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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Area residents complete basic training


Helgeson
 (The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

Four local residents recently graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Airman Daniel Bergmann is the son of Barbara Benefiel of Spokane.

Airman Ashley Helgeson, the daughter of Lori Helgeson of Spokane, is a 2005 graduate of University High School.

Airman Nathanael Jordan, a 2005 graduate of Ferris High School, is the son and stepson of Alicia and Ken Thompson of Spokane.

Airman Curtis Wiersma, a 2005 graduate of Ephrata High School, is the son and stepson of Jim and Tammy Wiersma of Ephrata.

“ Spokane resident Chase Earling was recently awarded a $1,000 Native American Creighton and Endowment Scholarship and a $1,500 Inland Empire Northwest Car Club Scholarship for the 2005-06 school year at Washington State University. Earling, a 2004 graduate of University High School, is the son of Gayle and Dennis Earling of Spokane. He is studying pharmacy.

“ Army National Guard Pvt. Krystle Watne recently graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Watne, a 2005 graduate of Royal High School in Royal City, Wash., is the daughter and Elva and Leo Watne of Othello, Wash.

“ Spokane Valley Super 8 Motel housekeeper Becky Strange recently won first place in a regional bed making competition. She made a bed in two minutes, 35 seconds. She will advance to the Super 8 Motels International Bedmaking Championship held in March and will have a shot at $25,000 in prize money.

“ Army National Guard Pfc. Christopher Franklin recently graduated from basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Franklin is the son of Sheryl Street of Moses Lake.

“ Two area students have recently been awarded a $2,000 Presidential Scholarship for the 2005-06 school year at Eastern Washington University. The award given to incoming freshmen is renewable for one year if the student maintains a 3.5 grade-point average.

Anthony Campitelli, a 2005 graduate of Cheney High School, is the son of Denise and Mike Campitelli of Cheney. Jessica Gudgel, a 2005 graduate of West Valley High School, is the daughter of Vickie and Kenneth Gudgel of Spokane.

“ Spokane resident Elizabeth Ahrens was named to the St. Olaf College dean’s list for the spring 2005 semester. The list recognizes those with a grade-point average of 3.75 or higher.

“ Deer Park High School student Jonathan Schuler was recently named a Commended Student in the 2006 National Merit Scholarship Program. The awards are given to students who place in the top five percent of students who entered the competition.

Idaho

Three area residents recently took home prizes at the Toastmasters Division D humorous speech and table topics competition in Spangle. Kim Brown of the Post Falls Toastmasters placed second in the table topics contest, while Sharon Hebert of the Lake City Toastmasters took third.

Jennifer Henage of the Coeur d’Alene Toastmasters took third place in the humorous speech contest.

To participate in the contest the women gave an impromptu speech based on a topic given to them right before their speech.

Brown advances to the District 9 Table Topics Contest in Spokane Oct. 29.