BRAZOS VALLEY TROUPE

Brazos Valley TROUPE presented numerous trophies May 26 at its annual "Ovies" awards ceremony at the College Station Conference Center.

Winners were selected by secret ballot by members of the youth and adult theater group.

Musical performance awards: Ethan Guthrie, youth actor in a musical, Mother Goose Inc.; Anne Finch, youth actress in a musical, Annie Jr.; Riley Baron, featured youth actor in a musical/play with music, Mother Goose Inc.; Sylvia Harmon-Jones, featured youth actress in a musical/play with music, Mother Goose Inc.; Matt Hennessey, supporting/chorus youth actor in a musical/revue, Mother Goose Inc.; and Sophie Schulz, supporting/chorus youth actress in a musical/revue, Mother Goose Inc.

Acting performance awards: Tommy Rowan, youth actor in a play/playlet, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Harmon-Jones, youth actress in a play/playlet, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Guthrie, featured youth actor in a play/ playlet, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Kathleen Finch, featured youth actress in a play/ playlet, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Baron, supporting/ chorus youth actor in a play/ playlet, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Sara Brittain, supporting/chorus youth actress in a play/playlet, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Jason Moats, adult actor in a play/ playlet/musical, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Kathleen Speed, adult actress in a play/playlet/musical, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; M.A. Sterling, featured adult actor in a play/playlet/musical, Flashback Fever; Leah Rush, featured adult actress in a play/ playlet/musical, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

"Most memorable" performance awards: Kathleen Finch, play/ playlet, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Harmon-Jones, musical/revue, Mother Goose Inc.; Larry Adams and James Moore, duo in a play/playlet, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Cameron McGuire and Chase McGuire, duo in a musical/revue, Mother Goose Inc.; Jamie Adams, Michael Eddington, Kathleen Finch, Sarah Gallmeyer, Guthrie and Mollie Rush, ensemble in a play/playlet, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Natalie Fisher, Cameron McGuire and Chase McGuire, ensemble in a musical/ revue, Mother Goose Inc.; and Claire McAdams, line in a play/ playlet/musical, Mother Goose Inc.

Vocal performance in a musical/ revue/play with music awards: Kierstin Fallon, youth actor /actress, Mother Goose Inc.; tie, Guthrie for Mother Goose Inc., and Justin Olexey for Flashback Fever, teen actor; Harmon-Jones, teen actress, Mother Goose Inc.; Sterling, adult actor, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Chantal Bonilla, adult actress, I'll Be Home for Christmas.

Duo/ensemble performance awards: Cameron McGuire and Chase McGuire, acting by a duo in a play/playlet/musical revue, Mother Goose Inc.; Gallmeyer and Mollie Rush, vocal performance by a due on a play/playlet/musical revue, Mother Goose Inc.; Tommy Dallis, Anne Finch, Gallmeyer, Tabitha Lamphear, Brady Manuel and Moore, acting performance by an ensemble in a play/playlet/musical revue, Comedy Tonight!; Jamie Adams, Anne Finch and Tabitha

Lamphear, vocal performance by an ensemble in a musical/revue/ play with music, Annie Jr.

Backstage/facilitation performance awards: Tabitha Lamphear, scene direction, Comedy Tonight!; Tabitha Lamphear and Sterling, choreography, Mother Goose Inc.; Gallmeyer, parody writing, Mother Goose Inc.; Shelby Rowan with Elaine Courvelle and Cheryl Peterson, costume design, Mother Goose Inc.; Lauren Fickey, hair/ makeup/technical/scenic/properties design, Mother Goose Inc.

Premier performance awards: Speed, acting debut, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Fallon, solo/lead vocal debut, Flashback Fever; Baron, rookie of the year.

Special annual awards: Baron, MVP youth under 12; Harmon-Jones, MVP teen; Larry Adams, MVP adult; Baron, performer of the year under 12; Harmon-Jones, performer of the year teen; Speed, performer of the year adult.

People's Choice awards: Jamie Adams, Larry Adams, Baron, Leonor Castro, Fallon, Anne Finch, Kathleen Finch, Guthrie, Harmon-Jones, Danielle Lamphear, Tabitha Lamphear, Cameron McGuire, Chase McGuire, Olexey, Mollie Rush, Sterling.

Director's Choice awards: Larry Adams, Annette Brittain, Claire Chabot, Alena Kang-Landsberg and Manuel.

All-Star Cast awards: Anne Finch, Natalie Fisher and Adam Roberts, Annie Jr.; Kathleen Finch and Mollie Rush, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Fallon, Flashback Fever; Annette Brittain, Barry Lamphear, Jojo Kingston, Moore and Rowan, Dirty Dealings in Dixie; Tabitha Lamphear, Manhattan Melodies; Alexis Girouard, Cameron McGuire, Chase McGuire, Harmon-Jones, Mother Goose Inc.

Executive Privilege Award for Outstanding Board Member: Mayra Bonnilla and Rexanna Latimer.

Outstanding member awards: Manuel and Moore, Oxymorons; Emma Lawson and Anna Mortari, Junior Repertory; Sara Brittain and Castor, Senior Repertory; Harmon-Jones and Olexey, TROUPErdores; Guthrie and Tabitha Lamphear, VIPS; Larry Adams and Annette Brittain, Nostalgics/Adult Acting Corps.

Special awards: Elaine Courvelle, Mom of the Year; David Manuel, Dad of the Year; Jason and Michelle Moats, Parents of the Year; the Finch family, Family of the Year; Dallis and Erica Peterson, Newcomers of the Year; Girouard and Jacquelyne Moore, Rising Star Award; Calista Moats and Susie LeBuffe, Team Player Award; Lauren Fickey and Tabitha Lamphear, Creative Initiative Award; Lauren Fickey, Becky Lane, Todd Moats and Shelby Rowan, Backstage Award; Olexey and Mollie Rush, Wanda Daisy "Heart & Soul" Award; Chabot and Mikayla Moats, Robert Wenck Spirit Award; Todd Moats and Leah Rush, Becky Lane "Volunteer of the Year" Award; Natalie Fisher and Mikayla Moats, David Beesinger Leadership Award; Harmon-Jones and Tabitha Lamphear, Anne Black Professionalism Award; Lane and Shelby Rowan, Larry & Mary Whigham Service Award; and Logan Havel and Cheryl McGuire, Robert C. & Shirley Borden Impact Award.

NEEDS A HOME

Jake is a young Rottweiler mix. He is big, but easy to handle. His owners were no longer able to care for him. Jake is calm but can get quite playful and loves toys. Meet Jake at the Brazos Animal Shelter (www.brazosanimalshelter.org) at 2207 Finfeather Road in Bryan. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

HIGHER EDUCATION

* Brazos Valley residents Andrew Klepac and Cameron Clay have been named to the Spring 2009 Dean's List at Sam Houston State University. Clay earned a 4.0 gpa and Klepac earned a 3.5.

Klepac is the son of Deborah and Terry Klepac.

* The Austin College Dean's List has been announced for spring 2009. Students named to the Dean's List earned a semester grade point average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Area students include Katharine Potter of Brenham, a homeschool graduate and the daughter of Gary and Becky Potter, and Cara Barnes of Bryan, a graduate of Bryan High School, and the daughter of Kirk and Beth Barnes.

* Daniel Karkoska of Bryan has been named to the spring 2009 Dean's List at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. To be on the Dean's List, a student must compile a 3.5 grade point average with a minimum of 12 academic hours.

* Kellie McConnell, a senior from College Station, earned an Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award during the recent annual awards program at the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville .

McConnell is majoring in agricultural science with teaching certification.

* Clayton Robinson has graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor of science in economics with concentrations in finance and marketing. He is the son of Debbie and Troy Robinson of Quitman, and the grandson of Chris and Marie Loria of Bryan.

Robinson was recognized at commencement as a recipient of the Albert A. Berg Award for Leadership, given to six of Wharton's 600 graduating seniors.

While at Wharton, Robinson helped create the Cohort System, a program that groups incoming freshmen into "cohorts" of 60 students, allowing them to socialize and learn in intimate settings. Robinson was also president of Penn Democrats, the largest student political organization in the Ivy League.

Robinson is a 2005 graduate of All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler.

* The Texas Veterinary Medical Association has honored The College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University as one of four recipients of the 2009 Heritage Practice Award. The Heritage Award program recognizes veterinary clinics in Texas that have been in continuous operation for 50 years or more.

In 1888, Dr. Mark Francis came from Ohio State University to the A&M College of Texas and unwittingly organized what would become today the oldest continuously operating veterinary practice in the state.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University advanced from a one-room bachelor of veterinary science department to an official School of Veterinary Medicine by 1918.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University was recognized at the TVMA Annual Conference along with the three other Heritage Practice Award winners. A historical look at each of the four practices was featured in the June issue of Texas Veterinarian.

REUNION

Descendants of the families who came to America from Poggioreale, Sicily, around 1900 will hold a reunion at Sacred Heart Hall in Houston on Aug. 9. For ticket information, go to www.poggioreale.net or contact Robbie Morrison at rmorrison@poggioreale.net or by phone at 713-695-6586 or 713-419-8142.

AREA SCHOOLS

* Lulu Chang, a sophomore at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, recently competed at the Texas Music Teachers Association's Piano Concerto Competition at the Houston Hyatt Regency Hotel.

She won first place in the 9th-10th grade division.

* Rudder High School sophomore Tylar Williams is among a select group of teenagers attending the National Young Leaders State Conference.

The conference, sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, focuses on leadership skills during a four-day program.

Students are nominated or selected based on academic achievements and leadership potential. Williams was nominated by her teacher at Sam Rayburn Middle School, Allison Ard.

Her parents are Clyde and Wanda Williams of Bryan.

* Richards eighth-grader Oscar Cruz placed second in the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum 2009 Art Contest.

Cruz' print, Concept Car, was part of the American Scientific Innovations-themed event.

COMMUNITY AWARD

The College Station Kiwanis Club presented Kiwanis Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards during a recent meeting at the College Station Hilton.

The awards were presented by club President Shana Elliott (center left).

Those recognized were Brazos County sheriff's deputy Jerome Losack (left), Texas A&M Police officer Travis Lively (center right) and College Station Police officer Dalene Bain (right). Bryan Police officer James Murphy also received an award.

BETA SIGMA PHI

Members of the Gamma Gamma Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met this month at the home of Polly Niles to celebrate the chapter birthday. Treasurer Niles led the business meeting in the absence of President Glenna Brundidge and Vice President Margorie Goebel. She welcomed members of Preceptor Beta Phi who are joining Gamma Gamma Master.

Niles installed officers: President Kay Hamn, Vice President Diana Kratchman, Recording Secretary Joan Logan, Treasurer Jeanne Raykovich, City Council Rep. Faye Caldwell and Parliamentarian Joyce Meads.

Hamn took over the meeting and appointed two committees -- Budget: Kratchman, Meads, Caldwell and Niles; Bylaws: Niles, Caldwell and Raykovich. The committees will combine the chapter budgets and bylaws.

The chapter voted for $30 dues, and meetings to be the first and third Mondays at 9:30 a.m. The second montly meeting will be a social event with the City Council report and review of the "Book of Beta Sigma Phi."

Summer socials will be monthly birthday luncheons through September. Logan, Meads and Raykovich are in charge of the socials. "Beginning Day" will be celebrated Aug. 30 at Caldwell's home..

BRIDGE CLUB

Star Duplicate Bridge Club met June 5 at the College Station Conference Center. The winners were: N/S -- 1. Joyce England and Nell Page; 2. Beth Coker and Bob Young. E/W -- 1. Karen and Alan Bachman; 2. Joyce Greinert and Betty Mahoney.

On June 8, the winners were: N/S -- 1. England and Page; 2. Shirley Edmiston and Carl Ruch. E/W -- 1. Ann Fleischer and Lynda Shepard; 2. Joyce Gorzycki and Jane Turner.

On June 12, the winners were: N/S -- 1. Sheryl Pace and Richard Duble; 2. Lila Palmer and Ruch. E/W -- 1. Jane and Dan Turner; 2. Greinert and Mahoney.

On June 15, the winners were: N/S -- 1. Duble and Jim Hibbetts; 2. England and Lois Fox. E/W -- 1. Coker and Ed Booker; 2. Elizabeth Booker and Pace.

On June 19, the winners were: N/S -- 1. Pat Cruse and Richard Miller; 2. Sally Koestler and Billie Watkins. E/W -- 1. Frank Edmiston and Chuck Gates; 2. Fleischer and Zo Granberry.

On June 22, the winners were: N/S -- 1. Duble and Hibbetts; 2. Pace and Petty. E/W -- 1. Cruse and Marci Geppert; 2. Greinert and Mahoney.

COLLEGE STATION FIRE

The College Station Citizens Fire Academy recenlty held its graduation ceremony in the council chambers. The 14-week class included 19 recruits and met at fire stations throughout the city. Students were issued fire gear and learned the ins and outs of the department, including the hazardous materials program, vehicle extraction, fire hoses, ladders, search and rescue, and much more.

TEXAS FIRE PROTECTION COMMISSION

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed six members to the Texas Fire Protection Commission, including a Bryan man. The commission enforces statewide fire service standards and provides education and assistance to fire service personnel.

Les Bunte of Bryan is executive division director of Emergency Services Training Institute at the Texas Engineering Extension Service. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association and National Society of Executive Fire Officers.

He is a past board member of the Texas Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team, and Austin Community College Fire Protection Program.

Bunte received a bachelor's degree from Texas State University and a master's degree in public administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He is being reappointed for a term to expire in 2015.

Yusuf E. Farran of El Paso is executive director of the Canutillo ISD. He is being reappointed for a term to expire in 2015.

Carl "Gene" Giles of Carthage is senior vice president and director of the First State Bank and Trust Co. of Carthage and first assistant chief of the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department. His term expires in 2015.

John W. Green of San Leon is a firefighter, driver and operator with the Village Fire Department. Green graduated from the Texas A&M Fire Academy. His term expires in 2011.

Kimberley Shambley of Dallas is senior vice president and assistant general counsel for Countrywide Home Loans/Bank of America. Her term expires in 2015.

Steven C. Tull of Valley Mills is a lieutenant firefighter in the Waco Fire Department. His term ends in 2015.