At a special luncheon on July 18, the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) presented awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to research, education and the mission of the society. The Patricia Rodman and Martin Kirwan King Volunteer Award, which recognizes the outstanding volunteer of the year, was awarded to Henrico resident Lee Ball, who has been volunteering in the advancement office at VHS for more than a year. A total of nine VHS awards were presented.

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The University of Richmond recently ranked 69th out of 96 participating colleges in the Sierra Club’s annual review of America’s greenest colleges. The rank is an improvement from last year’s placement of 84th, reflecting continued efforts to implement green policies. During the 2011-12 school year, the university achieved two advances: discontinuation of coal usage at the on-campus steam plant and establishment of a fund to pay for future energy efficiency and conservation projects. The student body also contributed, placing in the top ten for electricity usage reduction in the spring Campus Conservational Nationals.

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Deep Run High School graduate Adam White recently headed to Japan on Sept. 3 to begin eight months of intensive Japanese language study. His travel, tuition and other expenses are being funded by a $20,000 Boren Scholarship. A sophomore, international affairs major at James Madison University, White just returned from another six-month stint in Japan, where he was learning Japanese and how to teach English in a program called International Village Study Abroad. White's first trip to Japan was in summer 2008, before starting his senior year of high school. He spent three weeks touring the country and was involved in a 10-day exchange program as part of the U.S. High School Diplomats program. White will continue to study in Asia next fall when he heads to Kyung Hee University in South Korea on a scholarship from the International Network of Universities.

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Lindsey Leach, a 2004 graduate of the Steward School in western Henrico, has joined the Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC) as an executive assistant. She is a 2008 graduate of Christopher Newport University, with degrees in sociology and English. Her diverse career experience includes working in the finance department for Henrico County and working for the nonprofit, Campaign Virginia. Leach enjoys reading, writing and painting in her spare time. An experienced traveler, she has been to 11 different countries and recently spent three months backpacking through Europe. LINC helps ease the burden of cancer for patients and their families by providing assistance and referral to legal, financial and community resources.

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Catherine Vaughan, of Glen Allen, recently served as a first year orientation guide (FrOG) on James Madison University's orientation team. FrOGs are a diverse group of undergraduate students who assist incoming first-year students in their academic, personal and social transition. They are legendary on campus for their annual FrOG dance. Vaughan is a senior whose major is management.

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The American Association of University Women has awarded Karen Zekauskas, a student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, a $1,500 scholarship. Zekauskas is a science major.