Congratulations

Bo Morris III recently participated in the 71st Annual American Legion Alabama Boys State leadership program in Tuscaloosa. He learned about threats to our natural resources and worked to develop strategies to protect our environment. He is a student at Jacksonville High School and is the son of Ben and Val Morris.

Stephen Dethrage recently participated in the American Legion Alabama Boys State leadership program. He developed a plan for the recruitment of an economic development project for his Boys State city. He is a student at Faith Christian High School and is the son of David and Kathy Jo Dethrage.

The following young men represented Calhoun County at the 71st Annual American Legion Alabama Boys State leadership program in Tuscaloosa:

Russ Barnwell, a student at Pleasant Valley High School, passed the Boys State bar and participated in mock trials to learn about the legal system. He is the son of Jan and Dale Barnwell. Terryod Burnett, a student at Anniston High School, was elected to the House of Representatives, where he wrote and debated bills of importance to all Alabama residents. He is the son of Doris Whack. Jacob Conaway, a student at Piedmont High School, was elected to the House of Representatives, where he wrote and debated bills of importance to all Alabama residents. He is the son of Terry and Deborah Conaway. Judd Edwards, a student at Oxford High School, learned about the different roles of law enforcement. He is the son of Rodney and Jill Edwards. Chris Haynes, a student at White Plains High School, learned about the past and future of aerospace in the state of Alabama and visited an operational F-16 squadron at Dannley Field in Montgomery. Kadeem Hubbard, a student at Weaver High School, passed the Boys State bar and participated in mock trials to learn about the legal system. He is the son of Tamar Hubbard. Blake Muncher, a student at Alexandria High School, learned about emerging technologies and opportunities in the engineering and computer science fields. He is the son of Lance and Jennifer Muncher. Justin Owens, a student of Alexandria High School, developed a plan for the recruitment of an economic development project for his Boys State city. He is the son of Alan T. and Allison Owens. Michael Pettus, a student at Wellborn High School, learned about the past and future of aerospace in the state of Alabama and visited an operational F-16 squadron at Dannley Field in Montgomery. He is the grandson of John and Sharlene Pettus. Kirklan Pope, a student at Piedmont High School, developed a plan for the recruitment of an economic development project for his Boys State city. He is the son of Garry and Harriet Pope. Matthew Reynolds, a student at Piedmont High School, learned about emerging technologies and opportunities in the engineering and computer science fields. He is the son of Lori and Chris Eads and Vance Reynolds. Jacob Searle, a student at Faith Christian High School, learned about opportunities in the medical and healthcare fields. He is the son of Rick and Kathryn Searle. Victor Sedenik, a student at Saks High School, served Boys State as an active citizen, learning about the responsibilities and benefits of Alabama and U.S. citizenship. He is the son of Celena and Mike Willis and Stephen Sedenik.

The State of Florida Department of Children and Families announces the recent retirement of a former Anniston resident, Carol Ragland Williams. Williams has lived in the Tallahassee area for the past 28 years.

She is the daughter of Carrie Mae Bush of Anniston and the late John D. Bush, and the grandmother of 17-year-old Andrea S. Taylor also of Anniston.

Upon her arrival in Tallahassee, Williams worked at the Wateroak Center (now Father Flanagan's Center for Boys), worked as a trainer for Howard Johnson's and at the Florida State University's Athletic Academic Support Center.

During her tenure with the Department of Children and Family Services, she served as a clerk specialist, personnel aide and personnel tech I and II and retired as a personnel tech III. She also served as an economic self-sufficiency specialist I and was a member of the Florida Department of Children and Families emergency response team and assisted the disaster relief in Orlando and Pensacola emergency food stamp issuance program.

A luncheon was held in her honor on May 29 by the human resource team at DCF, and a retirement roast and toast was held on May 30 where she was awarded cash, gifts and a cruise to the Bahamas.

The Calhoun County Young Farmers committee recently held the 2008 Calhoun County Miss Agriculture Pageant in Jacksonville. Winners in the pageant included, left to right, Jesica Fleming, 2nd place; Kelsey Butler, Miss Agriculture; and Rachel Milner, 3rd place.

The Calhoun County Young Farmers committee recently held the 2008 Calhoun County Farmers Federation Talent contest in Jacksonville. Winners in the contest included, left to right, Kimberly Westbrooks, 2nd place; Ericka Bennett, 1st place talent winner; and Gilda Osborn, 3rd place.