Milestones

Reynolds Community College has announced that two of its students have been selected as 2018 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars. James Brown and Donald Cooper were selected from more than 2,000 applicants and named as Coca-Cola Bronze Scholars. The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends beyond the classroom to benefit society. Of the more than 2,000 applicants this year only fifty students were named Bronze Scholars. To be eligible for this program, students must submit an application for the All-USA Academic Team and be selected as a nominee by their college. Brown and Cooper were nominated by Reynolds. Their selection was based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service. Funding is provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Brown and Cooper will be recognized at the Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention in April.

The following area students graduated Dec. 16 from James Madison University: Anastasia Camil Johnson, Kristen Keturah Bruce, Brittany Logan Bolton-Scott, Colby Lee Bedell, Victor Manuel Aguirre, Brianna Rose Klein, Wilson Augusta Keller, Mary Leigh White, Ronald Timothy Terry, Carlton Reid Seward, Justin Tyler Rhodes, William Cole Hawkins, Cameron Townes Yudkin, Morgan Blair Patrick, LaTroy Anthonae Forbes, Elle PhuongVi Nguyen, Teje Kiara Tolson and Mark Elliot Hoppe, of Henrico; and Charles Donaldson Moore, Samuel Kenton Stein, Dina Alexandra Shannon, John Christopher Stiebel, Elizabeth Lovelace Gragnani, Caitlin Elizabeth Dow, Alicia Suzanne Berkle and Michele McCay Hughes, of Glen Allen.

Jacqueline Palmer, of Henrico, recently was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, a collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Palmer was initiated at Florida State University.

Papa John’s of Central Virginia and Virginia529 recently announced the winners of their third annual essay contest for eligible fifth graders. The Better Future Fund winners from Henrico County are Mary Kate Jacobs, of Gayton Elementary, and Druthi Ravishankar, of Kaechele Elementary. A short essay describing how he or she will help to improve their community won them up to $1,000 towards a Virginia529 college savings account. In addition, awards were granted to the winners’ schools and their individual teachers. The Better Future Fund is sponsored by Richmond Raceway and WRIC. Winners are invited to Richmond Raceway on April 21 to participate in a formal presentation during the Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

The following local students from James Madison University recently spent a week helping those in need around the country and the world: James Green, Katherine Cunningham, Emma Ohlsson, Mary Pearsall, Sarah Salzman, Alexander Whitehurst and Reilly McNamara, of Henrico; and Sydney Escobar, Savannah Boxley, Mitchell Crenshaw and Meghan Schultz, of Glen Allen. The student-led Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips took place March 5-12. Each trip focused on a social issue, such as homelessness, resettlement, environmentalism or community wellness, in a specific region. Almost 250 students embarked on 25 spring break trips around the country and world. The students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group.

The Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at The Citadel recently awarded Alec Reddy (Marine Corps), of Henrico, the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award. This award is presented to outstanding cadets who have made significant contributions to demonstrate and encourage patriotism through participation in activities on campus or in the community.