Congratulations
The Masons of Burbank hosted a Public Schools Recognition Night recently at the Burbank Masonic Center.
The event was hosted by the two presiding officers of the local lodges Al Moen, master of Burbank #406, and Michael Strand, master of Magnolia Park #618. The master of ceremonies duties were shared by Erik Adams and Mike Campbell, senior deacons of their respective lodges.
Special recognition went to three of Burbank’s finest local teachers, who were recommended by their principals and selected for their devotion to their profession and dedication to their students. Those recognized were Kay Cee Mills, Burbank High School; Ted DeVirgilis, Muir Middle School; and Tyson Colt , Edison Elementary School.
Each teacher was presented with a framed Certificate of Appreciation, an engraved commemorative of the occasion and a small honorarium. Each of the musical presenters were given a small honorarium to go toward their respective school’s program.
The festivities were kicked off with a musical presentation by solo vocalist Talin Silva of Providencia Elementary School, followed by a performance by “Clef Hangers,” an all-boys choir from Jordan Middle School, conducted by Christine DeMore, with accompanist, Judie Stroh.
The evening concluded with music provided by the Burbank High School Jazz Band, conducted by Mike Stanley. A barbecue supper prepared by the lodge members followed.
Brothers win at Pokémon competition
After a full day of head-to-head Play! Pokémon Trading Card Game battles in Long Beach, Jason and Mark Martinez were crowned Regional Champions, while their little brother — Patrick Martinez — placed second. The Glendale brothers each earned a top regional ranking and a Regional Championships medal.
The State Championship tournaments are the third events in the Pokémon Championship Series, and Premier Rating Points awarded there go toward a potential invitation to the 2011 Pokémon World Championships held in San Diego in August.
For more information, visit www.pokemon.com/us/organized-play.
Burbank woman receives army’s top honor
Southern California Divisional Commanders, Lt. Cols. Victor and Rose-Marie Leslie, will be presenting the Salvation Army Lifetime Achievement Award to Elaine Paonessa for her many years of service as a life member of the Burbank Advisory Board.
This inaugural luncheon fundraiser will benefit the new Family Community Center. The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 24 at the Castaway Restaurant, 1250 E. Harvard Road, Burbank. Tickets are $50 per person. Make checks payable to the Salvation Army, Burbank Corps. Reservation deadline is Wednesday to Lt. Kari Rudd at (818) 845-7214.
Students receive ‘Picture This’ contest
The fifth annual “Picture This” competition was held recently during the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Concert for the Family” in the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
The concert and student competition were part of the city of Burbank’s Fine Arts Weekend to raise the public’s awareness of the plethora of cultural arts in town.
The winners announced during the concert’s intermission were first place, Jordan Lopez (Burroughs High School); second place, Sara Baird (Burbank High); and third place, Cristina Sosa (Burroughs).
Honorable Mentions went to Bryanna Wander (Burroughs); Martin Woytas (Burroughs); Dina Figueroa (Burroughs); and Juan Alcantar (Burroughs).
Under the direction of Tim Brehm, former photography teacher at John Burroughs High School, students from John Burroughs and Burbank high schools’ advanced photography classes listened to a piece of classical music in the classroom to be played later at the Family Concert. The students then interpreted what they heard into photographic images that were judged by a panel. This year’s piece for interpretation was Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City.”
The competition is an important component of the Burbank Phil’s Youth Outreach Program, said Lynda Willner, president of the Burbank Phil and member of the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission.
“It’s an opportunity to introduce students to classical music in the classroom setting and inspire them to create an image of their reaction to that music,” she said. “This assignment draws together two fine-arts forms.”