This advice comes from Hannah Rogers, a seventh-grader at Goshen Middle School:

"Follow the example of our founding fathers and dedicate your life to God, to your flag and to your country. America was built with dedication and dedication will keep it strong.''

That is a small part of a speech Hannah wrote and delivered in the Loveland Eagles Oratorical competition.

Hannah, and her sister, Elizabeth, a sixth-grader, and Rebekah Winterberger, an eighth-grader, all from Goshen Middle School, swept the competition. They will compete on March 20 in the district meet, sponsored by the St. Bernard Fraternal Order of Eagles.

The students had to deliver a three-minute speech on the meaning of God, flag and country.

The competition was among sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students from Milford, Goshen and Blanchester schools.

Security on Ohio River

Alan Bernstein may have river water running through his veins. The riverboat captain and owner of BB Riverboats has devoted a lifetime to river activities. Even the idea for Tall Stacks, celebrating the city's steamboat history, can be traced to Bernstein.

Bernstein's leadership in chairing a task force to solve regulatory issues with safety standards for flag passenger vessels has received recognition by the Passenger Vessel Association.

He led a group of 14 people representing different kinds of passenger vessels to set up new security standards.

"After 9-11, the country became concerned about security regulations,'' Bernstein said "Our task force met in Cincinnati over a six-month period to draft the new security standards.''

His task force developed and instituted the Passenger Vessel Association industry standard for security of passenger vessels and small passenger vessels which has been adopted by the U.S. Coast Guard.

"This is a significant achievement for the passenger vessel industry and a major benefit for PVA Members,'' said Gary Frommelt, vessel association president. "It means PVA members have direct access to a security program that has already been thought through for them.''

Story of Holocaust survivor

A documentary about Cincinnatian Henry Blumenstein, a Holocaust survivor, will be shown at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., April 2.

The documentary, produced by WKRC-TV reporter Jeff Hirsh and photographer Jeff Barnhill, is titled "Finding Family.''

Prayer placemats for Lent

Sixth-graders at St. Dominic School will put prayer placemats on tables in each religion class for someone in need of prayer during the Lenten season.

They will pray while weaving a placement for the person as a reminder that God supplies our needs.

Faith Matters

MASON - A one-man theatrical performance will bring the Gospel to life at St. Susanna Catholic Church in Mason next week.

Actor Frank Runyeon, who has played on Santa Barbara, Falcon Crest, Another World, Melrose Place and LA Law, will perform Afraid! The Gospel of Mark on March 8 at 7 p.m., at the church, 305 Fourth Ave., Mason.

The program is the first night of the church's three-night Lenten renewal. On March 9, Runyeon will perform The Sermon on the Mount at 7 p.m.

"Drama appeals to people and is ideal for the larger community in conveying the message," said Chris Kreger, the pastoral associate for adult formation at the church.

Then on March 10, Runyeon will talk on his own faith formation living in Hollywood and the way adults and children view the media in "Hollywood vs. Faith," also at 7 p.m.

"It's a relevant topic these days, and one we should all look at. How does the media relate to our faith, if at all?" Kreger said.

In addition to his acting credits, Runyeon has a bachelor's degree in religion from Princeton University. He studied at Yale Divinity College before receiving his master's with honors from the General Theological Seminary. He is writing his autobiography, Escape from Hollywood: An Actor's Journey to Faith.

The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the church at 398-3821.