Army National Reserve honors Valley student/athletes

Being an athlete in high school can take up a lot of time, time that could probably be better spent studying. But several local student-athletes have more than met that challenge, and they were recently honored by the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete award.

Eight local students were among the state winner of the awards. Two students -- a boy and a girl -- from each school were selected by the committee.

Roy Matthews and Megan Larson of Colony High School were presented their awards on May 21 by Sgt. Steven Rooth, a U.S. Army recruiter in the Wasilla office. From Houston High School, Jesse Webb and Linnea Pudwill received the honor, which was presented to them by Sgt. 1st Class James Hastings, another Army recruiter, on June 2.

David Martin and Jubilee Brost, seniors at Matanuska Christian School, were presented their awards on May 25 by Sgt. 1st Class Jay DeFillipo, the station commander at the Wasilla recruiting office.

Adrian Furman and Rita Hartman of Wasilla High School accepted their awards from SSgt. Rodney Moore on May 28.

The U.S. Army National Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Awards are given to high school students from every state, organizers said.

TYLAN BOHMAN, of Palmer, has enlisted in the U.S. Army's delayed-entry program as an infantryman. He recently left for basic training at Fort Benning, Ga.

Benning is scheduled to graduate from Valley Pathways High School in 2004. He is the son of Robert Bohman and Trina Bohman, both of Palmer.

JUSTIN HAVINS, of Wasilla, has enlisted in the U.S. Army's delayed-entry program as a signal support systems specialist. He was scheduled to leave for basic training on July 2.

Havins is a 1998 graduate of Wasilla High School and is the son of Larry Havins and Janice Havins, both of Wasilla.

He is married to Catherin Havins.