Awards for young writers

JIM DE BOOM

Twelve local students have been named winners in the annual

Americanism Essay Contest, sponsored by the Newport Harbor American

Legion Auxiliary, Unit No. 291.

Pamela Brigandi, the unit’s Americanism chairman, said the winning

students each received a gold, silver or bronze medal; a certificate

of achievement and a cash award.

The winners in fourth through sixth grades were: first place, Zoe

Sanglerat; second place, Annie Bates; and third place, Hannah Mumm.

They are all students at Newport Elementary School. Their essay topic

was “What Makes My Country Great.”

The winners in seventh through ninth grades were: first place,

Ryan Willison; second place, Amy Youngman; and third place, Erik

Mutzke. They are all eighth-grade students at Corona Del Mar Middle

School. Their essay topic was “Showing Pride in America.”

The winners in the 10th through 12th grades were: first place,

Shelley Smith; second place, Elizabeth Dwyer; and third place,

Barbara Fransen. They are all 12th-grade students at Corona Del Mar

High School. Their essay topic was “America -- A Land of Rights and

Responsibilities.”

The winners in Group IV (children with exceptional needs) are:

first place, Beatriz Huipe; second place, Heather Mohammed; and third

place, Erik Gonzalez. They are students in fourth through sixth

grades at Davis Education Center. Their essay topic was “Why I Love

My America.”

The students were presented their awards at their school

assemblies or in their classroom.

“The American Legion Auxiliary is very proud of all of the

excellent essays submitted in the competition,” Brigandi said.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to all the teachers

whose students entered the essay contest. Congratulations to all the

winners!

HARBOR MESA LIONS WIN AWARDS

Several members of the Harbor Mesa Lions were honored with awards

at the recent Lions District 4L4 convention in Lake San Marcos.

Those included: President Sandi Scheafer, Region President of the

Year; Karen Lamas, Region Secretary of the Year; cabinet secretary

Marianne Allen, Governor’s Appreciation Award; Joan Parks, Governor’s

Appreciation Award for Project Look; incoming President Carol Van

Holt, Leadership Award; and Governor Barbara Hayward received the

International Director’s Friendship Banner, Charlie St. John

Fellowship Award and two Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards.

A new district governor was also elected -- Jack Luellen of the

San Clemente Host Lions Club.

EXCHANGE PRESENTS ACE AWARDS

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor honored five local students

with the ACE Award. Exchange Club member Bob Kinton explained that

ACE stands for Accepting the Challenge of Excellence.

The honorees were: Estancia High School’s Lisa Thompson, who was

accompanied by counselor Michelle Geracitano; Costa Mesa High

School’s Uyen Le, who was accompanied by counselor Sarah Halvorsen;

and Back Bay High School’s Susan Crader, Sean McGuire, and Ceysha and

LeToya Brady, accompanied by counselor Linda de la Rosa.

Each student received a plaque and a check in the amount of $500.

“They serve as examples to others,” Kinton said.

Congratulations to all!

MANAGING DIFFICULT AND LONG-WINDED PEOPLE

That is the subject of the sixth Communication Connection series

that will be held at the Oasis Senior Center on June 3 from 9:30 to

10:30 a.m. in Room 1A.

The focus of the session, which will be taught by Millard MacAdam,

is on learning how to guide others toward positively and briefly

communicating their thoughts and feelings, and helping them be more

active listeners. Participants will learn about 13 things they can do

to help difficult and long-winded people from ruining interpersonal

conversations and relationships.

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Help your community and the world through a service club! For

many, service club membership is an extension of our religious

beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week

to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy

your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 48-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets

at the Five Crowns restaurant to hear Barbara Nelson, executive

director of Mary’s Shelter (www.newport beachsunriserotary.org).

Noon: The getting organized Rotary Club of Costa Mesa, now with 12

members, meets at the Holiday Inn.

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at the

Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the

University Athletic Club.

Noon: The Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6:15 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for a program titled “Rotary Helps in

Guatemala.”

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at

Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn (www.kiwanis. org/club/costamesa); the 50-member Kiwanis

Club of Newport Beach/Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian

Yacht Club; the 85-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at

the Nautical Museum for a business meeting (www.nhexchangeclub.com);

the 100-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the Radisson

Hotel to hear a discussion on stem cell research at UCI

(www.nirotary.org).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655

or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.