|
|
 |
| |
Students Receive Surprise Vacation, Awards at
Masonic Children's Home's Youth Appreciation Day
|
At the 82nd annual Youth Appreciation Day at Masonic Village on May 27, residents of the Masonic Children's Home received a surprise gift: a trip to Disney World June 13-17, made possible by generous donations from Mrs. Mary Dearden, of Elizabethtown, Pa., and Perseverance Lodge No. 21 in Harrisburg and income from the estate of Jack Harding, of Sugar Run, Pa.
After talking about Walt Disney's various achievements," Grand Master of PA Masons William Slater II informed the 39 Children's Home residents and other visitors about the upcoming vacation. "We believe the best way to study the character and accomplishments of Walt Disney would be to visit Disney World this summer," Slater said. The children unanimously agreed.
Prior to the Disney World surprise, Gilson "Buz" Cash, director, children's services, presented each of the youth with medallions for their participation in various academic and extracurricular activities and plaques and certificates of achievement. All children attend the Elizabethtown Area School District. Cash honored the four graduating seniors, Eileen Arroyo-Diaz, Mike Cross, Nate Garman and Josh Klaus, with special words of encouragement and graduation certificates. A graduate of the Masonic Children's Home, the Rev. A. Preston Van Deursen of the Masonic Village presented each graduate with a Bible.
During his presentation, Slater encouraged all the children to be an inspiration to others. "Your true character is revealed by the choices you make and the promises you keep," he said. "Hold strongly to your principles and refuse to follow the currents of convenience. What you say and do defines who you are… exemplify a moral, spiritual and productive life that inspires others, because who you are today will follow you forever."
Cash presented the following trust fund awards to individuals who exemplify the characteristics and qualities taught at the Masonic Children's Home.
Sorden McClure Memorial Fund Award Scholarship -- Recipients must have a grade point average (GPA) consistent with or better than their ability and must display good study habits. Each recipient receives a $50 U.S. savings bond: Antonio Arroyo-Diaz, Elieen Arroyo-Diaz, Dana Balmer, Ashley Bratina, Michelle Diaz, Joey Emlet, Kisha Fields, Brett Funk, Zack Hyson, Richie Miller, Mike Moyer, Anne Peterson-Sams and Jeremiah Peterson-Sams
Sorden McClure Memorial Fund Award - Athletics - Recipients must have completed two sports and exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship in their daily lives and show a commitment to sports. Each winner receives a $50 savings bond: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz, Cynthia Balmer, Dana Balmer, Danielle Balmer, Shawna Bratina, Kisha Fields, Kristen Malasky-Norman and Mike Moyer
Sorden McClure Memorial Fund Award - Creativity - Recipients must make a creative contribution to home, school or community. Each recipient receives a $50 savings bond: Dana Balmer, Mike Cross, Michelle Diaz, Nate Garman and Tom McQuait
Sorden McClure Memorial Fund Award - Citizenship - Recipients must demonstrate a high quality of response to membership in the community and show leadership. Each recipient receives a $50 savings bond: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz, Jackie Baez, Dana Balmer, Kristen Malasky Norman and Richie Miller
Sorden McClure Memorial Fund Award - Vocation - Recipients must have held a job at the Masonic Village or in the community and conducted themselves honorably. Each recipient receives a $50 savings bond: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz, Jackie Baez, Dana Balmer, Mike Cross, Steve Cross, Yadira Diaz, Nate Garman, Kenny Henry, Josh Klaus and Dan Weibley
Elementary Scholastic Achievement Award - This award goes to the elementary school student who has achieved the highest GPA. He/She receives a $100 savings bond: Cole Tamarri
Middle School Scholastic Achievement Award - This award goes to the middle school student who has achieved the highest GPA. Recipient is awarded a $100 savings bond: Cynthia Balmer
High School Scholastic Achievement Award - Award goes to the high school student who has achieved the highest GPA. The winner receives $100: Kristen Malasky-Norman
Elizabeth Gatchel Smith Award - A $100 savings bond is awarded to the boy and girl attaining the highest combined average for both school and home deportment with an emphasis on citizenship: Dana Balmer and Cole Tamarri
John T. Gay Memorial Fund Award - A $1,000 cash award is presented to the high school student who best exemplifies Mr. Gay's characteristics of service above self, honesty, integrity, caring for others and compassion for his fellow man. This award is to be used upon graduation to further the pursuit of educational and career goals: Dana Balmer
Harry Keebler Memorial Scholarship Award - A $1,000 cash award is presented to the student who strives to further their education and demonstrated their ability to the fullest. This award is to be used upon graduation to further their education: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz
Daniel Rosston Award - A $200 cash award to a boy and girl for higher education expenses: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz, Mike Cross, Nate Garman and Josh Klaus
The Rev. Preston Van Deursen Award - A $250 cash award to a boy or girl who best exemplifies Pastor Van Deursen's compassion, service to others and sense of humor: Richie Miller
Jerry Migrala Memorial Award - This award is presented in memory of Gerry Migrala, former childcare worker and assistant director of the Masonic Children's Home. This $100 savings bond is awarded to an individual who has displayed a strong work ethic and is a genuine concern for others, a good will ambassador for the Masonic Children's Home, highly motivated, outgoing, focused and has an unique sense of humor: Mike Moyer
Donna Kruel Memorial Award - This award is given in memory of Donna Kruel, former secretary of the Masonic Children's Home. This $100 savings bond is awarded to the individual who best exemplifies Donna's characteristics of determination and positive attitude. This individual demonstrates an appreciation for the opportunities provided by the Masonic Children's Home and strives to take full advantage of those opportunities: Eileen Arroyo-Diaz
The day's events concluded with the annual Tree Planting Ceremony, during which the four graduates, Cash and Slater planted a tree to commemorate the occasion and to leave a living symbol of the graduating seniors' ties to the Masonic Children's Home.
Residents of the Masonic Children's Home/seniors from the Elizabethtown Area High School (from left) Nate Garman, Mike Cross, Josh Klaus and Eileen Arroyo-Diaz plant a tree at the Masonic Children's Home with Grand Master of PA Masons William Slater II and Gilson "Buz" Cash, Director of Children's Services, Masonic Village. The tree-planting ceremony concluded the Youth Appreciation Day ceremonies, an event held annually at the Masonic Village to honor the youth of the
|
|
|
