Vision Is Now, a group of citizens led by the Rev. Raymond Jones, has arranged to raffle a car to raise money in the fight against crime, specifically black-on-black crime.

The group will pay only the dealer's price of $10,000 for the car - a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. McCluskey Chevrolet in Reading is providing the car.

"We do this with other charitable groups,'' said Mike Kelsey, president of McCluskey. "This is for a worthy cause, and we are glad to be involved.''

Jones said the money will go to Neighborhood Block Watch clubs to help pay for walkie talkies, gas and food.

"If these people are volunteering to put their lives on the line to help fight crime, they shouldn't have to dig in their pockets for money,'' Jones said.

He said the group is also having bumper stickers made to be distributed around town.

The car and stickers will be on display in Tower Place Mall, downtown. Tickets can be purchased in the mall office, at Walgreens stores and at Shell service stations in Over-the-Rhine and Walnut Hills.

Service academies

Thirteen area students have been nominated by U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Westwood, to attend military service academies next fall.

Among them are Mark Bryne and Anthony Stegeman, both of Elder High School. Bryne has applied for the United States Military Academy, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine.

Stegeman has applied to the Air Force.

Jennifer Kernen and Mark Miller of Taylor High School also are nominees.

Kernen applied at the U.S. Military Academy, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine.

Miller applied for the Air Force and Navy.

Other students include Eric Baker, Wyoming High School, U.S. Military Academy, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine; Jessica Bohache, Oak Hills High School, U.S. Military Academy; James Harris, Deer Park High School, U.S. Military Academy, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine; Justin Jones, Ross High School, Air Force; Thomas Kock, Stephen T. Badin High School, U.S. Military Academy and Navy; Andy Meyer, Colerain High School, U.S. Military Academy and Navy; Nicholas McMahon, La Salle High School, U.S. Military Academy, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine; Christopher Raterman, St. Xavier High School, Merchant Marine; and Michael Riga, Roger Bacon High School, U.S.Military Academy.

Our kids: Honorable mention for essay

Milford High School graduate Molly Dugan earned an honorable mention in the Kaplan Inc. and Newsweek annual essay writing competition, "My Turn." In the essay, she shared her emotions and thoughts about when she learned a friend had died. The essay can be read online at http://school.newsweek.com/myturn2003/dugan.php.

The daughter of Kenise and Brian Dugan of Loveland is a freshman in the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

Youth leadership forum

Melissa Koppenhoefer, a junior at McAuley High School, participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C. She joined other students who demonstrated academic achievement and an interest in a career related to national security.

Melissa is the daughter of Ryland and Ted Koppenhoefer of Green Township.

St. X senior an Eagle Scout

Patrick Reynolds of Troop 354, sponsored by St. Clement Church, has achieved the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America: the Eagle Scout award. For his community service project, he and his crew removed honeysuckle and weeds, cut logs and dead trees and built two benches near the Little Miami River so people who use the Milford Spiritual Center will have a place to meditate.

Patrick, a senior at St. Xavier High School, is the son of Leah and Sean Reynolds of St. Bernard.

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