Community
New members to the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve in Akron are Steve Hawthorne, co-owner of Vertical Runner and an advancement director at Kent State; Billi Copeland King, an attorney and director of the Summa Center for Health Equity in West Akron; Deby Rossignol, director of global talent development at Goodyear; and Mark Hilkert, an attorney with the Scanlon Group in Akron.
Students Andrew Appleby of Silver Lake and Ben Tiemann of Hudson were distinguished finalists in the Prudential Spirit of America Awards for their volunteer work. Appleby, a senior at Cuyahoga Falls High School, raised nearly $25,000 to create the Akron chapter of USA Swimming’s Make A Splash program for at-risk students. Tiemann, a senior at Hudson High, raised $3,000 to support the organization that is building a memorial to the victims of Flight 93.
Deputy Chane Cline of the Stark County Sheriff’s Office and Trooper C. Otis Smith of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were named Traffic Officers of the Year by Stark County Safe Communities. Receiving Awards of Excellence were Navarre Patrolman Chad Shetler, Canton Patrolman Richard Kinlow and North Canton Patrolman John R. Hemric.
Education
Maritza Mayorga, a research assistant professor at Northeast Ohio Medical University, was named “Top Dog” by the American Heart Association for her winning grant proposal. Hers placed first out of almost 50 submitted to the AHA National Scientist Development Grant Program. She receives $308,000 to pursue research on heart disease.
Rebecca Rackmill, a junior majoring in applied conflict management at Kent State, received the $1,000 Robert W. Blakemore Jr. Endowed Memorial Scholarship from the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority. She is a PARTA employee.
Kay Molkentin, director of Hiram’s College’s Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship, was elected president of the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium, an organization of 11 public and private colleges and universities committed to providing entrepreneurship education. Robert Chalfant, a management lecturer at the University of Akron, was elected vice president. Jesse Ayers, a composer and music professor at Malone University, won the 2013 Boston Metro Opera Concert Award for his Rahab, a composition for mezzo soprano and symphonic winds.
Gabrielle Mizner, daughter of Eric and Renee Mizner of Wadsworth, was inducted into the Dayton C. Miller Honor Society of Baldwin Wallace University. Only 4 percent of the undergraduate student body achieves membership. The 2010 graduate of Highland High School is a junior majoring in psychology.
Mitch Pollock of Aurora, a junior at Western Reserve Academy, received several awards at the 90th Scholastic Art & Writing competition. The competition is open to students in seventh through 12th grade and offers 28 categories in writing and the arts.
Military
Air Force Airman Tyrail Toney graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Tyrone Toney of Akron and Shameka Haynes of Tampa, Fla. He is a 2012 graduate of Kenmore High School in Akron.
Army Pfc. Dillon C. Tribble graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. He is a 2010 graduate of Ellet High School in Akron.
Marine Corps Pfc. Shyrise D. Howard, daughter of Darlene Atchison of Akron, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. She is a 2012 graduate of East High School in Akron.
Marine Corps Pvt. Pharlar M. Oung, son of Moeun Tus and Thy Oung, both of Akron, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He is a 2009 graduate of North High School in Akron.
Marine Corps Pfc. Jason I. Culver, son of Crystal Y. Smith of Akron, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Culver is a 2012 graduate of Garfield High School in Akron.
Air Force Airman Jeffrey L. Pope graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Tysha Williams of Charlotte, N.C., and grandson of Evelyn Tarver of Akron. He is a 2012 graduate of Brush High School in South Euclid.
Send announcements of community, school and military achievement to Carol Biliczky at cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com or fax them to 330-996-3729.