Good for you: Two named Governor's Volunteer Stars

Two named Governor's Volunteer Stars

Hamilton County's Leila Aldrich and Janice Provost were among those honored Monday at the annual Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards Program in Franklin, Tenn.

The program is an initiative by Volunteer Tennessee that recognizes outstanding volunteers from each of Tennessee's 95 counties. Every county mayor is asked to select that county's most deserving adult and youth volunteers to receive this award. Aldrich and Provost were chosen from a pool of nominations submitted to Mayor Jim Coppinger's office and selected by a committee of five.

Aldrich began volunteering at age 14 at the Tennessee Aquarium in its summer camp program and has served more than 586 hours over the past four years. She also volunteers at her church and has spent many weekends helping with tornado cleanup over the past two years. In addition, she helps care for her four younger siblings, two of whom have disabilities.

Provost has been a professional hair stylist for more than 40 years. Although her full-time job is at Town & Country Barbershop, she sets aside every Wednesday to visit the homes of hospice patients and provide them with free beauty services. Salon owners Ron and Marti Brown support her efforts by providing any products needed.


Wattenbarger wins scholarship

Leigh Wattenbarger of Rossville has received the Glenn Draper Music Scholarship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The scholarship is awarded to a student who has completed two consecutive years in UTC choral activities and has demonstrated academic excellence. Draper is the former director of choral groups at UTC.

Wattenbarger is a senior majoring in exceptional learning and minoring in vocal performance. She has sung with the UTC Chamber Singers for three years and is president of that ensemble. She also sings with the Chattanooga Singers.

She has held lead roles in nine musicals on and off campus as well as in UTC Opera productions. She is a volunteer choir director at Rossville Elementary School.


Ortega wins state art contest

Dana Ortega, a senior at Boyd-Buchanan School, won the 12th-grade division in the State Fire Marshal's fire prevention poster contest.

Ortega was sponsored by the Chattanooga Fire Department.

Students in grades kindergarten through 12th from 102 Tennessee schools submitted art promoting home-escape plans in case of fire. One winner from each grade level was selected and honored at an awards banquet.


Harton presents in Puerto Rico

Dr. Paul Harton of Harbin Clinic Eye Center in Rome, Ga., recently presented research at the American College of Eye Surgeons/Society for Excellence in Eyecare meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The annual meeting for hundreds of the world's eye surgeons is designed to disseminate the latest information on a variety of topics to its members.

Harton is working with Ophthalmology Hall of Fame Member Dr. Jack Holladay to research and improve the accuracy of intraocular lens implant calculations for cataract surgeries. The research involves collecting high-resolution ultrasound images before cataract surgery to visualize structures inside the eye. By doing this, it may be possible to more accurately predict where the lens implant will come to rest after surgery.


Franks receives Georgia award

Randall Franks, vice mayor of Ringgold, Ga., has received the Certificate of Achievement from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute at the Georgia Municipal Association's annual Mayors' Day Conference in Atlanta.

"This training is offered elected officials to allow us to keep up with state and federal opportunities for our community," said Franks.

To receive a Certificate of Achievement, a city official must complete a minimum of 72 units of credit, including six required courses. The training program consists of a series of more than 40 six-unit courses.


McDaniel named head of center

Dr. Craig McDaniel has been named to lead the Technical College System of Georgia's International Center. McDaniel is president of Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Rome, Ga.

McDaniel will begin his new position on April 1.

"There is a great deal of global interest in the reputation of our technical colleges being able to respond to the needs of employers. I look forward to working with our colleges in developing international training and education programs," said McDaniel.

Ron Jackson, commissioner with the technical school system, also said he will name Pete McDonald, vice president of economic development at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, to be acting president of the college until a new president is chosen.

McDaniel became president of his college in 1998, when it was known as Coosa Valley Technical College. In 2009, he guided the effort that created Georgia Northwestern Technical College from the merging of Coosa Valley Technical College and Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring.


Berry students earn theatrical honors

Several Berry College Theatre Company students were honored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for their contributions to the recent production of "Letters to Sala."

Benson Phinazee won the design and technology award for his scenic design in "Letters to Sala" and received a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to a workshop at the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.

Seven Berry students were nominated to compete at the next American College Theatre Festival. Among them was Mindee Patterson of Cleveland, Tenn.


Hua named Queens Scholar

Hixson High School student Jenny Hua has been named a Queens University Presidential Scholar, the highest award a student can receive from the university.

The scholarship includes $120,000 and a trip abroad.

To receive the award, the Hixson senior had to submit an essay to the scholarship committee, and participate in two interviews to be assessed by the committee on her ability to discuss current topics, how she worked with others who had differing opinions and her ability to articulate her beliefs.

The award was presented March 5 at Hixson High School during a surprise visit from the admissions directors at Queens.

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