Leaders and legends took the spotlight at a United Way luncheon Wednesday at the Millennium/Sheraton Four Points Hotel, downtown.

Addressing the group was Johnnetta B. Cole, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. Cole is chair-elect of the United Way of America board of trustees and past president of Spelman College in Atlanta.

Leadership Award honorees included David Walker, chair, Every Child Succeeds, winner of The Geier Family Award for United Way Leadership; Mary H. Brown, mayor of Fort Thomas, Ky., the Ruth W. and Robert I. Westheimer Award for Continuous Leadership; Sheila Adams, immediate past president of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, the Joseph A Hall Award for Promoting Diversity; Julie Elkus, trustee of Dominican Community Services/Visions, the William A. Mitchell/Pearl S. Gantz Award for Community/Agency/Initiative Leadership; and Nathan C. Lowry, senior at Scott High School in Taylor Mill, Ky., Youth Leadership Award.

David Walker (left), from Every Child Succeeds, talks with Johnnetta Betsch Cole, president of Bennett College for Women, and Herbert R. Brown, chair of the African-American Leadership Society, during the 2004 annual Leaders & Legends Luncheon. The Cincinnati Enquirer/TONY JONES

Community Service Awards were given to G. Jeffrey Berding, director of sales and public affairs for the Cincinnati Bengals; Fluor Fernald employees; Robin P. Nenninger, executive vice president of U.S. Bank; Karl S. Kehr, chief financial officer, Manufacturing/New Product Technology Academy; Edwina J. Wooley, customer services representative in the pharmacy at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; and G. Edward Hughes, president, CEO Gateway Community & Technical College.

Other Community Service Awards went to William J. Evans, community service coordinator for United Food & Commercial Workers 1099; John J. Metz, senior design director, LPK Inc.; Wendell E. Hawkins, investment executive, UBS Financial Services; and the following community volunteers, Charles Milton, Symmes Township; Karen Bell, Fort Thomas; and Dorothy M. Comassar, Walnut Hills.

Young inventors honored

Two local students were among the list of 36 winners nationwide announced this week in the 2004 Craftsman/National Science and Teachers Association's Young Inventors Awards.

Kyle Sturgeon, a fourth-grader at Adams Elementary School, Hamilton, won for his project, "The Pull Easy Shovel," Kyle fashioned a shovel with a lid, a pull cord and a wheel to lift, hold and remove snow. He was a second-place regional winner, earning a $500 U.S. savings bond.

Lauren Stanula, a seventh-grader at St. Andrew School, Milford, won for her project titled "The Old Glory Keeper," a storage box, flag holder and display unit for the American flag. She was a third-place regional winner, earning a $250 savings bond.

Nearly 9,000 students in second through eighth grade entered. Students must invent a new tool or re-think an existing tool. Prizes ranged from $250 to $5,000 savings bonds.

Dean's lists

These students have been named to the fall term dean's list:

Sarah Slavick, a freshman journalism major attending the Honors College of the University of Missouri, Columbia. The daughter of Julie and David Slavick of Union Township, Clermont County, was the editor in chief of the Milford High School newspaper.

Kyle Donnellon, a freshman attending Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. The Ursuline Academy graduate is the daughter of Alice and Tom Donnellon of Mount Lookout.

Jordan Bernsmeier, a junior English major at the University of Cincinnati. The School for Creative and Performing Arts graduate is the daughter of Brooke Waters of Mount Washington and Jack Bernsmeier of New Orleans.

Cadet Scott Pfirrman, a junior studying civil engineering at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. The Elder High School graduate is the son of Linda and James Pfirrman of Covedale.

Kirby Copelin, a sophomore classics major at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy graduate is the daughter of Gary Copelin of Mason.

Robin Holstein, the son of Theresa and Cory Holstein of Fort Mitchell, who attends the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design

Laura Deller, a freshman with a dual major in international affairs and German at the University of Cincinnati. The Oak Hills High School graduate is the daughter of Jane and Jim Deller of Bridgetown.

Caroline Gehrig, a junior communications major at Loyola University, New Orleans. The Seven Hills School graduate is the daughter of Barbara and Michael Gehrig of Mount Lookout.

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