Palmer brothers sweep poetry contest

Two Palmer brothers recently were first-place winners in the Alaska Private and Home Educators Association (APHEA) poetry contest.

Kenton and Michael McKinnis both received top honors in the contest. Kenton was the first-place winner in the 6- to 9-year-old age division, while his brother, Michael, took the top spot in the 10- to 12-year-old age division. Both the brothers earned an awards certificate as well as a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.

Kenton, 7, wrote his poem "The Weasel" modeled after Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "The Cow." Michael, 10, modeled his "Oh, to be in Kodiak Now!" after Robert Browning's "Home Thoughts from Abroad."

Megan Reider of Big Lake, John Bishop of Palmer, Benjamin Logsdon of Palmer, Kylie Strand of Palmer, Selina Betts of Wasilla and Tracey Brewer of Wasilla were named to the president's honor roll at Washington State University for the spring semester. They had to earn grade-point averages of at least 3.75 to qualify.

JENNIFER BAER, of Wasilla, graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor degree in optics.

She is the daughter of Mary Moses and is a Colony High School graduate

BARRIANNE PERKINS, of Wasilla, participated in a special wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Wall on July 21. Perkins is in the nation's capital participating in the Girls Nation program. She is the daughter of Connie and Barry Perkins of Wasilla. She will be a senior at Colony High School.

The following students were recently named to the National Honor Roll, which recognizes middle and high school students with academic excellence. The students honored were Steven Bentti and Rainna Stock of Palmer High School; Brendon Bruns, John Churchill, Ruth Hughes, Jessica Moody, Azeena Preston, Nolan Rein, Robin Richardson, Joanna Spoth and Jessica Zerck of Colony High School; Rebecca Dushkin of Wasilla Christian School, Traci Steele of Wasilla High School; Tia Greer of Chugiak High School; and Andrew Wickham of Valley Christian School.

BETHANY JEFFERS graduated from Whitworth College with a bachelor degree in athletic training.