news-record.com

Some local residents and groups got a chance to show off their fiddling, guitar and banjo skills June 12-14 during the Charlie Poole Music Festival.

More than 50 prizes were awarded to various people. Winners included:

Tommy Cuozzi of Ruffin (third place, youth division); Jesse Smathers of Eden (second place, flatpick guitar); Joey Doss of Stoneville (fifth place, flatpick guitar); Matthew Turman of Eden (first place, bluegrass banjo); Jason Johnson of Ruffin (second place, bluegrass banjo); Ronald Smith of Reidsville (fourth place, bluegrass banjo); Jordan Roberson and Joey Doss of Eden (third place, duet singing); Jesse Smathers and Guy Ferguson of Eden (fifth place, duet singing); Dusty Ridge of Eden (first place, bluegrass band); Eden’s Road of Eden (second place, bluegrass band); Wayne Seymour of Wentworth (first place, Poole Song); Robert Stowe of Stoneville (second place, Poole Song).

■ ■ ■

Three area students are among eight to be awarded Lorillard Children’s Scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. selected them based on test scores, academic records, leadership and extracurricular activities.

“We’re proud to honor the accomplishments of the youth of our employees by helping them further their educations,” said Martin L. Orlowsky, chairman, president CEO of Lorillard Tobacco.

Jordan Gower of Reidsville, Joshua Carter of Yanceyville and Kelly Shields of Danville, Va., are the local recipients.

Gower graduated from the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, where he participated in theater, chorus and dance. He plans to attend N.C. State and major in math and mechanical engineering. He is the son of Joan and Elmo Gower.

Carter is a graduate of Westover Christian Academy in Danville, Va., where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity basketball team. He earned the President’s Education Award for Academic Excellence and the Association of Christian Schools International Distinguished Christian High School Award.

Carter was class salutatorian and Scholar Athlete of the Year, as well as Male Bulldog of the Year, a designation that recognized his character, athletics and academic record. He plans to attend N.C. State, where he will study mechanical engineering. He is the son of Linda and Jonathan Carter.

Shields graduated from Tunstall High School. She was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the student council and the varsity soccer team and was editor of the school newspaper. She was senior president of the Beta Club and the Interact Club.

Shields plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in university studies. She is the daughter of Patty and Stuart Shields.

■ ■ ■

Three Reidsville High School students have been selected to attend the National Federation of State High School Associations’ National Student Leadership Conference, to held July 16-19 in Indianapolis.

Lyshod Graves, Sydney Aiken and Daniel Leake are among six student delegates chosen to attend. The N.C. High School Athletic Association chose the students based on their responsibility, leadership, athleticism and interpersonal skills.

■ ■ ■

The Rockingham County Public Library has received a $10,000 grant from the Library Services and Technology Act program. The money will be used to buy books about health, medicine, wellness and fitness.

Library director Jay Stephens said the award is a great opportunity to help inform the public about medical issues, with the attention focused on health issues such as diabetes, childhood obesity and swine flu.

■ ■ ■

Reidsville Fire Marshall John Harris was the guest speaker at the Reidsville Kiwanis Club meeting June 18 .

Harris spoke about the importance of having smoke detectors in homes. A smoke detector lasts 10 years and should be checked monthly, he said. Batteries should be changed twice a year.

Homes with natural gas appliances should also have carbon monoxide detectors, he said.

Harris also talked about the need for families to have fire escape plans.

■ ■ ■

Some area residents are starting their careers in the military.

U.S. Army Pfc. Lawrence T. Garner graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

Garner studied Army mission, history, tradition and core values and had training in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonets, drill and ceremony, marching and rifle marksmanship, among other skills.

Garner graduated from Rockingham County High School in 2005.

U.S. Air Force Airman Kiana M. Wabol graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

In an eight-week program, Wabol was trained in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Wabol, a 2008 graduate of McMichael High School, is the daughter of Frances Wabol-Somorang and Gilbert Somorang of Eden.

U.S. Army Sgt. Marcus Hayes completed the Warrior Transition Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla.

Hayes learned skills similar to those learned in basic combat. Hayes completed the Army physical fitness test, M-16 weapon qualification, tactical foot marches, tactical field and situational training, and land navigation course.

He is the son of Margaret Hayes of Madison.

■ ■ ■

Raphael Deon Chestnut of Reidsville graduated from Duke University with a degree in biological anthropology and anatomy.

■ ■ ■

These area students graduated from Greensboro College: Vernicia Lynn Clark, Terry Thompson Moore, Judy Green Sizemore, Erica Danielle Smith and Jeanette Robertson Wagoner, all of Eden; Jessie Ann Roberts of Madison; Shannon Leigh Ashburn, Katie Allison Gunn, Stephanie Delayne Madren and Sharon Quate, all of Reidsville; Carletha T. Wilson of Stoneville; and Tabitha Dawn Bailey of Pelham.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com.