GRANT: ECA Foundation Inc., the philanthropic of Energy Corporation of America, has awarded a $7,500 grant to Junior Achievement of West Virginia, Inc., to support its "Entrepreneurial Education Initiative Project."

This project will assist in providing approximately 750 youth an experience-based curriculum which will improve the lives of youth through workforce development, providing greater opportunities in school and in life. Junior Achievement of West Virginia will create a learning laboratory within the classroom using a practical, interactive learning approach.

The support of ECA Foundation Inc. is critical to teaching students to focus on the future with the understanding needed to acquire an applied vision of the work force. Each young achiever is provided the opportunity to explore, think critically and team build.

ECA Foundation, Inc. is a guiding force in improving the lives of West Virginia children. Junior Achievement of West Virginia, Inc. is one of many non-profits who would not be able to complete their mission without the support and encouragement of ECA Foundation, Inc.

HONORS: Sarah Marie Budrus, a senior mathematics major at Hollins University, has been named an honor student for the spring 2010 semester. She is the daughter of Wayne and Jeanie Budrus of Huntington. She is a graduate of Phillips Academy Andover.

GRADUATE: Amanda S. Wagner, daughter of Allen and Alda Wagner of South Point, recently graduated from the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in pharmacy.

On campus, Wagner was active in the women's Black Rose Rugby Club, the Academy of Student Pharmacists, Kappa Epsilon pharmacy fraternity for women, Habitat for Humanity and Christian Pharmacy Fellowship International.

Wagner is a graduate of South Point High School.

DEAN'S LIST: Rachel Parlock of Huntington was named to the Dean's List at the University of Hartford in Connecticut for the 2010 spring semester.

DEAN'S LIST: Seven Cabell County residents were named to the Dean's List at West Virginia Wesleyan College for the 2010 spring semester. They include Katelyn Cartwright, Dennis Cole, Katelyn Cook, Luke Finley and Phillip Watkins of Huntington; Jesse Patterson of Barboursville; and Chera Rogers of Milton.

SCHOLARSHIP: Applications for the Jim Stone Scholarship are being accepted through the First Stage Theatre Company, which sponsors a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Stone, who was a longtime support of the arts and a mentor to children in performing arts.

The scholarship is available for incoming freshmen or current full-time students who are studying dramatic or performing arts at a college, university or certified school of the performing arts.

Applicants must have been involved with at least one First Stage Theatre Company show, either on state as a performer or off stage as a member of the tech crew.

Applicants must send a list of the shows they've been in, a list of school-related extracurricular activities, a list of civic or public service activities, a copy of an official school document showing the individual's most recent grade-point average, identification of the college the individual is attending or will attend and a brief statement (250 words or less) on why the applicant is interested in studying dramatic or performing arts and detailing the financial need for the award.

Applications should be sent to First Stage Scholarships, c/o C.E. Wilson, 6421 Rt. 60 East, Barboursville, WV 25504. For more information, call 304-736-4366.

Complete application information and forms are available at the First Stage Theatre website at www.firststagetheatre.org. The deadline for entries is Friday, Aug. 20.

DEAN'S LIST: The University of Cincinnati has announced it's spring quarter Dean's List and recent graduates, which includes a number of area residents. Those on the Dean's List include Whitney Chaffin and Kyle Dillon of Proctorville, Allison Leidy of Huntington, Michael Basedow and Charles Harvey of Ironton, Lauren Fulks of Chesapeake and Alicia Merritt of Barboursville.

The two graduates include Michael Hill of Proctorville and Allison Leidy of Huntington.