Ron Richardson, co-founder of Forest Hills Country Club in Middletown, accepted the check last week. It was presented by Jim Cissell, a USGA Public Links Championship committee member.

"If it wasn't for the USGA, there wouldn't have been any programming, and these 50 kids would not have had the chance to experience the game of golf," Richardson said.

The grant benefits the Bob Kramer Youth Golf Academy to help support a pilot summer youth golf program. It provides lessons and access to a golf course.

The mission of the golf academy is to make golf accessible and affordable to all kids. It consists of two free clinics to local Boys & Girls Club members, followed by a nine-week session in which children receive instruction, course access and lessons on rules and etiquette for three hours on Mondays.

Student leaders

Two Ohio University students from Cincinnati have been recognized for academic achievement and leadership abilities.

Maureen Dwyer was recently awarded a $2,500 Pepsi Ohio University Campus Leadership Scholarship for the 2004-05 academic year, and Rebecca Tucker recently received the Stonewall Leadership Award.

Dwyer has been involved with the International Student Union and the National Association of Communications.

Recipients are chosen for leadership contributions to the university, academic performance and success in balancing academic achievement with involvement outside the classroom.

Tucker was recognized for her involvement in Open Doors, a student organization dedicated to diversity, and for serving as a commissioner of the Graduate Student Center.

Cincinnati State grads

The following received associate degrees from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College:

Jessica Seibert of Alexandria, a nursing major; Lesleigh Behymer of Burlington, majoring in interpreter training; Tiffany Carson of California, majoring in interpreter training; Colleen Sheldon of Union, an office management major; Betty Lou Bromley of Union, a culinary arts major.

Education fair

Parents will be the ones headed back to school during an education fair this weekend.

Workshops are aimed at helping parents improve their child's academic success. Among the topics: The Teacher is Your Friend; Coping Skills for Students and Parents; Importance of Parent Involvement/Knowing the Rules; Understanding Ohio State Academic Standards; and Community Resources.

There will be free school supplies and a drawing for a computer.

The first education fair is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Heights Elementary School, 1200 Lindy Ave. A second is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 28 at Woodlawn Municipal Building, 10141 Woodlawn Blvd.

Artist travels to D.C.

Anthony Colque, winner of the Congressional Art Competition for the First District of Ohio, traveled to Washington last month for a ceremony.

Anthony, a senior from Purcell Marian High School, captured first place with a pencil drawing titled "The Castle." His winning entry will be displayed for the next year in a pedestrian corridor that leads to the Capitol building. He also received a $100 gift certificate donated by Elgin Office Supply.

The second place winner was Tara Lukes of Jacobs High School. For her entry, "Kaleidoscope of My Mind," she received a $75 Elgin Office Supply gift certificate.

Kurt Grimes of Winton Woods High School finished third with his work called "Beginnings." He received a $50 Elgin Office Supply gift certificate.

POSITIVELY KIDS: Wins scholarships

Leslie Ann Brinkman has received the Fort Thomas Woman's Club Arts & Scholarship Award, the Steven C. Pollard Memorial Scholarship and an accounting award.

The Highlands High School graduate will attend Northern Kentucky University and study X-ray technology.

At leadership forum

Natoshia King, a fifth-grader at Spaulding Elementary School in Goshen, was selected to attend the People to People World Leadership Forum in September in Washington, D.C.

Participants earn school credit while studying leadership and exploring monuments and institutions.

New Eagle Scout

Michael Krommer, of Troop 850 sponsored by St. Ignatius Church, has achieved the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America: the Eagle award. For his community service project, he designed and constructed cat trees and dog obstacle courses for the Animal Adoption Foundation in Okeana.

The graduate of La Salle High School plans to attend the University of Cincinnati. He is the son of Mary Ellen and Harry Krommer of Monfort Heights.

Outstanding senior

Lindsey Schaaff received the David Guldin Award in Sociology and Anthropology from the College of Wooster. The award is presented to a senior in the department for academic excellence, extracurricular campus and community activities and showing a direct concern for the welfare of others.

The Mount Notre Dame High School graduate is the daughter of Peggy and Steve Schaaff of Loveland.

Off to South Korea

Katie Behrends has been awarded a Fulbright teaching grant to South Korea.. The program places recent graduates into a 13-month culturally intensive experience teaching English in South Korea. The scholarship, which provides full expenses, is awarded to 70 assistants each year.

The Ursuline Academy and University of Evansville graduate is the daughter of Debbie and Steve Behrends of Blue Ash.

To submit an item, please call 755-4165.