In ceremony

Brooke Fredda Newman, daughter of Brian and Joy Newman, of Augusta, has participated in the White Coat Ceremony at Mercer University's School of Medicine.

Diversity grant

Glenn Hills High School has received a $795 grant from Teaching Tolerance to start a cultural diversity project.

Rotary honors

Dr. Randy Cooper, the chief of surgery at University Hospital, and Marilyn Bowcutt, the vice president of patient care services at University Health Care Systems, have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows by the Rotary Club of Augusta.

Going to conference

Bianca Marsh, a seventh-grade pupil at C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School and daughter of Tammra Nelson, of Hephzibah, will participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference this fall in Washington, D.C.

Choir places first

The choir of Faith Tabernacle Church in Lincolnton, Ga., won first place in the Gospel Choir Fest at Beulah Grove Baptist Church.

Merit semifinalists

The following Augusta students have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program:

Maria L. Ivenskaya, Juliana J. Coleman, Elisabeth M. Ames, Michael E. Mecredy and Evan J. Van Peursem.

Food bank gets grant

A $7,000 grant has been given to Golden Harvest Food Bank on behalf of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.