Reid Barden, a high school senior from Henrico, has been selected by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to attend its fifth annual Safe Schools Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. Barden was selected to participate in the Summit because of his previous involvement with safe schools advocacy. As a co-president at his high school’s Unite Club, Barden helped organize events collaborating with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. In addition, he helped organize a Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program for incoming freshman students. Attendees at the Summit will participate in workshops where they will learn about federal legislation, advocacy and organizing skills, and develop strategies to continue their work on advocating for safe schools at the local, state and federal levels. Participants will also meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill about the importance of safe schools issues.

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Shayla Lightfoot, of Richmond, recently was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester at Bowie State University in Bowie, Md. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Lightfoot is a sophomore majoring in sport management.

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The following students graduated from Boston University in January: Leslie M. Sale, of Glen Allen; and Timothy J. Drummond and Victoria F. Martin, of Henrico. Sale earned a master of arts degree in political science. Drummond earned a master of music degree in music. Martin earned a master of arts degree in art education.

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Calee Nicole Whitten, daughter of Michael and Charlotte Whitten, of Henrico, has been awarded first-year honors for outstanding academic achievement during the fall 2012 semester at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va. To be eligible for first-year honors, students must earn a 3.3 grade point average. Whitten plans to major in business with a minor in Spanish.

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Charles Overton, of Glen Allen, and Ryan Easter, of Richmond, recently were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or above.

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Marcus Burley, of Richmond, graduated in January from the University of Delaware in Newark, Del.

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Marissa Steinbeck, daughter of Andrew and Constance Steinbeck, of Henrico, recently was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher.

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Kelly Bangs, a J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College opticianry student who lives in Henrico County, has been named as a finalist in Transition Optical’s first Student Video Contest. The company asked optometry and opticianry students to submit short videos that encouraged patients to see “Life well lit,” complementing its global communications campaign. More than 25 videos were submitted and grand prize packages were awarded to nine students. Four additional students received finalist packages. Finalists were selected based on the number of “likes” their video received from YouTube viewers. Bangs received a $100 cash prize.