Air Force Airman Devon M. Stillions has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

More than 2,400 winners of Merit Scholarship awards financed by colleges and universities were announced recently by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Patrick R. Gannon, son of Mr. & Mrs. Pat Gannon of Fayetteville and a 2002 graduate of Landmark Christian High School, completed eight weeks of U.S.

Cadet Kristina Faith Romero of Fayetteville, has received the Col. Floyd W. Brown Jr. Memorial Award while at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

Resident organizes running series for Fayette elementary schools

Being "on the run" is a perfect way to describe George Martin. As immediate past president of the Peachtree City Running Club, vice president of the Peachtree City Rotary Club, vice president of Promise Place, vice chair of the Peachtree City Recreation Commission and a volunteer with United Way, he is always on the go.

But it is Martin's commitment to running and to the children in the community that led him to start one the the top children's running programs in the United States. In 2004, he brought together two of Peachtree City's most active organizations, the Rotary Club and the Peachtree City Running Club in an attempt to address growing concerns about youth fitness and childhood obesity.

Students enjoyed experiencing future career options while attending the Prime Time Career Centers at Sara Harp Minter Elementary.

Simone Heath has been named one of the 2006 School Award Winners for Fayette County High School by The American Legion Fayette County Post 105.

Members of Georgia Youth Ballet in Fayetteville have been working all year, perfecting their technique, and now they are reaping the benefits. “Georgia Youth Ballet has 22 dancers who will be attending summer dance programs all over the United States,” said Magdalena Maury, artistic director of Georgia Youth Ballet. “This is the most dancers we’ve ever had attend out-of-state summer programs. And many of them have received scholarships,” Maury added.

Kimberly Crawley, a rising Starr’s Mill High School junior, has been selected to attend Ithaca College’s three-week musical theatre pre-college program this summer. Crawley, the daughter of Shaun and Connie Crawley, has been given a talent-based scholarship to study musical theatre under Professor Arno Selco. After going through a rigorous application and audition process, Crawley was one of only 10 students selected for this prestigious program and will receive college credits for her work.

Recently Luke Nagy, a third grade student at Braelinn Elementary School in Peachtree City, received two certificates of Outstanding Merit for placing first for his grade and third in the division in the national Mathfax competition.

Local Fayetteville artist Jackie Baker recently loaned one of her art pieces to the Henry County Community Chorus for their presentation of "Sentimental Journey: A World War II Musical Review." The work entitled "Freedom is Not Free" is a collage of fabric, paper, ink and paint on pressed wood.

Atlanta Christian College honored students with high academic achievement at the college’s annual award and recognitions ceremony prior to the end of the spring semester.

The Augustin Clayton Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has been recruited by Wally Wallace to assist the Atlanta Chapter of the USO in providing services to U.S. troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Located at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the USO canteen sees hundreds of military personnel pass through its doors each week. Members of the Augustin Clayton DAR Chapter volunteer to work one Sunday every other month on average to assist troops and their families. The ladies are posted at the top of the escalators to greet these heroic servicemen and women who are returning to the U.S. for their two weeks of R&R. Other ladies direct the soldiers and marines who are returning to their duties in war zones toward the USO canteen. Here the soldiers and marines are processed for their return flights to Germany and to their final duty stations. All DAR workers participate in escorting the military members through the airport's atrium and to their gates for boarding.

It’s official. The Atlanta South Express Network of the American Business Women’s Association (ASEN/ABWA) received its national charter recently during a special luncheon meeting at Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City. ABWA past National President Karen Couillard of Atlanta presented the ABWA Express Network Charter, which was then signed by all Charter members in attendance.

Steven Michael Mudrinich has been appointed to the United States Air Force Academy and will soon enter the Class of 2010.

David G. Jenkins has graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Amanda Megan Hearington of Fayetteville was named to the dean’s list at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga. for

Elizabeth Leigh Buchanan, of Fayetteville, recently graduated cum laude with an Associate in Science from Truett-McConne

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) recently announced that Fayette County High School student Steven Bennett has been selected for membership.

Attina’s Music Store celebrates 40 great years with celebration at Fayetteville location

Dominic “Nick” Attina and his wife, Mary, were the heart and soul of Attina’s Music and their son, John, will honor them this Saturday with a memorial monument outside of their Fayetteville location at a celebration marking the store’s 40th anniversary. Since 1966, residents south of Atlanta have counted on Attina’s for their musical instrument needs, whether it was a new instrument, a replacement part, repair, lessons or just a place to browse around.

Peachtree City author Carole Marsh signed copies of her new children’s mystery book, “The Awesome Aquarium Mystery” at Georgia Pacific headquarters on May 3. Attendees were especially interested in “The Cold Water Quest” chapter, which is named for Georgia Pacific’s sponsored exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium. Marsh and her friend, Priscilla Penguin, also autographed many books for Fulton County public school students who take part in Georgia Pacific’s mentoring program. Marsh is the CEO of Gallopade Publishing, which is based in Peachtree City. Photo/Special.

The Great Frame Up in Peachtree City hosted The Creative Self-Expression Foundation Art Exhibit, a juried student art exhibit featuring the work of McIntosh High School and Starr's Mill High School, recently.

Ashleigh Webster's recent death was a tremendous loss for her parents, her family, and her friends. Wishing to honor the memory of their daughter, as well as attest to their own belief in the God-given sanctity of every life, Ashleigh's parents requested that donations be made to the Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center in lieu of flowers. Such donations would both celebrate and perpetuate the respect for life, sexual purity, and sanctity of marriage and family which characterized Ashleigh and her family. The Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center has been gratified by the outpouring of gifts and were honored to plant a tree at McIntosh High School in honor of Ashleigh.

On May 3, the Student Council from Oak Grove Elementary visited the Georgia State Capital.

Dawn Oparah, representing the Community Foundation for Fayettte County, recently presented Cathy Berggren, Director of the Real Life Center and Matthew Winn, president, with a grant for the Real Life Center.

Chris Stalans of Dalton, Caroline Hamilton of Ringgold, Stacy Howley of Fayetteville, and Jennifer Danbury of Palmetto were initiated into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity at Carson-Newman College.

Tyler Pelzer, a ninth grade student from Fayetteville, has been accepted to represent the United States this summer with the organization People to People.

Georgia Army National Guard PFC. Andrew L.S. Powell graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises. Powell is now studying at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif.

The Augustin Clayton Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter which serves Fayette, Clayton and Henry Counties is announced that two of its members have been recognized for their creativeness in the arts.

Two Fayette County residents received awards during Honors Day ceremonies at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga. William Maxwell Buchanan was presented the Student Leadership Award for outstanding leadership of the student body and was also named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” Amanda Megan Hearington was recognized as a member of the collegiate honor society Phi Theta Kappa.