Henry Daily Herald

Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center will host its 10th Annual Duck Derby on Saturday, June 30, at The Rock Ranch in The Rock, Ga. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit center’s academic and therapy programs. Its programs serve children, ages birth to 14 years, from around the Southern Crescent, including in Henry County and Clayton County.

The Duck Derby is a part of the ranch’s annual Celebrate America event. Race day highlights at The Rock Ranch include train and pony rides, zip lines, face painting, paddle boats, inflatables, live music, great food and much more. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the Duck Derby starting at 6:30 p.m. A fireworks display will begin at dark. Admission to The Rock Ranch is $25 per vehicle and $35 per bus.

Ducks are available for a donation of $5 each and can be adopted at Stepping Stones, online at www.duckrace.com/steppingstones, or at The Rock Ranch the day of the event.

Organizers of the 2012 Stepping Stones Duck Derby said they hope to adopt 10,000 ducks to help raise $30,000 for the school. For questions about sponsorship opportunities or duck adoptions, call (770) 229-5511.

Locals graduate LaGrange College

Erin Grace Allison, of Hampton, and Jocelyn Valencia Martin, of McDonough, both graduated Cum Laude from LaGrange College. Grace earned a bachelor’s degree in art and design, while Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in music.

Thomas graduates Gadsden State

Felicia Thomas, of McDonough, recently graduated from the registered nursing program at the Gadsden State Community College Division of Health Sciences in Gadsden, Ala.

Shorter University graduates Henry pupils

Several local residents graduated this spring from Shorter University. Those graduates include McDonough residents Robert Coons, Gregory Dixon Lee Cooper, Clinton Scott Harrison, Rhonda Maddox, Willie Alfred Potter, Jovanni Robbins, Phillip Dierre Stembridge, and Sarah Lindsey Weaver; Stockbridge residents Quincy Arnold, Elisha Beausoliel, Sharon Elizabeth Kenerly, Crystal Jeanette Lyons, Jennifer Martin, Jennifer Martin, and Robin Smith; and Hampton residents Margo Atwater, James Edward Dinkins, Kam Weldon and Bernadette Whatley.

McDonough student earns degree at William & Mary

Stephanie Niehaus, of McDonough, recently graduated from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

Henry residents graduate UGA

University of Georgia recently released the names of its Henry County graduates for Spring 2012. They include: Hampton residents Virlea Brittany Hill, Holly Amber Summey, Brooke Michaela Bova, Mark Edward Chaffin, Dale Dyanand Gomes, Naomi Lucille Jamison, Anu Kurl, Brandon Chartez Pless, Abby-Gayle Ashleigh Prieur, Brandy Nicole Schley and Kendal Glen Brown; Stockbridge residents Shelia Yolandes Lecarme, Ndubuisi Dike Ahuruonye, Eric Blake Bahnsen, Brittany Heather Bolton, Caroline Mackenzie Broder, Kathryn Lee Cochran, Audrey Michelle Cole, William Skilor Gay, William Jacob Hodges, Kyla Ashton Linde, Jessica Kathryn Long, Jasmine Liezl Luna, Jessica Lauren Lundy, Kris Ann Magpantay, Melisssa Terese Mattee, Kathleen Elizabeth McGrannahan, Hillary Marie Morgan, Meghan Ashley Murray, Whitney Christine Perry, Charles Minh Pham, Crissinda Milan Ponder, William Joel Rosenburg, Nichole Ariella Rucker and Brenton Douglas Smith; McDonough residents Sarah Marie Bolton, Timothy Cole Brannan, Mark Alexander Butler, William Carter, Susannah Hope Clotfelter, Bradley Alan Curry, Ashley Renee Davis, Dorothy Jeanette Denham, Elizabeth Ann Eadie, Hayley Marie Fort, Brandy Nicole Foster, Joshua David Henslee, Matthew Curtis Kiss, Emily Frances Malone, Joshua Matthew Paine, Amanda Jeanne Peabody, Hayley Michelle Platt, Lauren Amanda Rourk, Gordon Michael Szymanski, Marlene Elizabeth Williamson, Kathleen Margaret Winterhalter and Tyler Lee Sgro; and Locust Grove residents Felicia Adele Boynton, Margaret Helen Brown, Kassandra Danielle Cook, Ashley Chantelle Lima and Jeffrey Bernard Dadisman.

GMC recognizes Stockbridge students

Stockbridge residents Chiquita Bankston and Ericka Marshall were recently named to the Spring 2012 Quarter President’s List at Georgia Military College, Fairburn Campus. To be named to the President’s List a student must earn a 3.70 grade-point average or above.

Military notes

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Cox, son of Eileen and Cleston Cox, of Hampton, is currently deployed. Cox along with fellow Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway with a ceremony, a fitting tribute given the ship’s close ties to the battle. The petty officer is a 2009 graduate of Luella High School of Locust Grove and joined the Navy in December 2009.

School Notebook publishes on Wednesdays. Make submissions to Johnny Jackson via e-mail at jjackson@henryherald.com, or call (770) 957-9161.