Spindle items
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

+ UNKNOWN HERO - Last week I wrote about acts of kindness in ordinary situations, and a reader recently shared a story with me that falls in the same category. The woman said she was walking on Sheridan Drive around 5 a.m. Feb. 19, with her husband several steps behind her. Because of the frigid temperatures she was jogging along, trying to get home. She noticed a man in a truck pull into a nearby lot to keep an eye on her in case she was being followed by someone she didn't know. The woman wanted to express her thanks to that driver for his act of concern and kindness. She said had the situation been as it appeared, his actions could have averted a tragedy.

+ JOB WELL DONE - Eight students from the Williamsville Central School District have been named finalists in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Competition. They are Emily Cogsdill, Michael Metzger, Ioannis Mountziaris, Cathy Sun, and Jacqueline Wong, all from East High School, and James Albaugh, Philip Constantinou, and Caroline Narby, from North High School. These students were named semifinalists last September. They are among approximately 15,000 finalists, representing less than 1 percent of high school students nationwide. The National Merit winners will be announced in May.