The chess players of Quail Run School claimed the second place team trophy Jan. 17 in the K-8 division of the Rockhurst High School chess tournament at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo. Individually, Quail Run’s Josh Kallenbach was champion of the K-5 division.

In the K-12 division, Thomas Clark, Free State High School, was second; Peter Lesslie, FSHS, sixth; and Eddie Wilson, Cordley, 12th.

In K-8, Wynn Feddema, Quail Run, was second; Kaustubh Nimkar, Sunflower, third; Sam Stephens, Quail Run, fifth; Austin Bailey, Central Junior High School, ninth; and George Wedge, Cordley, 15th.

In K-5, Apramay Mishra, Sunflower, was seventh; Jonathan Lesslie, Quail Run, 13th; and McCarthy Fitch, Cordley, 19th.

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Michael Barry, Bethesda, Md., was a volunteer usher Tuesday in the inauguration of Barack Obama. He is the son of Carol and Tim Barry, formerly of Lawrence, and the grandson of Darlene Hill, Lawrence.

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Erin Levy, Lawrence, was named to the dean’s list at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., by earning a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher during the fall 2008 semester. She is a sophomore at the college.

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University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, announces area students named to the dean’s list for the fall 2008 semester, by earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Area students on the list are: Jesse Noell, Amy Schlicht and Lisa Wynn, Basehor; Jennie Hull, Lawrence; Shannon Raines, Linwood; Addie Heim, McLouth; and Kayla Beggs, Alex Nowasell, Jamie Spruk and Jerriann Yorkovich, Tonganoxie.

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Katherine Heacock, Lawrence, was named to the college scholar list for the fall 2008 semester at Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. To be named to the college scholar list, students must have a grade-point average of at least 3.7 and have made the dean’s list for three or more consecutive semesters.

Heacock, a senior music education major, is the daughter of Douglas and Carolyn Heacock.

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The family of William “Bill” Bunce will celebrate his 75th birthday Feb. 4 with a card shower. Cards and birthday wishes may be sent to Bill at 12927 238th, Linwood, KS 66052.

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Tyler Cordts, Overbrook, was named to the dean’s list for the 2008 fall semester at Central College, Pella, Iowa, by earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Cordts, a senior history major, is the son of John and Elizabeth Cordts.

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Teams representing Lawrence High School, Free State High School and Perry-Lecompton High School and a student from Tonganoxie on the Bonner Spring High School team, participated in the 2008-09 Quest academic competition Dec. 6 at Washburn University. The contest allowed teams made up of high school students from across Kansas to compete against one another by answering questions on topics such as art, literature, history, math and science.

Teams earning the top 16 scores will advance to the finals and return to Topeka several times for taping sessions. The televised Quest competition will air on KTWU from February through May, when the championship team will be named. Members are:

Bonner Springs — Morgan Tinsley, junior, daughter of T.J. and Terri Tinsley, Tonganoxie.

Lawrence High — Helen Gent, junior, daughter of Bob Gent and Ginny Love; Robert Knight, senior, son of Torrence Knight and Nannette Brandt; Alan Magnuson, junior, son of Teresa Magnuson; James Mather, sophomore, son of Dusty and P.J. Mather; Alex Henriquez, sophomore, son of Francois Henriquez and Laura Stephenson; and Andres Ramos, senior, son of Olivares and M. Lourdes Ramos. Coach was Ron Callaway.

Perry-Lecompton — Kyle Aldridge, junior, son of Rick and Linda Aldridge; Morgan Brown, junior, daughter of Sean and Pam Brown; Samantha Clement, senior, daughter of Scott and Gina Clement; Ethan Merritt, junior, son of Gary and Cindy Merritt; and Daffodil Reumund, senior, daughter of Mark and Jennifer Reumund. Coach was John Culvahouse.

Free State — Ruth Byers, senior, daughter of Margaret Byers; Tess Murray, senior, daughter of Michael and Maureen Murray; Betty Zhang, senior, daughter of Jianbo Zhang and Yang Yang; Hannah Kapp-Klote, senior, daughter of Carolyn Klote; Dravid Joseph, junior, son of Kissan and Nisha Joseph; and Alex Kong, sophomore, son of Man and Sue Kong. Coach was Oather Strawderman.

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Amie and Matthew Withers, Polo, Mo., announce the birth of their son, Bryce Jackson Withers, born Jan. 18, 2009, at Liberty Hospital, Liberty Mo.

His maternal grandparents are Richard Sedge, Mayview, Mo., and Penny Sedge, Polo. His paternal grandparents are David and Deborah Withers, Lawrence.

His great-grandparents are Albert and Corda Puckett, Wellington, Mo., and Lewis and Zelma Sedge, Topeka.