Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Class Acts *

* Jessica Woodward, a sophomore at McLennan Community College, received a $1,000 award as a 2009 Coca-Cola National Finalist.

Woodward received the honor based on her outstanding scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition through Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges.

A mother of three and full-time student, Woodward is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association, Student Veterans Association and Baptist Student Ministries. She graduates May 12 and plans to attend Tarleton State University through the University Center at MCC.

* Winners at the 33rd annual high school dance contest sponsored by the McLennan Community College Dance Company were:

Team routine — Division II trophies went to Bruceville-Eddy, McGregor and Moody high schools, and Jana’s Dance. Division I trophies went to China Spring, Gatesville and Robinson high schools, and ICON Dance. The Innovative Choreography Award went to Jana’s Dance for its “Born to be Wild” routine with handlebar props. The Award of Excellence went to ICON Cheer and Dance for the highest scoring routine throughout the day.

Officer competition — Division II trophies went to the officers from the McGregor and China Spring high schools.

Solo routine — 3A division and below: first place, Kylee Farmer of Robinson High; second place, Brooke Shultes of Gatesville High; third place, Samantha Hueske from Let’s Dance Studio in McGregor. 4A and 5A division: first place, Molly McGrew of Midway High; second place, Taylor Cox of Midway; third place, Brittany Bratcher of Midway.

Solo dancers who received a Division I medal were Ashley Singleton, Makenzie Mills, Katie Klaras, Stephanie Davis and Kitty DeLeon from Midway; Hilary Palomares and Katie Fowler from Joshua; Courtney Soden from Killeen Shoemaker; and Kendra Hibbs from Wylie.

Scholarships — Ashley Singleton of Midway and Hilary Palomares of Joshua, along with Molly McGrew of Midway, received a scholarship to MCC in the event that they try out and secure a position with the MCC Dance Company.

* Aaron Marshall of Waco was named to the dean’s list at Schreiner University for the fall semester. He is the son of Frank and Paula Marshall.

* Applause *

* Kate Ivey, a Waco Montessori fifth-grade student, had her photograph “Reflections” displayed at Watson’s Gallery “Young Guns” show in Johnson City from March 27 to April 25. Forty-five images from young photographers from Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, California, Pennsylvania and Australia were chosen for this show.

* Jacob Meurer of West was on a successful livestock judging team this school year at Blinn College in Brenham. In the six National Junior College Coaches Association-designated national contests, the Blinn group won champion honors at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and was reserve champion at three others (American Royal in Kansas City, Mo; National Western in Denver; and the San Antonio Exposition Show).

* In the Military *

* Army Sgt. Nicholas A. McDonald, the son of Pamela Pointon of Waco, returned from deployment in Mosul, Iraq, after providing medical care to service members in Multi National Division-North for 15 months.

McDonald, an intensive care licensed practical nurse with four years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 102nd Forward Surgical Team at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.

He graduated from Itasca High School in 2004.

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