If you had a dream of starting a business in the Northern Kentucky area, chances are you have met Sutton Landry.

Landry directs the Northern Kentucky University Small Business Development Center. For his work of reaching out, taking hold of the dreams of potential entrepreneurs and helping turn them into reality, Landry has been awarded SBDC's 2003 State Star Award.

"It is an honor to accept this award," Landry said.

He emphasized that the honor for him is to have the opportunity to help so many people to succeed in their own business.

The award was presented by Becky Naugle, state director for the Kentucky Small Business Development Center.

The award was presented in October at the national Association of Small Business Development Center's conference in San Diego.

The ASBDC is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations.

Rocker chairs Walk

Planners have added a little rock to the March of Dimes Walk for next year.

Peter Frampton and his wife, Tina, have been named honorary chairs for WalkAmerica 2004.

"This year we wanted to add a new twist to WalkAmerica,'' said John Banchy, executive director of the March of Dimes Cincinnati Division. "Peter Frampton and his wife, Tina, have been longtime supporters of the March of Dimes, and we wanted to give our walkers something to "rock-out' to at the end of the walk.''

The walk is 9 a.m. April 25 at Sawyer Point. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Participants can register online at www.walkamerica.org or by calling (800) 525-9255.

For more information, call 769-3588.

Otterbein director award

Rachel Ryan, director of programs, activities and community relations at Otterbein Lebanon Retirement Living Community, has joined a select group, receiving a national certification for retirement housing professionals.

She received the certification during the annual meeting of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging held recently in Denver.

"I am excited about receiving the certification because this is something I really want to do,'' Ryan said.

She was among 90 graduates in the class of 2003.

Ryan joined Otterbein in March 2000. She is a certified activity consultant and has served as the Montgomery County representative to the Area Agency on Aging.

UC dean's list

Jason Jorgensen, a recipient of a Cincinnatus Scholarship, was named to the summer quarter dean's list at the University of Cincinnati. He is a freshman majoring in chemical engineering.

The Lakota West High School graduate is the son of Julie and Karsten Jorgensen of Liberty Township.

National History Day winner

McAuley High School freshman Taylore Che was presented with a "Special Topics in History" award for her winning entry in the National History Day contest. She won $750 for a paper she researched and wrote, and a dramatic presentation she performed about the World War II Navajo code talkers. She also received a medal from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Taylore is the daughter of Joyce and Christopher Che of Northside.

Marine biology scholarships

These students received Jimmy Buffett Seacamp Scholarships to study marine biology last summer at the 2003 Seacamp on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys:

Emily Elliott, Paulos Ghebre-Ab and Robert Bedinghaus III of Clark Montessori High School; Audrey Bertaux-Skeirik and Kendall Trotter of the School for Creative and Performing Arts; Emily Bens of Walnut Hills High School; Daniel Sierschula of Aiken High School; Daniel Williams of Withrow International High School; Bianca Hayes of Withrow University High School, and Larry Hodge of Hughes Center.

To submit an item, please call 755-4165.