• Army Reserve Pvt. Patrick R. McElhinney has 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.

He is the son of Kathleen McElhinney of Fayetteville, Ga.

• Charles J. Gibson has completed the required undergraduate coursework at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Though displaced by hurricane Katrina during the fall semester of 2005, he persevered and continued his studies at the University of Memphis in Tennessee until he could return to New Orleans to complete his studies.

Gibson received a bachelor of science degree in biology pre-med with a cumulative 3.5 GPA. He begins medical school this fall at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky where he will pursue a career in the field of cardiology.

Gibson is the son of Nathan and Vanessa Gibson and the brother of Jonathan Gibson, a 1998 graduate of Fayette County High School. Charles Gibson is a 2002 graduate of Fayette County High School.

• Dan Bates of Brooks, Ga. was among the students honored at Virginia Tech University's spring commencement ceremony held May 12 in Lane Stadium. The on-campus ceremony was presided by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine was the keynote speaker at the university commencement ceremony. Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, gave the keynote address at the Graduate School Commencement ceremony. Bates received a bachelor of science degree in building construction from the college of architecture and urban studies.

• United States Naval Academy Midshipman First Class Jeremy Garner has been named to the commandant's list at the U.S. Naval Academy. The honor recognizes midshipmen for achieving academic excellence by maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average and demonstrating outstanding military performance and conduct for a respective semester.
 
The academy is the undergraduate college of the Naval service and prepares young men and woman to become professional officers in the U.S.Navy and Marine Corps. Midshipmen attend the academy for four years, graduating with a bachelor of science degree and serve at least five years as Navy or Marine Corps officers.
 
Garner is pursuing a degree in history. He is a member and letter winner of the Navy varsity golf team and will serve as captain of the team for the 2006-2007 academic year. He is the son of Jay and Karen Garner of Fayetteville, Ga., and a 2003 graduate of Starr's Mill High School. 

• Justin Lapp has been selected as Junior Sailor of the Month for the second time and has been awarded a Naval Achievement Medal. In addition he has been recommended for promotion to E-5, Petty Officer 2nd class. He enlisted in the Navy in December 2002 as an aviation mechanic E-1 level and is currently E-4 Petty Officer 3rd class. Lapp has been deployed to Bahrain twice, Panama, New Orleans, and participated in the Indonesia tsunami relief effort with the USS Essex. He is stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas with the HM-15 Black Hawk Squadron. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lapp of Fayetteville and a 2002 graduate of Sandy Creek High School.

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