Michael Gencarella earns Eagle Scout

Michael Gencarella was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award given in the Boy Scouts. Gencarella, a member of Troop 211, planted 27 trees at the Coeur d’Alene Bible Church and installed an irrigation system for them as his project. A home-school student, he is the son of David and Lisa Gencarella of Post Falls.

• Inland Power and Light has announced the recipients of its annual Excellence Award Scholarships. Each student will receive $1,000. The scholarships are awarded to the dependents of the company’s employees.

The recipients are John Hackney of Spokane; Marci Iksic and Larissa Zeiler, of Odessa, Wash.; Tyler Llewellyn and Alicia Wyborney, of Wilbur, Wash.; Amanda Lowe of Nine Mile Falls; Michael Pierce of Spokane; Mark Sanders of Valleyford; and Stacie Schultz of Davenport, Wash.

• Army Pfc. Nahakuelua Arquero recently graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Arquero, a 1998 graduate of Cheney High School, is the son of Cheery Arquero of Cheney.

• Lucas Langbehn of Deer Park recently graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Langbehn is a 2001 graduate of Deer Park High School.

• Air Force Airman Gary Jacobs recently graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Jacobs, a 2005 graduate of Mt. Spokane High School, is the son of Joe Jacobs and Bobbie Jacobs, both of Spokane.

• Several area students were recently awarded scholarships for the 2006-07 academic year from Washington State University.

Shane Hughes received a $500 Charles Dawson Moodie Memorial Scholarship. Hughes, a 2006 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School, is the son of Catherine and David Hughes of Spokane.

Wyatt O’Day received a David M. Scott Scholarship and a Anne M. Chase Scholarship for a combined $800. O’Day, the son of Karen Kriberney and Thomas O’Day of Spokane, is a 2003 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School.

Chase Schmidt received a $2,500 University Achievement Award Scholarship. Schmidt, a 2006 graduate of Central Valley High School, is the son of Sheila and Kevin Schmidt of Greenacres.

Evan Verduin received a $400 Jane Logan Endowed Scholarship. Verduin, a 2002 graduate of Northwest Christian, is the son of Phyllis and Neil Verduin of Spokane.

• John Kornman was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and is a battalion command selectee. He is currently serving as an emergency operations officer at the National Airborne Operations Center at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. Kornman is the son of Linda Clark of Spokane.

• Geoff Palachuk of Spokane was recently awarded a $3,000 Dean’s Scholarship for the 2006-07 academic year at the University of Oregon. Palachuk is a 2005 graduate of Central Valley High School.

• Aislinn Smith of Spokane was recently awarded the Outstanding Collegian Award by Minnesota State University-Mankato. The award, the highest one given at the college, is awarded to one graduating senior each year based on student leadership. Smith, a 2001 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School, was a member of the Traveling Concert Choir, a founding member of the Music Industry Club, served two years at the vice president for recruitment and retention for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and served four years on the Campus Programming Board.

Idaho

The Idaho Association of Counties recently announced the recipients of its annual scholarships. The awards are given to children and grandchildren of county elected officials and county employees. Each winner will receive $1,000.

The scholarship recipients include: Megan Mecham, Moscow High School; Erin Sather, St. Maries High School; and Shane Smith, University of Idaho.