The pen pal idea came from the classroom of academy teacher Jayson Franklin.

Franklin said student Ein Martin talked with him about finding a pen pal.

The contact was made through "Miss Shirley," an American who owns a store in Dunswart, South Africa.

They learned that Miss Shirley (Shirley Negrao) would open the back door of the store to the poverty-stricken children to give them books and other supplies, and help them work puzzles.

The academy sent packages to the African children. In return, the African children sent pictures of themselves opening the packages along with letters.

Students Cush King, 11; Dawnmonique Kendall, 10; Kayla White, 11; and Molly Johnson, 11 were busy opening letters last week.

They read how the students live in a camp with no electricity or running water.

"They gave a lot of information about themselves and how to play rugby. And they asked a lot of questions," said Molly.

Nursing scholars

Two African-American students at Hughes Center have received nursing scholarships from the University of Cincinnati Hospital Medical Center and UC's College of Nursing.

The scholarships were awarded to Sade Scott of Walnut Hills and Felicia Beckham of North College Hill Thursday at UC.

Both are students in the High School for Health Professions at Hughes Center.

Sade's scholarship includes tuition, books and fees up to $10,000 a year.

To qualify, students must be of African-American or Hispanic descent and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.

Scholarship winners must agree to work at the hospital 18 months after graduation.

James Kingsbury, senior vice president at UC Hospital, said nurses are in short supply.

Sade said she is following in the footsteps of her grandmother, an oncology nurse at Christ Hospital.

"My grandmother had actually given me a set of yellow scrubs when I was little and printed on the back was Nurse in Training," Sade said.

Felicia received a $1,500 scholarship.

"I am very determined to work hard in college to achieve my dream of becoming a traveling nurse," she said.

Service award given

Firooz Taleghani, a senior engineer with Belcan Corp., Blue Ash, recently received the President's Volunteer Service Award for his spirit of volunteerism.

The award was given by Winrock International, a nonprofit organization that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources and protect the environment.

Giving back: Blood donors honored

The Hoxworth Blood Center honored 24 people this week for reaching a milestone between June 1-15 of having donated 10 gallons or more of blood and platelets.

They included:

Raymond L. Buelterman, Colerain Township, and Donna Mohr, New Burlington, 20 gallons each.

Marie M Matsunami, Price Hill, 19 gallons.

William C. Hamilton, Pleasant Run, and Corrine L. Yaeger, Mount Washington, 17 gallons.

John L. Sendelbach, Cold Spring, 15 gallons.

Lee Czerwonka, Kenwood, 14 gallons.

Dean A. Smith and Kenneth L. Hamilton, both of Monfort Heights, 13 gallons each.

Robert E. Sehlhorst, Delhi Township; James S. Schweickart, Bethel; and Stephen C. Clevenger, Dillsboro; 12 gallons each.

James L. Corbit, Florence; George A. Diersing, Deer Park; and Jay W. Voss, Cherry Grove; 11 gallons each.

Lela M. Ball, Southgate; Charles Brenner, Kenwood; Patricia Buelterman, Delhi Township; Robert Detrick, Symmes Township; Mark J. Prince, Blue Ash; Louis A. Ricke, Colerain Township; Jonathan M. Underwood, New Burlington; Kathleen M. Walsh, Greenhills; and Ralph G. Woff, Fort Mitchell; 10 gallons each.

To donate blood, call (513) 451-0910.