Midway students in All-State Band, Choir

Midway High School band students (from left) Braden Guess, Art Wellborn, Katherine Goodnight and Hannah Bradley will perform with the Texas All-State Band and Choir in San Antonio Saturday at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio as part of the 2011 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention. Braden Guess plays French horn in the Midway Band under the direction of Larry Brown. Braden is the son of Dr. David and Dr. Rebecca Guess. Art Wellborn, Katherine Goodnight and Hannah Bradley are all members of the Midway Meistersingers under the direction of Jeff and Jannifer Rice. Art is a two-time Texas All-State Choir participant and is the son of Wes and Kimberly Wellborn. Katherine is the daughter of Dr. Jon Marc and Nancy Goodnight. Hannah is the daughter of Dr. Randall and Brenda Bradley.

Photo submitted by Larry Brown

Librarian honored

Tessy Crawford, Bremond Public Library director, was named the 2010 Librarian of the Year at the Central Texas Library System’s winter meeting in Belton on Jan. 28. The Central Texas Library System covers an area from Hillsboro to the north, Austin to the south, Buffalo to the east and San Saba to the west, and encompasses more than 100 librarians. She was recognized in part for her development of the library’s summer reading program, in which she enlisted middle school children to help. Joining Crawford (middle) in celebrating her award are (from left) Wanda Goodson, former board member and co-founder of the library; Nancy Swick-Heaton, the honoree’s mother and a library volunteer; Kathe Bibby, long-time library volunteer and supporter; and DeAnna LaFaver, assistant librarian and board member.

6th-grader to perform with choir in Chicago

Brittany Brewer, a sixth-grade student at Midway ISD’s River Valley Intermediate School, was recently chosen to sing with the American Choral Directors Association National Children’s and Youth Honor Choir. Brittany, who also plays the violin in her school orchestra, sent in an audition tape singing “My Country ’Tis of Thee” and was chosen for the children’s national honor choir. “I felt really good! My parents were really proud of me,” Brittany said. The choir will perform in Chicago during spring break.

Caitlin Fairly photo

Charity to help girl get transplant

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association, a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients, is assisting local volunteers who are raising funds for Leah Grace Parker, of Waco.

Leah, 3, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and doctors at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas recommended a life-saving heart transplant. An estimated $75,000 is being raised by Waco volunteers.

Leah Grace is the daughter of Ross and Katie Parker, and sister of Jacob Thomas Parker. Her grandparents are Dennis and Jolaine Thomas, and Donnie and Karen Parker.

Individuals and groups interested in more information can contact community coordinator Mary Mac Brookins at 254-870-0035 or at marymacbrookins@yahoo.com.

Donations may be made in person at any Wells Fargo Bank branch location using account number 3013505957 or by mailing checks to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 W. COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. Checks or money orders should be made payable to COTA, with “In Honor of Leah Grace P.” written on the memo line of the check.

Secure credit card donations to the fund for Leah also are accepted online at www.COTAforLeahGraceP.com.

The organization said 100 percent of all funds raised are used for patients’ transplant-related expenses.

Donation to Autism Network

Anita Karney (right), of the Heart of Texas Autism Network, presents a thank-you plaque to Tom Ellen-berger, president of the Heart of Texas Kart Club, during the club’s annual awards dinner. The HOT Kart Club raised more than $600 for the local autism group from a chili cookoff and a karting event held last November.

Staff photo — Duane A. Laverty