Sending to Neighbor Plus

To submit photos and information recognizing your friends and neighbors for their accomplishments, email Community Editor Ken Sury at ksury@wacotrib.com or call 757-5750. Not all photos can be used.

‘Everyday Heroes’ recognized

Volunteers with the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System were treated to an “Everyday Heroes” recognition banquet at the Frank W. Mayborn Center in Temple recently. For the 2010 calendar year, more than 1,000 volunteers provided more than 104,000 hours of service to the Health Care System, which is composed of two medical centers and six outpatient clinics in Central Texas, including Waco, Temple, Austin, Brownwood, Cedar Park, College Station, La Grange and Palestine.

Pictured are (from left) Sheila Yose, Waco volunteer and member of AMVETS Post 19 Auxiliary; Margaree “Marie” Pace, Waco volunteer, AMVETS Post 19 Auxiliary member and president of the AMVETS Department of Texas Auxiliary; Wayne Pace, Waco volunteer and member of AMVETS Post 19 in Waco and first vice president for the AMVETS Department of Texas; and Ad E. Frank, Temple volunteer and member of Lampasas AMVETS Post 80 in Lampasas.

Deborah Meyer photo

Cadet of the year

Marcus Heffington (right), of Robinson, was recognized as the Civil Air Patrol’s Waco Composite Squadron cadet noncommissioned officer of the year for his service as a cadet first sergeant. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly M. Sobieski (left), of Robinson and the Air Force Sergeants Association Cowtown Chapter, presented the award recognizing Heffington for his efforts. Heffington attends China Spring High School. The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is open to youths ages 12 to 18. For more information, visit GoCivilAirPatrol.com or contact Capt. Leonard Sobieski at 254-732-5063.

Photo submitted by Capt. Leonard Sobieski

2-time TAPPS art history state champion

Reicher Catholic High School senior Mahek Vellani (above) placed first in art history at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 4A state art competition. This is the second year in a row she won the state champion honor in art history. She is a Reicher Ambassador, member of student council and vice president of the National Honor Society.

Reicher photo — Mary DeWalt

Ringing in sweet music

The Spirit Bells, a community handbell group based in McGregor, recently went to Dallas for the Greater Dallas Handbell Association’s Spring Festival. Twenty-one groups gathered to play songs under the direction of clinician Sondra Tucker, of Houston. Pictured (beginning at foreground) are Melora Roach, Linda Easter, Lyn Petersen, Marda Raley, Sharon Wendt and Betty Hall. Also attending were Sheryl Salazar and Barbara Lewandowski. The Spirit Bells will have its spring concert May 22 at McGregor United Methodist Church.

Photo submitted by Barbara Lewandowski

Winning smile

Nina Patel, 8, of Gatesville, wears a sash and two medals while each hand holds a trophy after winning the Little Miss (ages 7 to 10) division at the Sunburst Beautiful Baby Contest held at Richland Mall on March 25. She is the daughter of Sapna and Nilesh Patel.

Waco Tribune-Herald photo

McGregor dancers show moves

The McGregor High School Golden Flames dance team is shown competing in the military routine category at the Showtime International dance contest in Galveston held March 26-27. The team received a first-place trophy for its jazz routine, a second-place trophy for its military routine and third place for its novelty routine. The Galveston contest was the final competitive performance for the 2010-11 Golden Flames.

McGregor High School photo