Achievements: Area residents graduate from military training

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

Air Force Airman Justin Marsh is the son of Alan Marsh of Deer Park and Anne Marsh of San Diego.

Air Force Airman Joel Zuhlke is the son of Dionne Zuhlke of Spokane.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Francis Grasso is a 2006 graduate of University High School and the son of Joseph and Mary Grasso of Spokane.

•Tech Sgt. Jason Hindmarsh received the Bronze Star Medal Award recently for his meritorious achievement in Iraq. He graduated from Mead High School in 1995.

•Two area residents graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

Army Pvt. Sky Nguyen graduated in 2006 from Ferris High School and is the brother of Tuyet Nguyen of Spokane. Army National Guard Pvt. Jarrett Ladines is the son of Lance and Kelly Ladines of Cheney and graduated from Cheney High School in 2007.

•Army Pvt. Brandon Straub graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of John Straub of Tekoa, Wash. and is a 2008 graduate of Tekoa High School.

•Rory Beckstrom of Reardan, Wash. was recognized by the United States Achievement Academy for his academic excellence in science. Beckstrom is a student at Christian Heritage School and will appear in the Academy’s official yearbook, published nationally. He is the son of Steve and Debbie Beckstrom of Reardan, Wash.

•Eastern Washington University recently awarded local residents for their academic achievement for the 2008-09 academic year.

The following students received the Jeffers Chertok Award:

Sierra Bumsted is the daughter of Vernon Bumsted and Kim Lyons of Spokane and a graduate of Mt. Spokane High School.

Ia Xiong is an East Valley High School graduate. Xiong’s parents are Zheu and Xhaw Xiong of Otis Orchards.

Genie Smith is a graduate of Libby High School and is the daughter of Virgene and Geneva Lecount of Spokane.

Bridget Hillier-Vogel is the daughter of Vernon and Dorthy Vogel of Spokane Valley and graduated from University High School.

John Spracklen is the son of John and Teresa Spracklen of Medical Lake and is a graduate of Medical Lake High School.

Jeffrey Ewing was awarded the Edmund Yarwood Award. He is the son of Allen and Kathleen Ewing of Spokane and is a Shadle Park High School graduate.

Falesha Wright received the Frances B. Houston Award. She graduated from University High School and is the daughter of Luke and MaReissa Dixon of Spokane Valley.

Michaela Hoban was awarded the Carper Foundation Scholarship for $6,700. She is the daughter of Karen Taylor and graduated from Ferris High School.

Abigail Schewchuk of Spokane Valley received the Wittenbach Scholarship for $1,500. She is a Columbia River Christian Academy graduate and the daughter of David and Becky Musson of Kettle Falls.

•Carroll College in Helena announced local students named to the spring semester dean’s list. To be included on the dean’s list, students must receive a 3.5 grade-point average or better for the semester and take at least 12 credits.

John Bass and Peter Edminster are residents of Colbert.

Ryan Sims, Courtney Van Leuven and James Van Leuven are residents of Spokane.

•Valerie Schara was recently recognized for academic excellence at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. Schara is a graduate of Lewis and Clark High School.