academics

Three local students have graduated from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks: Marissa Payne, Alamo, bachelor's degree in communications; Travis Becker, Livermore, bachelor's in marketing communication; and Andrew Jensen, Livermore, bachelor's in exercise science/sports medicine.

accomplishments

Winners of the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley's 9-11 essay contest were announced at a recent San Ramon City Council meeting. The contest was open to eight schools in the district with the topic "Tell Your Story: What If You Were There on 9-11." Winners for middle and high schools were: first place, Gautam Ramesh, $300; second place Mimi Evans, $200; and third place Spencer Carter, $100. Winners for elementary schools were: first place Varshini Sitarama, $100; second and third place was Sachandra Kalvakota, $75.

The Las Positas College Talk Hawks have again won top recognition at the Kevin Twohy Invitational Tournament at Diablo Valley College. The LPC team winners were: novice Talk Hawk Kricel Gutierrez, Tracy, who won three first place awards in prose interpretation, informative speaking and persuasive speaking; Jordan Adelman, Livermore, top novice drama interpretation; Kailas Menon, Pleasanton, finalist, novice informative speaking and persuasive speaking; Sara Slechta, Castro Valley, third place novice speech-to-entertain; Mark Svetik,

Livermore, first place novice prose interpretation, third place novice impromptu; Birney Young, Dublin, first place open communication analysis, second place open impromptu and third place in open communication analysis and informative speaking; Justin Whitfield, Livermore, first place novice speech-to-entertain, second place novice speech-to-entertain and third place novice informative speaking; Charlie Passero, Livermore, finalist open communication analysis, informative speaking and poetry interpretation; and Lanea Warren, Pleasanton, finalist novice informative speaking.

The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter announced the recipients of its Contra Costa County Heroes Awards. Sara Broski, Alamo, was honored as Life Saving Hero for her quick thinking and courageous action when she saved the life of a woman in cardiac arrest on a BART train. An Act of Courage Hero honor was given to Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger, Danville, for his landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

Valley Stars is written by Louise Hartman. Reach her at 925-847-2111, by e-mail at vtletters@bayareanewsgroup.com or fax to 925-847-2189.