School news

• The University of Akron College of Engineering honored four graduates with its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards: Scott Armstrong, assistant vice president and division manager of Science Applications International Corp.; Louis J. Ciraldo Sr., retired electrical engineer at Goodyear Tire & Rubber; Louis J. Ciraldo Jr., president of Summit Construction; and Ming Zhang, founder of Interactive Engineering Corp.

• The seventh-grade team at Old Trail School won first place in the Power of the Pen regional competition at Kent State. Old Trail's combined team of seventh- and eighth-graders came in third in the competition devoted to excellence in creative writing. Seventh-grade team members were Isabelle Hanna, Miranda Hines, Tim Horth, Charlotte Scarponi, Ben Wilson, Annie Wyman, Christine Xu and Zoe Sapienza. Eighth-grade team members were Abbey Dankoff, Mattie Freiberg, Ryan Huang, Lexi Karas, Rachel Nelson, Mihir Shah, Stephanie Tabet and Kyle Wiggers.

• Amanda T. Quan received the third annual Diversity Scholarship from Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs. She is a first-year law student at the University of Akron School of Law. The award includes a $5,000 scholarship and paid clerkship in any of the firm's six offices. • Courtney Vatis of Stow was cast as Lady Macduff in the Baldwin- Wallace College production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. She is the daughter of Kay Vatis-Farren and Martin Vatis Jr. She is a 2004 graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

• The University of Akron College of Education honored the following alumni at its annual awards dinner: Virginia Sabo Boyer, Dan T. Hayes, Judi Hill and Cazzell M. Smith Sr.

• Kyesha Brown was chosen to receive the Akron Public Schools Career Education Excellence Award. She is a junior at Buchtel High School.

• These local students were named National Achievement Scholarship winners: Brendon A. Roberto of Aurora High School; Reneee E. Calderon of Central Catholic High School, Canton; Ijeoma O. Offodile of Kent Roosevelt High School; and Jonathan D. Lampley of Tallmadge High School. More than 800 students across the country received scholarships in the National Achievement Program, which honors scholastically talented black youth. All received $2,500 scholarships.

• Amy F. Hoffmann of Cuyahoga Falls was elected to the Iota chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Society at Gettysburg College. Phi Beta Kappa recognizes scholarship, character and promise of achievement.

• Gregory Griffin of Medina was awarded a $1,000 scholarship as a semifinalist in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition. He is among more than 550 high school students from across the nation who entered the competition, which is designed to spur students' interest in the field of public health, specifically epidemiology. Griffin received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete against other winners for scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $25,000.

• Sarah Grace, daughter of Michael Grace of Hudson, received a $1,200 scholarship from the Ohio Pest Control Association. She was one of five students to receive awards from the association. She plans to pursue pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. Military news

• Air Force Airman Adam G. Gonzalez, brother of Joshua Gonzalez of Akron, completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is a 2007 graduate of Scioto County Joint Vocational School, Lucasville, Ohio.

• Marine Corps Pvt. Robert A. Schneider, son of Susan and Robert Schneider of Akron, completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

• Navy Seaman Apprentice Holly M. Taylor, daughter of Debra and stepdaughter of Chris Lewis of Cuyahoga Falls, completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. She is a 2003 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School.

• Army Pvt. Elizabeth M. Nicely, daughter of Donald Nicely of Alliance, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

• Army PV2 Eugene R. Dowdell, son of Robert and Jan Dowdell, graduated from basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. He is a 2005 graduate of Coventry High School.

• Army Pvt. Jesse A. Strouse, son of Todd and Dee Strouse of Manchester and Renee Cozzoli of Springfield Township, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Benning, Ga. He is a 2006 graduate of Manchester High School.

• Air Force Airman Aaron J. Zelenka, son of John Zelenka of Chippewa Lake and Debbie Sabo of Brunswick, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

• Air Force Airman 1st Class Raymond M. Campbell, son of Raymond Campbell of Akron and Brenda Hale of Cleveland, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is a 2007 graduate of East Technical High School in Cleveland.