ENGAGEMENT

Ball/Vines

Melissa Ball is engaged to marry David Vines on June 27, 2008.

Melissa is the daughter of the Rev. Larry Ball and Leslie Ball. She is a graduate of Calvary Christian School and received a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University. She is a tax accountant at Mt. Vernon Mills in Mauldin, S.C.

David is the son of Dr. Dwight Vines and Dr. Margo Vines. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from Bob Jones University and is currently employed in school administration.

The wedding will be held outside the Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill, overlooking the rolling hills of California. Melissa's father will be officiating the wedding ceremony. The couple reside in Greenville, S.C.

BIRTHS

Marcello Giovanni D'Anna

Marcello Giovanni D'Anna was born March 25, 2008 at Good Samaritan in San Jose to Marcello and Valerie D'Anna of Gilroy. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce.

Lucas Mateo Batrez

Lucas Mateo Batrez was born May 9, 2008 at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego to Joshua and Veronica Batrez of San Diego. He weighed 9 pounds.

Kodi Ann Fowles

Kodi Ann Fowles was born April 29, 2008 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister to Jamie Lynn and Jonathan Michael Fowles of Hollister. She weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces.

HONORS

Keri Snyder (McCarthy)

Keri Snyder (McCarthy), daughter of longtime Gilroy residents Mike and Carol McCarthy, has received a master's degree in teaching with emphasis in special education from Washington State University. Keri graduated from Gilroy High School in 1997. She received an associate degrees in forestry and liberal arts from Columbia Community College and later a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from San Jose State.

She lives in Pullman, Wa. with her husband and two daughters and is currently substitute teaching in school districts in Eastern Washington and Western Idaho.

Thomas Birmingham

Army National Guard Pvt. Thomas G. Birmingham has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Tom Birmingham of Hollister and a 2003 graduate of Santa Clara High School.

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