Emily Smetanick, 17, daughter of Don and Lynne Smetanick of Buffalo Township, recently qualified for the American Quarter Horse Association Youth World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas.The show, which began Friday and ends Aug. 13, will feature 2,000 competitors age 18 and younger.Smetanick plans to compete in the Western Horsemanship, Western Riding, Showmanship at Halter and Hunter under Saddle competitions.---

Leslie Harvey of Butler was elected as state inspector of the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars during the organization's recent convention.He is a member of VFW Post 249 and a former district commander.---

Emily Hankinson and

Harry Anthony were recently selected as winners in the 2006 Armstrong County Recycling Calendar Contest.Hankinson recently completed the fifth grade at Sugarcreek Elementary School.Anthony a student at Chicora Elementary School, recently completed the second grade.---

Dan Robinson of Adams Township recently won the lyrics only category for the international Nashville song contest with his piece, "Your Smile."Robinson, a volunteer in the Adams Ridge community and originator of the Adams Ridge Community Walk/Race 5K and Kids Fun Run, attended song camp training in Nashville recently to hone his skills.As a lyricist, Robinson is partnering with melody writers in England, Canada and Texas. He and his song-writing partners hope to have completed songs for pitching to publishers and songpluggers, he said.---

Karen Hickey, a teacher at the South Butler Primary Center in the South Butler School District, has been named a recipient of the 2005 "Be Your Best" Teacher Scholarship, sponsored by the National School Supply and Equipment Association.Hickey was among the 24 winners. A total of 115 candidates were nominated for the awards.---

Kristen Lindsey of Butler Township recently completed the Special Olympics of Pennylvania's public speaking and media training workshop and is now qualified as a global messenger for the organization.As a global messenger, she will attend events and speak about her experience with Special Olympics.The daughter of Norm and Mary Ann Lindsey, she is a 1994 graduate of Butler High School.---Winners at the Butler Duplicate Bridge Club game held July 28 included:Lynn Rafferty andJan Horwitz,Lorraine Worsley and Robert Freemon,Alexander Bealles and John Kristufek,Donald Toy and Cleman Rosenberger and Thomas Richardsand Christine Volchko.