“Neighbors Notes” column for July 10, 2012

Academic

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GRADUATIONS: Several area students received degrees from the University of Arkansas at its spring commencement: Rebecca Braun, Baton Rouge, bachelor of science in childhood education; Ryan Ohl, Geismar, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering; John Dennis, Thibodaux, doctor of philosophy, environmental dynamics; Robert Duncan, Bogalusa, bachelor of science in food, human nutrition and hospitality; and Emily Eggart, Grand Coteau, bachelor of science in biology.

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY GRADUATION: Allison Ellsworth, of Zachary, has graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., with a bachelor of arts degree in English.

ECKERD COLLEGE GRADUATION: Mary Wilks, of Baton Rouge, received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and human development with high honors from Eckerd College on May 20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY GRADUATIONS: Three area students graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on May 27: Adam Mendrela, Baton Rouge, bachelor of science degree in electrical and computer engineering; Rhonna Wu, Baton Rouge, bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering; and Abigail Reyes, Hammond, bachelor of science degree in biometry and statistics.

LSU VET STUDENT STUDIES IN CHINA: Fourth-year veterinary student Shannon David spent two weeks in China studying veterinary acupuncture thanks to a grant from Donald and Sue Crow, of Shreveport.

Also participating in the acupuncture course co-sponsored by Southwest University in Chongqing, China, and the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Florida was Dr. Larry McCaskill, who received his DVM from LSU in 1981 and practices in Oscar.

Acupuncture is increasingly being used in veterinary medicine. It is used in equine medicine for pain management, muscle re-education, and colic, especially colic involving dysfunction in gastrointestinal motility.

It can also help with anhidrosis (non-sweating), reproduction, arthritis, back pain and nerve paralysis, in addition to many other medical disorders.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a vast number of conditions in dogs and cats, including musculoskeletal diseases (such as arthritis), nerve disorders, allergies, seizures, cancer and organ dysfunction.

Many owners report improvements in appetite and energy, as well as a decrease in chronic pain. Acupuncture can improve immune function and boost overall health.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital offers acupuncture therapy for equine patients and farm animals and will offer it for small animal patients in the near future.

Community

SIMONEAUX NAMED FARM BUREAU QUEEN: Rebecca Ann Simoneaux, of Assumption Parish, was named 2012-13 Louisiana Farm Bureau queen on June 30 in New Orleans.

After a week of interviews to test her knowledge of agricultural policy and Louisiana agriculture, Simoneaux, 18, won the crown in competition with 24 other parish queens during the crowning event of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting.

Louisiana Farm Bureau queens travel up to 10,000 miles in the course of their duties, attending dozens of Louisiana festivals, youth activities and legislative events.

Each year the queen travels to Washington D.C., both on Farm Bureau business, and to attend the Louisiana delegation’s annual Mardi Gras ball.

Simoneaux is the daughter of Rodney and Michelle Simoneaux, of Belle Rose. She plans to attend LSU in the fall, majoring in human resources.

Mikayla Renee Gerald, of East Baton Rouge Parish, was named first runner-up.

Second runner-up was Emily Pontif, of Lafourche Parish. The Houma native is studying radiology at L.E. Fletcher Technical College.

Caitlyn Cierra Bush, of Jefferson Davis Parish, was named Miss Congeniality.

Reunions

USS ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM: The USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD752) Association will hold its annual reunion Oct. 3-6 at the Residence Inn Cincinnati Airport for all crewmen who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War or Vietnam War on the Sumner Class destroyer.

The reunion schedule includes a tour of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, a tour of Cincinnati and a riverboat dinner cruise on the Ohio River.

Contact reunion chairman Mike Merkel, 1011 Hillside Ave., Greendale, IN 47025, [phone] or [e-mail].

Reservations can be made directly with the Residence Inn at [phone] or [phone].

“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 [phone] or email to [e-mail]. Deadline is Tuesday at noon of each week for the following Tuesday.