Region Digest: Church to host graduations

Thursday, May 26, 2011

WOODSTOCK, Ga.

Church to host graduations

Cherokee County high schools will hold graduation ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Woodstock this weekend despite complaints about using a religious venue for the events.

The 7,500-seat church charges about $2,000 per graduation for the five county high schools, and the school system has used it since 2005.

Rob Usher, a member of Cherokee County's school board, said using the church makes sense because it's big enough to seat the graduates' families and friends and is cheaper than other facilities.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State expressed concern over the use of the church. The school board voted in January to go ahead with the graduations there.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.

UAB aids student tornado victims

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is starting a program that will provide financial assistance to area college students who were victims of the devastating April 27 tornadoes.

The UAB Tornado Relief Forgivable Loan Program was established through more than $250,000 in gifts made to the UAB Educational Foundation. The loans will be divided into amounts of up to $1,000 and will be awarded to qualified applicants through May 1, 2012.

The loans will be interest-free. Payment will be due in one year but can be partially or completely forgiven if ongoing need is determined.

UAB students are working with Regions Bank and Birmingham law firm Balch & Bingham LLP to administer the program. Applicants can contact UAB or area human services agencies.

NASHVILLE

Former justice funds scholarship

A new scholarship for students at the University of Tennessee College of Law has been funded by former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Penny White, now a law professor at UT.

The first $1,000 White Scholarship will be awarded to a student this fall, according to an announcement by the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation.

Former Circuit Court Judge Steve Daniel, who serves as president of the foundation, said White serves as a shining example for those who are committed to helping people pursue a legal career.

White served in Tennessee's 1st Judicial District, which includes Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. She then was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and then to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

DUNLAP, Tenn.

Memorial Day services planned

The Dunlap American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Veterans Memorial will have Memorial Day services on Monday at 8 a.m. CDT at the Sequatchie County Courthouse.

Everyone is welcome, American Legion Post 190 historian and past commander Jack Pine said.