* Anna Isadora Ramsey has been selected to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching program. A 2008 graduate of the University of Mississippi, she received a degree in English and is assistant teaching at junior highs and an elementary school in Igashi, Japan. She is the daughter of Robert and Debbie Ramsey of Vicksburg.

In attendance

* Susan Guider of Utica was one of two education majors at Judson College who presented a paper, “Engaging Children of Poverty in Science Education,” at the Alabama Science Teachers Association conference in Birmingham.

* SkillsUSA officers at Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg campus who attended the Fall Skills USA Leadership Workshop in Rankin County were Mandy Cote, president; Amanda Suell, vice president; Morgan Smith, secretary; Lauren Brewer, treasurer; Katie Kulhavy, historian; Ragan Hunter, Warren Central reporter; Kacey Siple, Vicksburg High reporter; Savannah Horton, parliamentarian; Katie Bryan, sergeant-at-arms; and Alisha Dornbusch, chaplain. They received training in job interview, public speaking, job skills, parliamentary procedures, competition skills, current events, bulletin board, chapter display and officer training and will compete with other members at the District IV SkillsUSA Contest held Feb. 10 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Advisers attending the workshop were Tommy Lee, Mississippi Cooperative Education coordinator, and Allen Smith, masonry instructor.

Scholarships

* Katie Sanders is the Mississippi recipient of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) essay scholarship. She graduated in 2008 as salutatorian from Forney High School in Forney, Texas. She is a freshman at Baylor University majoring in political science. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sanders of Forney and the granddaughter of John and Irene Sanders of Terry, formerly of Vicksburg.

Upcoming events

* Louisiana Tech University Homecoming Week — Through Nov. 1; activities will include dedication of Jim Mize Track and Field Complex, Alumni and friends barbecue tailgate and football game vs. Fresno State Bulldogs; 318-257-4427 for more information.

* Redwood Turkey Shoot & Fall Festival — Nov. 1, Redwood Elementary School; Turkey Shoot, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fall Festival with carnival booths, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Kim Newcomb, 601-218-1012.

* 4-H ATV Safety Program — 4 p.m. Nov. 13, Warren County Extension Office, 1100-C Grove St.; Joe Walters, 4-H volunteer, instructor; Marcus Davis, 601-636-0182 to register.

* Mississippi Reading Association Conference — Dec. 7-10, Beau Rivage in Biloxi; open to all who teach all aspects of literacy, writing, reading, storytelling, listening and speaking; speakers will include Brett Dillingham, professional storyteller and author; Dr. Roger Farr, speaker for Power Up! Building Reading Strategies; Dr. Fran Davis Perkins, executive director for Metro Atlanta’s Regional Educational Service Agency; and Jo Prather, professional development speaker for educators; on-site registration, $90 for teachers and $55 for full-time students; elparker@bellsouth.net or www.msreading.org for more information.