People news for Aug. 31

Central Nebraskans take part in China concert

Kathy and Robert Knapp, and Elizabeth, Abigail and Julie Stevens of Ord, and Thomas and Valerie Wollen of Elkhorn recently traveled to China to participate in the "Concerts of International Friendship and Goodwill: Perform in Harmony -- With Olympic Spirit," in celebration of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Eric Knapp, the son of Kathy and Robert Knapp, was the artistic director and conductor for the concerts. Eric Knapp now lives in New York City.

 Elizabeth and Abigail Stevens performed in the concerts. They are the daughters of Daniel and Julie Stevens of Ord.

The New Jersey Choral Society and the Connecticut Choral Society joined 10 other choirs from across the United States and Canada for performances in Beijing and Shanghai with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra. The 10-day cultural and performance tour brought 452 North American singers together with Chinese musicians on a grand scale.

 These performances concluded a series of 20 concerts produced in China by Kingsway International, a Colorado-based company, comprised of 65 performance groups and 3500 participants.



Former Islander wins Fiat award

Heidi Ruzicka, formerly of Grand Island, was named a winner of the Fiat Program Award. The award includes an $8,000 scholarship and is awarded by Fiat Group and CNH (Case New Holland).

Ruzicka is the daughter of John and Judy Ruzicka of Grand Island. She graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2002 and the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2007. She is now teaching in Houston.

The Fiat program gave out 29 awards in North America.