People

7/19/2006

The following students have been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars:

Daniel Gordon of Maumee, a student at Maumee Valley Country Day School, and Shaunte Hayes of Swanton, an honors student at Rogers High School.

Students are selected based on academic excellence; they qualify for a variety of benefits through membership in the society.

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Eli Portala of Toledo, age 10, won first place in the junior division of the International Brotherhood of Magician's competition held in June in Miami. The 6 1/2-hour annual competition had 31 competitors from 11 countries and 10 states in the United States.

Eli was chosen to perform two days after the competition in the Gold Medal Gala Show at Miami's Olympia theater, where he received a standing ovation for his performance.

In addition, he received a $500 savings bond, a $250 shopping spree to FAO Schwartz, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, where he will meet top Vegas performers.

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Maria Jess, Ottawa County extension educator with Ohio State University Extension Service, attended the annual conference of the American Associate of Family and Consumer Sciences, held in June in Charlotte. Together with three extension colleagues, she presented "Let's Talk Money," a session on learning about money issues via an interactive Internet site.

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Thomas Biggs of the Maumee Elks Lodge 1850 has been appointed by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to the order's national Youth Activities Committee.

He will promote children and young adult programs sponsored by the Order and also advise lodges on activities and events for the young.