Kansas University students Catherine Peng and Rochelle Valverde, both of Lawrence, received the Martha and Lesley DeForest Scholarship.

The scholarship is given to qualifying college freshmen who graduate from Lawrence High School in the top 50 percent of their class and have an ACT score in the 75th percentile.

Peng is the daughter of Chun-Nan Peng, Lawrence. Valverde is the daughter of Rosemary Rocha and Jorge Valverde, Lawrence.

• Jennifer Tallman, a graduate of the University of Louisville, was featured in the December issue of Practical Horseman. The article discussed career opportunities in the equine industry.

Tallman works for Brisnet in Lexington, Ky., that provides the pedigree and handicapping information to online wagers.

Tallman is the daughter of Joyce Tallman, Lawrence.

• Joel Beard, Merry Chadwick, Anne Kettle, Adam Pearce and Logan Smith, of Lawrence, performed during the St. Olaf Christmas Festival at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. The festival was Dec. 4-7.
• Chris Bellinder, Lawrence, is living in the Luther College Russian house for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Language houses provide an opportunity for students to increase their proficiency in a modern language.

Bellinder, a 2002 graduate of Free State High School, is the son of David and Sonya Bellinder, Lawrence.

• Ryan and Michelle Haney, Eudora, announce the birth of a daughter, Jenna Lee Haney, born Nov. 23, 2003, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

She has a brother, Jake, 2.

Grandparents are Debbie Herbst, Blue Springs, Mo.; William Herbst, Roach, Mo., and Jerry and Barbara Haney, Lawrence.

Great-grandparents are Curt and Peggy Lash, McLouth; Marie Herbst, Nevada, Mo.; Al and Sara Schrader, Memphis, Tenn.; and Sue Haney, Kansas City, Mo.

• James Hetrick and Meta Woodward, Lecompton, announce the birth of a daughter, Haley Jillian Hetrick, born Nov. 3, 2003, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Grandparents are John and Julie Woodward, Eudora, and Dennis and Debbie Hetrick, Lecompton.

Great-grandparents are Warren and Betty Dunn, Emporia; Gary and Pauline Woodward, Lansing; Lawrence and Cheryl Hetrick, Tecumseh; Lanora Walburn, Topeka; and the late Ruth Woodward.

• The National Communication Assn. announced that Wil Linkugel, of Kansas University, was the 2003 recipient of the Wallace A. Bacon Lifetime Teaching Excellence Award.

He was presented with the honor at the association’s convention Nov. 20-23.

The honor recognizes teaching excellence of retired NCA members.