Nathan Pascarella of Buford recently graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass.nHeather Paradise of Flowery Branch and Renee Papp Johnson of Hoschton recently graduated from Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in Atlanta.nGainesville City Schools and Gainesville Parks and Recreation has been awarded a $3,120 grant from the 2010 Make a Splash initiative, which will promote water safety awareness for sixth-graders.nGainesville High School senior Ariel Thilenius was elected Region 3 International Thespian Officer at the International Thespian Conference at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. She has attended a week of intensive leadership training and will preside over several states.Thilenius is the daughter of Ed Thilenius and Catiel Felts.nLocal students Kelly Lane, Mushimie Panda and Elizabeth Williams recently were named to the dean’s list at LaGrange College in LaGrange. To be eligible for this honor, students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.6 while taking a minimum course load of 12 hours.nNiya Randolph of Gainesville recently graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.nThe following Hall County students were named to the honor roll at North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville for the spring quarter: Anna Canup, Tammie Champe, Joshua Hoynes, Danny Ivey, Joseph Lance, Tammy Leonard, Tyler McEntire, Ethan Roberts and Trent Wall.