Michael Holt, a graduate of Godwin High School, and Conan Zhao, a graduate of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, recently received Johnson Scholarships to attend Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and candidates are chosen on the basis of exceptional academic and personal promise. The scholarships provide at least tuition, room and board, and allow students to graduate debt-free. Holt and Zhao began classes at W&L in September.

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Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed local residents to several boards and commissions: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission – Nick Faraone, of Henrico, vice president of Senior Solutions of Richmond; and Lynne Kytle Seward, of Richmond, CEO of A Grace Place Adult Care Center; Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Board – Thomas J. Kirkup, of Richmond; Board of Directors of the Small Business Financing Authority – James S. Thomas, of Richmond, executive vice president and chief credit officer of Eastern Virginia Bankshares; Board of Medical Assistance Services – Brian H. Ewald, of Glen Allen, regional sales manager of medical devices; Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees – H. Benson Dendy, III, of Richmond, president of The Vectre Corporation; Virginia Museum of Natural History – Christina S. Draper, of Richmond, program coordinator with the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies; and Board for Veterans Services – Don Lecky, of Richmond, CEO of Westminster Canterbury.

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The following students began classes at Ferrum College in September: Jessica Jones and Breonna Tharrington, of Highland Springs; Jessica Presgraves and Travis Epps, of Sandston; Crystal James, Thomas Betts and Charles Spicer, of Henrico; and Shelbie Hall, Elizabeth Dahl, Taylor Rutledge, Willie Smith, Wade Ostrowski, Michael Schamerhorn, Clair Coley, Mendel Smith-Harris and Jordan Ramirez, of Glen Allen.

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Basir Artist-Warrington, of Richmond, has enrolled in Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C.