Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* As a member of Boy Scout Troop 436 of Woodway, Nolan Lee Cox (right), 17, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

He is the son of Penny and Joe Cox of Hewitt. His brother, Eric, also is an Eagle Scout.

He chose for his Eagle project a task involving three components to improve the hiking trails and scenic overlook at Mother Neff State Park.

The first job at hand was to clear an area below the scenic overlook of overgrown cedar trees blocking the view of the prairie. 

Secondly, 10 trail signs were created from trees lost to the park’s flooding.

Lastly, a pergola was constructed at the scenic overlook to provide shade for a picnic table.

Cox completed the project with the donation of lumber and other supplies for the pergola from Faulkenbery Construction Inc. of Waco and with the help of neighbors, family, park rangers, and fellow Scouts and leaders of Troop 436.

Approximately 260 total hours was spent to complete his Eagle project.

Cox joined the Boy Scouts of America at age 5 as a Tiger Cub. He is a junior at Midway High School and hopes to attend college at University of North Texas to receive a degree in music.

* Class Acts * 

* Waco High jazz musicians who secured spots in the Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Jazz Ensembles (click here to see photo) are:

Kurt Kranz, first chair in the top band on guitar; Zachary Nelson, third chair in the top band on trumpet; Andrew Wells, fourth chair in the top band on trumpet; Sterling Long, second chair in the second band on trombone; Emanuel Dominguez, second chair in the second band on alto saxophone; Fernando Ramirez, fifth chair in the second band on trumpet; Zazil Pacheco, first chair in the second band on baritone saxophone; and Jonathan Vela, first chair in the second band on guitar.

Nelson, Wells and Kranz also qualified for All-Area and recorded an audition for the All-State Jazz Ensemble.

* Local students who received degrees at the University of North Texas’ summer 2010 commencement ceremonies were:

China Spring — Emily M. McMeans, Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Waco — Felicia Allesandra Cordova, Bachelor of Arts in radio, television and film; Megan Joy Cosgray, Master of Education in special education; Fallyn Mia Farrow, Bachelor of Science in recreation and leisure studies; Elizabeth Anne Pacheco, Bachelor of Science in mathematics; Justin Alan Wilks, Ph.D. in chemistry.

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