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Local competes in Georgia Teen USA
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AP Franchesca Griffin edit
Franchesca Griffin
Griffin competes in Georgia Teen USA
Franchesca Griffin, Miss Liberty County Teen USA, will be competing in the Miss Georgia Teen USA pageant at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 10.
Griffin, 16, is a senior at Bradwell Institute, and the daughter of Leslie and Merita Stewart of Hinesville.
She will compete in four divisions: interview, swimsuit, evening gown, and opening number. Franchesca hopes to one day become a lawyer.
This is her first time competing in a pageant and she is seeking sponsors.
For tickets, visit www.missusa.com. To become a sponsor for Franchesca, call (912) 977-3990.

Hirshberg graduates recruit training
Coast Guard Seaman Derik T. Hirshberg, son of Christy M. Hirshberg of Huachuca City, Ariz. and Timothy Hirshberg of Allenhurst, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.
During the eight-week training program, Hirshberg completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Hirshberg and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard’s core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty - and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Hirshberg will join 36, 000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard’s force.
Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Hirshberg, and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.
Hirshberg is a 2006 graduate of Buena High School of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Greene completes Century 21 course
Realizing that real estate education needs to be a career-long endeavor for today’s real estate professional, Century 21 Ways Station is proud to announce Jolonda T. Greene, sales associate with the Richmond Hill office, recently added the “Luxury Home Specialist” designation to her professional offerings by completing the Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates program’s proprietary agent training course.
Jolonda T. Greene successfully completed this online course, which is offered exclusively through the Century 21 Learning System educational platform. The course offered Greene strategies for prospecting clientele, and for recognizing relevant market trends influencing the purchase and sale of luxury property. The course also instructed Greene on how to effectively market high-end homes using the Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates program.
“Through the Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates program’s training course, I have empowered myself to engage the luxury homebuyer and seller, and have expanded my knowledge while helping to ensure that Century 21 Ways Station clients receive the professional real estate services they expect and deserve,” Greene said.

Jackson joins the United State Army
Kayla D. Jackson has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
The recruit, a prior-service member, enlisted for four years and qualified for a $20,000 enlisted bonus. She has reported to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for Advanced Individual Training in September 2007.       
She is the daughter of Nathaniel and Agness Poston of Hinesville.

Jones graduates basic training
Army Pfc. Laniece R. Jones has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
She is the daughter of Jean Long, and granddaughter of Carrie Frazier, both of Midway.
Jones is a 2007 graduate of Liberty County High School, Hinesville.
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