Nathanial S. Harris and Chelsea N. Sirard of Gainesville, was named to the dean's list at Darton College for the fall semester. To qualify for the dean's list, a student must be full time and have earned a 3.4 or more grade-point average.

Meredith Bray of Lula, was named to the dean's list at Emmanuel College for the fall semester. To qualify for the dean's list, a student must earn a grade-point overage of 3.6 or more and be enrolled full time.

Andrea Allen, Morgan Black, Anna Bower, Christopher Ollis and Stephanie Olson all of Gainesville, have been named to the dean's list at Furman Univeristy for the fall semester. To qualify for the dean's list, a student must earn a grade-point overage of 3.4 or more and be enrolled full time.

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee and the Georgia Forestry Service announce winners of the 2011 Arbor Day Student Art and Essay Contest. More than 25 works of art and 15 essays were entered by third- and fifth-grade elementary students from 10 schools in Gainesville-Hall County, along with home-schoolers. The winners are as follow:

Third grade: "Trees, the Perfect Renewable Resource!"

First place: Joshua Castillo, McEver Elementary, teacher: Kristi Copous

Runner ups: Alivia Farley, Lula Elementary, teacher: Larrece Groover

Eduardo Gutierrez, Myers Elementary, teacher: Ms. Halley

Fifth grade essay contest: "What role should trees play in meeting our country's energy needs?"

First place: Chalet Watkins, Friendship Elementary, teacher: Annette Taylor

Runner ups: Brooklyn Wilson, Lula Elementary, teacher: Vicki Savage

Lindsey Grater, Lanier Elementary, teacher: Marilyn Hamblen

Jackie Johnson of Jefferson, was one of six nursing students at Benedictine University who have been awarded the 2010-2011 Evelyn R. Simmers Scholarships. One student will receive $13,500 and five will be awarded $3,870. The Eveyln R. Simmers Trust was established in 2009 to endow scholarships for students pursuing either a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing from the Department of Nursing at Benedictine University.