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Marshall Scholarship will help Michigan State graduate open talks ...
EAST LANSING, Mich. Michigan State University alum Shanti A. Zaid wants to open doors and get the dialogues rolling on a topic many people fear to tread upon religion. As a 2007 Marshall Scholar, Zaid will have the opportunity to increase his knowledge and understanding of religions and African diaspora, or the movements and culture of African people throughout the world. Zaid wants to pursue his doctorate, teach, research and publish scholarly materials to enhance peoples understanding of Africa-based religious expressions in the Americas and mend conflicts between religious communities. The first in his family to earn a university degree, Zaid plans to pursue masters degrees in social anthropology, and in migration and diaspora studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
STANLEY NEWMAN: TRIVIA BITS: 'Court' star was cut above narrator
LONG BEFORE HE became a star on TV's "Night Court," John Larroquette was heard as the (uncredited) narrator in the 1974 film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." When the film was remade in 2003, Larroquette returned as narrator. This time, his role was credited. • Shaggy dog story: Nana, the Darling family dog in James M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," is a Newfoundland. But in film and cartoon adaptations of the story, the dog seems to have always been portrayed as a Saint Bernard. If you know why, please let us know. • CNN anchor Paula Zahn is an accomplished cellist. She played at Manhattan's Carnegie Hall in a 1992 concert with the New York Pops Orchestra, and attended college on a music scholarship. • People who "get what's coming to them" get their "just deserts," not their "just desserts," as many think.
Pressures of Celebrity
The pressures of competing and suddenly being thrust into the national spotlight can be too much for some girls. Organizers behind a local scholarship program say it's something they warn their contestants about. The walls inside the America's Junior Miss headquarters read like a Who's Who in the community. From the very first Junior Miss, to those who followed her, the women were held to a high standard. Becky Jo Peterson says former Junior Miss contestants have gone on to do great things despite pressures of celebrity. Pressures she says may have gotten to the current Miss USA, Tara Conner. Conner is accused of underage drinking, using drugs, and missing appearances.
Despite those allegations, she will keep her crown and check in to rehab.
Decorated Navy pilot was raised in Whittier
Paul E. Pugh soared to heights few others experienced as a Navy pilot. His flying career spanned from the biplane era to the supersonic jet age and through three wars. By the time he retired from the Navy, Pugh was a highly decorated U.S. Navy rear admiral whose 33-year career saw him rise from a dog-fighting combat pilot to commander of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier and beyond. Pugh, whose boyhood roots were in Whittier, had been retired 32 years when he died earlier this month at his home near San Diego. He was 88. The Whittier High School graduate was one of a handful of naval aviators whose flying careers coincided with the golden age of naval aviation. U.S. Navy retired Capt. Charles "Ev" .
Full house greets Suns for home hockey debut
Wood River Valley hockey fans were ready to party Friday night. They jammed in, bought their raffle tickets and gave the Sun Valley Suns a full house for their season opener against the Park City Silver Kings. It turned out to be an eventful weekend for the deep Suns (4-0-0). They continued their early-season dominance on the power play with 8-5 and 12-2 wins over the Utah visitors at Sun Valley Skating Center. Coach Chris Benson's Suns scored eight power-play goals in 14 attempts against Park City and also excelled as penalty-killing snipers, notching a franchise record five shorthanded goals in the 12-2 rout. Rookie Suns players in particular enjoyed the two-game series and their introduction to Sun Valley hockey. Tying for the weekend scoring lead were first-year defenseman Jami James (7 assists) and wing Blake Jenson (2 goals, 5 assists) with another rookie, Jon Duval (1-5 for 6) right behind.
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