Hyattsville man named Strayer University valedictorian

After finishing his degree, he was promoted to assistant manager of data collection for the Metro Office of Operations Planning and Administrative Support. He oversees 27 people in that position, as he helps gather data in users, which then shapes the services of the transit system.

Lassiter lives in Hyattsville with his wife Shevry and 17-year-old daughter, Tyler. He also has two sons, Michael Jr., 23 and JoVaughn, 27.

Scouts promotedto highest rank

A Hyattsville resident from Boy Scout Troop 214 was honored for becoming an Eagle Scout during a June 21 Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at University Park’s Riverdale Presbyterian Church.

Dan Spaulding was honored alongside William Dunham of Greenbelt and New Carrollton residents Richard Maduka and Nicholas Rosenberg for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor bestowed upon a Boy Scout.

Spaulding began scouting in University Park’s Cub Scout Pack 214. Each of the four youths worked on a specific project to earn their rank. Spaulding worked on a renovation and yard cleanup project at the nursery school run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Riverdale Park.

Spaulding graduated from St. Anselm’s Abbey School in 2008, and will start the fall semester at Rennsalaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Hyattsville residentnamed to Dean’s List

A Hyattsville resident majoring in health and science technology was named to Northeastern University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2008 semester.

Kellyse Hood achieved the distinction at the Boston university. She had to reach a grade point average of 3.25 or higher and have no grade lower than a C during the entire course of her college career.

Parkdale grad completes basic combat training

Amanda Smith graduated from basic combat after nine weeks of training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

Smith, a 2004 graduate of Parkdale High School in Riverdale, studied the army mission, history and core values, physical fitness, learned basic combat skills, how to use military weapons, about chemical warfare and received bayonet training. She also participated in foot marches and field training exercises.

Smith also graduated from Gibbs College in Vienna, Va. in 2008. She is the niece of Hyattsville resident Stella John and the daughter of Brentwood resident Anne Marie Smith.

Visit parks and recreation facilities to win prizes

The county Parks and Recreation Department is holding a ‘‘5 For Fun and Fitness” contest throughout July to celebrate park and recreation month.

To participate, people should visit five different types of Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission facilities in the county — one community center, one nature center, one cultural arts center, one historic site or museum, and one sports facility. At each location, people should get a special card stamped by on-site staff.

Once people collect five stamps, they should include on the card their contact information and mail it or drop it off at the M-NCPPC Customer Service Help Desk at 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, MD 20737.

Cards received or postmarked by Tuesday’s deadline will be entered into a drawing to win one of two mountain bikes or one of two iPods. The drawing will take place July 31 in Upper Marlboro during the Watkins Regional Park’s Concert in the Park.

Cards can be downloaded and printed from www.pgparks.com or picked up at an M-NCPPC facility.

For information, call 301-699-2255.

Plans for 2008Gorgeous Prince George’s Day under way

The sixth annual Gorgeous Prince George’s Day will take place 8 to 11:30 a.m Oct. 18 throughout the county. Sponsors include the Maryland State Highway Administration, Neighborhood Design Center and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and locations for planting bulbs, trees and shrubs are to be determined. Apply to participate by Aug. 1 at www.princegeorgescountymd.gov or call 301-772-4880.

County offers grantsto historic property owners

Grants of up to $100,000 are available to individuals and organizations to help rehabilitate, restore, preserve, or acquire historic properties in Prince George’s County. The awards, which will be made under the new Prince George’s County Historic Property Grant Program, are designed to encourage the preservation, protection and enhancement of historic properties, and to promote interest in and study of these properties.

The grant program was developed by the Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The Planning Department is administering the program, using guidelines approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board and County Council.

Individuals, nonprofit organizations, foundations and political subdivisions may all apply for the grants. Eligible properties must be located in Prince George’s County and have an official historic designation (or be eligible for one). Rehabilitation or restoration work done on the properties must be performed by licensed and approved contractors, and must conform to U.S. Interior Department standards for treatment of historic properties.

A match of a minimum of 10 percent is required, including in-kind matches of labor and materials. Successful applicants are also required to convey a perpetual preservation easement toM-NCPPC at the time the grant is awarded, and before any funds are disbursed.

Grant applications are available at www.mncppc.org⁄county⁄hpc.htm. Copies of the application are also available at M-NCPPC’s Information Counter on the lower level of the County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 or by calling 301-952-3680. For further information please contact Senior Planner Daniel Sams at 301-952-5447 or at daniel.sams@ppd.mncppc.org.