Adam Lundell, a senior at Hughson High School, has been awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Guild.

Every Sunday at 5:30, musicians, poets and other performing artists begin to pour into the Queen Bean Coffee House for open-mike night. The all-ages show runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and admission is free with the purchase of a drink, or $1 otherwise.

Sara Coito is enrolled in Modesto High School's prestigious International Baccalaureate program. She is involved in Associated Student Body Leadership, clubs, dance and drama, and maintains a 4.5 grade point average.

The 2012-13 Leadership Academy will graduate 31 students from the Stanislaus County Office of Education's Prevention Programs Department program.

The Angels-Murphys Rotary Club — along with its Interact youth group — joined members of the Murphys Community Club board in removing and replacing wood chips in the playground of Murphys Community Park.

Andrew Klavan's latest young-adult series, "The Homelanders," is action-packed. "The Homelanders" series will have you on the edge of your seat throughout its four books.

I don't know about you, but I think that this Sunday, we should all slow down after a hard day's night and come together to watch something that don't let me down.

Andrew Peter Lazar of Turlock on Oct. 8 earned his Eagle rank, the highest honor awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. Andrew, who started in scouting at age 7 as a Tiger Cub, is a sophomore at Turlock High School, where he participates in water polo, swimming, Leadership and the Assyrian Club. Andrew volunteers at the Turlock Public Library. The 16-year-old is a member of Troop 451 sponsored by the Methodist Men of the First United Methodist Church of Turlock.

If it's the first Saturday in May, it must be Free Comic Book Day. Now in its 12th year, the event has participating shops in the United States and around the world giving away more than 3.3 million special-edition comic books. Many shops also have special attractions, such as costumed characters, and other giveaways.

Modesto Junior College students Joseph Enos, James Moak and Heather Wilson were awarded scholarships by Alpha Gamma Sigma, the academic honor society and service organization of the California Community Colleges, in an amount totaling $2,000 for the three scholarships. AGS holds a convention each spring, at which the organization awards scholarships to students who excel in academics and-or community service. This year's convention, held in Ontario, had 545 attendees representing 43 college chapters. At the award ceremony April 13, 49 student members of AGS were awarded scholarships totaling $36,500. Enos and Moak won Kathleen D. Loly Awards for academic excellence, and Wilson received the Ed Walsh Award for outstanding levels of community service. Moak serves as secretary of the MJC chapter of AGS, and Wilson was the vice president of the chapter in fall 2012.

Congrats! After what seems like an eternity of studying, writing, reading, SATs, ACTs, projects, finals, essays, applications and stress, your hard work has come to fruition and you've been accepted into college.

It's been all hustle and bustle at Hughson High School, as the leadership class prepares for Relay for Life the first weekend in May. Many fund-raisers, activities and preparations have been put toward the May 3-4 event since its announcement three months ago.

Aanisah Watkins, a senior at Hughson High School, is a musician who wants to use her talent to help others. Through participation in music and theater-oriented programs such as YES Company, Modesto Symphony Choir, YES Ambassadors, and Expressions, Aanisah has gained skills for stage performance.

Three regional high school drama departments have schedules productions in the coming weeks. The events: