Congratulations to all local graduates and best wishes for their continuing success.

Mary Kate Smith, the daughter of Marshall and Beth Smith, graduated from Fuqua School on May 22 and will attend Virginia Tech in the fall.  She graduated summa cum laude and is a member of the Cum Laude Society. Mary Kate is a member of the English, history, math and science honor societies and a recipient of the Redd Science Founders Award.  She also earned the Silver Service Award.

Jessica Lynn Stewart, the daughter of Jay and Teresa Stewart, graduated from Fuqua School on May 22 and will attend John Tyler Community College in the fall.

Two high school graduates were honored on the Antioch UM Church marquee.  Both graduated at Prince Edward County High School.  Tyler Morris has signed on with Danville Community College where he plans to continue his baseball expertise and major in criminal justice.  He is the son of Jamie and Mindy Morris (see The Herald’s Wednesday, May 20, edition, page 4A). Gavin Lozano plans to attend Old Dominion University. He received an associate’s degree from Southside Virginia Community College and is the son of Albert and Kimberly Lozano.  Kimberly also received an associate’s degree from SVCC in May.

Faye B. Asal is grandmother of three recent graduates. Victoria Bowles, a graduate of Cumberland High School, received a BS in Nursing from Shenandoah University. Faye accompanied family members to the May graduation. Rebecca Newman, a graduate of Cumberland High School, received a BS Degree in Nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing.  Faye and other family members, including Becky’s great aunt Carolyn A. Lester, attended the ceremony held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Allison Newman, a graduate of Cumberland High School and of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, received a Master’s Degree in Business from Boston University. Sue A. Newman and Rebecca Newman travelled to Massachusetts for the graduation ceremony.

Steve and Jenny Bobko are receiving congratulations on the accomplishments of their granddaughter, Genna D’Antonio, who graduated in May with a degree in engineering from James Madison University. Genna is the daughter of George and Janine D’Antonio of Beaverdam. In July, she begins work with the U.S. Research Station in northern Virginia.  Before that, she will travel to Italy with two girls in her graduating class at JMU.

Audrey Robinson attended an outdoor celebration for her granddaughter, Sarah Robinson, who received a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environment from Virginia Tech in May.  Sarah is a graduate of Cumberland High School and Catawba College (see The Herald’s Friday, May 22, edition, page 6A).

Several family members travelled to Oregon for the graduation of Carol Hugh Gillispie, who received a master’s degree in Education from Concordia University, Portland (see The Herald’s Friday, June 5, edition, page 3A).

Martha Thompson attended the graduation of grandson Andrew Clark, son of Mike and Cindy T. Clark, from Amelia County High School. Andrew plans to attend Virginia Tech.

Cary A. Varner graduated in May from Longwood University with a BS Degree in Liberal Arts.  Part of his undergraduate teaching experience was in Costa Rica. He is continuing his studies at Longwood University toward a master’s degree in special education. Cary is the son of Longest and Catherine Varner and a grandson of Anne N. Varner.

Lee and Dottie Fahrner celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by visiting Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the first week in June. They were accompanied by Lee’s niece and husband, Jeanne Chenault Burnette and Chris Burnette, and Lee’s nephew, Charles Chenault. The family toured the historic fort in the City of St. Augustine on the trip to Orlando. Three days were enjoyed within the Disney Park. A day at Sea World was especially wonderful, and on the return trip a grand tour of the historic City of Savannah completed their anniversary week. They were married on June 5, 1965.

Guest speaker at Antioch UM Church on Father’s Day was Molly Monaghan. She is a recent graduate and current graduate student of special education at Longwood University. She is an active member of the Wesley Foundation at Longwood.

Several representatives from Antioch attended the Virginia Conference annual meeting in Roanoke, concluding on Father’s Day.