The following students recently were inducted into the James Madison University’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society for business students: Jingxiong Wu, of Henrico; and Laura Mason and Austin Highfill, of Glen Allen. To be eligible for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, students must be a junior or senior and rank in the upper 10 percent of their respective class.

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Safe Harbor has named Susan Thweatt the honoree for the 2012 Beacon of Hope Award. Thweatt is a long-standing volunteer with the agency serving in the emergency and transitional housing programs, on the organization’s Board of Directors, on fundraising teams, and, most recently, as the chief designer and decorator for the agency’s transitional houses. Safe Harbor will also be honoring George Drumwright, one of the agency's founding Board members, for his years of service to the agency. The Beacon of Hope was created in 2007 to recognize an outstanding individual or agency in the Henrico community that has been instrumental in empowering survivors of sexual and domestic violence and/or promoting healthy relationships for all.

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Local Avon Representative Diane K. Hooker has completed the ELITE (Educating Leaders In Transformational Excellence) professional development certification hosted by the Direct Selling Woman's Alliance. As a reward, Hooker attended a three-day all-expense-paid graduation celebration in Orlando, Fla. along with 75 other Representatives who completed the curriculum through Avon's AUL Academy. Hooker is a member of the inaugural class of Avon's AUL Academy which is an educational curriculum designed to enhance their independent businesses, advance title promotion and accelerate earnings levels.

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Ford Torney, of Henrico, has been selected to play the mysterious man for the University of Mary Washington production of “Into the Woods” Nov. 1-18. Torney is the son of Maureen and Chris Torney, of Henrico, and is a 2011 graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School. A sophomore majoring in international affairs, Torney has been a member of the Student Senate. In addition, he is a Washington Guide and a member of the Association of Residence Halls. “Into the Woods” is a musical about a childless baker and his wife, who would do anything in order to have a child. Tickets are $20 to $24. For more information, call 540-654-1111 or visit http://www.umw.tix.com