* NEIGHBORS is news about Huntington Beach...

* 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.

Ayako A. Savage has graduated from Officer Candidate School at

Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., and was commissioned as a second

lieutenant in the U.S. Army. During the 14 weeks of training, Savage

was taught skills relating to leadership, professional ethics and

tactics. Savage is the niece of Terry Storm of Huntington Beach ...

Coast Guard Fireman Roberto J. Lara, a 1996 graduate of Edison High

School, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training

Center in Cape May, N. J. During the eight-week training program,

Lara completed a vigorous training curriculum including instruction

on water safety and survival, seamanship skills, first aid,

firefighting and marksmanship ... Coast Guard Seaman Nicholas T.

Prescott, son of Susan K. and William G. Prescott of Huntington

Beach, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training

Center in Cape May, N. J. Prescott completed a vigorous training

curriculum including instruction on water safety and survival,

seamanship skills, first aid, firefighting and marksmanship. Prescott

is a 2002 graduate of Huntington Beach High School ... Three

Huntington Beach students were named to the dean’s list at Azusa

Pacific University. Physical education student Glenn B. Hedgpeth,

marketing student Tiana R. Stopnik and psychology student Katie N.

Layton all received their honor for their studies during the fall

2003 semester. To earn a spot on the list, students must have a grade

point average of at least 3.5. ... Huntington Beach resident Walter

Clint McManigal, a fine and performing arts student at the University

of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be honored at the University Scholars

Convocation scheduled for March 28. McManigal will be recognized

along with other high-achieving university students.