Michael Almstead, 13, owes his sister a favor. A big one.

That's because Sparkle Torruella, 14, of Liberty Township, came to his rescue by performing the Heimlich maneuver when he choked on a piece of meat at the dinner table last month.

Sparkle will receive the Heimlich Institute's 2003 Save A Life Award, presented by Dr. Henry Heimlich, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school.

Blood donors recognized

The Hoxworth Blood Center recognized 23 people for reaching milestones in blood and platelet donations during the last two weeks of September.

Paul A. Dupuy of Montgomery topped the list, having reached 41 gallons. Others were: Carl J. Heck, Cold Spring, 22 gallons; Ralph B. Vanderman, Westwood, and David M. Keller, Mariemont, 21 gallons; Peter A. Michels, Burlington, Ky., 15 gallons; Dennis G. Williams, Colerain Township, Kathleen K. Smiley, Wyoming; Jack G. Quackenbush, Mason; Charles W. Plummer, Edgewood, Ky., and Mark C. Meckes, West Chester, 13 gallons; Richard Twehues, Fort Thomas, Ky., Kathleen L. Thomas, Erlanger, Ky., Stephen L. McBride, St. Bernard, and Robert M. Bragg, Burlington, Ky., 12 gallons; James S. Schweickart, Bethel, and Rhonda J. Dobson, Amelia, 11 gallons.

Ten gallon donors were: John F. Stehlin, Dunlap; Susan U. Sommers, Elsmere; Eugene Nieman, Greenhills; Kenneth L. Hamilton, White Oak; Edwin A. Deters, Groesbeck, James P. Brace, Liberty Township and Richard W. Becker, Fort Mitchell, Ky.

To make an appointment to donate, call 451-0910.

Academic all-stars

Wins Mitsubishi design

Nick Womeldorff, a senior industrial design student at the University of Cincinnati, was a winner in the fifth annual Mitsubishi Motors Design Competition, in which students and professionals from 59 countries completed theoretical designs of a vehicle.

The Princeton High School graduate from Evendale designed a vehicle for a family with children for six people. His design was selected by Mitsubishi designers as one of the final 37 Web projects.

Chew gets scholarship

Shannon Chew, a recent Mason High School graduate, accepted the Harrison Scholarship to attend Miami University. The four-year award covers tuition, fees, and room and board.

The daughter of Joyce and Bill Chew of Mason also won the American Legion Oratorical Scholarship at a national speech competition in Indianapolis.

To submit an item, call 755-4165.

Golden galaxy finalists

The winners of the Golden Galaxy Awards will be announced Oct. 22. More than 300 students from 58 high schools were nominated. All 55 finalists will be profiled here.

• Name: Deborah Warshawsky

Age: 17

School: Wyoming High

Community: Wyoming

Category: General Scholarship

Parents: David and Susan Warshawsky

Deborah is president of the student council and carries a 4.0 grade point average. She ran a schoolwide campaign that raised $5,000 for Crayons to Computers.

• Name: Lisa Halverstadt

Age: 17

School: Mercy High School

Community: Cleves

Category: Journalism

Parents: Eric and Pattie Halverstadt

Lisa founded the writing club at the Harrison Library and serves as editor-in-chief of Electera, the school newspaper. She volunteers at Mary Rose Mission.

• Name: Lauren Hayden

Age: 18

School: Anderson High

Community: Anderson Township

Category: Journalism

Parents: Tom and Ann Hayden

Lauren writes for the school newspaper and works on the yearbook staff. She is a member of the school tennis team, a mentor and a volunteer at Camp Stepping Stones.