Lakeside student will soon say ‘Aloha’

By Tiffiny Woo

Published: June 20, 2008

I received a visit from Dean Scott and his mom last week. It was a pleasure to meet both of them and to hear about Dean’s upcoming trip.
He’s going to Hawaii!
Dean has been selected to represent Eufaula and Alabama as a People to People Student Ambassador.
As a result, he’s going to Hawaii for 14 days this summer.
Dean is a sixth grader at The Lakeside School and the son of proud parents Heath and Dena Scroggins of Eufaula.
He is an active member of his community. This past school year, Dean was on the A-B honor roll, is a member of the Junior Beta Club and was active in youth choirs at both SouthPoint and First Baptist churches.
He is a member of Eufaula’s Boy Scout Troop 11 and played for the Lakeside Pee Wee Chiefs. He’s taking a break from playing in the Dixie Minor baseball league to go on this trip. Dean plays for Cardinals.
The People to People organization was founded in 1956 by president Dwight D. Eisenhower on the belief that if people from different cultures come together in peace and friendship, the nations would eventually do the same.
The program is endorsed by President George W. Bush and by Alabama’s Governor Bob Riley. It gives young achievers such as Dean a chance to interact with other students, broaden their education, learn about conservation and, of course, have fun!
In addition, Dean will earn community service hours through different projects he will do on his trip.
People to People has partnered with the Washington School of World Studies to offer students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to earn university-level credits.
Fifth through eighth grade students who complete the course requirements receive certificates of completion that can be presented to classroom teachers for possible extra credit or to meet state and local school district Certificate of Academic Achievement.
Dean is traveling to Hawaii, but the organization also sends students to places in Australia, Asia and Europe, just to name a few.
Some of the highlights of his trip will include a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, an authentic Hawaiian luau feast, visits to Kualoa Ranch and Parker Ranch and a trip to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum. He might also get to do things such as spend the night aboard the USS Missouri, trek to the top of the National Memorial Cemetery, hike to Diamond Head, and camp under the stars at the Volcano National Park.
Dean says the thing he is looking forward to the most is trying activities such as snorkeling; he might even try to catch a wave while he’s there!
This will be his first time flying, so Dean asks that everyone pray for him, though I think maybe Mom and Dad might benefit from some of these prayers, too.
Dean says that the hardest part of the program for him was earning the tuition. “The hardest part of earning the tuition,” he said, “is that you can only make so much doing yard work and house chores.”
Dean and his family thank all of their friends, family members and sponsors who donated for him to go on the trip.
Businesses who donated for the trip include Chapman Funeral Home, DRM Trucking, First Baptist Church, Howell Paint Store, Reeves Peanut, Scroggins Sod Farm, Scroggins Logging, Willy T’s of Eufaula and Willy T’s of Robertsdale.
Dean leaves on his trip this weekend, and I hope he has a safe and wonderful adventure in the Islands of Aloha.

Hall of Famer
I’ve followed Eufaula City School fifth grade teacher Beverly Rader’s accomplishments throughout the year.
This year of outstanding achievement was culminated recently with her induction into the Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame. (See photo on page B2.)
Mrs. Rader was the 2008 Elementary inductee in this prestigious category Friday, May 30, at Jacksonville State University.
In 1969, Jacksonville State University stared the Teacher Hall of Fame to honor and recognize outstanding Alabama public school teachers.
Each public school system in the state is asked to nominate one elementary teacher, one middle grade teacher and one secondary teacher each year to be considered for this award. These nominees are selected based on a certain criteria. For example, the nominee must spend at least 50 percent of their school day actually teaching subjects to students.
The recipients of this award are chosen after a personal interview with a selection committee, and the selection is made by secret ballot.
Mrs. Rader has taught at Bluff City School since 1998. Next year, however, she will move to the old Sanford Avenue Elementary School (now Eufaula Elementary School) because of reconfiguration. 
She has taught first and third grades and is currently teaching fifth grade. 
She moved to Ozark in 2003 after marrying her husband Chris and commutes to Eufaula daily to teach.
She graduated from Troy University with a 4.0 GPA and holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education.  Her hobbies include traveling, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and helping veterans and others that are less fortunate.
Her teaching philosophy is: “I think of my students as skyscrapers.
It is our responsibility as educators to give them the tools they need to add levels to their base knowledge and help them achieve greatness in their lives.  My one goal is to give my students the opportunity to stand on the top of their skyscraper and look down and say ‘Wow, look how far I have come!’ and to also motivate them to look up and say ‘Look how much further I can go!’”
Congratulations Mrs. Rader! I know you’ve earned this recognition.

Animal doctor
Dr. Krystal Lynn Lindsey, daughter of Bobby and Virginia Lindsey of Clayton, recently graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine on May 6. She graduated summa cum laude receiving her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree.
During her four years at AUCVM, Dr. Lindsey received several honors. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Freshman Award and the Merck Outstanding Scholar Award. She was invited to join numerous honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi, an interdisciplinary honor society, and Phi Zeta, a veterinary medicine honor society for those students in the top 10 percent of their class. 
She was also a member of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. Lindsey is a 2001 graduate of Dixie Academy and a 2004 graduate of Troy State University, where she received her bachelor’s of science degree in biology.
Dr. Lindsey will be practicing at Veterinary Clinics of Alabama in Eufaula.

Garden Club Celebrates
The Garden Club of Eufaula celebrated its 79th anniversary with a luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church on May 28.
The ladies prepared a variety of delicious salads and desserts, which were served on tables decorated by Nancy Phillips and Bobby Hines with yellow and floral table cloths and beautiful gardenias from their gardens.
Rev. Dave Burgess gave the opening prayer and the members offered silent prayers for the late Mickey Freeman, who was a dedicated member of the Garden Club for many years.
Carol Keefe is donating a magnolia tree to be planted in September on the church grounds in remembrance of Mrs. Freeman.
During the luncheon, members thoroughly enjoyed LeNelle Bland’s humorous portrayal of experiences in the life of a minister’s wife. Installation of the officers for the 2008-2009 year was cleverly conducted by Carol Keefe. She used colorful garden gloves to portray symbolically the duties of the new officers who include, President Cora Mizio, Vice President Mary Murdaugh, Secretary Judy Umstattd, Treasurer Molly Seago and Historian Barbara Sonnen.
Phyliss Barnwell presented life membership in the Garden Club of Alabama certificates. Recipients included LaNell Bland, Betty Hay and Mary Murdaugh. The highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of the Brenau Cup for the most beautiful gardens of the year. Lou and John Martin won the recognition and a handsomely engraved silver loving cup with their names engraved on it. The cup has been presented annually since 1932.
Phyliss Barnwell awarded gifts to her officers for their help during her term as president. All the members thanked her for the successful efforts in making the 2006-2008 year of the club productive and enjoyable.
The Garden Club of Eufaula begins its 80th year of beautification and service in September.