The May luncheon meeting of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce was held at the gazebo in the center of the square Tuesday. Chamber board members cooked and served hamburgers and hotdogs in appreciation to the local business community.
The meal also included cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans.
Students of the Month from Ava Victory Academy and Ava High School were named for the month of May. The students were accompanied by a school administrator and their parents, and Great Southern Bank presented each of the students with a savings bond.
May’s Student of the Month at Ava Victory Academy is Lauren Cassell.
Lauren is an extremely dedicated and motivated student. She came to the Academy her junior year after being homeschooled and playing basketball with the Lady Crusaders.
She has continued to be an important part of the basketball and volleyball teams. Lauren has also been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Christian Business Leaders of America and AVAC (student council).
Lauren is planning to attend Missouri State University and majoring in international business and foreign language. This summer Lauren will be participating in an internship program through English Language Institute-China, where she will be teaching English to Chinese elementary and high school students in Hong Kong.
She is the daughter of Bill and Leigh Ann Cassell.
Students of the Month at Ava High School are Raylein Holley and Justin Smith.
Raylein is the daughter of Sally Dickinson. She is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, cheerleading, Pep Club, Quill and Scroll, and Link Crew.
After high school, Raylein plans on attending College of the Ozarks and pursuing a degree in psychology.
Raylein is very active at Ava High School and is graduating in the top 10 percent of her class. She is a very confident and inspiring young lady who will go very far in life, according to comments made by her teachers.
Justin is the son of Craig and Laura Smith. He is involved in Skills USA.
After high school Justin plans on joining the Air Force.
Justin is a very quiet student who takes academics seriously.
Throughout his high school career, Justin has participated in honors courses and taken very difficult classes, and is graduating in the top 10 percent of his class.
