Bruce and Pamela Rist, Lawrence, announce the birth of their son, Joseph Alan Rist, born Oct. 8, 2002, in Overland Park. He has a sister, Abigail Nicole Rist, 18 months.

Maternal grandparents are Don and Wanda Swihart, Birmingham, Ala. Paternal grandparents are Roy and Linda Rist, Abilene. Great-grandfather is Earl Hyder, Chapman.

Matt and Dana LaPoint, Santa Monica, Calif., announce the birth of their daughter, Elle Marie LaPoint, born Sept. 14, 2002, at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.

Maternal grandparents are Donald and Judy Lutz, Lakin. Paternal grandparents are James and Ann LaPoint, Lawrence.

The family of Jane Thoren is requesting a card shower for her birthday. She will turn 79 on Friday. Her address is 2012 N. 900 Road, Eudora 66025.

Ashley Ross, a Perry-Lecompton High School graduate from Lawrence, was named Emporia State University Homecoming queen during the Oct. 26 game. She was nominated to the Homecoming court by the ESU Student Ambassadors, Phi Eta Sigma and Cardinal Key.

Ross is majoring in business administration and minoring in Spanish. She has been involved with Phi Eta Sigma, ESU Student Ambassadors, the American Exchange Program, the Resident Assistance Program, Phi Kappa Phi, and has been a member of Xi Phi and Cardinal Key. She also was a leader in the SWARM student orientation program. She is the daughter of David and Connie Ross.

Dawn Filkins, daughter of Duane and Debbie Filkins, Lawrence, recently was awarded the Trustee Scholarship at the 2002 Fall Honors Convocation at Lake Forest College, Chicago. The Trustee Scholarship is awarded to students based on academic achievement, an academic scholarship application, and performance in one of two on-campus programs, which include a seminar and an interview. To be eligible for the Trustee Scholarship, students must have a composite score of 30 or higher on the ACT and a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 or be in the top 20 percent of their high school class. Filkins is a graduate of Free State High School.

Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, has announced members of its 2002-03 symphonic band. Members are selected by audition and represent most academic majors. Area students who are in the band are Rebecca Wright, Lawrence, daughter of Kathy and Tom Wright; and Wendy Percifield, Tonganoxie, daughter of Debbie and Richard Percifield.

Kris Hart, Lawrence, and other students from Fort Hays State University recently took two trips to Topeka to present their public relations campaign, “Don’t Let Nursing Flatline,” to the Kansas State Board of Nursing and the Division of Personnel Services.

The class created posters, pamphlets and radio and television commercials for the campaign that will assist several state agencies in promoting the nursing profession.

The students received a standing ovation from the state officials who now plan to implement the campaign, which took the students about five weeks to put together. The Board of Nursing is asking the Kansas Legislature to allot $300,000 to produce the collateral material for the campaign, scheduled to begin sometime in mid-2003.

Eric Waters, son of Larry and Christine Waters of rural Baldwin, is among 125,000 college students recognized in the 2001-2002 National Dean’s List for high academic achievement at the post-secondary level, and is eligible for one of 50 scholarships awarded each year.

The National Dean’s List has become the largest recognition publication in the nation honoring exceptional college students representing 2,500 colleges and universities throughout the country.

Waters, a 2001 Baldwin High School graduate, is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Kansas State University.

The Kansas City Direct Marketing Association Educational Foundation recently awarded five $400 scholarships to students in the direct marketing field. Michelle Cray and Stephanie Jones, both of Lawrence, received scholarships.