Resident Cristina Parks was among seven Spanish majors at Eastern Connecticut State University who were inducted into the national Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Pi, on May 7. Qualifications for inductees include three years of college-level Spanish (18 semester credit hours), including at least three semester hours of Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization at the junior level; a 3.0 grade point average in all Spanish courses taken, rank in the upper 35 percent of their class, and have completed at least three semesters.

Navy Seaman Recruit Dustin G. Hanson, son of Shari F. and Gregory W. Hanson of Sandy Hook, recently completed US Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Hanson completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork, and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Dustin is a 2010 graduate of Newtown High School.

At Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Penn., Caitlin Norcross, daughter of Mr and Mrs Roy Norcross, received the Dr Priscilla E. Howard Tutor Award at the college’s annual Honor’s Convocation on Sunday, May 1. The award is given to a senior who has received the greatest number of outstanding peer evaluations, has received the greatest number of peer nominations, and who exemplifies the philosophy of a peer tutoring program. Caitlin is a chemistry major at the college.

Ann Hull, daughter of Margaret Hull and Jonathan Hull of Newtown, has been elected to serve as a representative for the Class of 2012 in the Hamilton College, Clinton, N.Y., Student Assembly for 2011-12. The Student Assembly is a duly-elected representative organization that works on behalf of the undergraduate student population. As such, it acts with the ability to work and communicate with the faculty, staff, university administration, and other affiliated groups. Ann, a junior majoring in psychology, is a graduate of Newtown High School.

Multiple area residents graduated during Keene State College’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, in Keene, N.H. Newtown residents Kylie Bivrell-Walsh and Eric Macknight, and Sandy Hook residents Charles Baldour and Gregory Hill received their degrees during the ceremony.

Kathleen Sharnick, a senior at Connecticut College, New London, was awarded the Government Department Prize, which is given for outstanding achievement in international relations. Kathleen was presented with the award at the annual Honors and Awards ceremony at Connecticut College on April 27. Kathleen, a 2007 graduate of Immaculate High School, is the daughter of Iris and Steve Sharnick of Newtown.

Kevin Fitzgerald Donahue of Sandy Hook graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a secondary emphasis in philosophy during the commencement ceremony for Juniata College, Huntingdon, Penn., on Saturday, May 14. While at Juniata, Kevin was a four-year member of the cross country and track and field teams. He studied abroad in France in 2010 and he conducted research under Dr David Widman in 2011. Kevin is the son of Barbara and Kenneth Donahue.

Robert Morlath of Sandy Hook, a junior majoring in aerospace engineering, and Benjamin Morehouse, a junior majoring in biochemistry, recently completed hands-on research projects at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute. Robert completed a project called, “Tsumkwe/CBEND Technical Evaluation,” and Benjamin completed a project called, “Creating Supplemental Teaching Materials for the CERES Excursion Programs.”

Alexandra Vetrano, daughter of Sharon and Gene Vetrano of Sandy Hook, was named to the Dean’s List at Ohio State University for the winter semester at the school. Alexandra was also recently selected to serve on the executive board for Greek Week at the school. Alexandra is working toward a bachelor of fine arts degree for dance, and is a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.