On Campus East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania announced the following local students who received degrees at the spring commencement exercises: Linda C. Stehn, Aberdeen, a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management; Erica L. Condon, Hazlet, a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education; Thomas J. Steinhart, Lincroft section of Middletown, a bachelor of science degree in elementary education; and Jennifer A. Byrnes, Middletown, a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology/audiology. David Heefner, Middletown, was honored for exceptional academic achievement at a ceremony in late April at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., where he is a junior. Honorees must attain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Heefner was also inducted into Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society. Inductees are selected from the top eighth engineering students, and have shown leadership in extracurricular activities and the classroom. Heefner is the son of Joan and Jeff Onori. Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., announced the following local students honored for academic excellence at the college's annual all-college honors convocation: James F. Hlavenka, Holmdel, class of 2007, elected to Phi Beta Kappa; and Jillian M. Gaeta, Middletown, class of 2007, Paul Tully Memorial Prize. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Evanston, Ill., has announced winners of its 2007 National Merit Scholarships. Recipients of the $2,500 scholarships are chosen based on accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies, and were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. Local recipients are: Allen Lin, Holmdel, Holmdel High School, probable career field: research; Michelle H. Lu, Holmdel, Holmdel High School, probable career field: science/mathematics; Sandeep A. Prasanna, Holmdel, Holmdel High School, probable career field: medicine; Phyllis M. Thangaraj, Leonardo section of Middletown, Ranney School, Tinton Falls, probable career field: science/medicine; Daniel A. Handlin, Lincroft section of Middletown, High Technology High School, Lincroft, probable career field: astronomy; and Christina K. Lin, Middletown, Middletown High School South, probable career field: medicine/biological science. Maryellen Conway, Hazlet, was class valedictorian at the spring commencement exercises at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. While at the college, she also served as student body president for 2006-07. She will pursue a degree in educational psychology at Marist's graduate school. She is the daughter of Eileen and James Conway. Kean University, Union, announced the names of the following local students who received scholarships for the 2006-07 school year at a scholars reception held in mid May: Monica Aswani of Holmdel, a Dawood Farahi Public Service Endowed Scholarship; and Ashley B. Maxson, Belford section of Middletown, Ken & Anne Estabrook Endowed Scholarship. Jessica Baker, Aberdeen, has been named to the dean's list for the spring semester at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Ewing. The business administration major is also a member of TCNJ Honor Society. A graduate of Communications High School, Wall, she is the daughter of Sheryl and Bill Baker. Joseph DeModna, Middletown, was named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. An economics major, he is also involved in organizational leadership at the university. A 2004 graduate of Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth section of Middletown, he is the son of Janine and Ron DeModna. David Heefner, Middletown, was named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., where he is a junior pursuing a degree in computer science and engineering. A graduate of Middletown High School North, he is the son of Joan and Jeff Onori. Diana Chien, Holmdel, a freshman at Princeton University, won first place student poetry division at the 2007 Dylan Days Creative Writing Contest. Writers from six continents and the United States competed in the contest. Chien was also chosen as a presenter at the 2007 spring creative writing readings at the university. The State of New Jersey Department of Human Services announced the winners of its 12th annual teen media art contest for middle and high school students at a ceremony at the New Jersey Statehouse, Trenton. The contest celebrated the responsibilities of parenthood. All winning entries will be displayed at the Statehouse May 29-June 4. Local students with winning entries were: Oleksandra Baryshev, Matawan, a student at Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen, was the second place winner in the high school category. Rose Fernandez, Middletown, a student at Bayshore Middle School, Leonardo section of Middletown, was the second place middle school winner. Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, held its academic honors ceremony in late April, with honors bestowed on the following local students: Sean Kilduff, Middletown, The Bishop George W. Ahr Award for Religious Studies, Next in Merit , and John B. Higgins Award for French, Next in Merit Nicholas Danna, Holmdel, The Christian Brothers Award for Religious Service; Frank Kriete, Hazlet, The Brother Andrew Valentine Award for Spanish, Next in Merit; Conor Fallon, Middletown, The John C. Henderson Award for Mathematics, Next in Merit; and Brian Roscitt, Middletown, The Peter E. Fleming Award for History, Next in Merit.