Elks hold youth week award ceremony

Submitted by Elks Club

On Tuesday evening, May 5th, the Newport Harbor B.P.O.E. Lodge #1767 held their annual Youth Appreciation Awards Ceremony. Exalted Ruler David Leonard welcomed a crowd of 112 parents, youths, and youth leaders and proclaimed May 5 to May 10 as ELKS YOUTH WEEK.

Patrick McCullough - Harbor View Elementary - Grade 6 Cameron Dorn - Harbor View Elementary - Grade 5 Delilah De La Rosa - Kaiser Elementary - Grade 5 Morgan Duss - Anderson Elementary - Grade 6 Mai Le - Adams Elementary - Grade 6.

The essay topic was “What Freedom Means to Me”.

Scouting Chairperson Liz Dearborn presented 17 scholarships for summer camp to Boy Scout Troops 666 and 614, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Council Girl Scouts and Sea Scouts Troop 1767.

Elks are second only to the U.S. Government in the amount of scholarship dollars awarded annually. Ms. Stroh advised the next round of scholarships applications would be available in September.

Youth activities are among the top priorities of the Elks. Elks National President Paul D. Helsel set key goals for the more than 1 million men and women who make up the Order of Elks, to champion community services; provide help and hope to underprivileged and the disabled; encourage family involvement in the Elks; provide for the needs of the nation’s veterans; and increase sponsorship of youth activities and programs. The local group is very active in accomplishing that goal.

For more information on Elks Charities or membership, please call 949 673-6110.

Elks Scholarship Chairperson Betty Stroh presented achievement certificates and scholarships to youths from Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Estancia and Newport Harbor High Schools. In addition, Most Valuable Student awards were given to: Kelly McDonald, Corryn Chase, Priscilla Contreras, Timothy Johnson, Alice Cope, Shay Brown, Michelle Parson.

Youth Activities Chairman, Rick Blake presented scholarships to Boys and Girls Club, YMCA Summer Program, YCMA Tournament, Costa Mesa National Little League, Costa Mesa American League.

Newport Harbor Elks also sponsors the NH Elks Baseball Tournament, which consists of 1300 players from 86 Orange County High Schools and awarded 6 scholarships to the program.

A donation was given to the Newport Beach Police Department for their Drug Awareness Program.

Elks Americanism Chairperson Maureen Conway-Schaller presented essay awards to: