Michael Ball was named to the dean's list at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta for the spring 2009 semester. Ball is a graduate of West Hall High School in Gainesville.
Debbie Clark, an eighth-grade English/language arts teacher at Chestatee Middle School, was recently honored as a 2009 Woman of Inspiration on the court at Philips Arena in Atlanta during an Atlanta Dream WNBA game.
Clark has also taught for 13 years at Johnson High School and for 13 years at Lanier Career Academy. She was named a Hall County Teacher of the Year in 2003 and a Georgia High Schools English Teacher of the Year in 2005. Her book, "Amberleigh's Christmas Angel," aims to help young people cope with loss.
Cally Dunnett of Gainesville has been named a dean's scholar at Piedmont in College in Demorest for the 2009 summer semester, with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Jaime Elise Crawford of Flowery Branch and Amanda Marcone and Bradford Gregory Valentine of Gainesville were recently inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society at the University of Georgia.
Crawford, a graduate of Flowery Branch High School, is the daughter of Wes and Jaime Crawford. Marcone is the daughter of Amy and Ian Marcone, and Valentine is the son of Cherry and Dick Valentine. Marcone and Valentine are both graduates of Gainesville High School.
The local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America recently awarded three $1,000 scholarships to local students. Abbie Davies, Andrew Furey and Ryan Martin were awarded the scholarships at the group's annual picnic at the North Georgia Sportsman Club in Gainesville, attended by more than 50 members of the local chapter 772.
Lindsey Richardson of Gainesville recently graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command, presented Richardson with her diploma during the college's commencement exercises.
Richardson is a 2004 graduate of West Hall High School
Brandon Honea of Gainesville recently was awarded with a $1,000 scholarship from Chick-fil-A. Honea attends Gainesville State College.
Megan Merritt of Gainesville recently graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss.