Learning briefs 11/18

Hendricks graduates from Ball State

Steven Hendricks of Cape Girardeau recently graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., with a doctorate of arts degree.

Jackson group helps Habitat for Humanity

Jackson High School's chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America recently attended a regional conference and also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

The regional conference was held at Southeast Missouri State University.

Eight members of the Jackson group joined a team of Habitat for Humanity workers in building a house for a Cape Girardeau family.

The high school students helped paint, caulk seams and build a roof for the house as part of a service project. Habitat for Humanity is sponsored by the Area Wide United Way.

Sikeston student elected Boy Scout section chief

Jonathan Cartner, 19, of Sikeston, Mo., was recently elected to a one-year term as section chief for Order of the Arrow Section C4-B with Boy Scouts of America.

Cartner is an Eagle Scout from Troop 41 in Sikeston and a student at Southwest Missouri State University.

Notre Dame grad earns degree in photography

Laura Simon, a graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School, recently received an associate's degree in photography from the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver.

She completed an internship at Memory Makers magazine. Simon is the daughter of Larry and Carol Simon of Cape Girardeau.

VFW announces essay, speech winners

Six Scott City Middle and High School students were selected as winners in the VFW Post and Auxilliaries essay and speech contests recently.

The winners were announced during the schools' Veterans Day Assembly.

Winners in the Middle School essay contest were D.J. Sharrock, third place; Ryan Miller, second place; and Donielle Howell, first place.

Winners in the Voice of Democracy speech contest were Faie Morgan, third place; Jared Griffin, second place; and Jesse Venable, first place. Venable will advance to the district competition.

Each student received a cash prize for their entry.

Cape Christian School picks students of month

Cape Christian School's students of the month, kindergartner Collin Salvo and fourth-grader Lauren Lamb, received the Christian Character Award for November.

Salvo is the son of Leanna and Philip Leimer of Jackson. Lamb is the daughter of Susan and Rick Lamb of Cape Girardeau.

Area student honored for program work

Cassie Gross of Cape Girardeau, chosen as one of the Nestle Very Best in Youth in 2001, was invited back recently for the program's annual celebration in California in honor of her work in getting other young people to apply for the program.

The Best in Youth program recognizes the work of children in helping their communities by donating $1,000 to the charity of each winners' choice.

Gross is now a junior at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. She is the daughter of Chris and Debbie Gross.

-- From staff reports