The poster by Michelle VanSloten, 23, and Debra Ham, 21, will be used to promote the Appalachian Festival at Coney Island May 7-9.

VanSloten, of Westwood, photographed a landscape scene with mountains.

"My idea was to get a photograph that would symbolize the Appalachian area,'' VanSloten said.

Debra Ham, left, and Michelle Van Sloten, both photography students at Antonelli College in downtown Cincinnati, combined their photos for the winning entry for this year's Appalachian Festival poster. (Gary Landers photo)

Ham's photograph was of two people peering into the mountains.

"I wanted to get people looking at this landscape, maybe reflecting into their past or future,'' said Ham of Centerville.

The Appalachian Community Development Association Committee decided to put the two ideas together.

The two students then worked together to produce the winning poster.

Teacher Shannon Rice, a volunteer on the public relations, photos and documentation committee, said the landscape as a background paired with a couple peering into the mountains attracted everyone's eyes on the committee.

"A lot of people who come to the Appalachian Festival did not come from the mountains, but looking at this poster, they can reflect where their families originated,'' Rice said.

For more information, call 251-3378

Youth of the Year chosen

Jerritt Hayes, a senior at Purcell Marion High School, is overwhelmed at being chosen Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. But he is especially excited that the award will be presented by astronaut Mae Jemison.

Jemison became the first African-American woman in space as part of the crew on the space shuttle Endeavor in 1992.

"That is an honor, receiving the award and having presented by the first African-American woman in space,'' Jerritt said. "I feel especially honored for the award because it lets me know that people appreciate the good I do. That is a good feeling to know that you are trying to do the right thing and people are noticing it.''

Jerritt was selected from the U.S. Bank Club in Avondale. He is a member of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church,. Avondale.

"I work with a lot of the youths at the Boys & Girls Club,'' he said.

Jerritt said he plans to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where he will study culinary art.

Hospital supports program

St. Elizabeth Medical Center has entered into a partnership with Gateway Community and Technical College and will provide $1.25 million to support Gateway's Nursing Development program.

GIVING BACK: Blood donors recognized

Twenty-one people reached the 10 gallons and over milestone for giving blood and platelets between March 16-31, earning recognition from the Hoxworth Blood Center.

Leading the list of donors was David M. Keller of Mariemont, who reached the 22-gallon level.

Keller was followed by John J. Richmond of Clermont County, 21 gallons, and Tom H. Ohren, Amberley Village, 20 gallons.

Michael J. Zultoski of Mount Lookout reached the 16-gallon level.

Six people were recognized for reaching the 12-gallon level. They were Steve Loehrke, Mount Orab; Kevin P. Streckfuss, North Bend; Duane M. Karr, West Chester; Kenneth L. Hamilton, Mount Airy; Michael F. Erion, Lakeside Park, Ky.; and Francis E. Bernhardt, Anderson Township.

Five others were recognized for reaching the 11-gallon mark. They included John F. Stehlin, Colerain Township; Joseph P Ross, Westwood; Eugene Nieman, Greenhills; Thomas E. Holtz, Alexandria, Ky.; and John L. Board, Villa Hills, Ky.

Darlene S. Vonrissen, West Harrison, Ind.; Robert C. Sweeney, Cleves; Raymond Lackey, Avondale; Robert Collins, Mount Airy; Phillip M. Bates, North Avondale; and Donald J. Auciello, Sycamore Township, all reached the 10-gallon level.

The Hoxworth Blood Center is recruiting blood and platelet donors of all blood types.

Donors may call 451-0910 to give blood or 558-1280 to organize a blood drive.