Elks Lodge Honors “The Pride of Saddleback Valley – Our Youth”
Irene Romero, Makenna Martin and Charlie Hart
Embraced by a full house of grandparents, parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, a school principal, Rhonda Reardon (Mission Viejo Mayor) and Elk members, Saddleback Valley youths were awarded Elks scholarships, savings bonds, certificates of recognition and other forms of recognition from Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”).
Boy Scout Troop 603 Present the Colors
The youth ceremony began with the posting of the colors by the Elks Lodge sponsored Boy Scout Troop 603, the pledge of allegiance to our flag and the opening prayer by Charlie Hart, past lodge president and the event Chaplin. The current Elks Lodge president, Jason Spence, welcomed all of the guests, especially the Saddleback Valley youth – tomorrow’s leaders. He then introduced Mission Viejo Mayor Rhonda Reardon. Mayor Reardon made many kind and inspiring remarks about the many acts of community service performed by the Elks Lodge and the tremendous qualities of the youth of the Saddleback Valley communities. Then on behalf of the City of Mission Viejo, she presented a proclamation recognizing the Elks Lodge youth event and youth week. After her presentation, Pat Martino, past lodge president and Youth Activities chairperson, conducted the evening’s program as master of ceremonies.
Roohi Kumar, Bryan Le, John Dellos, Danielle Lasor and Kelly Gomez
The Elks Lodge Scholarship Chairperson, John Dellos with assistance from wife Gail, was honored to recognize six of its sponsored Saddleback youth from six different high schools. They were awarded scholarships based on their academic achievements and community service:
Roohi Kumar, Laguna Hills High School
Kelly Gomez, Dana Hills High School
Danielle Lasor, Orange County School of the Arts
William Rhee, Aliso Niguel High School
Mohan Ganesan (not present), Trabuco Hills High School
Bryan Le, Tesoro High School
Of the competition John Dellos said, “The high level and breadth of academic achievements and community service of all of the students that competed for Elks scholarships was remarkable. All of the parents, teachers and schools in the Saddleback Valley can be proud of these young people.”
The Americanism Essay awards were introduced by Charlie Hart and presented by Americanism chairperson and past lodge president Irene Romero for the students essay on, “What Does the National Anthem Mean to Me”? From the 178 essays submitted, the essay award winners representing one elementary school and two intermediate schools were:
Division I: 5th and 6th grades
Foothill Ranch Elementary: Makenzie Hill, Makenna Martin and Abby Ross.
Division II: 7th and 8th grades
Serrano Intermediate: Max Lopez and Kierra Arreola.
La Paz Intermediate: Sarah Skolos.
Leeora Beck, Emma Massick, Courtney Ruef, Rebecca Thomson, Aubrey Cameron, Sarah Arsenault and Courtney Makin
The Girl Scout Gold Awards (highest award in Girl Scouts) were presented by Leeora Beck; Advisor to Elks Lodge supported Girl Scout Troop 261 with assistance from new Elks Lodge Scouting chairperson, Thomas Spry. Girl Scout Troop 1737 awards were presented by Cynthia Makin.
Girl Scout Troop 261
Rancho Santa Margarita resident: Emma Massick
Mission Viejo residents: Mckenzie Berke (not present) and Courtney Ruef.
Girl Scout Troop 219
Mission Viejo resident: Rebecca Thomson
Girl Scout Troop 1737
Laguna Hills residents: Aubrey Cameron, Sara Arsenault and Courtney Makin.
Alice Horan, Mark Horan, Jeff Smith, Matt Hauscarriague, John Hauscarriague and Thomas Spry
Elks Lodge supported Boy Scout Troop 603 Scoutmaster Jeff Smith, with assistance from Thomas Spry, introduced two members of the troop that just earned their Eagle Scout Award.
Mission Viejo resident: Mark Horan
Trabuco Canyon resident: Matt Hauscarriague.
Hoop Shoot awards were presented by Elks Lodge and Elks District Hoop Shoot chairperson Pat Martino.
Pat Martino and Ethan Brown
8-9 year old division
Mission Viejo residents: Ethan Brown (also MVP of his local basketball team) and Scott Young (not present).
12-13 year old division
Mission Viejo resident: Lucas Fortt (not present)
Rancho Santa Margarita resident: Connor Haskell (not present); 3 time state champ and past national finalist.
Some of the universities that the foregoing youth plan to attend include: Texas Christian University (TCU), Stanford, USC, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley and others pursuing careers in biomedical engineering, business, economics, theatre arts and others.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-three (43) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 145 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
Photos by Richard Adams and Dennis Lumley
