The acacia tree that grows in dry, arid conditions in Africa makes a good lesson in life for students at a downtown school.

Aileen May, artist in residence at the Otto Armleder Memorial Education Center of the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, is using the tree as a centerpiece in a project.

"It is a symbol of persistence," May said. "It has a distinction of surviving hard times, harsh weather and dryness. I selected the tree for this project because it fits in with a lot of what students in this neighborhood are faced with."

The project, directed by May and art teacher Gail Varner, is near completion.

Sharika Jonson, 12, (top) works with sixth-grade classmate Amanda Mary, also 12, on a mosaic of an acacia tree in a hallway at the Otto Armleder Memorial Education Center at Ninth and Elm streets downtown. The Enquirer/TONY JONES

Each day, 140 students from kindergarten through sixth grade put together pieces of the tree along with animals, including a mosaic giraffe which in real life eats berries off acacia trees.

The mosaic wall is being created in the school's stairwell.

Susan Miller, principal of the school, has been trying to get the project off the ground for two years.

"I knew of Aileen's work and I had seen the mosaic she did with the students at CHCA's North Campus Middle School," Miller said. "We are thrilled we could get her to help us at Armleder. Every child at the school is working on this project."

The design of the acacia tree will be from floor to ceiling, surrounded by animals and filled with children from different cultures playing together.

Couple win award

For their many efforts on behalf of their neighborhood, the poor and the unborn, Terry and Terena Deters of St. William Parish are winners of this year's Ozanam Award.

The couple showed the caring spirit of Frederic Ozanam, founder of the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

The award was given by the agency at its annual dinner last week.

Terry Deters, owner of Ralph Meyer and Deters Funeral Home, helps the society by donating furniture, appliances or household items. He helps the poor who cannot pay for funerals. He has served as a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Greater Cincinnati..

Terena Deters serves on the pastoral council at St. William and is a regular volunteer for the Interfaith Hospitality group.

The society dates to 1833, when devout Catholic students began walking through the streets of Paris to help the poor.

This kind of person-to-person ministry has grown into an international organization with members in 130 countries under the auspices of the society.

Strieter graduates cum laude

Jessica Strieter graduated cum laude with a double major of creative writing and political science from Florida State University, Tallahassee, and received honors in political science. She was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. The Boone County High School graduate is the daughter of Pam and Steve Strieter of Florence.

Flanagan makes dean's list

Freshman Molly Flanagan was named to the fall term dean's list at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. The St. Ursula Academy graduate is the daughter of Martha and John Flanagan of Hyde Park.

Sherman among top freshmen

Mathematical biology major Marc Sherman has received the William Branstrom Freshman Prize at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The award is given to freshmen who rank in the upper 5 percent of their class and have earned at least 14 credits. The Sycamore High School graduate is the son of Sue and Ken Sherman of Blue Ash.

Feld on dean's list

Katherine Feld graduated from the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services of the University of Cincinnati and was named to the autumn quarter dean's list. The daughter of Kathy and Dave Feld of Eastgate is a graduate of Glen Este High School.

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