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

Achievements: Basic training graduates and other honors

Area residents have graduated from basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio.

Air Force Airman Braydon T. Stock-Simonds is the son of Gregory Stock and stepson of Angela Stock, of Orange, Calif., and son of Amanda Simonds and stepson of Michael Oliver, of Spokane, and graduated from Valley Christian School in 2016.

Air Force Airman Devon J. Hutton graduated from Mica Peak High School in Spokane Valley in 2016. He is the son of Amber Hutton of Spokane Valley.

Danielle Warner recently graduated from Oregon State University. She received a Masters of Science in human development and family studies with a thesis entitled “Sibling Relationships and College Decision-Making: An Exploratory Study of First-Generation and Non-First-Generation-Students.” Warner is from Spokane Valley and graduated from West Valley High School.

Sean Mahon has graduated from Fort Hays State University, in Hays, Kan. Mahon, from Hayden, graduated with an Associates Degree of general studies (education).

Joseph Roth has been named to the honor roll for the spring 2017 semester at the University of Dallas, located in Irving, Texas. Roth, from Newman Lake, earned a grade-point average between 3.0-3.49 to receive honor roll status. He is majoring in biochemistry and mathematics.

Cassie MercedMiller has received a 4.0 grade-point average during spring semester classes at the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., earning her President’s List accolades. She is from Liberty Lake.

Cameron Blegen, co-valedictorian from University High School, has been selected as a recipient of one of 20 Presidential Scholarships from Montana State University, in Bozeman, Mont. Blegen is an Eagle Scout, AP Honor Scholar, National Honor Society president and senior class treasurer. The scholarship is the most prestigious awarded at the university.

Eastern Washington University have announced the honorees for the Frances B. Huston Medallion, honoring 20 graduates who have established themselves both academically and in extracurricular activities. The award is the University’s most prestigious. The local student honorees are: Bobby Johnson of Otis Orchards, Bachelor of Arts in management information systems; Hannah Bancroft of Spokane, Bachelor of Arts in history and theatre; Hayden Griffith of Spokane Valley, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish; Tyree Hastings of Spokane, percussion performance; Diana McSwain of Spokane, Bachelor of Science in biology; Hung Nguyen of Spokane, Bachelor of Arts in mathematics statistics and Bachelor of Science in economics and Amanda Williams of Spokane Valley, Bachelor of Arts in health services administration and business administration.

Scott Bray, a member of Troop 430, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. For his project, Bray constructed two free-standing porch swings for Camp White in Post Falls. Bray, a senior at West Valley High School, earned 29 merit badges, eight more than required to earn Eagle Scout rank.

Fairleigh Dickinson University, located in Madison, N.J., has announced the graduation of Michael Rojeski with a Master of Sports Administration degree. Rojeski was also named to the Honors List, requiring a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, in his last semester at Fairleigh Dickinson. Rojeski is from Spokane.

Thomas Bell, of Spokane, has been named to Bismarck State College’s President’s Honor Roll after earning a 4.0 grade-point average for the 2017 summer semester at the school, located in Bismarck, N.D.

Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, Ore., has announced the 2017 summer term Scholastic Honor Roll. To achieve Scholastic Honor Roll standing, a student must earn a 3.5 grade-point average while enrolled in at least 12 hours of graded course work. Students achieving a perfect 4.0 grade-point average are in bold. Students are listed by their hometown.

Moses Lake: Joshua Peters.

Spokane: Christina Negretti and Russell Pochis.

Spokane Valley: Benjamin McGiffin.

Elizabeth Sorrells, Ferris High School graduate of 1997, was recently promoted to Lt. Colonel in the Air Force. She is stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Sorrells is the daughter of Linda and Milt Maas.

Eric Boose and Maxwell Johnson, both of Spokane, have been named to the University of San Diego’s honors program, designed to provide challenges and opportunities for engaged students to meet intellectual goals.

Area students have been initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest all-discipline collegiate honor society. Scott Crossen, of Spokane Valley, was initiated at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. Trinity Turner, of Veradale, was initiated at Central Washington University, in Ellensburg. Pullman’s Lauren Wells was initiated at Murray State University, in Murray, Ky. Krystal Weeks, of Spokane, was initiated at Florida Institute of Technology, in Melbourne, Fla. Mellisa Carlson, of Spokane Valley was initiated at Boise State University.

Veronica Ochoa, a junior at Gonzaga University, has been honored as a Newman Civic Fellow for 2017. Ochoa, a physical education major, is a leader in the BRIDGE program, welcoming to campus underrepresented students of color, first-generation college students or students in the LGBT community. Through the fellowship, Ochoa will have opportunities for learning and networking, including a national conference of Fellows, offering access to scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.