Congratulations

Two young women from the Glendale area will compete as state finalists

in the Miss California Sweetheart Pageant this weekend at the LAX

Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles.

Ronika Manukyan, 10, is the daughter of Anatoly and Marina Manukyan of

Glendale. She is a fourth-grader at Horace Mann Elementary School.

Her activities are entering talent and photogenic contests, dancing,

singing, drawing and poetry.

Brittany B. G. Benson, 9, is the daughter of Michael Benson and Gigi

Grossman, owners of Mobile Vet in Glendale.

She is involved in Girl Scouts, cheerleading, dancing, singing and Tae

Kwon Do. She volunteers at the veterinary hospital and takes care of

animals at her parents’ Mobile Vet business.

Melissa Painter, daughter of Guy and Gail Painter of Palmdale and

granddaughter to Rita and Peter Albrecht of Palmdale and Frankie Gina of

Glendale and Scott Painter of Bodfish has been recognized for her

achievement as a national leadership and service award-winner by the U.S.

Achievement Academy.

Joanna Bottrell of Glendale has been awarded a dean’s scholarship and

a writing scholarship to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is

the daughter of John and Alberta Bottrell, and will graduate from Hoover

High School.

Melissa Brownfield of Glendale, a biology major at Walla Walla College

in College Place, Wash. will be included in the 2002 edition of “Who’s

Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”