Bryan DAR
The William Scott Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Bryan, presented awards to Brazos Valley students during a recent meeting.
Jessica Crammer, a fifth-grader at Sam Houston Elementary School in Bryan, won the American history essay contest for her piece titled "Ideals of the Gettysburg Address."
Callie McCullough, a senior at Franklin High School, won the Chapter Good Citizen award. Callie was unable to attend, so Jerri Hughes, a counselor at Franklin High, accepted the award and read Callie's essay, "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It."
The chapter also gave Franklin High School a Texas flag donated by State Rep. Fred Brown. The flag had been flown over the state capitol.
Other Good Citizen award winners were Courtney Bosquez, Bryan High School; Christiana Clark, Allen Academy; Angela Ford, St. Joseph High School; Chris Tengler, Bellville High School; Kyndall Kathleen Trnka, Caldwell High School; Darshea Burns, Calvert High School; Christ Mitchell, Hearne High School; and Heather Harvey, Iola High School.
B-CS NEWCOMERS CLUB
Nancy Pride, owner of Morgan Fitzgerald, presented the program and served as moderator for a style show at a Bryan-College Station Newcomers Club meeting, held at Pebble Creek Country Club.
She discussed spring fashions showing more arm because of styles worn by first lady Michelle Obama. Club members modeled clothing, accessories and wigs.
The color chocolate and pastels were featured, along with animal prints, which Pride said remain popular. Fashions designed by Robert Kitchens, a former landscape artist now designing fabric, were prominent in the style show. Pride said Morgan Fitzgerald is the first retailer to offer clothing by Kitchens.
The wigs being shown were made from natural fiber that comes from Yaks, human hair and synthetic materials. Morgan Fitzgerald offers an expanded range of sizes in wigs.
The Newcomers Club holds monthly luncheons, and reservations are required. For more information, contact Joan Ledwig at 690-0939, or Kathy Ireland at 696-8222.
COLLEGE STATION SCHOOLS
* Fifteen A&M Consolidate Middle School and 15 College Station Middle School seventh-graders qualified to attend state recognition ceremonies through the Duke Talent Identification Program.
Students in the program take the SAT and must score at least 520 in math and 510 on critical reading or 500 on writing. Students who achieve grand recognition must score at least 670 in math, 650 in critical reading, 650 in writing or a combined score of 1850 or higher.
Students who will be recognized are: David Blinn, Dana Branham, Jackson Buenger, Kathleen Dill, Mark Ebbole, Abhilasha Gokulan, Ezekiel Hsieh, Sanathan Iyer, Ryan Jones, Emmett Kennady, Nicholas Lindner, Peter Lindquist, Michelle Liu, Patrick Lynch, Nicolas Moreno, Paul Morgan, Jessica Orr, Sarah Porter, Travis Rooney, Nicolas Schlumprecht, Blake Steines, Alexandra Stewart, Jared Trimble, Brooke Versaw, Brian White, Victoria Yao and Maryshe Zietsman.
Emily Miaou, Jiwhan Son and Sang Joon Yum qualified for grand recognition.
* A&M Consolidated High School won the recent District 12-5A UIL Academic Meet with 633 points.
Thirty-nine students advanced to the regional meet: Billy Cheyne, Jonathan Conrad, Louis Fowler and Bruce Zhang, first-place team, accounting; Hyunchul Roh, Chen Wu, Zhang and Lisa Hsiao, first-place team, calculator applications; Jered Harris and Pranitha Patil, first-place team,computer applications; Carl Fitz, Katie Ray, Lina Ha and Faizan Askari, first-place, current issues; Yinglei "Adam" Wang, Bram Carlson, Robby Nevels and Mengxiang Jiang, first, computer science; Robby Smith, first, editorial writing; Alejandra Oliva, third in editorial writing and third in news writing; Amanda Martin, third in feature writing, first in headline writing; Kalyan Venkatrai, first, informative speaking; Mauricio Arreola-Garcia, third, informative speaking; Andrea Cohen, third, Lincoln Douglas Debate; Amanda Wiggins, Alok Vaid-Menon, Casey Hatfield and Marta Swanner, first-place team, literary criticism; Kevin Li, Rajeev Kinra, Wang and Zachary Wu, first-place team, mathematics; Ali El-Halwagi, Zhang, Li and Wu, first-place team, number sense; Carl Fitz, first, persuasive speaking; Katie Ray, second, persuasive speaking; Vaid-Menon, second, ready writing; Jiang, Omar Masud, Kyle Chapkin and Saum Chaudhuri, first-place team, science; Lina Ha, Neha Shetty, Chapkin and Askari, first-place team, social studies; Shetty, Zach Carstens, Amy Zhang and Hsiao, first-place team, spelling and vocabulary.
Other awards, including individual awards and non-qualifying awards were given to: Cheyne, first, accounting; Conrad, second, accounting; Fowler, fifth, accounting; Roh, fourth, calculator applications; Wu, fifth in calculator applications, sixth in number sense and sixth in science; Fitz, first, current issues; Ray, third, current issues; Ha, fourth in current issues and first in social studies; Harris, second, computer applications; Patil, third, computer applications; Wang, first in computer science, fifth in math; Carlson, third, computer science; Nevels, fourth, computer science; Jiang, fifth in computer science, first in science and top physics award; Jennifer Acuff, fourth in editorial writing and sixth in feature writing; Oliva, sixth, headline writing; Vivek Vadali, fourth in Lincoln Douglas Debate and fourth in persuasive speaking; Wiggins, first, literary criticism; Vaid-Menon, second, literary criticism; Hatfield, sixth, literary criticism; Li, first in math and fourth in number sense; Kinra, second, math; El-Halwagi, first, number sense; Zhang, third, number sense; Katie Gibson, sixth, news writing; Masud, second in science and top biology award; Chapkin, third in science and top chemistry award; Chaudhuri, fourth, science; Shetty, fifth in social studies and first in spelling and vocabulary; and Carstens, third, spelling and vocabulary.
The group's journalism and speech teams also placed first overall.
* Several students from A&M Consolidated High School were selected to perform in Texas All-State Music Groups: Kyle Johnson, Jazz Ensemble (Tenor Trombone); Kaylie Kahlich, Women's Choir (Soprano 1); June Kang, Philharmonic Orchestra (Violin 1); Rajeev Kinra, String Orchestra (Violin 1); Brennan Lamont, 5A All-State (Cornet/Trumpet); and Katie Park, 4A Symphonic Band (String Bass).
* College Station school bands earned the highest awards and rankings in the UIL Region 8 competition.
The College Station Middle School Band, under the direction of Tim King, earned division 1 ratings and an award in sightreading. The A&M Consolidated Middle School Band, directed by Michael Dixon, won its third consecutive sweepstakes award by earning division 1 ratings in the concert and sightreading portion of the contest.
The A&M Consolidated High School Symphonic Band, led by Mike Rowden, earned the sweepstakes award in the concert and sightreading. The high school Wind Ensemble, directed by Van Henry, won the UIL Sweepstakes award by earning division 1 for performances in marching, concert and sightreading. This is the sixth consecutive year the Consol band has earned the UIL Sweepstakes award.
MILITARY
* Army Pvt. Sylvester Dominguez has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
He is the son of Cecilia Dominguez and brother of Albert Dominguez, both of Bryan.
Dominguez is a 2005 graduate of Bryan High School.
* Navy Seaman Recruit Toney A. Davis, son of Kimberly D. and Scott A. Davis of Bryan, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
SYMPHONY BELLES
The senior Symphony Belles were celebrated recently during the Symphony Belle Senior Presentation at Miramont Country Club.
More than 180 guests, including family and friends of the seniors, enjoyed the evening of dining and dancing. The seniors wore long white formals and carried long-stemmed roses as they entered the ballroom escorted by their father.
While walking through a saber arch created by members of the Texas A&M University Ross Volunteers, each Belle was introduced and then performed the traditional curtsy to the audience. The senior Belles and their dads then participated in a waltz.
Juniors wore long black dresses and watched and learned.
Virginia Schneider, a senior at A&M Consolidated High School, was awarded the Connie Wortham Scholarship for exemplifying the spirit of leadership and volunteerism within the Belle program.
The evening ended a year of service and training for the Belles, who are the official ushers for all performances of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. The girls assist with special events such as the Brazos Valley Symphony Society's Derby Day.
The goal of the Belle program is to provide opportunities for young women to enhance their social skills, to be exposed to and support the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and its patrons, and to practice being a lady.
The Friends of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra provide leadership for the Belle program. Randi Mays-Knapp coordinates the program. Applications for the 2009-10 Belle program will open in early August. Women interested in the Symphony Belle program should contact Knapp at rcmk79@suddenlink.net.
The 2008-09 senior Symphony Belles are Kyndal Henicke, Erin Moore, Caitlin Rowden, Mariann Balcar, Brittnie Peters, Natalie Clark, Kirby Lane, Sarah Colunga, Megan White, Casey Stauffer, Morgan Ard, Maddie Bettett, Jordan Lea DeCoste, Elle Hawthorne, Amanda Trapani, Sarah Trexler, Heather Price, Michelle McClellan, Virginia Schneider and Connie Templin.
The junior Symphony Belles are Emily Smith, Brittnie English, Margaret Powell, Suzannah Jones, Sarah Jones, Lucy Day, Brittany Bloomstedt, Macey Cangelose, Stephanie Mason, Jenna Floyd, Christine Hermann, Lauren Ashlock, Sterling Knapp, Toni Bair, Suzanne Baker, Kanika Amin, Anne Marie Wunneburger, Jean Jutila, Brooke Davidson, Ashton Holliday, Sally Clark, Katie Kennedy, Kelsey Kinley, Taylor Vestal, Jessica Lambert and Miranda Barzilla.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Terry Leach of Richards placed third in both the turbo jave and 50 meter run at the Area 6 Special Olympics held recently in College Station.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Texas A&M Kappa Delta sorority recently hosted a Dove: Real Beauty Workshop for 28 Girl Scouts ranging in age from 6 to 14.
The girls learned about the effects of the media on self-esteem, the difference between inner and outer beauty, and the importance of a positive self image. Girl Scout chair Grace Green and 30 other Kappa Delta volunteers worked with the girls in creating a Uniquely Me brochure, a self esteem bubble, a positive magazine advertisement and a "real beauty" promise. The girls also participated in group discussions on the portrayal of women in advertisements.
To top things off, the girls finished the day with a fashion show, showing off not expensive attire, but their favorite outfits.
"This workshop was successful in allowing the Girl Scouts to begin to stand up for the qualities that make each of them unique with the help of our KDs acting as positive mentors," Green said.
Needless to say, the idea that the young women of Texas A&M are reaching out to others, both as teachers and as role models, sets a precedent for not only fellow Aggies, but for an entire community. The sorority and the Girl Scouts have a partnership that dates back to 1998.
CHILI COOKOFF
Halliburton recently sponsored the Texas A&M Society of Petroleum Engineering student chapter's annual Chili Cookoff, held just outside of College Station.
Thomas Blasingame, a professor of petroleum engineering and geology at Texas A&M and the group's faculty adviser, hosted the event.
The Chili Cookoff was held for the student members of SPE and faculty of Texas A&M's Petroleum Engineering department.
Thirteen teams entered the competition, serving the 100-plus attendees chili, red beans and rice, ice cream and s'mores.
During the event, Halliburton representatives build professional relationships with Texas A&M's engineering students.
BRAZOS VALLEY ELKS
* Brazos Valley Elks Lodge 859 recently presented Robin Silva with the Citizen of the Year Award. Silva received the award as recognition of her volunteer work with veterans and for her dedication as coordinator of the weeklong Veterans Day celebration in downtown Bryan.
* Morgan Brown of College Station Middle School, representing the Brazos Valley Elks Lodge, recently won first place in the statewide "What Freedom Means to Me" essay contest. The lodge presented Megan with an award as well as a savings bond. Her essay has been entered in the national contest.
RIDING FOR CHARITY
Braden Wallace, 11, recently participated in the BP MS 150 bike ride. Day 1 of the ride was cancelled due to inclement weather, but Braden rode his bike on Day 2 of the 77-mile trek from La Grange to Austin. Braden is the son of Damon and Krissy Wallace of College Station and a fifth-grader at Oakwood Intermediate School.
BRYAN
* A city of Bryan department has become the first government agency in the United States to join a global consortium working toward green efforts.
The city's information technology department joined the Green Grid Consortium, which works to advance energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems.
The program will work to provide industry-wide recommendations on best practices and technologies that will improve computing energy efficiencies by finding and sharing of more efficient solutions.
The city will collaborate with more than 200 companies worldwide in an effort to ensure the conservation of natural resources and preservation of the environment.
For more information about the program, go online to www.thegreengrid.org or www.begreeninbryan.com, or contact Information Technology Director Gus Roman at 209-5476 or groman@bryantx.gov.
* Bryan has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.
It is the 21st year that Bryan has received this national recognition.
The application was submitted by Parks and Recreation Director Darrell Lovelette.
Bryan has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
For more information about the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
BETA SIGMA PHI
Preceptor Beta Phi met recently at the home of Diana Kratchman. Before the meeting, the Masters Ritual was given by Kay Hamn to Kratchman and Joyce Meads. Guests Jo Colby and Polly Niles assisted.
President Hamn led the business meeting and passed around an invitation to the Founders Day banquet. Hamn appointed Kratchman and Meads to audit the books.
Faye Caldwell, City Council representative, reported the following officers were elected to City Council for 2009-2010: president Della Nichols, first vice president Rosie Shaunfeld, second vice president Donna Dash, third vice president Caldwell and recording secretary Michele Meade.
The program "Lessons from Geese" was given by Joan Logan. As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for birds that follow. By flying in a V, the flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. The lesson is that people who share a common direction can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
NEEDS A HOME
Tegan is a friendly border collie-black Lab mix who is a little smaller than an average Labrador. She is about 11/2 years old and knows how to sit. Tegan is playful but easy to handle and gets along with other dogs as well as small children. Meet Tegan at the Brazos Animal Shelter (www.brazosanimalshelter.org) at 2207 Finfeather Road in Bryan. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE
In honor of the birthday of Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, personnel at the Brazos County Courthouse celebrated Atticus Finch Day recently.
Attorneys were encouraged to wear Seersucker suits to mark the occasion, and gathered in the courthouse lobby for a brief ceremony and a reading from the book. The idea was to take a moment to consider what it was about the character of Atticus Finch that we all admired so much and rededicate ourselves to those principles.
In the novel, set in 1935, Atticus was a Southern lawyer defending an innocent black man accused of a horrible crime. He defended Tom Robinson despite incredible pressure from all sides because it was the right thing to do. He was quiet, principled and morally courageous -- everything a lawyer should be.
The event concluded with lemonade, Atticus Finch and Seersucker cookies and professional fellowship. Everyone in attendance was enthusiastic about making this an annual event.
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