No demerits, no detentions in four years, an award for American Short Story and Film, a citizenship award, the honor roll and more than 100 hours of volunteer work all added up to Catie Geraci, a graduate of Mount Notre Dame High School, being awarded the Presidential Freedom Scholarship.

"I didn't expect to win anything,'' said Geraci, 18. "My volunteer work was something I grew up with. It is in my blood and I love doing it.''

She served as a crew leader for Group Work Camp, a national organization that offers home repair and rehab to people who are elderly or poor.

Catie Geraci, a graduate of Mount Notre Dame High School, receives the Presidential Freedom Scholarship from Roger Grein, who donated the $1,000 award. She plans to attend the College of Mount St. Joseph. Photo provided

In her senior year, she organized activities for junior high students and coached volleyball at her parish, St. Bartholomew.

She was also winner of the President's Award for Educational Achievement. The award recognizes students who show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development during all four years at the school.

Geraci is planning to attend the College of Mount St. Joseph.

She is daughter of Michael and Donna Geraci of Springfield Township.

The Presidential Freedom Scholarship was given by Roger Grein, a certified public accountant in Reading, and is worth $1,000. Grein makes numerous charitable contributions each year . He recently dedicated a ball field at Northern Kentucky University in honor of his father, Roger Grein Sr.

Joining breast cancer walk

University of Cincinnati graduate Julia DeNamur is to participate in a three-day Breast Cancer Walk in Chicago Aug. 26-28 to raise money for cancer research and to help people who cannot afford a breast exam.

To raise the minimum $2,000 to get in the walk, DeNamur is planning a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at her parents' home, 4598 Philnoll Drive, White Oak.

DeNamur is a designer for Sanford Office Supplies in Chicago.

She graduated cum laude with a degree in graphic design from the University of Cincinnati in 2002 and from McAuley High school in 1997.

"It will be about a 60-mile walk from Kenosha, Wis., to Chicago,'' DeNamur said.

To donate, go online at www.the3Day.org.

193 donated tissue

For the first six months of 2004, there were 193 tissue donors in Greater Cincinnati, said Mark Sommerville, spokesman for U.S. Tissue & Cell.

"This is good, but we always can use more,'' Sommerville said.

Sommerville said the recovery of donor tissue is performed under supervision of certified specialists.

"Quality control testing ensures that the tissues used are of high quality and free of the risk of infection,'' Sommerville said.

To donate, call 558-6400.

Promoted to lt. colonel

Robert A. Harney Jr. has been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Marines at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. The Forest Park High School graduate is son of Carol Bates of Charlotte, N.C., and Robert Harney Sr. of Forest Park.

Awarded Achievement Medal

Capt. John E. Johnson has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal, awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces serving in a noncombat area who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service of achievement. Johnson is an executive officer assigned to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

The son of Laureece Johnson of Wyoming is a graduate of Wyoming High School and the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

Nine become airmen

These airmen have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas:

Owen Hobbs, a Sycamore High School graduate and son of Judy David of Blue Ash and Owen Hobbs of Lebanon; Vernon Burchett, Sycamore High School graduate and son of Kamala and Vernon Brooks of Blue Ash; Paul Grube, an Anderson High School graduate; Christopher Lipps, Oak Hills graduate and son of William Lipps of Delhi Township; Andrea Flohn, Winton Woods High School graduate and daughter of William Flohn of Hartwell; David Listermann, Franklin County (Ind.) High School graduate and son of Paula Becker of West Harrison, Ind., and Tim Listermann of Groesbeck; Timothy Lenz, a Dayton (Ky.) High School graduate; Zachary Hill, a Sycamore High School graduate; and Jennifer Brown, Middletown High School graduate and daughter of Tina Brown and James Brown, both of Middletown.

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