Kearny Elks #2478 held its annual Youth Banquet Sunday at the Lodge. The event is to recognize the youth in the community who participated in a variety of youth projects that the Lodge sponsors.
Exalted Ruler Bill Loehr opened the program by welcoming everyone and said, “We the members and officers of this lodge would like to thank the administration, teachers and especially the parent of both school systems for participating, helping and raising such fine young ladies and gentlemen. Without your help, this lodge would not be able to accomplish the youth programs that we sponsor,”
He then turned the microphone over to Daniel Hinojos who announced the following awards:
Americanism Poster Contest – Dakota Willis, First Place, Ray Schools; Emma Cude, second place, Ray Schools.
Drug Awareness Poster Contest – Felicity Ramirez, Third Grade, Ray; Leticia Valenzuela, Fourth Grade, Hayden; Leanor Bravo, Fifth Grade, Hayden.
Hoop Shoot – Ashton Solis, 8-9, Kearny; Olivia Romero, 8-9, Hayden; Alex Bravo, 10-11, Kearny; Myranda Figueroa, 10-11, Kearny; Emmit Sims, 12-13, Hayden; Iiana Goad, 12-13, Kearny.
Soccershoot – Under eight, Elaina Figueroa, Kearny; Under 10, Derek Figueroa, Kearny and Tiffany Woods; 11-12, Myranda Figueroa, Kearny. Earning trophies in the District contest were Elaina Figueroa and Derek Figueroa.
Each month during the academic year, a student from both Ray and Hayden High School is recognized for accomplishments and named as an Elks Student of the Month.
This year’s students of the month are from Hayden High School, Edward Aguirre, Bianca Lopez. Danielle Paton, Marlisse Perez, Christopher Gomez, Melinda Marinez, Lainey Lopez, Matthew Martinez, Hatti Burns and Alexis Felix.
RHS Students of the Month are Cheyenne Dickey, Grant Armendariz, Emily Bickley, Altin Hing, Josette Kimmel, Matthew Graham, Mikayla Seller, Jesse Molar and Harmony Wormwood.
A Student of the Year from both districts is also selected. This year’s honorees are Altin Hing from RHS and Alexis Felix from HHS.
After the awards program, students, parents and guest were treated to a hamburger/hotdog dinner by the lodge.