Kendra Leet, 9, daughter of Frank and Teri Leet, Lawrence, has been selected as a state finalist in the National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen Pageant. The pageant will be July 8-9 at the Overland Park Marriott.

The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses, and a trip to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.

This is the second year that Kendra has qualified as a state finalist for the pageant. Last year she qualified as one of the Top Ten Finalists in her age group.

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Dennis Vigna, Baldwin, was voted as Teacher of the Year by the 2005 graduating class at Perry-Lecompton High School. Vigna gave a commencement speech at the graduation ceremony. Vigna, who teaches U.S. history and social studies, has taught at Perry-Lecompton for seven years. During the past year, he coached girls and boys middle school basketball and high school boys golf. He also is a junior class sponsor, and helps coordinate the prom each year. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas University. Vigna is the son of Richard and Sandy Vigna, Lawrence.

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Timothy Haynes and Caitlin Welch, both of Lawrence, and Chelsea Chaffin, Eudora, made the dean’s list for the spring 2005 semester at Bethel College in North Newton. They earned at least a 3.7 grade-point average.

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Eric and Kari Driskell, Stilwell, announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Marilyn Driskell, born April 28, 2005, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Grandparents are Jerry and Kim Neis, Eudora; David Driskell, Stilwell; and the late Marilyn Driskell. Great-grandparents are Doris Schehrer and Katherine Neis, both of Eudora.

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Lauren Gilges, Michelle Colgan and Bret Vannicola received scholarships for the 2005-2006 school year from the Douglas County Farm Bureau Assn.

The received the scholarships based on their leadership abilities, community involvement, and how they plan to use their degree to improve or promote agriculture or rural areas.

Lauren is the daughter of Elvin and Denise Gilges, Baldwin. The Baldwin High School graduate will be a freshman this fall at Baker University, majoring in agriculture education.

Michelle is the daughter of Marilyn Colgan, Lawrence. The Lawrence High School graduate will be a freshman this fall at Kansas State University, majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.

Bret is the son of Phillip and Gayle Vannicola, Lecompton. The Perry-Lecompton High School graduate will be a freshman this fall at Fort Scott Community College, majoring in agribusiness.

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Ryan Rowland, Lawrence, graduated from Garden City Community College this spring.

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Kenneth Kitlasz, Lawrence, earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., this spring.

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Justin Stiles, Lawrence, won a $500 Parents Telefund Scholarship for his participation in Kansas State University Foundation Telefund 2005.

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The family of Louise (Davidson) Weeks invite friends and family to her 90th birthday celebration. It will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 25 at the Eudora City Hall. She requests no gifts.

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Heather Leigh Pearson Schulze, Lenexa, received a master’s degree in physical therapy from Kansas University Medical Center on May 21. Graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average, she received the KU Medical Auxiliary and School of Allied Health Student scholarships. She will volunteer at Dolphin Human Therapy in Key Largo, Fla., before working at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

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Washburn University student Crystal Strunk, Perry, has been inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi national honor society. A graduate of Perry-Lecompton High School, Strunk is a senior at Washburn, where she is majoring in social work with a minor in psychology. She is the daughter of Max and Phyllis Strunk, Perry.

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After 33 years of instruction, Lawrence resident Ailene Bocquin retired from teaching bridge for Lawrence Parks and Recreation and the Lawrence Senior Center. She recently was recognized during a ceremony at the South Park Recreation Center. Bocquin’s last lesson was May 19.

Bocquin began teaching Goren contract bridge in 1972 at the request of John Ames, Adult Education Program director, and continued teaching for the program until 1977. In 1973, she started teaching bridge classes with the Lawrence Senior Center. Bocquin had taught bridge for Lawrence Parks and Recreation since 1989.

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Derk and Dana Landes, Lawrence, announce the birth of their daughter, Tate Rebecca Landes, born May 9, 2005, at St. Joseph Health Center in Kansas City, Mo. Grandparents are Larry and Jewel Smith, Lawrence; David Snodgrass and Cindi Gaede, Tacoma, Wash.; and Doelas and Rebecca Landes, Mulberry, Ark. Great-grandparents are Pauline Snodgrass, Clay Center; Theda Dennington, Lewisville, Ark.; and Aline Landes, Waldo, Ark.