Learning briefs 5/24/05

Central musicians earn top ratings at festival

Central High School orchestra members recently participated in the Missouri State Music Festival in Columbia, Mo. The following members received these ratings for their performances:

Excellent rating: Kyle Gilhaus, violin solo; Jenny Huo, violin solo; Jackson Hill, viola solo; Philip Brotherton, bass solo; Charlotte Schaffner and Katie Peel, viola solo; Kari Bragg, flute solo.

Superior rating: Sarah Goeke, violin solo and vocal solo; Cole Buerkle, bass solo; Jarred Harris, bass solo; Rachel Hendricks, viola solo.

Craven to attend fine arts academy at SMSU

Amanda Craven was recently selected to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University during the month of June. Craven submitted a piano audition for the academy. She is the daughter of William and Brenda Craven of Jackson.

Driskell earns doctorate in veterinary medicine

Elizabeth Green Driskell recently received a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She graduated with distinction and plans to practice in Ankeny, Iowa. Driskell is the daughter of Ken and Ann Green of Cape Girardeau.

Elementary students win poster contest

Several Meadow Heights Elementary students recently were selected as winners in their grade category for a statewide drug-free poster contest sponsored by the FreeWay Foundation. The winners were: Paul Lochirco, kindergarten; Samantha Sniadecki, fourth grade; Makayla McGruder, fifth grade; Stephanie Aslinger, sixth grade.

Peacemaker award goes to Cairo student

Devone Eurales of Cairo, Ill., was recently recognized for academic excellence at Illinois College's honor day convocation. Eurales received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker award. He is a graduate of Cairo High School and the son of Retha and Derek Eurales Sr. of Cairo.

Harris selected for White House internship

Erick D. Harris, a 2002 graduate of Central High School, has been selected for an internship at the White House for the summer 2005 term. He is a senior at Vanderbult University in Nashville, Tenn., and is the son of the the late James and Essie Harris.

Evans presents autism research at Mizzou

Melanie Evans, a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, recently presented a research project on autism at the American College of Medical Genetics' Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Dallas. Evans also won a chancellor's award of excellence for her project, the recent Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum at the university. She is the daughter of Sharon Abel of Perryville, Mo., and Glenn Evans of Pea Ridge, Ark.

Essner receives Dean's Scholarship to SLU

Rachael Essner, a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School, has been awarded a Dean's Scholarship to St. Louis University. Essner was accepted into the honors program at SLU's College of Arts and Sciences and will begin her course of pre-med studies the fall semester of 2005. She is the daughter of James M. and Mary B. Essner of Cape Girardeau.

Cole inducted into honor society at Mizzou

Chris Cole was recently inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, at University of Missouri-Columbia. Cole is the son of Bill and Susan Cole of Cape Girardeau and graduated cum laude May 14 with a dual major in finance and real estate.