• Parks graduates from basic military training

Air Force Airman Gwendolyn T. Parks has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

By Greta Watkins
Special to The Citizen

She had the gifts of a champion swimmer but was destined to become a professional dancer. Now, living her destiny and her dream, Yasmine Hassaan has joined the Southeastern Ballet Company, a new, non-profit professional company, as artistic director.

Yasmine Hassaan’s father, a native Egyptian, was a world-record marathon swimmer for Sweden. Mr. Hassaan holds two records for swimming the English Channel — one for being the youngest to complete the course and the other for being the oldest. Sweden was home to Yasmine’s mother, who was also a competitive swimmer. Mr. Hassaan planned to train daughter Yasmine to prepare her for a competitive swimming career and hopefully, the Olympics. Instead, Yasmine’s love for dance took her on a journey that resembled a “who’s who” of the dance world’s most renowned teachers, choreographers and performers.

Bennett’s Mill Middle School band members held a fund raiser for Toys for Tots at Dazzles Skating Rink on Wednesday, Dec.

On Dec. 15, Cub Scouts from Pack 271 received the Arrow of Light award, the highest achievable award in Cub Scouts. Bottom row (l-r): Shane Lobsinger, Drayton Hall; middle row: James Challman, Eric Carley, Avery Roth, Maddox Caporini, Eric Sutliff; back row: Den Leaders Lori and David Carley. Photo/Special.

Melissa S. Clanton graduated magna cum laude on Dec. 15, 2007 from Florida State University with a master’s in music therapy, ending with a G.P.A of 3.89. While attending FSU, she was asked to be in the prestigious Florida State Jazz Ensemble as a vocalist for the group Also she was installed into the Pi Kappa Lamba Honor Society and remained on the dean’s list throughout her college career.

Denise Serratelli, of Peachtree City, recently donated over 11 inches of hair to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Serratelli, a student at the University of Georgia, grew her hair for two years before getting it cut by stylist Kim Hemmer at Hair I AM salon in Peachtree City. Serratelli, 18, is a graduate of Starr’s Mill High School. Photo/Special.

Peachtree City Chapter Order of DeMolay continues its slow and steady growth with the initiation of two new members.

DeMolay, an international organization for young men age 12 (and completed the 7th grade) to 21, utilizes local chapters as a “laboratory” setting for members to learn leadership skills, public speaking, time management and financial management. In addition to these skills DeMolay offers an expansive social and athletic program.

Gallopade International received a national nod from the USA Best Book Awards for its Summer 2007 publication, “The First Woman President of the United States” by national best-selling children’s book author Carole Marsh. The book, which offers a candid and informative glimpse into a possible female presidency, was an award-winning finalist in the category of children’s education for the 2007 National Best Book Awards.

Local resident Aubrey Williams has had his book, “The Knight in Shining Armor,” published by PublishAmerica.

In Williams’ book, Emma and Daniel are about to turn 16. Little do they know that the big 1-6 would lead them into a world of fantastical creatures and magical beings known as mages. When Emma and Daniel lose their parents, they follow a man named Amethyst into the world only to discover the biggest truth. Emma and Daniel use their wit and knowledge to travel the world of Sulex as they try to piece together their family as well as their identities. Emma and Daniel have only just begun. They must help fight a war, save a civilization and defeat the evil plaguing Sulex.

• Hill elected president of local SAR chapter

Bo Hill, a resident of Fayetteville, Ga. and a 14 year veteran of the Fayette County school system, has been elected president of the Marquis de LaFayette Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution for 2008. Hill is a retired Lt. Col. in the Army and a science teacher at Booth Middle School in Peachtree City. Hill will be in command of the SAR chapter which services the entire Southern Crescent of Atlanta. The SAR is involved in educational, historical and patriotic activities which include visitations to 4th and 8th-grade classrooms and various civic and veterans groups. The SAR also works on programs that assist elderly and needy veterans and mark the graves of veterans who served in the Revolutionary War.nafa_chanslor,austin

She was feted by over 100 of her descendants and relatives on her 100th birthday and Ruby Lee Davis Betsill tried to hug them all.

Rachel Wilson, a fifth-grader at Landmark Christian School, Fairburn Campus, brought eggs to the food pantry at the Real Life Center. Students at the school were encouraged to find ways to help others. Wilson invested in making and selling cookies and bought eggs with her money. Her teacher is Lisa McAllister, and the elementary school principal is Kelli Penn. Photo/Special.

On Nov. 30, 2007 Hood Avenue Primary School sent care packages to 14 U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Mosul, Iraq. The packages were sent to support I Troop 3/3 ACR in care of Sgt. Christopher M. Ragsdale. This troop was deployed the first week in November and has an expected tour of 15-18 months.

Starr’s Mill High School announced that 32 choral students have been chosen to represent Starr’s Mill High School in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Chorus.

The Fayette-Starr's Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, met recently at the home of Jill Truitt in North Cove subdivision and 39 attendees heard speaker Mike Mullins, director of Hindman Settleman School located in Hindment, K.Y. This school is supported by the National Society DAR. Special guests were the regent of the James Waldrop Chapter, Betty Harrah of Fayetteville, and the Northwest District Director Brenda Jessel of Newnan. The chapter meets in Peachtree City the second Monday at 7 p.m. For membership info, call regent Carol Abadie at 770-632-9553. Above, from left, are Carol Abadie, Mike Mullins, Betty Harrah and Brenda Jessel. Photo/Special.

Georgia Southern University students James Diffenderfer, of Peachtree City, and Jessica Fortner, of Fayetteville, were selected as members of Southern’s Orientation Advisement and Registration (SOAR) team.

Touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing are the five senses we are given to enjoy the primarily tangible aspects of life—whether it’s the glimpse of a butterfly, the scent of a lilac bush, or the cry of a new baby. But these senses can also help us to enjoy the spiritual side too. This is what Tammy B. Melton’s new book, “Loving God With All Five Senses,” looks at.

• Briant graduates from North Georgia College and State University

Amanda Diane Briant graduated cum laude from North Georgia College and State University on Dec. 14, 2007, with a bachelor of science in biology. Briant is a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High School. She is the daughter of Lynn and Kelly Briant of Fayetteville, Ga.

By Jack Slagle Special to the Citizen

Most people associate the sweet, melodic sounds of bluegrass with the far-off mountains. The truth is that you can find a little slice of bluegrass heaven right here in Fayette County. The Musselwhite family, of Peachtree City, has released their debut album, “Handing Down Tradition,” a phrase that rings true with this family of six.

Fayetteville resident Karen Everett McNair, an operations analyst/energy manager with the Georgia Department of Defense, received her certificate of faithful service acknowledging five years of service to the State of Georgia recently. Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, presented the certificate to McNair at award ceremonies held in Atlanta. Photo/Special.

Major Kevin Landers was promoted to Lt. Col., at a ceremony held at Ft. Bragg, N.C. on Monday, Dec. 3. Landers, son of Jim and Becky Landers of Peachtree City, is a 1990 graduate of the University of Georgia where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate.

Spring Hill Elementary celebrated the completion of the fifth grade Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program with a ceremony. All students were recognized and awarded a certificate to celebrate their participation in the program. In addition, five fifth-graders received special recognition for their outstanding essays. These essays described the impact the police-led DARE program had on their lives when faced with making positive choices to resist peer pressure, violence, drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

New York artist Laura Loving, originally from Fayetteville, Ga., is currently exhibiting a selection of her original paintings at Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta through Feb. 9. The exhibit is a preview to The Trinity School's annual fundraiser, "Spotlight on Art", sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 3440 Peachtree Road in Phipps Plaza and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

United States Army Capt. Scott Childers has returned back to Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. after a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. Childers is the son of Susan and Bill Minter of Peachtree City and a 1995 graduate of McIntosh High School and a 1999 graduate of North Georgia Collage and State University in Dahlonega. He has been serving as the company commander for Alpha Company, 86th Signal Battalion, since April 2005 and will begin working as tactical officer and instructor in the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Ft. Huachuca in February 2008.

Samford University debaters and fellow Georgians Erin Ramsey and Logan Gramzinski defeated several top-ranked teams to win the recent John Carroll University tournament in Ohio. The three-day regional tournament ended Dec. 2.

AAID Security Solutions, Inc. President, Pete Martin, has been named one of the influential leaders in the security vendor industry by Security Magazine.

• Dyer assumes new rank

United States Air Force Major Todd Dyer assumed his new rank on Jan. 1 during ceremonies at Vance AFB, Okla., where he is stationed as an instructor pilot in the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals course. Dyer, a 1994 graduate of McIntosh High School, is a F-15E pilot with two tours of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and his wife, Katie, and their two daughters reside in nearby Enid, Okla. He is the son of retired Air Force Lt. Col. Les Dyer and Connie Dyer of Peachtree City.

Fayetteville amphitheater announces summer lineup

Although the new year has barely begun, Fayetteville Main Street Tourism Association has been thinking about and planning for 2008 for some time now. Organizers have been busy making plans for their 2008 concert series in an effort to bring entertainment to the community during those balmy summer evenings.

Jordan Webster shows off the new Christmas toys she helped her grandfather, Walt Griswold, deliver as a donated to the Real Life Center from the Children’s Christmas Memorial Golf Tournament. The Real Life Center assists families from all walks of life who are going through difficult times. For more information, contact them at 770-631-9334 or email rlc@reallifecenter.org. Photo/Special.

• Local resident named to high list

Maria Gardner Cox has been named to the high list for the fall semester at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. The high list is the school’s academic honor roll. Cox, a freshman is the daughter of Ray M. Cox and Isabell A. Gardner of Peachtree City, Ga. Episcopal High School is a coeducational boarding school that prepares students in grades 9-12 for college.