• Andrew Zheng, of Peachtree City, has been named among the first group of Merit Scholarship winners in 2007. Approximately 1,000 outstanding high school seniors have won Merit Scholarship awards financed by some 300 companies, foundations, and other business organizations. These scholars were selected from finalists in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program who meet the criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Zheng was awarded a National Merit Northrop Grumman Scholarship. Northrop Grumman Corporation, based in Los Angeles, Calif., is a global corporation primarily serving the defense and electronic systems requirements of governments, commerce, and industry in the U.S. and friendly nations around the world. Northrop Grumman Corporation annually supports Merit Scholarship awards for the sons and daughters of employees. Zheng, a student at Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville, plans to have a career in medicine or healthcare profession.

• Army Reserve Col. Kathleen Swacina is one of an elite group of officers inducted into the 2007 Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in the Marshall Auditorium, Infantry Hall at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. Induction into the OCS Hall of Fame is the single highest honor the OCS can bestow upon its past graduates. Eligibility calls for officers who have either attained the rank of colonel, Medal of Honor recipients, or those who have distinguished themselves in civilian occupations. The Hall of Fame recognizes leadership excellence in both military and civilian public service. Inductees are chosen by a committee composed of the OCS battalion commander, the 11th Infantry Regiment commander, the chief of staff of the U.S. Army Infantry School, the chief of staff of the U.S. Army Infantry Center, and the assistant commandant of the Infantry School. Swacina is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, First U.S. Army at Fort Gillem, Forest Park, Ga. The colonel has served in the military for 28 years. She is the daughter of John S. Harding of Bonita Springs, Fla. Her husband, Daniel, is the son of Ruth Swacina of W. 121st Terrace, Olathe, Kan. The colonel received a bachelor's degree in 1995 from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, and earned a master's degree in 1997 from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.