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JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor
PICKY

EATERS - On Friday night, I met some students and staff members of Mandarin Kung Fu at a restaurant in order to celebrate one of the students having achieved his black belt. I arrived after meals had been ordered and sat down at the all-male table. We discussed the events of the night, that is until the food arrived. The discussion then turned to what I eat. I am picky. I don't eat seafood or most meats, including bacon or sausage. I don't eat anything with mayonnaise or anything a pickle has touched. I don't eat potato or macaroni salads. I could go on. Trying to be polite, my companions offered me part of their meals. Looking at their plates, all I could say was "no thanks," over and over again. Speaking on behalf of picky eaters, I have to say that we don't want to be this way. It's not fun, and I am usually left hungry at picnics or potluck dinners. But I sat and enjoyed the company of my fellow classmates - who also all passed their tests - picking at a bowl of popcorn (which I also don't like all that much).

• PROUD GRADUATES - A member of Rosary Hill College's first graduating class called me last week to clarify something in the article "Daemen College marks 60th anniversary," which ran in last week's Amherst Bee. Unintentionally I had suggested that members of the first class were all "rejected" by Niagara University, which she informed me couldn't be farther from the truth. They chose to attend the brand new all-girls college, not as a second option but as a first.

• PROUD FATHER - Also last week, I received a call from a very proud father who is preparing for his son's deployment to Iraq. Bill Tomczak said his son Pfc. Joseph Tomczak, 19, will be leaving the end of October with the 176th Field Artillery, based at Fort Stewart, Ga. Joseph was a student in the Amherst Central School District. His mother, Wendy Doty, works at Williamsville South High School, and Bill is employed by the Cleveland Hill School District.

Bill asked me to mention the effect Assistant Police Chief Timothy Green had on Joseph when he coached him in Williamsville Junior Football.

"He helped him out quite a bit," Bill said, adding that Green took time to work with Joseph, which helped the young man become who he is today.

We hope that Joseph has a safe tour of duty and returns to his many family members and friends waiting for him back home.

• SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE - Western Division Federal Credit Union will award scholarships in the amount of $750 to each of eight high school seniors in the year 2008. Each applicant will be judged on his or her four-year cumulative scholastic performance, community service, leadership roles and essay. In addition, the top winner who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to his or her community will be awarded an additional $500. For more than 10 years Western Division has aided students in Western New York with higher education needs.

"We are a strong believer in education," said Craig Mellenthien, president and chief executive officer of Western Division. "Our young adults are our future; their success is our success." To apply for a scholarship, call 632-9328 or visit www. westerndivision. org.