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Joel Balentyne of Sycamore recently was named one of six recipients of the 2007 Hintzsche Scholarship for Agriculture. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship, $500 for each of the first two semesters of college. A 2007 graduate of Sycamore High School, Balentyne will be attending Kishwaukee College in Malta, studying horticulture. He was busy with school and extracurricular activities including FFA, local and county 4-H, National Honor Society, Horticulture Judging Team, WYSE team, Illinois State Scholar and athletics. Balentyne also is a confirmed member of Calvary Lutheran Church and is an active member of the Christ Community Church youth group. His interest in plants goes back to his early childhood, when he used to help his grandfather in his garden. Balentyne plans to get his bachelor's degree in horticulture and aspires to be a landscape designer. The Hintzsche Scholarship is awarded each year to six graduating high school seniors who will be pursuing degrees in agriculture in college. A panel of agri-business professionals and educators judged the applicants based on the demonstration of scholastic achievement, leadership activities and a written essay. * * * Kori Sauser, a 2000 graduate of DeKalb High School and a 2004 graduate of Harvard University, completed a research project on &#8220Palliative Care” in collaboration with Dr. Clarke Anderson, pediatric oncologist at City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Anderson submitted the findings to the European Association of Palliative Care. Upon review of the findings, Sauser was invited to make a presentation to the European Association of Palliative Care Physicians at their 2007 annual conference held in Budapest, Hungary, on June 7-9. Sauser is in her final year of studies at The University of Southern California Medical School. She is the daughter of Peggy and Paul Sauser of DeKalb and the granddaughter of Harriet Sauser, also of DeKalb. * * * Kyle Hughes of DeKalb graduated high school on June 11 after completing his home schooling program. Hughes plans to pursue a career as a professional dancer. * * * Maimouna Konaté of DeKalb was a recipient of the Northern Illinois University Outstanding Woman Student Award of 2007 from the College of Education, department of counseling, adult and higher education. In a ceremony held April 15, she was presented with a certificate, as well as a red rose symbolizing Recognition of Outstanding Students with Exceptional Strengths (ROSES). She was nominated by NIU faculty, staff and students and was judged on her achievements, contributions and leadership in departmental, university and community activities. Konaté will graduate in December with a doctoral degree in adult and higher education and a minor in women's studies. Originally from Mali, West Africa, she has been able to contribute on NIU's campus to an understanding of life for African women. While at NIU, she has presented papers at professional conferences and earned four scholarships including a Fulbright and an American Association of University Women grant. She is a volunteer in her children's school activities and with a campus group for spouses of international students. * * * Julie Suzanne Peterson of Shabbona, an elementary education major, was named to the spring-semester Dean's List at Iowa State University. * * * Several local students were named to the University of Iowa's Dean's List for the spring semester. They are: From DeKalb: Samantha Nicole Blickhan, College of Liberal Arts; and Jennifer Danielle Krause, College of Pharmacy From Maple Park: Noel Yvonne Hartmann, College of Liberal Arts From Sycamore: Brittany Marie Pagan, College of Liberal Arts; Alan Emad Zantout, College of Engineering; and Jonathan Matthew Zeman, College of Engineering * * * Several local students graduated in May from the University of Iowa. They are: From DeKalb: Jennifer Danielle Krause, Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, With High Distinction From Sycamore: Katherine Rebecca Beamsley, Bachelor of Arts, psychology and art; Betsy Ann Brantner, BA, elementary education; Hiedi Christine Miller, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing; Derek J. Schairer, BA, communication studies, health and sport studies; Trisha Faye Smart, BA, social work; Maria Kathleen Smith, BA, elementary education, With Highest Distinction; and Jonathan Matthew Zeman, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, mechanical engineering * * * Samantha Nicole Blickhan of DeKalb was named to the spring-semester President's List at the University of Iowa. * * * Four local Northern Illinois University students were among 37 undergraduate students inducted into the Pleiades chapter of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, one of the most distinguished honor societies in higher education. Induction into Mortar Board signifies high achievement in scholarship, leadership and service to the community. Nominees must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 and demonstrate a commitment to these ideals. The NIU Pleiades Chapter was founded in 1938 and received national Mortar Board chapter status in 1971. Members volunteer their time through a variety of organizations and projects including the local Kiwanis' Haunted House, commencement flower sales, an annual book drive and a local shelter. The following local students were inducted: Kathleen Dusing of DeKalb, teaching for visually impaired; Chavon Feaster of DeKalb, English; Tiffany Mohler of Rochelle, pre-nursing; and Kseniya Karetska of Sycamore, marketing. For more information, visit www.mortarboard.niu.edu.