Banaka Okwuone, a junior, at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La., was named to the dean’s list for the fall of 2008 semester with an overall grade-point of 3.9.

Okwuone, a biology major, plans to attend medical school and specialize in sports medicine. This is the third year she has been recognized for academic achievement.

She is a 2006 graduate of Free State High School and the daughter of Lillie Okwuone, Lawrence, and Francis Okwuone, Olathe.

• The Douglas County Law Library and Douglas County Bar Association co-sponsored a legal essay contest open to all Douglas County high school seniors who planned to advance their formal education after graduation. The 2009 topic was “The Significance of Separation of Church and State in our Government.” Winners are: Hannah Kapp-Klote, Free State High School, first; Nash Riggins, FSHS, second; and Colin Busby, Baldwin High School, third. The winners receiving cash prizes — $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place — and were invited to the Law Day luncheon on May 1. As first place winner, Kapp-Klote will have a copy of her essay kept in the law library, and her name and school will be inscribed on a plaque.

• Erika Kjorlie Geery and John Morgan Geery, Lawrence, announce the birth of their son, John Morgan Kjorlie Geery, born April 1, 2009, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

John has a brother, Kirk Geery-Weis, 7.

His maternal grandparents are Paula Kjorlie, Tubac, Ariz., and Eric Kjorlie, Topeka; his paternal grandparents are Melinn and Alan Geery, Tecumseh.

Theresa Young, Topeka, was honored by the history department at Washburn University. She was awarded the $1,000 Linda Wahl-Stoltenberg scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. In addition, her name will be affixed to a plague in the department’s reception area.

She was invited to a student round table discussion and dinner April 15 at the home of the university’s president, with a diverse group of about 20 students.

Young will be honored at a banquet today in Washburn’s Mabee Library for her achievement and initiated in the Phi Alpha Theta Academic honor society.

She is the daughter of Douglas and Eileen Young, Perry, and will complete her bachelor’s degree in history in the fall of 2010.

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Washburn University announces area students to receive nursing degrees and to be honored in a recognition and pinning ceremony at 5:30 p.m. May 16 at White Concert Hall on campus. The School of Nursing commencement will be at 3:30 p.m. the same day in Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center.

Sarah Maas, Tonganoxie, daughter of Kenneth and Evelyn Burkart, Lawrence, will graduate magna cum laude and was named to the president’s and dean’s honor rolls.

Jennifer Tyler, daughter of Norman Lee and Karen Elaine Tyler, all of Eudora, was named to the dean’s council and the mobile health clinic committee and is a member of the Multicultural Club and Student Nurses of Washburn. Tyler will be employed by Lawrence Memorial Hospital as a registered nurse, upon graduation.

Lisa Burtin, Lawrence, daughter of Irene and Greg Burtin, Topeka, and daughter-in-law of Karen Newell and Richard Tozer, Baldwin City, was named to the president’s and dean’s honor rolls.

Lauren Tate, daughter of Steve and Susan Tate, all of Lawrence, was named to the dean’s honor roll and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Other graduates from Lawrence are: Jana Glass, daughter of Mary Jayne and Lynn Hellebust, Topeka; Nga Haake-Chau, daughter of Henderson Chieu and Yen Ngoc Chau and daughter-in-law of Patty Haake, all of Lawrence; and Kylee Tibbits, daughter of Kenneth and Donna Tibbits, of Lawrence, a member of Student Nurses of Washburn.

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Luke Wempe, a Lawrence junior in broadcast journalism and public relations at Kansas State University, was selected program director for the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters. He will be responsible for daily program and technical operations.

Wempe served as the KSDB-FM news director for the 2008-2009 academic year and previously served on the station’s sports staff. He was on the staff of the Crusader student newspaper while a student at Seward County Community College and worked part time at radio stations KLWN and KLZR when he attended Lawrence High School.

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Kansas University announces winners of its 60th all-campus student-run Rock Chalk Revue on March 5-7 at the Lied Center. The show, “In the Nick of Time,” raised a record $60,000 for United Way of Douglas County.

The Ann Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award went to KU alumna Julie Dunlap, Lawrence. The annual award was established in 2008 to honor the longtime Rock Chalk Revue staff adviser who was also its first recipient. Dunlap was executive director of the 1994 Rock Chalk Revue and has served on the judges’ panel every year since.

Scot and Jane Buxton, 2009 United Way of Douglas County co-chairs and both KU alumni, presented community service awards.

Area winners by organization: Morgan Grissum, Baldwin City, Delta Delta Delta community service representative; and Stephanie Hermreck, Ottawa, Chi Omega business representative.

Lawrence winners by performance title:

• “The Jayhawk Jackpot” — William Coldsnow, “Dealer;” Whitney Juneau, director and lead, “Heidi Hearthrob;” Taeler Nieder, “Ring Girl;” Ray Segebrecht, “Dealer;” and Jason Sneegas, “Elvis Presley.”

• “Disco Nights” — Amanda Cromer, lead, “Candy;” and Mitchell Haverty, cast member.

• “Cast To Sea” — Amanda Gage, David Green, Emily Loyd and Dustin Nye, cast members.

• “A Diamond in the Rough” — Leslie Rhoton and Alex Rock, cast members.