Navy Airman Recruit Iris C. Kang,...

Navy Airman Recruit Iris C. Kang, a 1999 graduate of Marina High

School, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit

Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program,

Kang completed a variety of training, which included classroom study

and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting,

water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An

emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. Air Force Reserve

Master Sgt. James G. Ottele, son of Huntington Beach resident Luella

G. Ottele, has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal. The

medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish

themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service

to the United States in noncombat situations. Ottele, an airlift

maintenance specialist with 15 years of military service, is assigned

to the 4th Air Force Logistics Squadron, March Air Reserve Base,

Riverside. Army Pfc. Kimberly A. Cowling, a 1989 graduate from Marina

High School, has graduated from basic, nine-week combat training at

Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Cowling is the sister of Huntington

Beach resident Sabrina Derderian. Five advanced students from Salwa

Rizkalla’s Southland Ballet Academy recently returned from a three

week “summer intensive” at Universal Ballet Academy in Washington,

D.C. At the Universal Ballet Academy, the students learned much about

the professional world of traditional ballet and the intense training

that it requires.

* NEIGHBORS is news about Huntington Beach people achieving and

doing good in the community. To submit information to this feature,

please send it to the Independent, Attn.: Neighbors, 18682 Beach

Blvd., Suite 160, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; fax it to (714)

965-7174; or e-mail it to hbindy@latimes.com.