PANNU WINS PRSSA AWARD: Harkeet “Kittu” Pannu from LSU has been named winner of the 2012 Daniel J. Edelman/Public Relations Student Society of America Award, by Edelman, the world’s largest public relations firm.
The award was based on strong public relations skills demonstrated in submissions, recommendations and writing samples and exhibited leadership and dedication with the local PRSSA chapters.
Pannu, a native of LaPlace, is an Honors College and Manship School of Mass Communication senior majoring in public relations and minoring in biology, business administration, chemistry, and film and media arts. Pannu is president of LSU’s PRSSA chapter and a production intern at LSU’s Office of Communications and University Relations.
He is also involved in campus activities as resident assistant to Residential Life, member-at-large of Belle Terre Civic Association and group leader for the Honors College Service Initiative. He will graduate in May 2013.
Pannu will receive a $500 award, along with a paid, three-month internship in health public relations in Edelman’s New York City offices. After starting his internship, he will receive an additional $1,000 cash bonus.
HOLLINS NAMED NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOW: Tara Hollins, a junior nursing student at Our Lady of the Lake College, is one of 162 students from 32 states named 2012 Newman Civic Fellows by Campus Compact.
Hollins entered Our Lady of the Lake College in 2008 and has worked to advance youth rights, serve families losing loved ones, support children with disabilities or cancer-related diseases and speak out for abused and neglected children. Her community involvement has far exceeded the 600-hour volunteer commitment, and her AmeriCorps Students in Service position has assisted numerous nonprofits in the greater Baton Rouge area, including Court Appointed Special Advocates, Boys Hope/Girl Hope and East Baton Rouge parish schools.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents committed to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the organization and the award, visit http://www.compact.org.
LEWIS TO TRAIN SUBMARINE COMMANDERS: Navy Cmdr. Ollie Lewis, a Baton Rouge native, completed his assignment as commanding officer of the USS San Juan attack submarine in a change of command ceremony on April 27 in Groton, Conn.
Lewis commanded the San Juan for more than three years and will serve next as prospective commanding officer instructor aboard Naval Submarine School in Groton.
Cmdr. Jamie Biondi took command of the submarine.
Lewis is a graduate of Baton Rouge High and Boston University. His parents are Ann and Ernie Lewis, of Baton Rouge.
SMITH COMPLETES BASIC: Air Force Reserve Airman Myron L. Smith graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Smith is the son of Tahirah Rashadeen and Sheddran Smith, both of Baton Rouge, and is a 2011 graduate of Dutchtown High School.
HUYNH COMPLETES BASIC: Air Force Airman Tan Q. Huynh graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Huynh is the son of Viet Huynh and brother of Thao Huynh, both of Baton Rouge, and is a 2011 graduate of Broadmoor High School.
MCGUIRE FINALIST FOR SEXIEST VEGETARIAN: Trevor McGuire, 28, of Baton Rouge, is one of 10 male finalists in PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door competition. Male and female winners will receive a free trip to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
McGuire went vegan during high school 12 years ago and lost 40 pounds. A mathematician and U.S. Navy veteran, he enjoys ballroom dancing and has won several Scrabble tournaments. He is a member of Mensa and is working on his Ph.D. at LSU.
To see photos of McGuire and the other finalists, go online to http://features.peta.org/sexiest-vegetarian-2012/Finalists.aspx. Voting ends Monday, and the two winners will be announced on May 21.
BROUSSARD FAMILY: The Famille Beausoleil Association, the organization of Broussard families, will hold a reunion May 26 at Mr. Keets Restaurant, 9511 Maurice Ave. (U.S. 167) in Maurice.
Socializing will begin at 10 a.m., and a crawfish étouffée dinner will be served. Cost is $10 per person. This will be a joint meeting with the Trahan Family Association. Send RSVPs to Corwin Broussard, (337) 984-3752, crbrouss@bellsouth.net; Don Louis Broussard, (337) 984-9955, don.broussard@lusfiber.net; or Loubert Trahan, (337) 893-2084, lgtrahan@cox.net.
“Neighbors Notes” is published every Tuesday in the People section. Send items — including military graduations, reunions and promotions; university and college academic achievements; and neighborhood association events — to “Neighbors Notes,” The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, or fax information to (225) 388-0351 or email to people@theadvocate.com. Deadline is Tuesday at noon of each week for the following Tuesday.
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