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HIGH FIVES

Desmond Zeng, 12, an eighth-grade student at Fox Chapel Middle School, attended Duke University's Talent Identification Program from June 13 to July 3 on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.

During the three-week course, Desmond chose to study paleontology.

Students invited to take part in the program qualify based on SAT I: Reasoning Test or American College Testing Program scores. Program participants achieve scores comparable to those of college-bound high school seniors on college entrance exams.

Duke's Talent Identification Program is a nonprofit, educational organization designed to identify and develop academic talent.

In addition to his focus on academics, Desmond takes weekly violin lessons and performs in an annual recital. He is the son of Man Ying and Guang Ting Zeng of Spring Hill.

Donald E. Scaglione of Brooksville recently met with officials and directors of the University of Central Florida, College of Public Health Nursing Program to review the annual status of the Heather Scaglione Memorial Nursing Scholarship.

The endowed scholarship was renewed and will continue to be awarded to applicants enrolled at UCF's nursing program who show leadership qualities, community involvement, strong family values and a passion for life and the nursing profession. The student must be a member of the Florida Nursing Students Association.

Heather Scaglione was a past president of association. Upon her death, two scholarships were established in her honor - one through UCF and one through the Florida Nursing Students Association.

Donations toward the UCF scholarship may be forwarded to: Jennifer Roth, Community and Alumni Relations Officer, College of Public Health and Affairs, P.O. Box 162200, Orlando, FL 32816-2200. Make checks payable to UCF Foundation, and in the note/memo line type: Heather Scaglione Memorial Nursing Scholarship.

The Spring Hill Fire Rescue firefighters, paramedics and I would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to Dr. Raymond S. Waters from Bayonet Point Cardiac Surgical Associates for giving his time and expertise May 27.

Dr. Waters lectured on atrial fibrillation, the surgical approach and results of the maze procedure, strokes and atherosclerosis, and blunt chest trauma.

Spring Hill Fire Rescue would also like to thank our medical director, Dr. Robert Blackburn, for arranging the lecture with Dr. Waters and to Spring Hill Regional Hospital for assisting with the continuing medical education credits.

J.J. Morrison, Fire Chief, Spring Hill Fire Rescue

I wish to thank all those who made this year's Fourth of July Celebration at Weeki Wachee so successful. My compliments to Weeki Wachee Springs and the Arc Nature Coast for organizing such a wonderful day of activities.

The celebration particularly demonstrated how members of our community can come together to voluntarily help those organizations that are struggling to survive because of a loss of funding.

There were so many people who worked so hard for such a good cause. Thanks to all our vendors, those providing the entertainment, and all the other volunteers.

In particular, I wish to thank all of those who stepped up to the plate and accepted our contribution challenge. Again, you all demonstrated that we have a community that cares about others.

All Coast Engineering is very proud to be associated with all those who have such big hearts.

Art Dillman, president, All Coast Engineering

I would like to thank many people, starting with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. I am the wife of one of the divers, Craig Simon, who drowned at Eagles Nest.

Detective Carlos Douglas was very compassionate from the moment he knocked on my door with the news no one ever wants to experience. Both Douglas and Sgt. Scott Bierwieler were there those four days with me, my family and friends.

They answered questions, brought pizza and gave support - they were extraordinary. They kept news media away and were very professional, yet personal. Thank you to all the officers, and thank you to the crime lab tech who showed her respects. That meant a lot.

I cannot forget the divers who came from all over Florida, some of them all four days - total strangers, volunteering their time and their own lives, something my own husband would have undoubtedly done for someone else.

I would like to thank the community itself: Legends Pub on Mariner Boulevard for its fundraiser, and Curves For Women on Spring Hill Drive, P.J.'s Pizza & Ribs, LaBella Napoli and Publix, all for sending food.

I would also like to thank the Palace Grand in advance for their upcoming event, Aug. 21.

I would like to thank my friends at Kash n' Karry for all they have done and how supportive they have been to me throughout this whole ordeal.

Beth-Ann Simon, Spring Hill

At the 2004 Amateur Athletic Union Gymnastics Age Group National Championships, Brittany Anderson, 9, a gymnast from Stars & Stripes Gymnastics Academy, competed in the Level 3 Girls (9-year-olds) competition. The competition was June 24-26 in Palm Beach County.

At the national competition, Brittany scored a 9.65 on the vault, 9.85 on the uneven bars, 9.55 on the balance beam and 9.3 on the floor exercise, earning a total of 38.35 and taking first place in her age category.

Brittany, along with her teammates, recently returned from the 2004 Florida AAU state championship meet. At the state meet, Brittany took first place in the Level 3 Elite "A" (8- and 9-year-old) competition.

Brittany is the daughter of Joan and Steve Anderson of Spring Hill.

- Hometown Hernando welcomes reports on recreational and sports activities, both youth and adult, that do not normally run on the Sports pages. Send your news and results to: Jean Hayes, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174.