Kelly Ashton has been inducted into Gamma Theta Phi, the Miami University chemistry honor society, in recognition of her performance in chemistry and overall academic work.

        The Fairfield High School graduate is a junior majoring in biochemistry.

        She is the daughter of Lucille and Steve Ashton of Fairfield.

Essay finalist

               Ben Cober, a Mariemont High School junior, was a finalist in the Ayn Rand Institute's annual Anthem essay contest. His essay was one of 31 chosen from 5,600 submissions.

Golden Key

               Christa Swisher, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, has been accepted into Golden Key International Honor Society. The honors organization provides academic recognition, leadership opportunities, a chance to do community service, career networking and scholarships.

        Ms. Swisher is the daughter of Lois and William Swisher of Anderson Township.

Orchestra honors

               The following Northwest High School students have been accepted into the Ohio Music Education Association Southwest Regional Orchestra:

        Rebekah Dovel, percussion; Nick Law, violin; Jeff Gaige , violin; Angela Hamester, violin; and Andrew Henke,bass.

AP scholars

               Three Princeton High School students qualified as AP scholars with honor by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more exams: Kevin Carlberg, Christopher Mullin and Matthew Pearson.

Qualifying as AP scholars by completing three or more exams with grades of 3 or higher were Mark Aull, Jonathan Mullin and Robert Stephan.

        The College Board recognizes exceptional achievement on the college-level AP examinations. Only about 13 percent of the more than 840,000 students who took the examinations were named AP scholars.

        The exams, which high school students take in May after completing college-level courses, are graded on a five-point scale, with 5 being the highest. Most of the nation's colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement or both for grades of 3 or higher.

        we're planning to take: Big gifts by individuals dropped dramatically in 2001
       

        Congrats runs daily. Call: 755-4165. Fax: 755-4150. Mail: Congrats, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069.

The Year Ahead in Metro
Ten local newsmakers in 2002
New Year's Day closings
Young voices call for a coming together
4 bank robberies end record year for heists
Cold is here to stay
Luken in no rush to find manager
Mosque damage assessed
Muslim activist hopes for peace
New, tougher GED takes effect today
Oak Hills senior wins pageant
Police think deaths were accidental
Congrats
Engineering students get early college start
Fawn Candy founder dies
Local Digest
Police connect with collectors
Recreation Notes
Terwilleger considers run for Senate seat
Bones likely from flooded graveyard
Franklin family displaced by fire
Interfaith event celebrates peace
City divided over agency
CROWLEY: Likely newsmakers in 2002
Kentucky Digest
Accident kills 1, injures 2
GOP pioneer Warriner dies