Nearly 100 Kansas educators gathered Feb. 28 for the 13th annual Kansas Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Conference at Emporia State University. George Ancona, an award-winning photographer and author of books for young readers, and Cynthia Rodriguez, an expert in children’s literacy for English-speaking and non-English speaking students, were among the featured presenters. Area teachers attending were: Debra Williams, Sunset Hill School, Lawrence; Peggy Reiling, Oskaloosa Elementary School; June Erisman, Eugene Field School, Pat Skiles, Garfield School, and Eileen Wiltse, Eisenhower School, all of Ottawa; and Reann French, Terri McAlister, and Chris Baska all of Tonganoxie Elementary School.

Jefferson County Historical Society will have a benefit auction at 1 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of Old Jefferson Town, Highway 59, Oskaloosa. Lunch will be served by JCHS members. For more information, contact Leanne Chapman, 785-863-3257.

Brandi Gragg and Bryon Virtue, both of Ottawa, announce the birth of their daughter, Daelynn Nicole Virtue, on March 31, 2011, at Ransom Hospital in Ottawa.

Her maternal grandparents are Linda Virtue and Rick Virtue, both of Lawrence; and her paternal grandparents are Cheri Gragg and Terry Gragg, both of Ottawa.

Her great-grandparents are June Eberhart, Lawrence, and Betty and Eddie Payne, Ottawa.

Nicole Krutz and Johnathan Watts, both of Eudora, announce the birth of their son, Kaden Lowell Johnathan Watts, on Jan. 4, 2011, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Kaden has two brothers, Kody, 11, and Connor, 9; and a sister, Serena.

His maternal grandparents are Steve and Kathy Krutz, Eudora; and his paternal grandparents are Rebecca Slavens, Kansas City, Kan., and David Watts of Missouri.

Pittsburg State University announces area students who made the honor roll during the fall 2010 semester.

Those who made the dean’s honor roll by earning between a 3.6 or higher grade-point average:

Bonner Springs — Nicole Bishop, Rebecca Kelly and Steven Hovey.

De Soto — Helen Papp and William Pelkey III.

Eudora — Alexandria Mott and Andrea Pyle.

Meriden — Alex Schell and Mallory Riley.

Ottawa — Bethany Duty, Courtney Torneden, Danielle Renyer, Donald Jamison, Rodney Wilson and Sylvia Rusk.

Tecumseh — Brian Haag.

Tonganoxie — Maggie Franiuk, Randolph Davis Jr., Samantha Campbell and Taylor Davis.

Those who made the All-A honor roll by earning a 4.0 grade-point average:

Baldwin City — Emily Krysztof.

De Soto — Emily Zahner.

Eudora — Brittany Beedle, Emily Ballock and Megan Ballock.

Lawrence — Eli Hodge.

Linwood — Hannah Auman.

Meriden — Tracy Naumann.

Ottawa — Jarrod Ingold.

Tecumseh — Andrew Voegeli.

Tonganoxie — Andrea Petersen, Ashley Dent, Emily Schenk and Megan Schenk.

Wellsville — Jennifer Katzer, Meagan Montis and Rachael Whalen.

Garrett Wagner, a senior at Lawrence High School, was one of three from the Olathe-based talent and modeling company, The Garnier Group, awarded two-year scholarships to The New York Film Academy. Twice a year, The Garnier Group showcases talent at the ARTS in Orlando, Fla. In December, Wagner received awards in acting, singing, dancing, TV commercial and improv. He is also a writer and did an original monologue at the ARTS Showcase. Wagner intends to accept his award at the New York campus in the fall.