Marietta residents Kathy and Danny Greenway and Melinda and Michael Garrett just returned from Annapolis, Md. Last Friday, they attended the Naval Academy's graduation and commissioning of Stevie Ray Greenway, a 2003 Marietta High School graduate. Commissioned an Ensign in the Navy, Stevie will report to Pensacola in July where he will attend school to become a Navy pilot.

Vice President Joe Biden was the keynote speaker. The Academy graduated 1,028 Naval Ensigns and Marine Corps Second Lieutenants.

Mrs. Garrett taught Stevie 10 years ago when he was a high school sophomore. Five years ago he entered the Navy's prep school in Connecticut that guaranteed him a seat at the Academy. At that time Garrett told Stevie if he graduated from the Academy, she would attend his graduation.

***
Pope High Senior Kylie Alea recently received the East Cobb Lions Club Memorial Scholarship. The East Cobb Lions Club Scholarship fund was created to honor the dedication and years of service given to the community by local high school seniors. Alea, who earned a GPA of 4.45, graduated from Pope in the Top 10 of her graduating class of 435. She will be attending Georgia Tech in the Fall and majoring in engineering.

***
Start your engine and head to the 7th Annual Marietta Soap Box Derby Local Qualifying Race of the All American Soap Box Derby International hosted by the Marietta Kiwanis on June 12 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Bring the family and watch kids from all over North Georgia race their gravity powered cars downhill in the parking lot at Marietta High School where speeds will reach between 25-30 mph for the chance to earn the opportunity to represent Georgia in the All American Soap Box Derby World Championships in Akron, Ohio, later this year.

Boy Scout Troop 277 will open the ceremonies, and 11-year-old Zach-Taylor Seabaugh will sing the national anthem. Drivers will be introduced and racing will begin at 9 a.m. with the championship runs around 4 p.m.

Contact Devan Seabaugh, local race director, at devan.seabaugh @maas911.com or (678) 794-8232. The event is free.

***
Fashion spotlight of the week: He may have done stand-in work for Tom Selleck in the new movie "Killers" that opens this weekend, but he's always a Marietta standout - RE/MAX agent Joe Hartley.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit @bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-7122.