Heritage, gratitude vital to youth citizen of year

A rich sense of her Romanian heritage and her parents' focus on faith and family remind Ruth Benzar each day to appreciate life's opportunities.

Benzar, a senior at Reynolds High School, recently was named Youth Citizen of the Year by the East Metro Association of Realtors and the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce.

She learned of her selection while she was in class, when the announcement was made with a bouquet of yellow flowers. She received a $1,500 scholarship and a plaque at the Gresham Citizen of the Year Banquet last month.

Benzar will use the scholarship money at the University of Portland, where she plans to major in biology as part of her pre-med studies. She also wants to build on her four years of Spanish courses so she can one day provide medical services to Latinos.



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Psychology students present research at State Conference

CHICKASHA -Seven psychology students at the University of Science and Arts recently presented research at a statewide psychology conference, earning four awards as a result. Psychology students present research at State Conference CHICKASHA -Seven psychology students at the University of Science and Arts recently presented research at a statewide psychology conference, earning four awards as a result. The upper level psychology majors presented research at the 26th annual Oklahoma Psychological Society research conference, held on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond on April 11.

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Smoltz thinking pen, but Cox not so sure

WASHINGTON — Bobby Cox prefers having John Smoltz in Atlanta's rotation.

That doesn't mean the Braves manager isn't open to talking about having the right-hander return to the bullpen after his stint on the disabled list.

Asked Wednesday whether Smoltz could go back to being a closer, Cox said: "We are always thinking about it."

In the next breath, Cox added: "I like him as a starter."

The 40-year-old Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an ailing right shoulder.

Smoltz, the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves, told MLB.com he was returning to the bullpen.

"I'm coming back as a reliever first and then we'll see what happens," Smoltz said during a late Wednesday afternoon telephone conversation.



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VC men, women sharing a State of mind

Both the Ventura College men's and women's swimming teams traveled to Orange County on Wednesday with the same goals in mind.

State championships.

Both teams have finished in the top 5 in the state in each of the last five seasons, but both teams will contend for the big prize together this weekend at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

"The whole team aspect of it is better," said sophomore Chris Spriggs. "We both have the same goals. We both want to win the state championship."

The Ventura women finished fifth in the state last year, despite qualifying only five swimmers. This year, they're bringing nine.

"Everyone is really motivated to come down here and swim," said sophomore Katherine Fung.

The Ventura men have amassed the most points in swimming competition in each of the past three years, winning the 2005 state championship and finishing second in 2006 and 2007, when it didn't enter a participant in the diving competition.



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'The best is yet to come'

Jonathan Bain enters a new chapter in his life with profound gratitude to God, his family and the many people whose confidence in him have made his dream of appointment to the United States Naval Academy come true."I truly appreciate the many people who assisted and encouraged me throughout the complex application process," said Bain in his formal acceptance of the appointment Wednesday. "Among these are my parents, grandmother and the rest of my extended family, along with my pastor and church family."Another group of people who have helped me get to this point in my life are my teachers, coaches and many friends.

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Fundamentals, Technicals And Common Sense

"Having an informational abundance of riches in the trading business can make you crazy. It seems every week somebody has a new-fangled trading idea, or mysterious black box they claim is better than sliced bread and divided highways. What we’ll rant about today is not something that creates instant zillionaires but rather suggests proven, basic trading ideas used by millionaires. If you want to learn this business, watch the guys and gals who actually earned millions trading-not the ones always yammering about it." – Traderrog

When we first became interested in trading over 20 years ago, we noticed two standouts in the crowd. They are Jim Sinclair the famous gold trader and Barry Lind of Lind-Waldock. Both subscribe to keeping things simple. Get a paper chart, a pencil, ruler, and draw channels.


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Mental health group: Kids on psychiatric drugs not well monitored

State government spent nearly $10 million providing psychiatric drugs to more than 6,000 children in a six-month period last year, in a mental health system that an advocacy group on Wednesday labeled "out of control."

"Our contention is that no one is paying attention to a system that is out of control, costly and potentially harmful to some children and adolescents in Vermont," Ken Libertoff, executive director of the Vermont Association for Mental Health, told reporters.

"Drugs have greatly replaced clinical interventions and counseling in the world of children's mental health and we need to change this environment in Vermont," said Libertoff, who got his figures on cost and children's participation from a state report.

Both Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hartman and Joshua Slen, director of the state Office of Health Access, agreed that the use of psychiatric prescription drugs with Vermonters under 18 is a cause for concern.


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