Miss Idaho 1991

NAMPA, IDAHOSarah Benson, 17, a member of the Nampa 7th Ward, Nampa Idaho South Stake, was crowned Miss Idaho 1991. With her recent recognition, Sarah carries on a family tradition. Her mother was the first runner-up to Miss Idaho in 1965 and her cousin, Holly Benson Hill Toolson was crowned Miss Idaho 1987. Sarah is a daughter of G. Taft Benson IV and Margaret A. Benson. Her grandfather is a brother of President Ezra Taft Benson. A classical pianist, she will represent Idaho in Atlantic City, N.J., in September for the national competition. This will be her third national pageant competition. She won the Idaho Miss Teen title in 1987 and the Miss Idaho National Teenager title in 1989. She plans to attend BYU in 1992.

Qualifies for school

EDWARDS AFB, CALIF.

Capt. David M. Nelson, a fighter weapons instructor pilot with the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, was recently selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, Calif. Entry to the school requires a degree in engineering or related technical fields, a minimum of 1,000 hours flying a fighter aircraft, and recognition by the applicant's commander and peers as having what it takes to make it as a test pilot. A member of the Edwards Ward, Palmdale California Stake, Nelson is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, which makes him one of only a few pilots in the Air Force to attend both schools.

Longtime clerk

POCATELLO, IDAHO

Walter Rich McDonald of the Pocatello 4th Ward, Pocatello Idaho East Stake, has been a dedicated ward or stake clerk for 38 years. He was sustained as a ward clerk in 1953 and served as a clerk for seven bishops. He has also served as a stake clerk for three stake presidents. Brother McDonald has had many other callings, but is so meticulous in keeping records that he continues on in the clerk position.

Music winner

REXBURG, IDAHO

Justin Lee Nielsen has been named the Outstanding Interpretation winner in the music category of the National PTA's 22nd annual Reflections cultural arts program. More than 500,000 students participated nationwide. Justin, 14, was one of 223 participants to make it to the national level of judging in his category. Justin was also chosen first place winner in the same category in the junior division for grades 7-9. The Reflections program provides an opportunity for students to use their talents to create original works in visual arts, music, literature and photography. Justin is a teacher in the Rexburg 15th Ward, Rexburg Idaho East Stake.

Receives award

MEMPHIS, TENN.

Dr. Roger L. Hiatt has been presented a distinguished service award from the Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology and a commendation from the Memphis Eye Society. The tributes were made in appreciation for dedicated service and outstanding leadership. He is a member of the Memphis 2nd Ward, Memphis Tennessee Stake.

Serves community

ENEABBA, AUSTRALIA

The Australia Mineral Mining Company Ltd. has presented Sharon Tracey with the Contribution to Community Award in recognition of her many works and her example. Sister Tracey and her husband, David, and their two children are the only Church members in this small mining town in western Australia. She is Primary president in the Geraldton Branch, Northwest Australia District.

Citizen of year

CHEHALIS, WASH.

Dr. John M. Henricksen has been named the Washington State Dental Association's 1991 Citizen of the Year in recognition of his outstanding community involvement. A member of the Centralia Washington Stake high council, he is chairman of the Chehalis Schools Bond and Levy Committee, having successfully led a campaign for funds to construct a new middle school and modernize the city's high school. He serves on a number of other boards and is chief of dental services for the Centralia Providence Hospital.

A `dreamer, doer'

LAYTON, UTAH

Emily McCormick, a student at Layton High School, was named the 1991 State "Dreamer and Doer" following interviews by the Utah High School Activities Association State Selection Committee. She was selected from among the 10 outstanding state semi-finalists chosen by the National Federation of High School Associations. Walt Disney World "Dreamers and Doers" is a national student recognition program co-sponsored by the national high school federation and administered by the Utah High School Activities Association. Emily has lettered in basketball and participated in cross country and track. She is involved in choir, is a member of the National Honor Society and Chemistry club and is proficient in piano, flute and bass. She is in the Layton 16th Ward, Layton Utah Holmes Creek Stake.

Receives badge

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Iqbal Bhatti, a member of the Islamabad Branch of the Asia Area and president of the Christian Scouting program in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, received the President's Rover Badge at a ceremony Aug. 11 in Murree, Pakistan. The president of Pakistan, Ishaq Khan, presented the prestigious award to Bhatti. This is the first time the badge has been presented to a member of the Christian Scouting program in this predominantly Moslem country of 110 million. Pakistan's Rover Scouting program is part of the Boy Scout program for young men over age 18.

Airman honored

BANBURY, ENGLAND

Brian Banner, a member of the Banbury 1st Ward, North Hampton England Stake, has won several awards for his work in public relations and law enforcement while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Europe. He received the National Association of Federal Investigators Award in Public Service for the Air Force in Europe, the Traffic and Accident Prevention Award, and was named Outstanding Security Police, 1st Term Airman, Law Enforcement Specialist for the U.S. Air Force in Europe for 1990.

Pianist performs

JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS

A member of the Tyler 1st Ward, Gilmer Texas Stake, Rebecca Wilber won a competition for pre-college students to play in the annual Concerto Concert with Orchestra recital, sponsored by Kilgore College. She performed the first movement of the Kabalevsky Third Piano Concert with the Kilgore Orchestra. Rebecca, 14, has won the All-State title in the piano event of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs' state junior festival for three years. Although in eighth grade, she recently entered and won first place in the 9th-10th grade piano solo competition sponsored by Stephen F. Austin State University.

Wins spelling bee

TUBA CITY, ARIZ.

Emerging as state champion during the 45th annual Arizona Republic State Spelling Bee was Velma Kee of Ft. Defiance. A Beehive in the Window Rock Ward, Chinle Arizona Stake, Velma represented Arizona in the National Spelling Bee.

Scores high in math

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Frank W. Petty, 12, a deacon and Life Scout in the San Pedro Ward, San Antonio Texas Stake, was honored for his academic achievement by Duke University's Talent Identification Program. His math scores were in the top 100 from more than 67,000 seventh grade students who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test.