Stacy Liechti and Mark Opler, Bronx, N.Y., announce the birth of their son, Gabriel Alexander Opler, on Dec. 14, 2010, at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in Manhattan.

His maternal grandparents are Paul and Sandy Liechti, Lawrence; and his paternal grandparents are Dr. Lewis and Annette Opler, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.

Megan Ballock, Eudora, and Nathanael Fowler, Lawrence, graduated with university scholastic honors at the completion of the fall 2010 semester at Pittsburg State University.

Ballock was awarded a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences education, and Fowler was awarded a bachelor’s degree in general studies. Both earned summa cum laude for achieving a minimum grade-point average of 3.95.

Matthew Viebrock, Lawrence, received a bachelor’s degree in university studies from Texas A&M University in College Station during fall commencement ceremonies held Dec. 17-18.

Emporia State University announces area students named to the honor roll for the fall 2010 semester, by earning a minimum 3.8 grade-point average.

Area students are: Lindsay Atchison and April Robbs, Baldwin City; Tyler Cleveland, Eudora; Kathleen Finnegan, Andres Gutierrez, Jaymie Hardtarfer, Amy Hope, Olson Kilmer, Caroline Markley, Natalie Rabiola, Mallory West and Whitney Wiebe, Lawrence; Whitney Czajkowski, Meriden; Emily Hedge and Crystal Sedars, De Soto; Jennifer Laffoon and Heather Roberts, Basehor; Kelsey Tallman, Bonner Springs; and Raylynn Laster-White and Michelle Tannehill, Tonganoxie.

The St. John Mexican Fiesta Scholarship committee announces the 2011 scholarship award recipients: Victor Ramirez, son of Steve and Carla Ramirez; Kelsey Broadwell, daughter of Mike and Terri Broadwell; Jeffrey Hermesch, son of Richard and Deborah Hermesch; and Sandra Otero, daughter of Luis Carlos Otero and Sandra Hermosillo.

During the week of May 9-13, 97 piano students participated in the National Piano Guild Auditions held at Plymouth Congregational Church. The following teachers’ studios were represented: Susan Aber, Carol Cook, Mary Cornwell, Elaine deSanMiguel, Jean Drumm, Sarah Higgins, Olivia Jamandre, Janet Hart Johnson and Lindsay Lawson. The adjudicator was Norma Pettijohn, a professional organist and pianist from Topeka.

Joel Burg, Lawrence, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2010 semester at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., by earning a minimum grade-point average of 3.5.

Andrew Hulse, Lawrence, was one of 12 new members inducted into Washburn University’s Pi Gamma Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, a national biology honor society.

Benjamin Smith, De Soto, was among a group of Emporia State students who attended the fourth annual Kansas Natural Resources Conference held Jan. 20-21 in Wichita.

Kaylen Fleming and Maxwell Gregoire, both Lawrence, were named to the College of Arts and Sciences deans’ list for the fall 2010 semester at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by earning a minimum grade-point average of 3.7.