A Thursday deadline is set to nominate students considered deserving to be honored March 15 at the Grady Young Foundation’s fifth annual Memorial Weekend Youth Recognition Banquet.

The 2008 theme is "Recognizing Rising STARS (Students Triumphantly Achieving Respect & Success) In Our Communities."

Families, churches, schools and community organizations can nominate students, who can be in elementary through postsecondary school.

Students must be someone who has achieved "distinction in ... academics, the arts, athletics and/or community service," according to a letter from the Washington, D.C.-based organization.

Also, students may apply for scholarships through the foundation. Scholarships will be presented in May on acceptance into a postsecondary institution, financial need and anticipated academic success.

Young was a lifelong Hall County resident who served as layman president emeritus of the Northwestern Baptist Association of Georgia and served for 26 years as treasurer of the Congress of Christian Education.

For more information visit www.gradyyoungfoundation.org, call 770-321-4352 or send an e-mail to y_rickey@bellsouth.net.