room.

Continued here:
Sainik school alumni to the rescue of homeless girl

The Ottawa community's love affair with Ottawa Township High School's notable alumni will be conducted this year on Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14.

That evening, a banquet and ceremony will be at the school to honor the nine individuals who will be installed into the OTHS Hall of Fame. Additionally, inductees will be introduced at the OTHS basketball game the prior evening.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2006 by the OTHS District 140 Educational Foundation, Inc. The focus of the Hall of Fame is to recognize excellence in achievement while a high school student, after leaving OTHS, or a combination of both.

Further, honorees may or may not have attended Ottawa High but were significant and accomplished contributors to OTHS. Also considered are OTHS teams or groups.

As a result of a nomination and selection process, the inductees are:

George Willy: Willy served OTHS from 1942-1967 as a faculty member and administrator. He became assistant principal, serving under Principal MacRae Shannon in 1954 while continuing to teach an advanced wood shop class.

During his tenure as an administrator, the titles of the assistant principal and principal were changed to principal and superintendent, respectively. He delayed his retirement to serve for two years as interim superintendent following the death of Superintendent Shannon.

Willy attended the Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru, Neb., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924. In 1941, he received a masters degree from the University of Nebraska. He played football in high school and his skills drew the attention of a local businessman who offered to pay for his tuition, books and fees if he would attend the Nebraska State Teachers College and play football there.

As he began his career in 1924, first as a teacher and later as principal in Wilber, Neb., he continued playing football in Nebraskas semi-professional, barnstorming leagues in the 1920s and 1930s.

Val Van der Meer: Van der Meer was one of the founders of the OTHS Booster Club and was a longtime and avid supporter of the school, its students and its athletic programs. He also was committed to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding community. He was instrumental in helping former students and others find employment in the area, taking a special and personal interest in each one. He was committed to sportsmanship and citizenship, regardless of school or community affiliation. For many years he attended all of the OTHS athletic events, both home and away.

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OTHS 2015 Hall of Fame inductees announced

COMMUNITY NOTES: Omnitrans to introduce discounted fare for vets, more School sets alumni soccer game

SAN JACINTO The fifth annual Alumni Soccer Game at San Jacinto High School is set for Saturday at Tiger Stadium. The girl's game will kick off at 11 a.m. followed by the boy's game immediately after.

Alumni players wishing to play in the games will have to register and sign a waver on the day of the event. Gates will open at 9 a.m., and music and food will be available.

The school is at 500 Idyllwild Dr.

Information: 951-654-7374 or wguzman@sanjacinto.k12.ca.us

Staff report

LOMA LINDA The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System will introduce Omnitrans new discounted fare for Veterans on Monday. A ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. followed by an information fair from through 4 p.m.

The event will be held at the main entrance of the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center, 11201 Benton St., Loma Linda.

The county will be providing free ID Cards for Veterans during the event.

Information: Wendy Williams, 909-379-7151, Jim Rich, 909-583-6193 or omnitrans.org.

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COMMUNITY NOTES: Omnitrans to introduce discounted fare for vets, more

Price T. Young Middle School held its annual career fair Dec. 18 with 11 vendors who were on hand to talk about their careers.

Those included: Texas State Technical College Recruiter Patty Lopez, Former Marshall Independent School District students Eddie Blacknell and Montre Gaut from the Marines, Charlotte Anderson representing Edward Jones, Battalion Chief, Joseph Hudson from Marshall Fire Department, Shakari Johnson, Navy Recruiter/Mentor-Americas Navy, Lynn Wright, representing Texas Parks and Wildlife, Detective Sonya Johnson of the Marshall Police Department, Henry Palmer, histo tech and director of programs from Good Shepherd Medical CenterMarshall, Marylin Richardson of Texas Association of Developing Colleges Educational Opportunity Center, Troopers Brittani Biyzes and Allen Dangleben- Department of Texas Highway Patrol and Prevention Specialist Debra McAfee of Wellness Pointe.

When asked what was the most important fact they would like for the students to know about their organization, each vendor had a different answer.

Id like for the students to know that in order to become a marine or anything other in life, you must maintain good grades, listen to your parents and teachers and, most of all, it takes hard work and dedication, said Marine Montre Gaut.

Marine Eddie Blacknell wanted the students to know that in order to be a Marine you must be disciplined. Blacknell said, you must pass Boot Camp and three months of intense training, hand -to-hand combat training, shooting training, must know how to swim and be physically fit.

Lynn Wright from Texas Parks and Wildlife encouraged the students to begin thinking about that career path theyd like to take and start now making the necessary steps to get there.

Wright said, If students were interested in the wildlife, they would need to focus in on biology/science courses.

Henry Palmer, histo tech, really scored with the students with the visual displays of an actual lung, from several years ago of a 45 year old smoker, who nearly smoked a pack of non-filtered cigarettes a day for 20 years, compared to a nonsmoker. Palmer also displayed a perfectly-good heart, only destroyed by a gunshot wound from an 18-year-old male.

Palmer said, The young man had a scholarship ready for college. He stayed out late and was consistently in the wrong place and the wrong time, and trying to buy drugs, was gunned down at a very young age.

Id like for the students to understand the importance of taking care of their bodies and making good choices in life, starting now that would affect their future, Palmer said.

Originally posted here:
Middle school holds career fair

Groundbreaking coming for Hoag Health Center Irvine

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Hoag Health Center Irvine at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15 at Alton Parkway and Sand Canyon Avenue.

The new 150,000 square-foot medical facility will provide an array of primary and specialty health care services.

Free parking for the ceremony will be available at Hoag Hospital Irvine, 16200 Sand Canyon Ave.

Information: HoagEvents@Hoag.org or 800-400-4624

Lauren Jow

Assemblyman Don Wagner, R-Irvine, has announced that he has been appointed to serve again as Judiciary Committee vice chairman.

Calling the role an honor and a privilege, Wagner said he looks forward to producing legislation that will impact the courts.

The committee has jurisdiction over family law, product liability, tort liability and other legal issues.

Other committee assignments for Wagner in the 2015-16 legislative session include positions on the Assemblys Appropriations, Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee.

More:
Irvine news briefs: Medical center opening, Tarbut V'Torah recognized

Huron played host to arguably its biggest special event as the Red Power Roundup spent the end of June at the State Fairgrounds. In the next photo is shown the only classroom in the remodeled and expanded Buchanan K-1 Center without windows as that is preferred for computer workstations. PHOTOS BY SEANM.X. KELLEY/PLAINSMAN HURON Like the reflections of 12-month periods of time tend to be, the year 2014 in Huron had its ups and downs. But with a few notable exceptions, it was a time when the city collectively stepped up to begin developing some of the necessary building blocks for a more successful tomorrow.

Major businesses changed hands as new owners have begun looking to the future. Progress was made on school buildings as the local enrollment continues to soar.

The community set in motion a plan to expand its workforce, and to develop its water recreation assets that many cities cannot boast about having.

An international celebration was a highlight of a successful season of outdoor events, and Huron began looking within itself as it planned for new building and expansion projects.

Here, in no order of importance, is a compilation of some of the top stories for the year:

The James River Recreation Master Plan is a comprehensive look at what the community can do to better utilize its natural resources at the James River and Ravine Lake.

As a Sioux Falls consulting firm prepared its recommendations, it emphasized that its work had relied heavily on ideas generated during a series of public input sessions.

It is an ambitious plan that includes new development at the river and lake, along with Crown Park, boat ramps and other city-owned property in the area.

In a beginning project, the city is asking the state to pay to assess the asbestos levels in the former water treatment plant near the river on Third Street Southeast. Closed for 10 years, the plant could be demolished to make way for some kind of new commercial use at the site.

The master plan encompasses a great deal, and the plan will be years in its implementation as funding becomes available.

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Growth and change highlight 2014: Big events, big building also highlights of 2014

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sophomore Chris Lindeman, a Lexington High School graduate, received the Holling Memorial Scholarship this school year to further his studies.

The $700 scholarship is named in honor of John Holling, a UNL alumni with the Class of 1912, who provided a gift of stocks to the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the fund.

Lindeman is double majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry, minoring in chemistry. He hopes to attend medical school to become a surgeon after graduating from UNL.

Lindemans parents are Earl and Tracy Lindeman.

He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies, a UNL Donald Liehs Scholarship recipient and Lexington Community Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Last semester, Lindeman worked as an undergraduate assistant under the director on Dr. Xu Li of the Civil Engineering Department at UNL. In his free time, he volunteers with the Friendship Home and Peoples City Mission Free Clinic in Lincoln.

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Chris Lindeman of Lexington receives Holling Memorial UNL scholarship

GLENS FALLS -- Dont procrastinate and dont spread yourself too thin were among the nuggets of advice that current college students and graduates gave on Friday to Glens Falls High School students.

Sean Glasheen, a class of 2010 graduate, said he had to pull two all-nighters to study for exams.

I killed the tests but my sleep schedule is all messed up, he said Friday at the schools Alumni Day.

Close to 100 graduates came back to share their wisdom at the event, which has been held for the last four or five years, according to district spokeswoman Skye Heritage. She said the alumni, not too long out of high school themselves, can offer a different perspective from other adults in the students lives.

Its such a big transition to go from high school into the world be it college or work. Its daunting, she said.

Glasheen, who is studying international finance at Clarkson University, also encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities to study abroad. He spent three weeks in Australia.

Clair Davis, a 2014 graduate of LeMoyne College, is a nurse at Saratoga Hospital. She encouraged students to work hard in high school, because it will reap dividends.

I did well in college because I already had the work ethic, she said.

Glasheen asked Davis if her student loan repayments have kicked in. She said yes.

Is it like trying to pour a bucket on a huge fire? he asked.

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Graduates return to offer high-schoolers advice