Temple University with a bachelorâs degree in media studies and production.
Justin Haenel graduated with honors from the
University of Vermont in spring 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a minor in computer science. He is the son of Deborah and Steve Gavalchik, of Lancaster.
Brooke Finkill, of Lititz, graduated cum laude with distinction in her major from
Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in communications.
Eric David Garner, of Lititz, received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2021.
Katelyn Robbins, a 2016 Hempfield High School graduate, has graduated summa cum laude from
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Annie Rakos, of Lititz, was recognized for achieving at least a 3.75 GPA for the spring 2021 semester at
DeSales University, Center Valley, where she majors in medical studies.
Honors
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Lauren Hartzler, of Manheim, was awarded the Outstanding Business Administration Senior Student Award from the Business and Leadership Department at
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. The award is based on academic prowess, service to the university and community, promise in the field and leadership capabilities.
Aaron Horst, of Landisville, earned the Exceptional Service Award from the Business and Leadership Department at
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Among his contributions over his career at EMU: choreographing two musicals and a play at Eastern Mennonite High School, tennis coach three years, three-year assistant at EMUâs rock wall, community advisor for two years, and a three-year EMU ambassador. The award is made by a faculty co
Allyson Letavic, a 2017 graduate of Hempfield High School, graduated summa cum laude from the
University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in neuroscience. In fall 2021, she will attend the masters of prosthetics and orthotics program at the University of Pittsburgh.
Grace Batchelder received a Bachelor of Science in business administration in management information systems from the
Temple University Fox School of Business on May 7, 2021. A 2017 graduate of Manheim Township High School, she was president of Templeâs chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, Phi Beta Lambda. She won first place honors in cybersecurity and information technology systems at the recent FBLA-Phi Beta Lambda state competition.
BEND â Typically, school board races in Central Oregon are a quieter affair than City Council or state Legislature campaigns.
The elections are in May, not November, and during odd-numbered years. Turnout is lower, as most people donât get as fired up about whoâs going to be on the school board as much as they do about whoâs going to represent them in Salem. And the race is nominally nonpartisan â no Republican or Democrat identifiers on the ballot.
But not in this yearâs race for the Bend-La Pine School Board.
The campaign has become politically charged, and three candidates on a conservative slate have repeatedly criticized schools for how they teach issues of race. Theyâve said local schools make white students feel guilty, and claim so-called âwokenessâ â slang for an alertness to racial or social discrimination and injustice â is ruining local schools.