Eighteen-year-old Katie Mellman didn't want to take on just any job this summer. She wanted a challenge.

She found it through Xavier University's Summer Service Internship, a program that places 20 college and 16 high school students in volunteer positions.

Mellman, a Roger Bacon High School student, and Xavier University senior Katie Mattingly, 21, are spending their summer as recreation leaders at the Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Therapeutic Recreation Day Camp in College Hill.

They work one on one with eight campers, all with cognitive disabilities, Tuesday through Friday. The campers, who are mostly nonverbal, range in age from 8 to 17.

Katie Mellman, 18, and Katie Mattingly , 21, play parachute games with Jacob Norris, 14, at Sawyer Point during a Therapeutic Recreation Day Camp field trip Thursday. The two students are volunteers at the camp. Enquirer photos by MELISSA HEATHERLY

"It's rewarding. It can get tiring, but it's worth it," Mellman said.

Most days start at a local pool and end with activities at the community center on Belmont Avenue. Thursdays are reserved for field trips.

"The best part is when you feel like you're getting through to them by them laughing or smiling and you can tell they're having a good time," Mattingly, an occupational therapy major, said.

The camp, one of four offered by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, runs through August.

Honors at UK

Matthew Hemberger, a freshman in the University of Kentucky School of Architecture, was inducted into Phi Sigma Theta Honor Society, which recognizes academic achievement by undergraduates.

The St. Xavier High School graduate is son of Jennifer and Steven Hemberger of Delhi Township.

Findlay dean's list

Latashia Lewis, a recent graduate of Oak Hills High School and the Diamond Oaks equine science and management program, received a Dean's Scholarship from the University of Findlay, Ohio, based on academic performance.

The award is valued at $8,500 per year and is renewable for up to four years. Latashia plans to major in equine science in the fall.

Achievement Award winner

Ashley Polk has received a renewable Achievement Award to attend Valparaiso, Ind., University.

The 2004 graduate of East Central High School will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences in the fall.

Ashley is the daughter of Jamie Polk of Griffin, Ga. and Joel Cox of Lawrenceburg.

Means wins OSU scholarship

Vanessa Mears, a senior majoring in early childhood development in the College of Human Ecology at Ohio State University, is the recipient of the Florence Leone Lloyd Scholarship.

The Indian Hill High School graduate is the daughter of Katherine and Donald Mears of Kenwood.

Coca-Cola awards scholarship

Deanelle Kendal Jones of Western Hills High School has been recognized as one of the country's most outstanding high school seniors by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, and was awarded a $4,000 Regional Coca-Cola Scholarship for college.

The son of Marlina Shaw of Westwood plans to attend Howard University in Washington to study architecture.

Koebel gets UC degree

Pamela Koebel was named to the winter quarter dean's list at the University of Cincinnati and earned, with honors, an associate of applied business degree in paralegal technology.

The Sycamore High School graduate is the daughter of Nancy and Bill Koebel of Symmes Township.

To submit an item, call 755-4165.