Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* Kermit Ward, a Waco native and University High School graduate, is the Cen-Tex African-American Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Month for May.

A Baylor University athlete who graduated with a degree in accounting, his interest in math led him to become a teacher.

He taught for 10 years, then began work on his principal’s certification at Tarleton State University. He has served as an administrator at Tennyson Middle School, G.L. Wiley Middle School and is an administrator at Waco High School.

A member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Ward is on the Doris Miller YMCA board. He loves to watch his daughter compete athletically.

* Jim Fleshman, zoo director of Cameron Park Zoo, was selected to the International Species Information Systems board of trustees with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Fleshman has been director at the zoo since 2000.

* Class Acts *

* Waco High School graduates Wyn Tullos Gregory and Katie Tullos Gregory graduated from the University of North Texas on May 16.

Wyn graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. He will enter graduate school at New York University in September. He is the son of Becky and Wayne Gregory of Waco.

Katie graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with early childhood-fourth grade teacher certification. She will teach school in New York City. She is the daughter of Susan and Mark Tullos of Lafayette, La., formerly of Waco.

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

* In the Military *

* Air Force Airman Pierce C. Duffey, a 2006 graduate of Waco High School, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Tranquilla Duffey and the grandson of Alice Baty, both of Waco.

* Air Force Airman Khiry J. Duffey, a 2008 graduate of Waco High School, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Tranquilla Duffey and the grandson of Alice Baty, both of Waco.

* Air Force Airman Chase A. Ferrell, a 2005 graduate of Midway High School, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He is the son of Sandra and Joel Delaney of Hewitt.

* Army Reserve Spc. Michael W. Hicks, a 1997 graduate of Waco High School, was activated at Fort McCoy in Sparta, Wis., for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Hicks is a member of the 10th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hicks is a dental specialist with 10 years of military service. He is the son of Kay F. Hicks of Waco and Theodric Hicks Jr. of Arlington.

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