Rodney and Gwenda Bruce, of Hutto, Texas, announce the birth of their daughter, Maria Catherine Bruce, born Dec. 17, 2003.

She has three sisters, Sarah Elizabeth Bruce, Ranea LeAnn Bruce and Erin Michelle Bruce, and a brother, John Paul Bruce. Grandparents are Leonard and Joann Alcala, Oskaloosa, and Howard and Mary Jo Bruce, Lawrence.

• Cortney Lehmann and Brian Jonas, Lee’s Summit, Mo., announce the birth of a son, Raleigh Jay Jonas, born Dec. 5, 2003, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Maternal grandparents are Jill Smith and Wes Barker, Salina, and Mark Lehmann, Lawrence. Paternal grandparents are Debbie and Jerry Jonas, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Alex Roberts, Lawrence, has been accepted into the University of Missouri-Kansas City dental school. He is a 1999 graduate of Free State High School and 2003 graduate of Kansas State University. Alex is the son of Claire and Don Roberts, Lawrence.

• The Kansas Sheriff’s Assn. announces that Jessica E. Bowersock, 18, of Lawrence, is a recipient of a $1,000 scholarship. She is the daughter of Gary and Julie Squires, Lawrence. Jessica, a Lawrence High School graduate, attends Johnson County Community College. She plans to transfer to Kansas University in the spring.
• Sterling College senior Joanna Beard of Lawrence will travel to South Korea in January as part of a program offered through the college.

Beard will join seven other Sterling College students and a faculty sponsor as they participate in the “Share Your World” program. Their assignment will be to teach English at a language school affiliated with Sooyoungro Presbyterian Church.

The students will teach classes to students ranging from first-graders to adults.