Awards and achievements

Sara Gholson

* Sara Gholson of Jackson was one of 30 high school sophomores recently selected to participate in the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Gholson and the other students will spend the first week of June in northwestern Missouri learning about opportunities available in agriculture. A sophomore at Jackson High School, Gholson is a member of the local FFA Chapter and 4-H. Her FFA adviser is Dan Burkemper, and her 4-H youth specialist is Leslie Meier. She is the daughter of Gary and Barbara Gholson. During the 2014 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, the students will visit the University of Missouri in Columbia, Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville, Mo., Trans Ova Genetics in Chillicothe, Mo., Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and North Missouri Produce Auction in Jamesport. They also will visit Ameri-Pac, St. Joseph Stockyards, Eagle Communications and Lifeline Foods, all in St. Joseph.

Ethan M. Watkins

* Ethan M. Watkins, 15, of Jackson earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout project was the construction of two picnic tables for the Knights of Columbus in Jackson. He is the son of Danny and Tracy Watkins, is a member of Boy Scout troop 4011 of Jackson and attends Jackson Junior High School.

Rachel Schoppa

* Rachel Evelyn Schoppa, 17, of Cape Girardeau has been chosen as a state finalist in the national American Miss Missouri pageant, to be held June 28 in Columbia, Mo. The daughter of Margie Schoppa, she is a student at Cape Girardeau Central High School and plans to graduate in December. She attends Bethel church in Cape Girardeau, works at Wendy's restaurant and visits the residents of Ratliff Care Center nursing home. The pageant winner will receive, among other things, a $1,000 cash award and air transportation to compete in the national pageant in California. Information about the pageant is available at namiss.com.

Jalina Owens

* Jalina Owens, 4, of Cape Girardeau recently was crowned queen for Beautiful Me Productions. She was awarded the title of Tiny Miss City of Roses and will advance to the Midwest State Pageant, which will be from May 2 to 4 in St. Louis, representing Cape Girardeau. Jalina is the daughter of Eric and MaKenya Owens of Cape Girardeau.

Graduates

* Jacob Wengert earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan University in St. Louis in the December 2013 graduating class. The son of Alan and Kim Wengert, he earned a Health Center Certificate of Appreciation Award and played soccer for Logan in the Chiro Games tournament. Wengert planned to practice at Jackson Healing Arts. At Logan, he completed 10 trimesters (the equivalent of five two-semester academic years) program of study.

Scholarship

The Southeast Missouri District Fair Foundation will award a $1,000 annual nonrenewable educational scholarship in fall 2014. Applications are available at semo.fair.com or by calling 243-5856. The application deadline is May 31, and applications may be mailed to Edwin Peetz, 1033 County Road 332, Jackson, MO 63775.

-- From staff reports