Here’s another round of applause for individuals and organizations doing great things in the community.

General James Jackson Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution honored winners of the American History and Christopher Columbus Essay Contest at an awards ceremony at the Women’s Building, according to a press release. The American History Essay Contest winners were Drew Horton, son of Roger and Julia Horton, second place, seventh grade; Evelyn Hazel, daughter of Shelley and Wesley Hazel, first place, seventh grade; Christian Johnson, son of Carrie and Mike Johnson, second place, eighth grade; Kailee Daniel, daughter of Renesa Redden and Kenneth Daniel, first place, eighth grade. The Christopher Columbus Essay Contest winners were Ellie Cole, daughter of Dr. David and Cheryl Cole, second place, and Conner Burns, son of Cecilia and Shawn Burns. 

As third graders in Evelyn Guess’ class at J.L. Lomax Elementary School discovered, aluminum cans can be put to good use. As a class, Guess’ students decided they would collect aluminum cans for the rest of the school year to donate to the Valdosta-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity, according to a city schools press release. The students recently read a story titled “Cans for Habitat.” They learned about the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Aluminum Association.

Ira Flatow, renowned host of public radio’s Science Friday, kicked off the Valdosta State University Presidential Lecture Series Tuesday night, explaining to the crowd in Whitehead Auditorium why “Smart is the New Sexy.” From comedy TV to Congress, here are some takeaways from Flatow’s lecture and from comments he made while visiting VSU’s STEAM Center for Applied Creativity and Innovation. Science and the arts go hand in hand, and together they’re making nerds hip again, Flatow said. Being a geek is cool again, and the business and entertainment industries are capitalizing on that trend and driving it forward, Flatow said.

Sallas Mahone Elementary School Student Council members joined together to help the victims of the recent tornado in Cook County by collecting money from teachers and students. Student Council members, who are fourth and fifth graders, encouraged their peers to donate towards the worthy cause. Students were extremely generous while sharing their allowances, ice cream money, and even money from the Tooth Fairy, according to a school press release. Student Council collected $1,121.50 during a 10-day period.