Grand Strand Newsmakers

Bowling Signs Madison McCall

Tulane bowling inked its first signee of the 2017 season earlier today, with the Green Wave nabbing rising star Madison McCall.

McCall comes to Tulane from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where she is set to graduate from the Academy of Arts, Science & Technology in the spring of 2017.

"Madison is a great fit for Tulane and the bowling program and we are excited to have her on the team next year," said head coach Hayley Veitch. "She will bring a great team dynamic and work ethic. Madison and her family have a very strong athletic background and know what it takes to contribute to a successful program."

McCall has had an illustrious high school bowling career, earning multiple championship wins over the past two years. McCall took home gold at the North Carolina Pepsi Bowling Sectionals in 2015 and again in 2016, before placing fifth at the 2016 State Bowling Championships. She also earned the top prize at the 2015 Amateur Bowlers Tour Stop in North Carolina.

Optimist Club names student of the month

Andrea Hyatt is being honored by the North Myrtle Beach Optimist Club as the October Student of the Month. Andrea is the daughter of Jennifer and Jack Mundy and is in the 7th grade at North Myrtle Beach Middle School. Andrea is a member of Chorus and is a student leader for FCA.

Away from school, Andrea is involved with her youth group at Living Water Baptist Church, Longs. She volunteers at her church in the nursery and plays the piano with a group called Joyful Sound. She also participates in a basketball training called Manzer, Myrtle Beach. With her actions, she is a positive role model for other students.

Andrea’s message to other students is to not fight each other but to fight for your dream. Most importantly, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. During high school, Andrea would like to continue to excel in school and be active in her community. After graduation, she would like to attend college

The Student of the Month is selected by a committee of teachers. The selection is based on community service, academic achievement, personal effort, and positive behavior.

Beautify Carolina Forest receives outstanding community award

Beautify Carolina Forest was honored with the Outstanding Community Award on Tuesday, November 29th during the 4th annual Make A Difference Day celebration in the McCown Auditorium in Conway, SC. The award, presented by Bo Ives, Chairman of Keep Horry County Beautiful, was given to Beautify Carolina Forest in recognition of voluntary commitment and selfless dedication to protect the natural beauty of Horry County. Keep Horry County Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, is a subcommittee of the Horry County Parks and Open Space Board and is overseen by a nine-member board.

“It’s an honor for our organization to be selected to be the recipient of this award. Our volunteers have put in hundreds of hours and work hard to keep Carolina Forest beautiful by caring for the landscaped medians, picking up roadside trash, and other beautification efforts in Carolina Forest”, said Richard Skrip, president of Beautify Carolina Forest. “We thank everyone that has contributed to make this happen and make our organization a success”.

Beautify Carolina Forest, incorporated as a nonprofit charity less than a year ago, has made an impact in the appearance of the Carolina Forest community. “We’ve accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time. Our mission is to enhance the natural beauty of Carolina Forest and we’ve done so in several ways. We’re an all-volunteer group that relies on donations and grants to complete our mission”, said Skrip.

If you would like to participate in our monthly roadside clean-up and other beautification projects or submit a beautification idea, visit the Beautify Carolina Forest web site at www.beautifycarolinaforest.org, or our Facebook page, Beautify Carolina Forest. Donations can also be mailed to: Beautify Carolina Forest, PO Box 50411, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579, or made through Paypal on our web site or Facebook page. With your help, we will continue to beautify Carolina Forest!

Calabash VFW seeks WWII veterans

VFW Calabash Post No. 7288 will again host a dinner party for area World War Two veterans to honor them and to remember Pearl Harbor. The event is set for December 10th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Post. There's a complimentary dinner for each World War Two veteran and one guest. Not only will there be an excellent dinner but entertainment as well and the Post has a history of finding performers who inspire and amuse those attending. VFW Calabash Post #7288 is located at 900 Carter Drive and those who would like to attend should call Post Senior Vice-Commander Dan Kossler at 910-575-6322.

Veterans Day honored by Calabash VFW

VFW Calabash Post No. 7288 joined hundreds of students, veterans, active duty members and others who came to the West Brunswick High School Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony presented by the Cadet Corps Command and Staff members. Each year, observers say that it cannot be improved upon but each year it gets better. The gymnasium was packed to the rafters to see performances by the school band, chorus, soloist, the school Female Drill Team, the dance team, special readings, a keynote speech by Retired Lieutenant General Joe Kinzer, and dueling Taps. There was even a contingent of the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus, which kept the large audience entertained with its disciplined drill display that gave way to such tunes as "My Girl," "Carolina on My Mind" and others. Standing ovations were frequent, not the least of which was offered for Grace Helms for her stirring rendition of "God Bless America." Once again, the prediction is that this year cannot be improved upon but don't be so sure of that.

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Grand Strand Newsmakers."