-- Megan Fowler of Richland is an outstanding graduate for the Political Science Department, earning a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, with a double-major in political science and psychology. At Western, Fowler served as a research assistant in developmental psychology and cultural psychology. She was a part of the Honors Thesis Program and edited and assembled a manuscript for publication in the Political Science Department. Fowler was also a scholarship athlete on Western's softball team. She received the Bill McDonald Scholarship and Department Tuition Waiver, was on the honor roll and president's list. Fowler intends to take a year to gain more experience working for nonprofit organizations and save for graduate school. Her goal is to use her education to continue to help teach and mentor younger generations.

Fowler attended Richland High and earned her GED degree. She is the daughter of Janell Fowler.

-- Richland High School students recently donated $12,400 to a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The school has participated in the Pennies for Patients event each year since 2004, a release said. Since that time, the school has provided almost $110,000.

The society will use the proceeds to help find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and improve quality of life for patients and families.