Area residents complete basic training

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

Air Force Airman Jermie Ferguson is the nephew of Rodney Gertsch of Fruitland, Wash., and graduated in 2007 from Columbia-Hunters High School in Hunters, Wash.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Jones is the son of Joy Jones of Spokane, and a 2006 graduate of Rogers High School.

Air Force Airman Nathan McClure graduated from Davenport High School in 2006 and is the son of Betty McClure of Davenport, Wash., and Paul McClure of Spokane Valley.

Air Force Airman Nathan Taylor graduated from Christian Heritage School in Edwall, Wash., in 2005.

Air Force Airman Anna Meechai Wilson is the daughter of Carl Wilson of Spokane.

•Marion Liebman III graduated from Army Reserve basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He is a senior at Central Valley High School and the son of Bert and Sami Liebman of Liberty Lake.

•Four area residents graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Army National Guard Pvt. Shaun Neil is the son of Connie Seamons of Lakewood, Wash., and Tom Neil of Moses Lake. He is a 2005 graduate of Clover Park High School in Lakewood.

Army Reserve Pfc. Lane Gambill graduated from Northwest Christian School in 2002.

Army National Guard Pvt. Jerry Lucas is the son of Melissa Lucas of Soap Lake, Wash.

Army Reserve Pvt. Jamel Hovland graduated from the Deer Park Home Link Program in 2007 and is the son of Ruth Hovland of Elk.

•Air Force 1st Lt. Aaron Bigler graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

He is the son of Barry and Cindy Bigler of Reardan and graduated from Christian Heritage School in Edwall, in 2001.

•Meghan Johnson, of Spokane, recently received a $3,000 Bleckman Business Achievement Scholarship, a $1,000 Oregon State University College of Business Dean’s Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, a $1,000 Delta Gamma Gina Zaiunardo Memorial Scholarship, and the Waldo-Cummings Award for Outstanding Junior. She is the daughter of Jack and Kerry Geraghty of Spokane and Lloyd Johnson of Vancouver, Wash., and graduated in 2005 from Gonzaga Preparatory School.

•Eastern Washington University recently awarded area students scholarships for the current academic year.

Kelly Tougas received a $3,100 J. Herman and Jean Swartz and Frances and William P. Werschler Graduate Scholarship, a $1,000 Herman and Jean Swartz Medical Technology Scholarship and a $2,300 Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories Scholarship.

She is the daughter of Earl and Myrna Mitchell of Spokane and graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1988.

Laura Lawrence of Spokane received a $900 HOME program scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to students who have child-care expenses and demonstrate financial need.

Lawrence graduated in 1988 from Cardinal Copello High School and is the daughter of Carlos Abdala of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Aline Fletcher was awarded a $500 Charles P. Lund Scholarship. She is the daughter of Tony and Veronica Giampietro of Spokane.

Amara Reiken received a $250 Eleanor and Clifton Rock Book Scholarship. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1992 and is the daughter of Ron and Lenore Bates.

Aryn Ziehnert was awarded a $2,000 Presidential Scholarship. She is the daughter of Rick and Linda Ziehnert of Mead.

Amy Tresko received a $2,500 Kurt and Gayle Orton Dental Hygiene Scholarship.

She is a graduate of Mead High School and is the daughter of Dick Tresko and Janie Ford of Spokane.

•Local students at Washington State University were awarded scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year.

Allison Bjerkestrand received a $2,500 Freedom Philosophy Scholarship. She is a 2005 Shadle Park High School graduate and is the daughter of Wray and Merrily Bjerkestrand of Spokane.

Lara Curtis received a $1,000 Lory and Linda Lybeck Honors Scholarship. She graduated in 2007 from University High School and is the daughter of David and Janet Curtis of Veradale.

Jordan Frederickson was awarded a $3,000 William and Patricia Ward Endowed Scholarship. He is the son of Douglas and Julia Frederickson of Spokane, and is a 2004 Ferris High School graduate.

Brandon Harder received a $1,000 Ruth and Fred Schroeder Scholarship. He is the son of Jill Faunce of Tekoa, Wash., and graduated from Tekoa High School in 2005.

Sean Leonard was awarded a $750 Honors College Endowment Fund Scholarship. She is a 2007 Lewis and Clark High School graduate and the daughter of Wayne and Lynn Leonard of Spokane.

Ciera Swett was awarded a $1,000 Guy Dissmore Memorial Scholarship. She graduated in 2004 from Mt. Spokane High School and is the daughter of Jon and Suzanne Swett of Deer Park.