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Vern Smith joined the Middletown Lions Club in 1978, and has held many positions within the organization, but perhaps his biggest contribution has been his effort to collect eyeglasses for the Lions Recycle for Sight Program.

For the past 10 years, Smith has collected glasses and hearing aids for this program on behalf of the Middletown Lions Club.

"It was something that an older member used to do, and he had to give it up," his wife, Lucy Smith, told The Gazette this week. "It's just grown over the years."

During that time, Smith has collected 18,506 pairs of eyeglasses, 2,379 cases and 11,379 pairs of lenses which were sent to the Sight Recycle Program. In addition to collecting functional glasses, Smith has also collected 2,751 odd glass lenses and 674 frames, which can be used to repair other sets of glasses. He collects the glasses from doctors' offices and residents in the area, and he then packages them to send to areas of need.

"He's had a lot of help," she said. "He goes through them all and packs them up. Middletown has a good record as far as turning in glasses."

Eyeglass recycling is one of the Lions' most popular activities. The program was officially adopted by the club in 1994, but Lions have been collecting glasses for more than 80 years, according to a press release.

Anyone can donate to this program by dropping glasses, frames, cases or hearing aids in recycling boxes provided by the Lions Club, or by giving them to a Lions Club member.

Area students earn degrees

at Frostburg

The following students were awarded master's degrees during spring commencement at Frostburg State University: Courtenay Diederich of Middletown earned a Master of Art in teaching degree in elementary teaching; Megan Kreh of Middletown earned a Master of Art in teaching degree in secondary; Anamaria Prensky of Middletown earned a Master of Art in teaching degree in elementary teaching; and Smantha Mentzer of Myersville earned a Master of Art in teaching degree in elementary teaching.

The following students were awarded bachelor's degrees during spring commencement at Frostburg State University: From Adamstown: William Grimm earned a Bachelor of Science in philosophy; from Middletown: Katelyn Coffey earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood/elementary education; Meghann Rinehart earned a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies; Hunter Robertshaw earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood/elementary education; from Myersville: Valerie Duvall earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art & design; Jamie Fisher earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology; Samantha Foland earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Law & Society and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science; Valerie Usui earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art & design; from Point Of Rocks: Thomas Toman earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Emmitsburg lawyer wins

advocate award

Mary Vargas, a founding partner of Stein & Vargas, LLP in Emmitsburg, was recently named 2010 Advocate of the Year by the American Academy of Pain Management, in recognition of her work on behalf of people who live in pain.

The law firm, which has been in business for about one year, focuses on discrimination on the basis of disability. Vargas, who also lives in Emmitsburg, and her partner, Michael Stein, litigate and speak nationally on issues involving access for people with disabilities. A large portion of their clients are deaf or hard of hearing and Stein and Vargas are both fluent in sign language. They both used to work at the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. Many of their clients also live with chronic pain.

Vargas was involved in an automobile accident during her first year of law school and has special interest in helping those who live with chronic pain because she does, too.

While she appreciates the award, she said representing clients who live with disabilities and chronic pain makes her feel rewarded every day.

"To see people like me who were discriminated against and have the ability to do something about it ... what's better than that?" she asked. "I see something that just seems wrong and I get to take the case and try to make it right."

Winning the award, which will be officially presented to her at a conference in Las Vegas in September, did allow her to reflect fondly on her career path.

"It was interesting to look back at the journey from patient to advocate," she said. "I never imagined [the accident] would have professional implications that were positive. [Receiving the award] was a wonderful feeling of having made a difference out of a bad situation. I feel very honored by it."

Airman completes basic training

Air Force Airman Benjamin J. Lyon graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

He is the son of Joseph Lyon of Frederick, and is a 2006 graduate of Gov. Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick.

Thurmont dance company members

win national awards

The Elower-Sicilia Productions performing company, based out of the dance studio of the same name in Thurmont, recently participated in the Hollywood Vibe dance competition held in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The company was under the direction of Kara Sicilia Broohm and her company staff, which includes Linda Sicilia, Ashley Boyer, Kela Sicilia-Marceron and Maigan Torre.

The dancers who participated were Jessica Bayuk, Charley Bennett, Adrianna Bussey, Olivia Ecker, Jack Estep, Lucy Estep, Cheyenne Favorite, Mickinzi Ferguson, Maddie Laramore, Toni Marceron, Emily Mitchener, Ellie Moses, Brenna Nopenz, Taylor Rice, Chelsea Sparkman, Anna Trapane, Sierra Weatherly, Struther White, Meredith Wilson, Valarie Witmer and Vanessa Witmer.

The company won six gold awards, 24 high gold awards and 13 platinum awards.

Bennett, Estep and White were all awarded scholarships to attend next year's Hollywood Vibe convention, as well.

Brunswick High graduate

wins literature award

Nick Antosca, a 2000 graduate of Brunswick High School, won the 2009 Shirley Jackson Award for best novella with his work, "Midnight Picnic."

"The Shirley Jackson Awards are voted upon by a jury of professional writers, editors, critics, and academics, with input from a Board of Advisors. The awards are given for the best work published in the preceding calendar year ..." for "literature of psychological suspense, horror and the dark fantastic," according to the awards' website. The awards were announced July 11.

In addition to "Midnight Picnic," Antosca is the author of "Fires." His writing has appeared in "Nerve," "Hustler," "The New York Sun," "Identity Theory," "The Barcelona Review" and "The Huffington Post."

Have an item for the Valley Voice? E-mail Tripp Laino at tlaino@gazette.net. Call

301-846-2130.