Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* J.T. Carter, 17, of Troop 679 in Thornton, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout project, he designed and helped build the entrance sign for the new Limestone Medical Center in Groesbeck.

J.T. plays trumpet in the Groesbeck High School band, is a member of the tennis team, plays drums at his church, and plans for a career in aviation as a pilot.

He is son of John and Lisa Carter of Thornton.

* Anna Lyman, daughter of Mary Alice Lyman of Waco, has joined the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps.

Lyman will serve 10 months in the Pacific Northwest, where she will be working in teams of 10-12 to assist community faith-based programs and government agencies, and aid in disaster relief, if needed.

Upon completion of the Americorps program, Lyman will be awarded a cash education award to assist with college costs.

* The city of Woodway recently presented awards to staff members in appreciation of their hard work, dedication and loyalty.

Awards went to: Janet Schaffer and Carrie Shuffield, customer service; William Dudley and Luis Sanchez, teamwork; Nicholas Clark, innovation; Donald Barnett and William Klump, leadership; Donna Barkley and Bob McCauley, outstanding service; Jerry Jones and John Norman, work horse award; Beau Crosby, volunteer of the year; Kelly Painter, officer of the year; and Walter Will, city manager’s achievement award.

Service awards were given to Edward Caldera, Robert Glass, Andrea Hall, Brett Lediner, Janet Schaffer, Nolan Schaffer and Malia Sheldon, five years; Larry Adams, Jimmy Kinerd, Terry Mason, Ryan Murry and Eva Pridemore, 10 years; William Hitch and James Mitchell, 15 years; and Donald Barnett, 25 years.

* Class Acts *

* Jeffrey Van Treuren, the son of Renee and Kenneth Van Treuren of Waco, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall quarter at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. He is a mechanical engineering major.

* In the Military *

* Air Force Airman Ashley N. McGill, a 2006 graduate of Robinson High School, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. She earned distinction as an honor graduate. She is daughter of Donna Collins of Waco.

* Army Pfc. Beau P. Hall was one of more than 300 Army soldiers who participated in the “Spirit of America 2009” performances for the citizens of Fairfax, Va., Columbus, Ohio, and Providence, R.I.

Hall, an infantryman regularly assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., has one year of military service. He is the son of Suzanne and Dell E. Hall of Hewitt.

* Morghan R. Eby, the daughter of Allan and Sandra Eby of Moody, has graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, in Tacoma, Wash. The cadet is a 2006 graduate of Belton High School.

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