Community Milestones

IN THE ARTS

□ The Mad Hatter Party, an annual fundraiser where kids entertain adults in order to raise money for the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus, was held in April at the Children's Museum. This year, the event raised $10,000 to benefit the Chorus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and educating a diverse group of children and youth ages eight to 18 in choral-music techniques, theory and performance, and enriching their lives through music.

IN SPORTS

□ The Triad Titans 14U basketball team has won the AAU D2 State Championship for 2009. Their coaches are Tyrone Anthony and Guy Morgan.

IN EDUCATION

□ Aaron Barger and Mitchell Tague, students at Paisley IB Magnet School, recently took 1st-place honors in the bio-process lab category of the North Carolina Science Olympiad State Tournament held on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus. More than 100 schools and 2,500 students from across the state took part in the tournament, which focuses on the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, engineering and technology.

□ Ashley Angell of Winston-Salem and Kyle Sherman Toman of Greensboro were named college marshals for the spring 2009 semester at Mars Hill College. Marshals are the eight students in each of the rising junior and senior classes with the highest grade-point averages.

□ Ryan Elizabeth Vale has been named as one of two fellows from Fordham University for the Jesuit Summer Institute of Advanced Studies at Loyola University New Orleans for summer 2009. JSI is a highly selective competition open to the honors students at all 28 members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States. The fellowship includes all travel expenses, tuition, room and board, and a $500 scholarship stipend.

Vale is a rising junior at Fordham College in New York City. She is an honors scholar in the Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, majoring in history, with a minor in religious studies. She is a 2007 graduate of Mount Tabor High School.

□ The following area students have received academic and leadership awards on Celebrating Student Achievement Day at Meredith College:

Cynthia Nicole Abell of Yadkinville, the Foundations of Leadership and Silver Leaf Level awards.

Natalie Braswell of Winston-Salem, Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

Samantha Marie Cibelli of Winston-Salem, PSI Award for Outstanding Contributions in Psychology.

Sarah Elizabeth Combs of Winston-Salem, recognition of the top 10 seniors.

Terri Lynn Jones of Winston-Salem, the Anne C. Dahle Scholarship Award.

□ Edwin Bell, Winston-Salem State University professor of education, has been named a recipient of the UNC Board of Governors' Excellence in Teaching Award. He was among 17 of the most outstanding faculty members of the university system to receive the 15th-annual awards for teaching. Each award winner receives a commemorative bronze medallion and a $7,500 cash prize.

Over the course of his career, Bell has won awards for his teaching and research and has secured grants to train elementary and secondary teachers in techniques to improve student learning. He holds degrees from Bowdoin College, Boston College and UNC Greensboro.

□ Cherie Dawn Chandler, a native of Winston-Salem, has graduated from N.C. State University as a Principal Fellow. As one of only 54 Principal Fellows selected statewide to participate in the two-year program, Chandler completed all of her coursework and a 10-month full-time internship in two years, while earning a master's in school administration.

Chandler is married to Donnelle Eric Chandler and is a mother to Cameron, Taylor and Dawnelle. She earned her Bachelors of Science in elementary education and Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from UNC Greensboro. She has taught 10- to 12th-grade English, high-school reading, college reading, reading recovery and fourth and third grades in Chapel Hill, Durham and Greensboro. In 2006, she received her National Board Certification in English/Language Arts.

The Principal Fellows Program is a nationally recognized school-leadership program offered in conjunction with N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina system.

□ David Tyler Grubbs has graduated magna cum laude from N.C. State University. He graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in business. Grubbs is the son of David and Renee Grubbs of Walkertown, and the grandson of Douglas Styers and Rosa Styers of Walkertown, and the late Charlie Grubbs Jr. and Bonnie Grubbs Campbell, also of Walkertown.

□ Jessica Stallings was named an academic honor student at Appalachian State University during the Spring Academics Honors Convocation in April. She is a junior, and the daughter of Bill and Leah Stallings of Lewisville.

□ James Parker Hatcher, a student at Reagan High School, in recognition of his academic achievements, has been made a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David G. Hatcher of Winston-Salem.

□ Erandi Isabel Montalvo Gonzalez from North Forsyth High School and Nicole Latrice Little from Carver High School have each won a $1,000 scholarship from the Piedmont Civitan Memorial Scholarship for 2009. The scholarship recognizes seniors who demonstrate need while maintaining academic excellence. The Memorial Scholarship was presented this year in memory of Louis Davenport, a charter member of the Piedmont Civitan Club.

□ The following students from the local area were named to Episcopal High School's academic honor roll for the third quarter of the 2008-09 school year:

George Bennett Moore, sophomore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Moore III of Winston-Salem.

Charles Collett Patton Jr., sophomore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Patton of Winston-Salem.

Benjamin Thom Strawsburg, freshman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Strawsburg of Winston-Salem.

□ Tamara Michelle Hill of Winston-Salem has graduated with a bachelor of art's degree in journalism and mass communication, and a minor in Spanish, from UNC Chapel Hill. She is the daughter of Kim and Guy Woodruff of Winston-Salem and Chris Hill and Tonja Hill of Lexington, and is a 2005 graduate of North Davidson High School.

□ Susan Terry, a senior mass-communication major at UNC Asheville, was recently presented the Blue Banner Award for Excellence in Photography at the 23rd annual Academic and Leadership Awards Celebration. She is the daughter of Jane Sellers of Winston-Salem and Cecil Terry of Lexington, and is a 2001 graduate of Mount Tabor High School.

□ Lisa Marie Miller was named to the dean's list for the 2009 winter semester at Savannah College of Art and Design. She is majoring in photography. Miller is the daughter of Lanny and Kay Miller of Winston-Salem.

□ The following area students have each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina for their college education:

Umar Faraz, Southwest Guilford High School; Susan Castro, Thomasville High School; Shawn Swing, West Davidson High School; C.J. Hunter, Jr., North Surry High School; Rashad T. Wilkerson, Parkland High School; Nhu Quynh Le Doan, Early College at Guilford; Megan E. Chaney, Central Davidson High School; Mariclaudia Herrera, Simon Atkins Academic & Technology High School; Marcus Layer, Ben L. Smith High School; Tania De Los Santos, North Davidson High School; Jennifer Phillips, Stone-Eden Christian School; Jasmine Echols, James Dudley High School; Eloisa Jimenez, North Forsyth High School; Abdulkarim Mohammed, Eastern Guilford High School; Jade Gilbert, Davidson County Community College; Ebony King, N.C. A&T State University, Patrice Tate, Greensboro College; Alexcia Ramsdell, North Davidson High School; Tekiera Key, Greensboro Technical Community College; Patrice Edwards, Winston-Salem State University; Brittany Holman, North Carolina Central University; Danielle White, James Dudley High School; Younus Ahmed, Forsyth Technical Community College; Sara Ahmed, Forsyth Tech Community College; Montissa Ellison, Forsyth Technical Community College; Olivia Pike, UNC Greensboro; Derwin Hill, Guilford Technical Community College; Whitney Springs, Southeast Guilford High School; Jasmine Thomas, Guilford Technical Community College; Tammy Levans, N.C. A&T State University; and Adam Marchant, Forsyth Technical Community College.

□ Meenal Khajuia has been awarded Salem College's 2009 Young Alumni Award. The award recognizes a recent graduate of the school who has excelled professionally and has been committed to assisting Salem College. Khajuia is currently the assistant director and policy analyst for the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition in Raleigh. She is the daughter of Dr. Gouri Shanker and Dr. Madhu Gupta, and she has served as an intern in the office of Mayor Allen Joines.

□ Jessica Nicole Bullins has been named the valedictorian of the class of 2009 at South Stokes High School. In the fall she will attend Salem College, where she has been named a Sue Jones Davis Scholar. The Davis Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship renewable annually for all four years at Salem College. In addition to the Davis Scholarship, Jessica also placed first in the North Carolina Elks Foundation's Most Valuable Student Scholarship. She was also a semifinalist for both the Morehead-Cain and the Aubrey Lee Brooks scholarships to UNC Chapel Hill.

Jessica is the daughter of Johnny and Joan Bullins of Walnut Cove and the granddaughter of Elwood and Ada Bullins, also of Walnut Cove.

□ Tammy Ingram Artis of Greensboro has graduated from UNC Chapel Hill as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She is the daughter of James and Paulette Ingram of Winston-Salem.

□ Brittany Morgan Honeycutt has graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Psychology. She also made the dean's list. Honeycutt is the daughter of Rock and Shannon Honeycutt, and she attended West Forsyth High School.

□ Antonio Archie has been named Student of the Year at West Forsyth High School. He is a a freshman at West Forsyth and the son of Antonio and Sonja Archie.

IN THE MILITARY

□ Army National Guard Pvt. Dustin S. Melton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Chris Melton of Yadkinville and Peggy Melton of Mount Airy, and is a 2008 graduate of Forbush High School.

□ Air Force Airman 1st Class David L. Coplin has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, and earned credits toward an associate in applied-science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Coplin is the son of Adolphus Coplin of Pfafftown, and is a 2000 graduate of Glenn High School.

□ Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan E. Helms has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and has earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is a 2005 graduate of High Point Central High School. Helms is the son of William Helms and Jane Helms, both of Kernersville.

IN SCOUTING

□ Thomas Keshian, a member of Troop 920 at Centenary United Methodist Church, has received the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Thomas organized a hot-dog fundraiser, built picnic tables and landscaped an outdoor courtyard at Cook Elementary School. He is the son of Richard and Nancy Keshian, and is a freshman at Reynolds High School.

IN OTHER AREAS

□ The Camel City Junior Woman's Club of Winston-Salem was recently awarded its club charter during the 107th General Federation of Women's Clubs of North Carolina annual convention in April. Members in attendance were Sarah Combs, president; Jaye Green, vice president; and Leslie White. The Charter was presented by GFWC-NC President Beverly Lassiter, GFWC-NC Director of Juniors Georgann Anthanaelos Sapp and GFWC-NC Director of Junior Clubs Missi McCoy.

The Camel City Junior Woman's Club is a local not-for-profit volunteer women's organization dedicated to intellectual and cultural enrichment by offering its members continued volunteer opportunities to benefit their communities.

□ Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina has won the prestigious Goodwill is Good for Families Award for 2009. Since 2001, Goodwill Industries International and the Annie E. Casey Foundation have partnered to reward Goodwill organizations for their demonstrated commitment to family strengthening. This award recognizes outstanding integration of family strengthening through leadership commitment, financial commitment, human-resource policies and practices, youth development and financial-education activities.

In the past few years, Goodwill Industries has implemented a number of programs that demonstrate its commitment to this concept, including the transition from a structure of vacation and sick time to a personal-time-off system, which offers greater flexibility for its employees; the creation of the Dr. Bob H. Greene Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance for children of employees attending institutions of higher learning; and the establishment of the Employee Emergency Assistance Fund to help those who experience devastating personal events.

□ Stephen L. Robertson, a former chairman of the boards of trustees of both Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and N.C. Baptist Hospital, was one of five hospital trustees who received Trustee Service Awards during the N.C. Hospital Association's Annual Trustee Institute in April. The Trustee Service Awards recognize member hospital trustees who have made significant and unique contributions to their hospitals and the communities they serve.

□ United Way of Forsyth County held its annual meeting in April, electing its 2009 officers and directors and presenting two of its most prestigious awards.

Newly elected officers and executive-committee members are: Edwin L. Welch Jr., board chairman; R. Michael Wells, secretary and chairman-elect; Ron Drago, president and assistant secretary; Keith W. Vaughan, vice chairman; Maureen L. Carpenter, vice chairman, finance and administration; Susan F. Campbell, vice chairman, community impact; Henry A. Brown III, vice chairman, marketing and communications; Michael B. Baughan, Nathan O. Hatch, Susan M. Ivey and James R. Nanton, at-large members; and Twana Wellman-Roebuck, agency executive-association representative.

Those elected to three-year terms expiring in 2012 are: Steven R. Berlin, Mark Doughton, Susan M. Ivey, Robert S. Parker, Susan E. Pauly, Donald Reaves, Ramon Velez, Steven B. Wiggs and Richard Wimmer.

Those elected to one-year terms expiring in 2010 are: J. Donald deBethizy, Ron Drago, Lida Hayes-Calvert, James R. Nanton, Keith W. Vaughan, Edwin L. Welch, Twana Wellman-Roebuck and R. Michael Wells.

Susan M. Ivey, the chairman, president and CEO of Reynolds American Inc. and chairman of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., received the Paul Fulton Tocqueville Leadership Society Award. The award is presented annually by the Society to an outstanding volunteer who has demonstrated untiring commitment, visionary leadership, resourcefulness and creativity in meeting the needs of the community.

Pepsi Bottling Group was honored with the 2009 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Community Service Award, recognizing the company's caring legacy and its history of strong United Way and overall community support.

□ Michael C. Blackwell, the president of the Baptist Children's Homes of N.C., recently received several awards, one recognizing his leadership and commitment to the welfare of children and families, and the others recognizing his abilities as a writer.

Blackwell received the Excellence in Leadership award from the Children and Family Services Association-North Carolina for his achievements in the field of children and family services, and two journalistic awards from the national Baptist Communicators Association for his editorial writings.

Blackwell directs Davis House and Hinkle House in Winston-Salem, BCH's group homes for developmentally disabled adults, and the Mills Home children's residential campus in Thomasville. He lives in Thomasville with his wife, Catherine.