<strong><span class="subhead">Oakhill Day School</span></strong></p><p><strong>Construction completed: </strong>A ribbon-cutting ceremony was observed last month for the opening of a new library, art studio and two classrooms at the private school in Gladstone.</p><p> The school lost its library and about half of all the books in the tornado of May 2008. Books have been replaced and the new library also has a computer lab and 18 new laptops.</p><p> All new facilities were built with green initiatives and environmentally friendly material.</p><p> Oakhill Day School, 7019 N. Cherry St., is a private independent school for youth from age 2 to middle school.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Missouri State University</span></strong></p><p><strong>College of Business Administration: </strong>Adam A. Crown of Liberty was among scholarship and award recipients for the 2009-10 academic year on the campus in Springfield.</p><p> Crown is a sophomore majoring in computer information systems and a 2007 graduate of the ACS Hillingdon International School in London. He received the Association of Information Technology Professionals Outstanding Member Award and three scholarships, including the Cerner Corp. Computer Information Systems Scholarship.</p><p> Crown is vice president of the information technology association on campus and is on the dean&rsquo;s list. </p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Linden West Elementary</span></strong></p><p><strong>Winning student: </strong>Olivia Irvine, a second-grader, won a laptop computer in a random drawing held during the Smiles for Education promotion at the Englewood Hy-Vee in Kansas City, North.</p><p> The school will receive a $5,000 award.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Platte County R-3</span></strong></p><p><strong>Singers selected: </strong>Six high school students were chosen by audition for the 2010 Missouri All-State Choir.</p><p> They were David Brewer, bass alternate; Sean Carder, tenor alternate; Kelsey Levi, soprano; Kyle McGinnis, tenor; Jory Mick, soprano; and David Varner, bass.</p><p> The All-State Choir will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Conference in January. The Platte County students and 180 other singers participated in the Northwest Missouri All-District Choir clinic and concert at Platte County R-3 High School last month.</p><p> Other Platte County students performing were sopranos Emily Cockrill, Lydia Hanman, Karly Mayfield and Nikki Sanders; altos Amanda Hills, Taylor Silvestro, Jessica Stammers and Raschell West; tenors Scott Brimeyer, Dylan Grishman and Michael Hanman; and basses Josh Denney, Tyler Laverack, Stephen Sawle and Ben Shively.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">PLATTE COUNTY</span></strong></p><p><strong>Coats for kids: </strong>A coat drive for children and teenagers is under way in Platte County.</p><p>The Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council is sponsoring the drive for needy children. </p><p>Premier Dry Cleaners of Platte City will donate dry-cleaning services for the donated coats, which will be distributed by Platte County United Services.</p><p>Coats can be dropped off at Premier Dry Cleaners,1306 Platte Falls Road, Platte City, by Dec. 31. Call 816-858-5270 for more information.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Oak Park High School</span></strong></p><p><strong>Thespians to perform: </strong>The Oak Park Thespian Troupe 2758 was selected to present a one-act play at the Missouri State Thespians Conference in January at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.</p><p> The play is &ldquo;Roll Over Beethoven.&rdquo; Cast members are Alex Stompoly and Nick Tittone. The crew members are Stephanie Siers, director; Tara Baumgartner, student director; and Gina Drapela and Kylor Greene, technical directors.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">University of Kansas</span></strong></p><p><strong>Leaders named: </strong>Three Northland students were selected to serve as student ambassadors throughout the school year.</p><p> They are Lauren Henion from Kansas City, North, a graduate of Platte County R-3 High School; Megan Lemon from Smithville, a graduate of Smithville High School; and Louis Rockford from Gladstone, a graduate of North Kansas City High School.</p><p> Student ambassadors work with the admissions office as volunteers to give campus tours, serve on informational panels and correspond with prospective students.