OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Connie Grund Presents Spirit of 1812 DAR Award
Antonia van Os of Mountain Brook recently attained a rating of H-A from the U.S. Pony Club.
Mountain Brook Rider Attains H-A Rating Antonia van Os of Mountain Brook attained a rating of H-A at a recent United States Pony Club testing held in Louisville, Ky., at Spring Run Farm. Van Os, 18, was riding Cody, an American Paint owned by Jim Walker of Blackjack Farms. To attain a rating of H-A, van Os passed an examination which tested horsemanship skills as well as knowledge. She is a member of Cahaba Pony Club and has been active since 2005. She has progressed through the local ratings through C-2; the H-A was her third National Level exam. The daughter of Floris and Sarah van Os, she plans to attend Berry College, where she will be a member of the equestrian team, this fall.
Leara Achieves Eagle Scout Ranking
Paul Stephen Leara, a member of Troop 320 at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in May. He has been active in scouting for 10 years. For his Eagle service project, Leara designed and constructed an extension for the visitor’s pathway at the Alabama Veterans Memorial, which aided in erosion control and access to the memorial. He Paul Stephen Leara also raised more than $700 in excess funds that were donated to the Alabama Veterans Memorial. Leara, a rising junior at Mountain Brook High School, is a member of the varsity baseball team, National Junior Honor Society, Interact Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Young Republicans and Spanish Club. The son of Mary and Steve Leara, he attends church at the Holy Trinity/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
The national society of the United States Daughters of 1812 announced that its first Spirit of 1812 Award was presented in Princetown, Devon, England by Connie Grund of Mountain Brook. Grund serves as a Chairman National of the Preservation of St. Michael and All Angels Church Committee. The church was built in Princetown during the War of 1812 by American POWs. Ron Joy of England, the church historian, acts as a liaison for the Washington D.C.-based organization. He has been keeping the women of USD 1812 informed about the church and its maintenance needs for 32 years. Grund proposed the new national award after being inspired by Joy’s dedication to the memory of the U.S. soldiers. With the war’s bicentennial approaching, the women decided it would be fitting to present a medal award to people in the U.S. and abroad who have preserved the history and memory of the War of 1812.
Anna Riley Receives Writing Awards
Anna Riley, a graduating senior from the Alabama School of Fine Arts, has received the Regional Gold and National Silver award from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Riley is a member of the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Society. She has a 4.3 GPA and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Visual Arts Award. Riley is an active volunteer for Alabama Art Anna Riley Shows and art museum special exhibits.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2010 • 7
PEOPLE She has also received scholarships to attend the Rhode Island School of Design in the fall. Riley is the daughter of Hobson and Regenia Riley of Southlake Estates, Hoover.
Mackin Earns Rank of Eagle Scout
Will Glover Mackin of Hoover was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor Ceremony May 16 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Chapel. He is the son of Koko and Stan Mackin Jr. Mackin began his scouting experience in 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 119 and received his Arrow of Light before he crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 119 in March 2003. As a member of Troop 119, Mackin earned 30 merit badges, nine more than the 21 Will Glover required for Mackin the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout leadership project, Mackin and Troop 119 scouts spent more than 134 hours building six wooden benches for the wooded trails at Hoover’s Veterans Park. Mackin completed his Eagle Board of Review on Jan. 19 and became the first Eagle Scout for Shelby County for 2010. A Spain Park High School graduate, he will be a freshman at the University of Alabama this fall.
Homewood Optometrist Honored
Dr. Frank LaRussa has been named Regional Optometrist of the Year for his exceptional customer service. LaRussa, an optometrist at the Lakeshore Parkway Walmart Vision Center, was honored at the annual
The Friends of the Hoover Library installed new officers at its May 14 luncheon at the Riverchase Country Club. New officers are, from left, Pat Bendall, first vice president; Jeanne Frederick, president; Jo Ann Weber, corresponding secretary; and Roberta Atkinson, treasurer. During the lunch, a check for $10,000 was presented to library director Linda Andrews from Friends president Jeanne Frederick. The money was Photo special to The Journal raised from Friends Bookstore sales. Health and Wellness conference May 4 in northwest Arkansas, where Walmart’s headquarters are. He was selected for the award from more than 100 optometrists in the region based on leadership when serving his profession and contributions to the community. LaRussa has worked as an optometrist at the Walmart Vision Center for 12 years. Prior to joining Walmart, he worked at the Norway Ophthalmologist Clinic in Birmingham. He holds an optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and was Walmart’s 2006 National Optometrist of the Year. LaRussa and wife Christine have five children: Gabriella, Emily, Frankie, Anna Rose and Christopher.
VHHS Student Chosen for BUTI Program
Edward Winston Fortsman of Vestavia Hills is participating in the 45th season of the prestigious Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI). Fortsman has studied piano
for 12 years. A senior at Vestavia Hills High School, he is the son of James and Edwina Winston Fortsman. Each summer, BUTI invites a select group of gifted high school musicians to the Tanglewood grounds for its training programs for orchestra, voice, wind ensemble, piano, composition and harp. The institute also includes workshops for individual instruments and chamber ensembles. Led by Director Phyllis Hoffman, BUTI is considered one of the most prominent summer music programs for high school students in the U.S. With auditions held in eight cities this year, 811 students applied and auditioned for 338 seats in the program. This year’s accepted students represent 38 states and 11 foreign countries, including Korea, China, Israel, Germany, Chile, Mexico and Singapore. Fortsman will have the opportunity to work with members of the BSO, BU faculty and world-renowned visiting artists. ❖
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