Newsletter May 27, 2008

   

Balloons floating in the air greeted the many folks who arrived at the BCC terrace for one of our greatest meetings of the year- OUR annual SCHOLARSHIP

LUNCHEON held in honor of graduating seniors from Berkeley High, Albany High and El Cerrito High.  It's always a pleasure to host young people who are following their dreams.  Their enthusiasm is overwhelming, their smiles touching, and their speeches

an insight into the education they have received.

 

Along with all these guests we also welcomed Esther Rice & Traudel Piercy.  D. Wong brought along photographer Peter Libby whom I saw snapping photos all during lunch & speeches & awards, etc.!!  It was great to see L. Iodice & C. Fitch!!  B. Barnwell arrived with his fruit container filled with cherries and strawberries.  Six tables overflowing with chatter, delicious food, and laughter-  this is the kind of day we all love!

 

Greeting all these wonderful friends and guests at the ticket table was R. Bliss.  We were "called to order" by Pres Khing Khong who invited B. Rice to lead us in GBA.  R. Bliss did double duty by giving a short invocation and asked for nourishment for our brains!  D. Wong did have that fine box in hand.  

   

We were joined by an interclub of Circle Kers headed up by past KFC Joe, Alex, Gail & Virginia.  Joe did give a report on a couple of summer events- and those who go "home" down south will attend some events with Circle Kers in that area.  Heard that Joe is headed to Europe for a couple of weeks and Virginia is off to China for two months.  WOW!!!       

 

 

Pres. Khing Khong called on the Scholarship Chair, T. Paradis, to take over the meeting.  Tammy had a great program planned.  She called on incoming Pres. D. Haughin to tell a bit about what our Kiwanis club does.  (RIF, Berkeley Schools, Sponsored Youth, Scholarships, Cazadero and Gualala to mention a few!!).  Then she asked  J. Piercy to tell a bit about the Berkeley Foundation (started in 1998, combining monies from funds held in the District Foundation along with funds we had in hand, we are a 501C3 foundation with in excess of $650,000.00.  So far we have given about $350,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students.)

All the while we are listening to this we are enjoying a lunch of BBQ hamburgers & hot dogs, beans, salads, potato chips, and American apple pie for dessert.  This is the type of meal we need to have every week, especially when the weather is so nice.      

 

Tammy asked D. Wong to let us know about some

EVENT(s) OF IMPORTANCE:

 

June 3:  Dine-out Night at Sauls,  7:00pm

June 7:  MLK Jr. High- Edible School Yard project

                                    9:00 – 12:00

June 12:  DCM w/ LTG E. Levitch

June 15:  YPSO Pops Concert- a fundraiser-  YPSO group is going to Australia/New Zealand this summer.

 

Tennis balls were to be sliced this weekend, but I think that has been postponed.  Also, there will be a RIF distribution sometime during the summer.  Watch for dates…..

 

 

 

 

 

OUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!!

 

D. Leonard introduced Berkeley High School's Zachery Sorgen who brought along his mom, Phoebe, to help him celebrate.  Zachery's real love is the arts.  He held the lead role in Hair (while on crutches), plays in a pop band and enjoys modern jazz and hip hop.  He is interested in global warming, and he is the youngest member of the Berkeley Energy Commission.  Zachery is going to attend Vassar College in New York.

 

B. K'Burg introduced Albany High School's Amanda Wilmsen who brought along her parents, Carl & Patty, as well as school counselor, Vicky Lilienthal.  Amanda has volunteered in Mexico and Costa Rica, involved there in summer camps for local children.  She is very interested in recycling and light bulb exchange, plays the clarinet, and is involved in cross country running.  Amanda will attend Pomona College in Claremont, CA.

 

D. Haughin introduced Albany High School's Lea Cohen who brought along her mom.  (Denise pointed out that she attended Albany High with Lea's mom many moons ago!)  Lea is interested in sports and dance, and plays the saxaphone.  She got applause when she noted that she volunteers every Sunday at the Little Farm.  Lea plans to attend UCLA and to take up business economics. 

 

 

 A. Paradis introduced El Cerrito High School's Cathy Nguyen who brought along her dad, Tom.  Cathy has been very active in Rotary's Interact Club while in high school.  She discovered that there was no Jr. Tennis Team at El Cerrito High– so was instrumental in getting that going.  She shared her story of receiving the note stating she was receiving a BK Scholarship while sitting on her bed- She ran out to her Dad and was surprised when he said it was for $6,000- not $600!  Cathy plans on attending UC Davis and I believe is headed toward a career in medicine.          

 

Last, but certainly not least, J. Rosano introduced Albany High School's Madeleine Bottome who brought along her mom and her school counselor,

 

 

 

Doug Kagawa.  It was very obvious that Madeline's dream is being on stage!  She loves singing, and has been performing since the age of nine.  She has attended summer camps where she is a teacher's assistant in the arts, working with children 6 – 14 years old.  (Wonder what she thought of our rendition of GBA??!!!)  Madeline will attend Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.  We should look for a star in the coming years!!   

 

Tammy asked parents and counselors if they would like to add any additional comments on these five "well-spoken" young people.  Zachery's mom shared a story of when he was young, running away from her in the store, grabbing a bag of "marshmallows" off the shelf, tearing it open, and popping a cotton ball in his mouth!!  (Zachery covered his head with his hood!!!)   Other stories were shared, and the overall comments were to "keep up the high energy, and go for it with wild abandon and joy"!!  Counselor Vicky Lilienthal is so grateful for BK's support of and contributions to all students.  And Tammy thanked the parents, counselors, and her Scholarship committee for all the hard work.

 

There was time for JJJJJJ$$$…  and many came in for these five wonderful Scholarship Winners who are taking home a total of $38,000.00 between them.  

 

And so ends another visit to the Berkeley Kiwanis Club.  J. Piercy led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. If you missed this day, please know that you were missed by all of us. 

 

 

SAQOTW:

 

"Learning is the best of all wealth; it is easy to carry, thieves cannot steal it, and tyrants cannot seize it; neither fire nor water can destroy it; and far from decreasing, it increases by giving."

The Naladiyar

 

 

Editor: vc

 

Have a wonderful week!!

Don't forget to check out our website

www.berkeleykiwanis.org

 

---

Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone.