Menu
Archives

People in the Church

Academics

Erna T. Elizan of the Molo 2nd Ward, Iloilo Philippines Stake, is the first member of the Church to graduate with highest honors from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. For the achievement, the Summa Cum Laude graduate was named the university's Most Outstanding Graduate. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with a political science major. Among other honors she received was the Rotary International Diploma of Merit and Medal in "recognition of her exemplary character and distinguished achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service to school and community."

Janryll F. Fernandez of the Malolos 2nd Ward, Malolos Philippines Stake, won first place in the National Oratorical Competition sponsored by the Lions Club International held at the Manila Midtown Hotel. He received a large trophy and a cash prize. He has accumulated 13 plaques, trophies and medals in various regional and national oratorical contests.

Poetry

Inella M. Hoggan and Joyce Johnson Merryweather were semi-finalists in competition at the 1994 International Poets Society Symposium in Washington, D.C. There were more than 3,000 poets entered in the contest. They came from 41 countries as well as each state in the United States. Sister Hoggan of the Simi 4th Ward, Simi Valley California Stake, won a plaque and cash award for her poem "Go Where Eagles Dare." Sister Merryweather of the Cherry Hill 2nd Ward, Orem Utah Cherry Hill Stake, won the same prizes for "Rhythms of Life." Both poets have won several awards for their writings. They are on the advisory panel of the International Society of Poets.

Music

Amy Jo Arrington, 18, was given the Directors Award for her performance in "The Secret Garden" at the Interlochen Music Arts Camp in Interlochen, Mich., this summer. She was also a finalist in the Concerto Competition and was selected to perform in the Honors Recital. She represented the camp as vocal soloist for the Rotary Club of Traverse City, Mich. The Interlochen Arts Camp offers training in theater arts, dance, visual arts and music from beginning to advanced levels for 1,400 students ages 8-18. Amy, a member of the Sunny Mesa Ward, Mesa Arizona Kimball East Stake, is currently attending Arizona State University as a musical theater major on a full scholarship.

Education

Ed Adams, a member of the bishopric in the San Angelo 1st Ward, Abilene Texas Stake, received a third straight Association for Education in Journalism national research award in August. He won the award for the top faculty paper in the Advertising Division. He previously won in the History and the Media Management and Economics divisions. More than 800 research papers were submitted to the association for its 77th annual convention in Atlanta. Brother Adams is an assistant professor of journalism at Angelo State University.

Athletics

Ryan Madsen Millar of the Sommerset Ward, Lancaster California Stake, has earned all-America and several other honors as a middle blocker on his high school volleyball team. The 6-foot-8, 203-pound 16-year-old was the only junior to make the Mizuno Sport's Federation All-America first team. He was a third-team all-American at the Junior Olympics in Austin, Texas.

Jenny Dalton of the Valencia 2nd Ward, Valencia California Stake, was named a first-team all-American after helping the University of Arizona softball team to a second straight NCAA Women's College World Series championship. She also made the All-College World Series team after hitting over .500 in that tournament. As a sophomore playing second base during the past season, Jenny was also honored on the All-PAC 10 team and was a PAC 10 player of the week. During the summer, she played for the South team that earned the bronze medal in the Olympic Festival in St. Louis, Mo.

Andy Walburger of the Santa Gertrudes Ward, Whittier California Stake, was selected to the USA National Junior Water Polo Team. The team traveled to Europe during the summer to participate in international tournaments. Andy, an all-American water polo player his junior and senior years at LaSerna High School, also competes in swimming.

Amy Reeder of the Weston 2nd Ward, Preston Idaho South Stake, won three gold medals for the second consecutive year at the Idaho State A-3 track meet. That helped boost her West Side High School team to a third-place finish. She won the 100 and 200-meter dashes and, for the third year in a row, the long jump.

Professional

Dean H. Parker, a professional auctioneer from Logan, Utah, will be inducted into the National Auctioneering Hall of Fame. The honor was announced at the recent convention of the National Auctioneers Association in Indianapolis. A spot in the hall of fame is the highest honor the association awards. Known in professional circles as Colonel Parker, he is bishop of the Logan 42nd Ward, Logan Utah Stake, a ward for young single adults.

Luis Alfredo Vidal de Carvalho, counselor in the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Stake presidency, has won recognition from the international community of neuroscientists for his research about the brain mechanisms of pain perception and control. Since the publication of the research report in an international scientific journal, Brother Carvalho has been contacted by neuroscientists from universities and research centers around the world requesting details of the work and its results. He showed how the brain perceives, regulates and stops the painful sensation coming from peripheral organs.

Gary Craner of the Boise 18th Ward, Boise Idaho West Stake, has been inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. He has been the head athletic trainer at Boise State University since 1972. He began his career as a trainer for the California Angels baseball club. Brother Craner is an advocate of ethical, competent sports medicine practice. He has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association board of directors, president of the Northwest Athletic Trainers Association and president of the Idaho Athletic Trainers Association. He earned a bachelor's degree at Utah State University and a master's degree at the University of Idaho.

Newsletters
Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox
The three things you need to know everyday
Highlights from the last week to keep you informed