Rachel Sparks of Sardinia, a sophomore at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, has been crowned Miss Ohio American Coed.

Sparks, 19, competed in the Miss Ohio American pageant in Columbus, Ind., on July 25 and won the competition's oldest coed division based on three categories - poise, appearance and formal wear; a personal interview; and on-stage introductions.

Sparks, who is a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of America, is majoring in biology education and is hoping to receive a minor in leadership. She said she wants to become a teacher after college and then go into college administration.

She will participate in the Ohio State Fair parade in Columbus today, and is also going to be in the Ohio Tobacco Festival parade in Ripley on Aug. 27.

Because Sparks won the state competition, she advances to compete in the national competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., during Thanksgiving week.

Seton grad honored

Chelsea E. Dodd, a 2003 graduate of Seton High School, has been accepted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and will be honored during a campus ceremony this fall at Seton Hall University.

Chelsea, the daughter of Russ and Carol Dodd of Delhi, also was named to the dean's list during her freshman year at Seton Hall.

Boone grad gets scholarship

Adam Pfendt of Florence, a 2004 graduate of Boone County High School, is one of 18 students to earn an A.O. Smith Merit Scholarship

Pfendt compiled a 4.0 grade-point average in high school and was a Kentucky Governor's Scholar and National Honor Society member. He also was captain of the football team and lettered in track and tennis.

Adam will attend the University of Louisville in the fall and major in chemical and biomedical engineering. He is the son of Glenn and Kristine Pfendt of Florence.

Dean's list

Ryan Whitaker, a senior communication major, was named to the spring quarter dean's list at the University of Cincinnati. He also is a member of ROTC and the National Guard.

The son of Miriam Kolkmeyer and James Whitaker Jr., both of Mason, earned his General Educational Development diploma before entering UC.

Graduate program

Jennifer Curry has been accepted into the Integrated Biomedical Science graduate program in the School of Biomedical Science of Ohio State University. Her appointment includes an annual stipend and tuition.

She is a graduate of Milford High School and earned a bachelor's degree in microbiology with a minor in molecular biology at Miami University. The daughter of Marge and Rick Curry of Milford plans to pursue a career in biomedical and cancer research.

Full-tuition scholarship

Tracy Kemme has been awarded a full-tuition President's Scholarship to attend the University of Dayton. Twenty recipients were chosen from 6,492 applicants.

The Roger Bacon High School graduate is the daughter of Patty and Dan Kemme of Fairfield.

Recent graduates

The following have graduated from their college or university:

Lindsay Potrafke earned a bachelor's degree in communications, summa cum laude, from Saint Louis University, Mo. The Milford High School graduate is the daughter of Toni and Larry Potrafke of Milford.

Jennifer Dill received a bachelor's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. The daughter of Debra and Charles Dill of Symmes Township will attend Georgetown's Law School in the fall.

Sara Lynn Tuke earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Denison University. She also was a member of Psi Chi, the national psychology honorary, and held Provost and Alumni Awards. The Loveland High School graduate is the daughter of Julie Wyse of Loveland and Fred Tuke of downtown Cincinnati.

Donald Keighley earned a bachelor's degree in geophysical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, Golden. He graduated with high academic honors and won the John C. Hollister Award for the most deserving student in geophysics. The Wyoming High School graduate is the son of Diane and James Keighley of Wyoming.

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