Local VFW Auxiliary member appointed to national chairmanship

Natalie Copeland of Meridian, a member of CDR Howard W. Gilmore Auxiliary #12124, was appointed National Chairmanship at the 104th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary held July 22-26 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The convention marked the beginning of Copeland’s 2017-2018 term as National Chairman for the 14 states in the Southern Conference in the Veterans and Family Support Program.

Union resident first to receive High School Equivalency incentive from ECCC

Scotty Bates of Union recently received a $200 incentive for completing his high school equivalency exam through East Central Community College’s MI-BEST Program.

Students enrolled in the Decatur college’s MI-BEST program receive a $200 incentive when they successfully complete the high school equivalency exam, thanks to a grant from the Kellogg Foundation.

Bates entered the MI-BEST Program in spring 2017 and completed his high school equivalency exam this month.

MI-BEST allows qualified applicants to take courses they need to prepare for the high school equivalency exam while at the same time training for jobs in fields such as collision repair technology, business, and office technology, certified nurse assistant, culinary arts technology, hotel and restaurant management, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

Bates is enrolled in the Hotel and Restaurant Management Program.

There is no cost for tuition for students who qualify for MI-BEST.

To qualify for MI-BEST, prospective students must complete a testing and interview process. Upcoming test and interview dates are Oct. 13, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and Nov. 17. All tests and interviews begin at 9:00 a.m. in Room 12 of Etheridge Hall on the Decatur campus.

DeLee participates in Chautauqua Institute summer program

The Earnest Workers Circle of The International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons sponsored Rebecca DeLee of Collinsville to the Chautauqua Institute during the summer.

The month-long Institute brings together young people of different nationalities and religions from all over the world to engage in programs in the arts, religion, education, and recreation. Rebecca is a graduate of West Lauderdale and the daughter of Anthony and Wanda DeLee.