Angel Bloom of Spring Mills has been selected to attend the National Young Leaders Conference today through Sunday in Washington, D.C. The conference is a leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit.

The following Bellefonte Area High School students have received National Merit Scholarship Program recognition:

Justin Houser, a son of Ralph and Catherine Houser, of Bellefonte, has qualified as a semifinalist; and Eric Anderson, a son of Guy and Nancy Anderson, of Bellefonte; and Jameson Whitehill, a son of Clarence and Merrie Margaret Whitehill, of Bellefonte, have been named Commended Students.

Robin A. Williams, of Bellefonte, was named to the dean's list at Harrisburg Area Community College for the 2001-02 academic year.

David E. Heverly II, formerly of Mill Hall, recently graduated with honors from Penn State with a doctor of philosophy degree in mechanical engineering, earning a 3.84 grade point average. His dissertation research topic was "Optimal Actuator Placement and Active Structure Design for Control of Helicopter Airframe Vibrations." He also holds bachelor and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from Penn State and a bachelor of arts degree in math and science from Lock Haven University. He resides in Dallas and is employed by Bell Helicopter as an engineering specialist.

Melanie Gordon, a student at Penns Valley Area High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2003 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1 million students who entered the 2003 competition.

Reana Lee Gates, of Millheim, a 1999 graduate of Penns Valley Area High School and a senior English and secondary education major at Juniata College, was named to the dean's list for the spring 2002 semester.

The State College Elks Lodge recently recognized several 2002 graduates from Penns Valley Area High School for their outstanding achievements:

Sarah Watson, Outstanding Student in Consumer Science; and Nathan Whitehill, Outstanding Student in Industrial Arts

Both students received a $50 savings bond plus a certificate of achievement.

Also, Leanne Yeagley receives a $1,000 Elks Legacy Award. She is attending Bloomsburg University and major in education.

The Student of the Year Scholarship Award went to Seth Palmer, who is attending Cornell University, where he will major in English. The Student of the Year Scholarship Award is based on academic achievement, community service and financial need. Palmer was ranked first in his class at Penns Valley Area High School.