Georgia Southern University in Statesboro recently presented the first Brittany "Ally" Harbuck Scholarship Award to junior Patrick Shuler of Gainesville.

The scholarship was endowed by David and Debi Harbuck of Savannah to honor their daughter, Ally, who died in a traffic accident in April 2005. The scholarship will help support other Georgia Southern students as they pursue their creative writing education.

Three Hall County teens are among 215 youths who recently graduated from the Fort Gordon Youth Challenge program at a ceremony in Augusta. They are Michael Sanchez and Victor Alarcon of Gainesville and Allyson McLaney of Flowery Branch.

Georgia's Youth Challenge, operated by the Georgia National Guard, is a 22-week residential youth program for teens who have dropped out of school. The military-style program allows them to get a high school diploma or GED and also teaches life skills, physical fitness and personal discipline.

The following freshmen at the University of Georgia have been awarded Charter Scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Zachary Carson and DeLaney Kolich of Cumming; Daniele Meuse and Matthew Thiman of Buford; Scott Eichler of Oakwood; Tyler Johnson of Gainesville; and Kaela Burns of Hoschton.

Blake Albertson of Flowery Branch recently graduated from Piedmont College in Demorest.

The following students recently participated in the Governor's Honor Program, a six-week summer program that provides students with educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. The program takes place at Valdosta State University in Valdosta.

Sarah Elizabeth Brothers and Elisa Michelle Jones of Chestatee High School; Robert Bland and Andrew Popovici of Flowery Branch High School; Stephanie Mai Pham of Johnson High School; and Carl Espiritu Aquino and Mauricio Novelo of West Hall High School.