Fountain Valley Kiwin’s take home awards

Paula Pisani

Fountain Valley High School Kiwin’s Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored youth

group, took home more awards than any of the clubs in the Amethyst

Division during last month’s 24th annual convention.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis of California, Nevada and Hawaii, the convention

was attended by nearly 600 students, including 19 representing Edison and

Fountain Valley high schools.

The convention, dubbed “Kiwin’s Service Through the Century,” was held at

the Ontario Marriott Hotel on April 14 through April 16.

This year’s convention had the largest turnout ever, according to

regional advisor Caryn Birch.

Kiwin’s focuses on community service, such as volunteering for AIDS walks

and at food shelters.

Schools were honored for their community service and fund-raising

activities at the convention.Fountain Valley High School did much better

this year than last, said Karen Liao, president of the Fountain Valley

High School Kiwin’s. Students won 12 awards in various categories,

including spirit, fund-raising, most innovative project, poster contest

and service achievements.

The club also received the Sid Smith Award, recognizing the most dynamic

service project of the year. This year, it was the Fountain Valley High

Kiwin’s book drive, which collected more than 2,000 children’s books.

“We were so surprised and proud,” Liao said. “Last year, we got three

awards. This year was really like, wow.”

Edison Kiwin’s club took home awards for best T-shirt, scrapbook and

essay contest.

Both Liao and Asha Goud, president of the Edison High School Kiwin’s Club

and event coordinator, received $750 scholarships.

Student Katherine Tsai won a $1,000 scholarship.

“I’m very proud of all the Kiwin’s in the Amethyst Division, especially

our local club at Edison and Fountain Valley High schools,” Birch said.