Social Butterfly

June 28th, 2007

Evelyn Madison- The Social Butterfly

The Social Butterfly had the honor of attending the San Pasqual Academy Commencement last week, and what a beautiful program it was. There were 27 graduates; eight going on to four-year colleges, 16 going to community colleges, and three to technical/trade schools. There were three student speakers, in addition to Ashley Scott, Valedictorian, and Ortisha Jones, Salutatorian. They were Veronica Faison, Tymbre Ballew and Andre Hickerson. Their speeches were very beautiful and sincere, touching theemotions of everyone in attendance. Andre did his entire speech in verse, which was so unique.

Many organizations throughout San Diego County contributed scholarships of varying amounts. One of the most memorable was an organization that contributed 11 scholarships of $3600 each. And the crowning glory was the sponsor, New Alternatives, Incorporated, that gave four Outstanding Citizenship Awards - four new automobiles - to the four students that they deemed outstanding citizens.

Actually I wasn't there on behalf of The Paper; I was there as one of the Advisors from and on behalf of the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club. Rick Pearson also attended. HVKC is organizing a Key Club at the San Pasqual Academy, and the enthusiasm of the students is unbelievable. Just a week ago their officers were elected, and already they have a list of projects they want to accomplish in the community, including working with elementary students to help them in their studies or sports, working with animals, beach cleanup, and the list goeson and on. If you want to become involved in some way with these students through the Key Club, with projects or fund-raising ideas, please contact me at 746.1649.

Here is just one local organization that recognizes the San Pasqual Academy students' needs, and there are many others. It is rewarding to know that people care.

Foster Teen Graduates Receive Special Gifts

The Assistance League of Inland North County members assembled useful items to give to graduates of San Pasqual Academy in Escondido, a residential educational campus designed specifically for foster teens. Each graduate received a personalized duffel bag containing 43 new items, including small electrical appliances, a radio, clock, towels, a tool kit, and gift cards. Funds to support this program are raised through grants and sales from the Assistance League Bargain Box Thrift and Consignment Shop, 2068 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. The shop is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday. Donations and consigned items are tax-deductible and always welcome. The Assistance League is a national nonprofit organization. For information, call 760.746.7532, or check the website at www.assistanceleague.com for info.

Pictured, from left, are members of the Operation Duffel Bag committee:
Betty Porter and Marsha Peer, co-chairmen, and committee members
Kathleen Delancey and Kerry Luehring.

Contemporary Women Award Scholarships

The GFWC Contemporary Women of North County (CWONC), a local women's volunteer organization, awarded $500 scholarships to two local graduating seniors at their school's awards night in June. Hien (Amanda) Nguyen, from Orange Glen High School, plans to attend Palomar College in Fall 2007, with a long-term goal of becoming a CPA. Nadia Ramirez, from San Marcos High School, also will attend Palomar in Fall 2007 to study nursing, with a goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Parliamentarians to Hold Monthly Meeting in Escondido

The Nu Chi Unit of Parliamentarians will hold their monthly meeting today, Thursday, June 28, from 1:00 to 3:00pm, at the Joslyn Senior Center, 210 Park Avenue, Escondido, for any organizational members from North County wanting to learn more about "Robert's Rules of Order." Robert's Rules of Order helps associations and clubs run their meetings with order, decency and regularity; ensures that a majority rules and that a minority is heard; ensures that individuals can participate; that one thing is discussed at a time, and that courtesy prevails. Persons who preside or attend meetingsof clubs, homeowner associations, sororities, fraternities, cityor county commissions, etc. are invited to learn how to get more out of the meetings they attend. Contact Jacqueline Marazzi at 760.480.0155 in Escondido, or Willeen Hasler at 760.439.6243 in Oceanside, for more information. Self-help Group Meets Weekly Women for Sobriety, a self-help group for women alcoholics, meets every Monday, 6:00pm at the San Marcos Kaiser facility. WFS is not a 12-step group. For information, call Debbie at 760.214.2118 or Ann at 760.724.4474.

Chamber Members Honored at Installation Dinner

An Evening of Elegance was the theme for the Escondido Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards dinner recently. Orfila Vineyards was the setting, with wine tasting and hors doeuvres, music by 'U-B Jammin', and George Chamberlin, TV and Radio Commentator was MC. Honored were Outgoing Chairman, Les Abshire, and Incoming Chairman, Floyd Farley. Awards 'of the year' went to Mike Peters, Business Leader; Jill Campbell, the Jim Felix Award-Community Volunteer; North County Serenity House, Community Organization; Lynn Russell, Ambassador; Linda Bailey and Tina Pope, Board Members; Entrepreneur, Spectrum Environmental Solutions; Small Business, Competitive Edge Construction; Mid-Size Business, Graybill Medical Group; and Large Business, North County Times.