Marine student completes training

Janis Kukainis has completed sea training aboard U.S. merchant vessels as part of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's required work-study program.

All students of the Academy, in Kings Point, N.Y., spend part of their sophomore and junior years at sea.

The Covington Latin School graduate is the son of Mary and Valdis Kukainis of University Heights.

New Eagle Scout

Charles Lape, of Troop 36 in Maineville, has achieved the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America: the Eagle Scout Award.

As his community service project, he built a footbridge on the Blue & Yellow Trail at Caesars Creek State Park Furnas Boat Ramp.

The son of Mary Ann and Steven Lape of Maineville attends Little Miami High School.

Student teacher

Ryan Denney, a senior education major at Miami University, will earn his degree by student teaching this semester in Bunbury, on the west coast of Australia.

He and 18 other students, who will leave this week, will live in cabins overlooking the Indian Ocean while teaching in area schools.

He is the son of Pam and Michael Denney of Colerain Township.

Scholarship won

Ashley Richmond, a sophomore majoring in communications, minoring in marketing, and pursuing a certificate in writing, has earned her second John Buck Award and the Mark McDonough Scholarship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Milford High School graduate is a member of the university's volleyball team, and her scholastic accomplishments helped earn the AVCA/Molten Team Academic Award for the 2001 season.

The Riverwomen had the ninth-highest team grade point average in the country at the Division II level.

Boot camp grad

Private 1st Class Nick Von Bargen has graduated from Marine boot camp at Parris Island, S.C.

He was named "Company High Shooter" with 237 shots, breaking the 3rd Battalion record by one shot.

The Northwest High School graduate is the son of Dale Von Bargen of Finneytown.

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