The Exchange Club of Clinton recognized Clinton High School senior Kira Kennedy as its 2007-2008 ACE Award Recipient at a recent club meeting. The ACE award stands for students who have "Accepted the Challenges of Excellence" by overcoming a difficulty and/or challenges and rising to the occasion

to overcome and succeed despite the obstacles presented. This is a very special award given out only to one student in each school in each district, who are selected first by the high school administration and also by the Exchange Club of Clinton, which covers the towns of Bolton, Clinton, Lancaster and Sterling. Kira's application was selected as the winner for Clinton High School and her application was submitted in a district-wide competition to compete with clubs throughout New England. Kennedy submitted a compelling essay explaining how she would like to make this nation a better place to live through her creative idea on promoting health and nutrition through out our country.

"Kira Kennedy is an excellent example of what the Exchange Club represents with her focus on helping others and making a difference in her community," said Karen Newsham, club spokesperson.

Kira resides in Clinton and is the daughter of Brian and Chris Kennedy of Clinton, sister to Chelsea, Nicole and Cameron; and granddaughter to Gerald and Mona Woodbury as well as Richard and Margaret Kennedy of Clinton.

Kennedy will enter Brigham & Young University this fall as a freshman and major in liberal arts.

"We are extremely proud of Kira, if anyone deserves this award, it most certainly is her. She is the strongest young lady I've ever met," said Assistant Principal/Exchange Club Member Jaime Kach.

Kristen MacDonald, of Lancaster, has been selected one of three Massachusetts state-level finalists for the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for elementary sciences. As a state finalist, she is automatically a candidate for the national-level Presidential Award. Her application has been sent for review by a national selection committee, which will meet in Washington, D.C., during the fall.

Army National Guard Spec. Anthony D. Harris has returned to the 972nd Military Police Company, Reading, after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.

Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the people of Iraq. Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy. The specialist is a military police with three years of military service.

He is the son of Russell and Connie Harris, of Sterling. He is a 2002 graduate of Assabet Valley Vocational High School, Marlboro.

Clinton Savings Bank announced that Kristen Meyer has been promoted to branch manager of the Berlin location. In this position, she will oversee all branch operations and sales efforts to ensure that the branch runs smoothly and meets all objectives.

"Kristen started her career here at the Berlin branch, and we are extremely excited to have her back once again in a higher leadership role," said Cindy Alden, Clinton Savings Bank's vice president and branch administrator. "I know she will be a valuable asset to this branch and we look forward to her leading our staff."

Prior to Meyer's promotion, she served as the assistant manager and the teller supervisor for Clinton Savings Bank's Clinton branch. Before that, she worked at the bank's Berlin location as the senior teller. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Meyer currently is a resident of Fitchburg, with her husband, Steven.

Family medicine physician Valerie Moreland recently joined Sterling Family Medicine in a new office located at 50 Leominster Road, Sterling. Moreland is a member of the UMass Memorial Medical Group and is on the medical staff at Clinton Hospital.

Moreland joins Thomas Linberg, who opened the Sterling Family Medicine practice last fall. Both physicians are currently accepting new patients. Moreland and Linberg are board certified in family medicine and provide care for all ages, from children through seniors, with a focus on preventative health care.

Moreland graduated with special distinction from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Society. She also completed her residency in family and preventative medicine at the University of Oklahoma.

Linberg earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in family practice at the University of Alabama.

"We are very excited to bring Dr. Moreland to our Sterling practice," announced Sheila Daly, president and CEO of Clinton Hospital. "Dr. Moreland and Dr. Linberg make a great team, and we're pleased to offer families of Sterling and surrounding communities superb care locally in a beautiful, modern office space."

Moreland said she too is looking forward to her new position.

"I chose to practice in Sterling and join the Clinton Hospital medical staff because of the strong sense of community here and the more personalized care such an environment allows," said Moreland. "Also, Clinton Hospital and UMass Memorial Medical Group share an outstanding reputation for top notch medical care and patient satisfaction. It is exciting to be a part of that!"

To welcome Moreland, an open house will be held in Sterling Family Medicine's new office at 50 Leominster Road, Sterling, Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served.

The following local students were named to the National Honor Roll:

Pablo Alvarez Pablo of Clinton, attending Clinton High School; Thomas Arrowsmith of Clinton, attending Clinton High School; JP Ashline of Clinton, attending Acton-Boxboro Regional High School; Joao Baiense Jr. of South Lancaster, attending Clinton High School; Donald Brown Jr. of Sterling, attending Clinton High School; Daniel Faria of Leominster, attending Clinton High School; Brienna Gould of Westboro, attending Westboro High School; Tiffany Hatstat of Clinton, attending Clinton High School; Madison Hawkins of Lancaster, attending Nashoba Regional High School; Ashley Latini of Clinton, attending Clinton High School; Kelly Monaghan of Sterling, attending Twin City Christian School; Tom Monaghan of Sterling, attending Twin City Christian School; and Britney Spencer of Leominster, attending Clinton High School.

Marion Fearing of Lancaster, formerly of Clinton, was named as the Queen of Sunrise from Sunrise Assisted Living, by Dean Mazzarella, mayor or Leominster.

To include items in the Neighbor to Neighbor column, send them to: The Item, 156 Church St., Clinton, MA 01510. Or e-mail items to: clintonitem@yahoo.com

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Showing off her plaque from the Clinton Exchange Club is Clinton High graduate Kira Kennedy (center) with Exchange Club members Karen Newsham (left) and Kathy Fadden. (2) Valerie Moreland (3) Kristen Meyer (4) Marion Fearing