Her trip included rappelling off a 700-foot tower in Wales and learning the culture of each country through host families.

Montani led a delegation of high school students from two states on the overseas adventure.

"I was so busy comforting and reassuring my students that I didn't have time to be scared myself," she said about rappelling.

People to People was founded by President Eisenhower in 1956. He believed that people could make a difference where governments could not.

"This program is so beneficial to students," Montani said. "So few of the kids knew each other before the trip; however, they all became such good friends during the weeks we were traveling. Since I had been to these areas before, I was really focused on what the kids were getting out of the experience. The trip really matures them and helps them understand the world outside of their own home life."

She will lead a group to Australia next year.

Breast cancer benefit

The Paragon Optimist Club of Fairfield will conduct its inaugural breast cancer walk, "Walk, Wiggle and Wobble" Oct. 16.

Registration starts at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Waterford Retirement Community, 1460 Corydale Drive, in the Fairfield Village Green.

For more information, call Andrea Rensing, (513) 881-7172 or Deanda Mills, (513) 939-1199.

Service recognized

Six doctors received 50-year service awards from the Butler County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Association last month.

They were: Pacifico Amaro, Richard R. Dysart, Ray E Kiefhaber, Richard H. Mense, Jesus M. Sotelo and Priscila J. Suntay.

Amaro graduated from the University of St. Thomas, Manila, Philippines. He was a family practitioner in Hamilton and Fairfield until his retirement in 1997.

Dysart graduated from Ohio State University and served as anesthesiologist at Middletown Regional Hospital until his retirement in 1988.

Kiefhaber graduated from the University of Cincinnati. After serving in the Navy for two years, he returned to complete his study in orthopedic surgery and is in private practice in Middletown.

Mense graduated from St. Louis University and completed his training at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. He is retired.

Sotelo graduated from the University of Mexico. He was an anesthesiologist in Hamilton until he retired in 1993.

Suntay graduated from the University of St. Thomas. She was an anesthesiologist at Mercy Hospitals in Hamilton and Fairfield until she retired in 2001.

Positively kids: Eagle Scout award

Alex Williamson of Troop 710, sponsored by White Oak Presbyterian Church, has earned the highest honor of the Boy Scouts of America: the Eagle Scout award. For his community service project, he planned and directed building new trash receptacles for the Mount Airy Frisbee Golf Course.

The recent Colerain High School graduate is attending the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he was awarded a $26,000 scholarship for his artwork. He is son of Beth and Craig Williamson of Monfort Heights.

Italian Society scholarship

Danielle Renee Cipriani was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, based on academics, community service and an essay, by the United Italian Society. Her winning essay appeared in the September issue of La Voce Italiana, the society's quarterly publication.

The St. Ursula Academy freshman is daughter of Renee and Ed Cipriani of Sayler Park.

Youth Symphony awards

Winners in the Kezur Scholarship Program for the Great Miami Youth Symphony, a program of the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, were:

Bassoonist David Walch, a senior at Fairfield High School, was awarded $1,000. He will use his winnings toward tuition at Ohio Northern University.

Cellist Michael Cassinari, who is home-schooled, will use his $1,000 award toward the purchase of a new cello.

Violinist Hanna Kim, an eighth-grader at Garfield Junior High School, received $600 she used to further her private music studies.

Pianist Mindy Cimini, an eighth-grader at Fairfield Middle School, applied her $400 winnings toward tuition at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp this summer.

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