JANUARY 2010
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
The Youth Activities Committee of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 proudly presents another outstanding student from David Douglas High School as their Teenager of the Month for January 2010. The daughter of proud parents Kevin and Jodi, Kaitlyn Swyers is a senior with a 3.75 Grade Point Average. In addition to academic excellence she is active in her school, her church and the community.A member of the National Honor Society, Kaitlyn is also active as a soprano in the David Douglas concert choir. She won Student of the Month during her junior year as well as a certificate for having earned a 4.0 GPA during that year. She appears to be on her way to matching that achievement this year as well, even while taking advanced placement Psychology and college English. In addition, she is a Vikings Scholar, winning a $1000 dollar scholarship from Portland State University.
Kaitlyn volunteers weekly for the Oregon Partnership “Youthline”, helping her fellow teens in crisis with a variety of issues such as drugs and alcohol, depression, eating disorders, relationships, family problems, self-harm and suicide prevention. During the summer she also helps at the LifeWorks Northwest Young Children’s Day Treatment Program. This program offers an all-day outpatient alternative to residential care and provides education opportunities for children experiencing serious psychiatric difficulties.
She is certified in “universal precautions,” which is intended to safeguard health workers from the spread of disease and biohazards and she is also certified in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Obviously, this also comes in handy with her volunteer activities. If this were not enough, she is a certified lifeguard, working part-time at the East Portland Community Center.
With the spare time she has left, Kaitlyn plays the piano and has been taking lessons since she was in third grade. She now does small performances and recitals and is particularly fond of Christmas music. She likes to swim, read suspense and mystery novels and she enjoys being active in the youth group and in prayer meetings at the Happy Valley Abundant Life Church.
Kaitlyn plans to pursue a career as a licensed clinical psychologist. As one can see, she has mapped out her way to that goal and is well on her way down the path, all at an age when most of us had no clue of what our future might hold. Kaitlyn is an inspiration and shining example of what young people are truly capable. She reflects great credit upon herself, David Douglas high school, and the Portland community.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Kaitlyn Swyers and honor her as our Teenager of the Month for January 2010!
DECEMBER 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 have chosen yet another outstanding student from David Douglas High School as their Teenager of the Month for December 2009. A senior with a 4.0 GPA, she is also active in school sports and activities, her church and in the community. Her name is Selena Zou.
A member of the National Honor Society, Selena also acts as the student council recording secretary for the Associated Student Body. She is an active member of the David Douglas golf and swim teams and, up until this year, a tenor saxophonist in the school’s band. She is part of the STARS program, which arms 6th graders with the tools to resist social and peer pressures with regards to teenage sex. She is also a student leader at the Adams/ Mill Creek Outdoor School.
In 2007, Selena went to Japan as part a two-month student exchange program on a Japanese-American Friends Scholarship. Here in Portland she participated in the kindergarten-to-eighth grade Japanese Immersion Program and, in 2006 and 2007, she was a team member for the Oregon Model United Nations.
Since 2003, Selena has annually participated in the World Vision 30-Hour Famine which raises awareness and collects donations for poverty stricken areas – all while performing community services and fasting. She also volunteers at the Portland Marathon where she helps with registration, information, passing out food and recording times. Her other volunteer efforts have included manning the gift shop during The Grotto’s “Festival of Lights” and working as both an assistant at Zoo Camp and a Zoo Teen volunteer at the Oregon Zoo.
If she were not busy enough, Selena also works at a local juice bar and is active in the youth group at the Chinese Faith Baptist Church. When asked what hobbies she enjoys in her free time, she states, “applying for college.” To whichever institution she chooses, Selena will no doubt be a valuable asset, a great student and an outstanding ambassador of our community.
The members of Gateway Elks are very pleased to present the achievements of Selena Zou and honor her as our Teenager of the Month for December 2009!
NOVEMBER 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
The Youth Activities Committee of local Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 has named another outstanding Teenager of the Month for November 2009. He is a senior at David Douglas High School with a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to academic excellence, he is active in school sports and in the community. The son of proud parents Tim and Connie, his name is Conner Hurley.
(Connoir is shown at left with Mike Finch, Youth Activities Chairman and Exalted Ruler John Lillestrand) Conner is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Scots Pride Student Team. He is a varsity letterman; earning this distinction in both basketball and golf. He has also played both football and baseball for David Douglas. He currently works for the school, working the “chains” at school football games and the scoreboard at soccer games.
As a volunteer coach, Conner helps community kids to learn and to playing sports in summer camps that take place at various Portland-area schools. He is active in Young Life, a national Christian youth organization. He also participates in the STARS program which mentors young people on peer pressure and choices involving teenage sex.
Family is an important part of Conner’s life. He enjoys watching movies and going out to dinner with his parents and younger brother. He particularly relishes family skiing and snowboarding outings. He also has fond memories of living and traveling in Australia where his father Tim, a physical education teacher, participated in a teacher exchange program during Conner’s third grade year. In his free time Conner likes sports, reading, friends and the outdoors.
His nomination comes with rave reviews from school counselor Sean Betker at David Douglas. According to him, “Conner demonstrates a high level of maturity and responsibility in maintaining a good balance of school, faith, family and friends.” And “he has prepared himself to be a dynamic human being, filled with compassion, determination and loyalty.”
The members of Gateway Elks are very pleased to present the achievements of Connor Hurley and honor him as our Teenager of the Month for November 2009!
SEPTEMBER 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
Gateway Elks Lodge’s Youth Activities Committee is proud to present another outstanding teenager as its first “Teenager of the Month” for this school year. This month’s teenager is a senior at David Douglas High School with a 4.0 GPA. The son of proud parents Thom and Ronda, his name is Zaine Alexander Stapleton(shown at right with ER John Lillestrand). Not only does he excel scholastically, he is also very active with his family, in school activities and in the community.Zaine contributes his time as a mentor for students with special needs and serves as a chaperon during the Special Olympics. Being gifted with artistic ability, he has been able to use his talents to guide others in learning about arts and crafts. He also assists his mother, a 4th grade teacher, by helping her instruct her students in the fine points of art education. Some very fine examples of his designs have been on display at the Portland International Airport as well as on the walls of the main hallway at David Douglas High School.
In the area of school activities, Zaine is a member of the David Douglas Varsity Cross Country team and is also accomplished at Pole Vaulting. He plays alto sax in the Jazz Band and, as a member of the Band Council, organizes functions to promote teamwork, food drives and fundraisers.
An eight year member of Campfire, Zaine volunteers at Camp Namanu near the Bull Run Watershed in Sandy, Oregon as a student leader, role model and teacher for outdoor school. Additionally, he has always been a top Campfire candy seller.
Zaine enjoys spending time with his family and participating in many of the family’s special interests. One such activity is Soap Box Derby racing; and area in which he is most accomplished and where he enjoys helping other racers. The Stapleton family recently exhibited their national prize-winning soap-box cars during Gateway Elks Lodge’s “Hot August Daze Cruise-In last year. Expanding on this car theme, Zaine has developed an interest in Electrathon – a speed and endurance completion for electrical cars. And with his father, he is currently restoring a 1968 VW Beetle.
The members of Gateway Elks salute the achievements of so fine a young man and are pleased to honor him as our Teenager of the Month for September 2009!
2009
TEENAGER OF THE YEAR
Each month, during the school year, the Youth Activities Committee of Gateway Elks Lodge in Portland selects a high school student from one the area's schools to be named “Teenager of the Month”. Criteria for selection include scholastic achievement, school involvement and community assistance. The students are presented by way of a nomination submitted by their peers, parents, teachers or friends. The Youth Activities Committee reviews the nominations and selects a student to honor each month in a ceremony at the Lodge. Toward the end of the school term, one of those students is selected to be Gateway Elks Lodge’s Teenager of the Year. It is always a tough job trying to choose the “best of the best”. Gateway Elks Lodge’s Youth Activities Committee had an especially tough time selecting a Teenager of the Year this year. All of the students were extremely well qualified but in the end one seemed to stand out just a little bit more than the others. She is a senior at Reynolds High School with a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to academic excellence she is active in sports, her school, her church and her community. She is the daughter of proud parents Dave and Pam and her name is Kristin R. Baldwin.
As member of the National Honor Society and the Reynolds High School honor roll, Kristin ranks in the top 3% of her graduating class. She has accomplished this while taking Advanced Placement classes in such areas as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and humanities, all of which count towards college credits. She is CPR certified and though still in high school she is a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Kristin also excels in areas other than scholastics. She plays the violin in her school’s orchestra and along with her fellow musicians won first place in both the string and full orchestra divisions of the 2008 Oregon School Activities Association State Championships. She is also a member of the Reynolds Varsity Cheerleading Squad which took first place at the 2008 National Cheerleading Association U.S. Championships at Knott’s Berry Farm in California. Kristin has been voted “most inspirational” by her coaches for both cheerleading and softball and she has been the school’s “Student of the Month” four separate times. In addition to music and sports, she is a member of the PRIDE (personal responsibility, integrity, diversity and effort) Committee as well as the school’s Link Crew.
The “Extra Mile Award” is an award given to those who generously volunteer their time – usually 100 hours or more. In Kristin’s case, she has logged over 600 hours helping others. When she is not studying, playing music or sports she volunteers at Mt. Hood Legacy hospital providing information, running samples, delivering food and discharging patients. She is an event chairperson for the American Cancer Society’s East County Relay for Life and she assists with a community helmet clinic, which offers affordable, fitted helmets for bicycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, etc., as well as helping with the American Red Cross blood drive.
In her “spare time” Kristin enjoys collecting thimbles (from states she has visited), camping with her family and being active in her church – St. Henry’s in Gresham. She has been accepted into Concordia University next fall and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Eventually she would like to become a registered nurse specializing in neonatal care.
Kristin and her family were guests of Gateway Elks Lodge on May 14th and were treated to dinner and a special presentation where Kristin was awarded a certificate from the Elks Grand Lodge and a $500 US Savings Bond. A proclamation from Mayor Sam Adams of the City of Portland was read proclaiming May 14, 2009 as a Day of Appreciation for Kristin and Jim Kight, Mayor of the City of Troutdale was on hand to express the appreciation and pride of the people of Troutdale for one of their own.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Kristin R Baldwin as their Teenager of the Year for 2009!
April 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
The Youth Activities Committee of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 is proud to introduce this month’s Teenager of the Month, Karlei Marie Forrester. Karlei is a senior at Reynolds High School with a 3.76 grade point average. She is also active in sports, her school and her community.
Karlei is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a three-time recipient of the Reynolds’ Student of the Month award and she currently takes advanced placement classes in chemistry, language and composition which give her credits toward college.
As a three-year member of the school’s dance team, Karlei and her teammates won the 2006-2007 State Championship. She currently plays with the newly formed Rugby Club and she actively participates in the school’s Adventure Club. A recent Adventure Club trek took her 3,000 miles through the rugged Southwestern U.S. where she rafted, mountain biked, rock climbed, “canyoneered” and rappelled through technical and dangerous slot canyons, facing her fears head-on and exceeding her personal comfort levels.
In a cooperative effort by the American Red Cross and the National Honor Society, Karlei volunteers at her school’s blood drive. She is the team development chair for the East County Youth Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society. She has volunteered at Legacy Mt. Hood Hospital and spends time each week with Maria, a Fairview Elementary fifth-grader, as part of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters.
Perhaps the one of the most impressive facets of Karlei’s resume is that she is a trained teen crisis response volunteer with the Portland/ Vancouver Trauma Intervention Program, (TIP). The TIP national training academy is geared towards adults but Karlei is part of a ground-breaking group of young people that complete the training and work alongside qualified adults to provide support for those who have experienced a recent trauma – such as a death, home fire or similar catastrophic event. Karlei is particularly well suited for this role because she is able to better relate and identify with younger victims. So far, she has responded to several teen deaths and spent many hours helping teens in crisis. She attends monthly continuing education meetings and has agreed to be on-call at all times to help her fellow citizens in crisis. As one might imagine, due to her age and this pioneering facet of the TIP program, she is subjected to close scrutiny. Needless to say, she has met and exceeded all expectations.
Karlei currently works as a server and barista at a local general store. She will attend Oregon State University in the fall. She would like to continue her education at the Oregon Health Sciences University, eventually pursuing a career as a Physician’s Assistant. Given her drive, talent, smarts and compassion, Karlei should have no trouble achieving any goal she sets for herself.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Karlei Marie Forrester as Teenager of the Month for April 2009.
March 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
This month, the Youth Activities committee introduces another outstanding student from Reynolds High School. She is a senior with a 4.0 GPA. In addition to academic excellence she is active in sports, her school, her church and the community. The daughter of proud parents Dave and Pam, her name is Kristin R. Baldwin.A member of the National Honor Society and the Reynolds High School honor roll, Kristin ranks in the top 3% of her graduating class. She has accomplished this while taking Advanced Placement classes, such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and humanities, all of which count towards college credits. She is CPR certified and, although still in high school, she is registered as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Kristin also plays the violin in her school’s orchestra. She and her fellow musicians won first place in both the string and full orchestra divisions of the 2008 Oregon School Activities Association State Championships. As a varsity cheer-leader, Kristin and the Reynolds team took first place at the 2008 National Cheerleading Association U.S. Championships at Knott’s Berry Farm in California. Her coaches voted Kristin most inspirational in both cheerleading and softball. And, she has been Student of the Month four times! She is a member of the PRIDE (Personal Responsibility, Integrity, Diversity and Effort) Committee as well as the school’s Link Crew.
The "Extra Mile" award is given to those who generously volunteer their time – usually 100 hours or more. Kristin has logged over 600 hours. She volunteers at Mt. Hood Legacy hospital providing information, running samples, delivering food and discharging patients. She is an event chair for the American Cancer Society’s East County Relay for Life. Additionally, she assists with the helmet clinic which offers affordable, fitted helmets for bicycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, etc. She also helps with the American Red Cross blood drive.
Kristin enjoys helping others, nursing, running, softball, collecting thimbles (from states she has visited), camping with her family and her church – St. Henry’s in Gresham. She has been accepted into Concordia University and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and eventually to become a registered nurse specializing in neonatal care.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Kristin R. Baldwin as Teenager of the Month for March 2009.
February 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
Honored as Gateway Elks Lodge’s February’s Teenager of the Month is Amanda Nicole Paulson. She is a senior at Reynolds High School with a 4.0 grade point average. A member of the National Honor Society and member of her school’s honor roll for all four years, she is also active in sports, her school, her church and her community. She is the daughter of proud parents Steven and Rebecca.
Amanda is captain of the 2008 Reynolds Raiders Soccer Team. In 2007 the team voted her the “Most Inspirational” and she was “Most Improved” in her freshman year. She was again “Most Inspirational” on the 2008 swim team and has also held that honor on track and field team. Additionally, she has won Honorable Mention in Soccer, 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles.
Having served as Junior Class President, Amanda is still active in the student body as representative to the senior council and a member of the athletic leadership council. She is a member of the Link Crew, helping new freshmen transition to the high school setting. She is also a Big Sister – spending an hour to an hour and a half with an elementary age girl to mentor and provide a positive role model. In addition, she interns in a math class at the Haughton B. Lee Middle School.
Amanda devotes much of her time to Young Life – a national Christian youth organization. She participates in weekly meetings as well as group projects and trips. She is a student leader and member of the work crew at both Wildhorse Canyon, near Antelope and at Malibu Club, in British Columbia.
Having a close relationship with her parents, Amanda especially enjoys playing games and going on trips with her family. Together, they attend the Good Shepherd Community Church in Boring. She also likes spending time with friends, reading and playing guitar. Amanda is hoping to pursue a career in teaching.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Amanda Nicole Paulson as Teenager of the Month for February 2009.
LODGE HONORS 2009 HOOP SHOOT WINNERS
1st row left to right: Anthony Ross, Demilyn Michelle Guild, Savannah Proske, Zach Baugher and Marguel Fletcher 2nd row left to right: Exalter Ruler Russ Muma, Sterling Swift, Danica Roady, Nathan Mumford, Michael Koza, Rayana Brown and David Ott, Gateway Elks Hoop Shoot Chairman
Not Shown: Caitlin Nguyen and Phillip Tropets
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 gathered to honor the Lodge level competition winners of the Elks National Free Throw Contest, the Elks “Hoop Shoot”® that was held on January 17th.
The evening’s honorees were:
Boys’ age group 8-9: 2nd Place, Marguel Fletcher and 1st Place, Zachary Baugher
Girls’ age group 8-9: 2nd Place, Savannah Proske and 1st Place, Demilyn Guild
Boys’ age group 10-11: 2nd Place, Phillip Tropets and 1st Place, Anthony Ross
Girls’ age group 10-11: 2nd Place, Caitlin Nguyen and 1st Place, Rayana Brown
Boys’ age group 12-13: 2nd Place, Michael Koza and 1st Place, Nathan Mumford
Girls’ age group 12-13: 2nd Place, Danica Roady and 1st Place, Sterling Swift
These very gifted boys and girls then went on to compete in the Metro District competition on January 31st where Demilyn Guild placed 1st in the Girls’ age group 8-9 division and Nathan Mumford placed 1st in the Boys’ age group 12-13 division.
In the State competition held on February 14th, Demilyn Guild ran away with 1st Place in the Girls' age group 8-9 division. She will be competing in the Regional Competition at Concordia University in Portland on March 14th.
Gateway Lodge congratulates all of our champions and wish them the very best.
January 2009
TEENAGER OF THE MONTH
Circumstances did not allow the January honoree, Stephanie G Lutz, to attend the scheduled presentation so the Lodge’s Youth Activities Committee decided to combine her presentation with that of February’s. Stephanie is a senior at David Douglas High School with a 4.0 grade point average. A very special youth, she also excels in sports and is active in her school and in the community. Stephanie is a member of the National Honor Society. She serves on the student council as the Associated Student Body President. And she was named Student of the Month and Athlete of the Month for October 2008. Additionally, for an essay she wrote, she won a $2,500 Beat the Odds Scholarship.
Stephanie captains not one, but three of David Douglas’ varsity sports teams – volleyball, basketball and tennis. Last year she went to the state finals in tennis and was again named Athlete of the Month. Two years ago she was named Multnomah Athletic Club Scholar Athlete. This distinction is awarded to only one sophomore per year and comes with a $1,500 scholarship and free membership to the club. During middle school her coaches nominated her for the Mary Jean King Athletic Award, which now pays her high school sports fees for all three sports.
A volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society, Stephanie walks, cleans and grooms the animals. She also has an internship at the Oregon Zoo, helping on Saturdays with the family farm exhibit and petting zoo. And she does all this while working part-time at a local Target. Stephanie has high hopes of attending the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts and will continue playing sports. What makes this amazing young woman even more so is the fact that Stephanie is a ward of the State of Oregon. Special recognition must be given to her foster caregiver, Ms. Tina Gefre. Stephanie also credits her coaches, teachers and counselors with helping her succeed. But, even more crucially, Stephanie has not given into hardship but has pushed back, excelled and is truly beating the odds.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Stephanie G Lutz as Teenager of the Month for January 2009.
December 2008 Teenager of the Month
This Month’s Teenager comes from David Douglas High School with a 4.0 grade point average. When she was five, she and her family left the Ukraine and moved to the United States. She has since done extremely well and, in addition to academic excellence, she is active in her school, her church and in the community. The Youth Activities Committee is proud to introduce Viktoriya Galuza as our Teenager of the Month for December 2008.Vicky, as she prefers to be called, is a member of the National Honor Society, earning her perfect GPA while taking Advanced Placement classes such as English, Government, Psychology and Calculus. Last year she was a finalist in the All-Around category of Academic All Stars – winning a $500 scholarship. And, in September 2008, David Douglas High School recognized her with the Outstanding Student Award.
Playing trumpet in the football marching band, the basketball pep band and jazz band, Vicky also earned a varsity letter and the Outstanding Musician Award, playing in the concert band. She then earned a second varsity letter playing on the David Douglas tennis team. As an alternative to an internship required for health sciences she coordinates a monthly blood drive for the American Red Cross. And, until the program was discontinued this year, she was a member of the "Link Crew" which helped orientate incoming Freshmen and has also been a volunteer in the Summer Reading Program.
Vicky is currently active in the Portland Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church. She is a Sunday School Teacher Assistant and attends weekly bible studies. When there are no conflicts with school activities she enjoys singing in the church’s youth choir.
Thanks to an understanding and flexible manager, Vicky is able to work as a crewmember at Jamba Juice. She likes skiing and tennis but is particularly fond of trout fishing with her father. She is thinking about a career in nursing and eyeing the programs at George Fox University and the University of Portland.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Viktoriya Galuza as Teenager of the Month for December 2008.
November 2008 Teenager of the Month
Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 is proud to introduce Christina Patan as November’s Teenager of the Month. She is a senior at David Douglas High School with a grade point average of 3.89. Born in Bremen, Germany in 1991, she is the daughter of proud parents John and Tina Patan.Besides academic excellence, Christina distinguishes herself in service to her school, her church and the community. She is a member of the National Honor Society while taking Advanced Placement classes, particularly calculus. She is the senior class representative to the Student Council and is involved with the STARS (Students Today Aren’t Ready for Sex) program; teaching younger peers about the risks, media influence, relationships and peer pressure regarding sex.
Christina helps her family manage an adult foster care home and has worked as a volunteer at the Portland Adventist Hospital. She is now looking forward to participating in the Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP), which brings the healing power of art to children in crisis and to their families.
Christina is heavily involved with her church – often attending four or more times a week. She sings alto in the choir and is a Vacation Bible School leader at the Apostolic Faith Church. She plays the piano and is currently working on gospel music.
Christina especially cherishes the time spent with family and friends - particularly her two-year-old niece. After Graduating, she plans to enroll in the nursing program at the University of Portland or Concordia University. At some point she would like to continue her education and training to become a nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner. Her talents, accomplishments, compassion and energy reflect great credit upon herself, her church, David Douglas High School and her community.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge are proud to honor Christina Patan as Teenager of the Month for November 2008.
September 2008 Teenager of the Month
September’s Teenager of the Month comes to us from Parkrose High School. She is a senior with a 3.68 grade point average. In addition to excelling in academics, she is active in her school, her community and her church. The Youth Activities Committee is proud to present the September 2008 Gateway Elks Lodge Teenager of the Month, Andrea Bunica.Andrea is a member of the National Honor Society and is taking college-level Advanced Placement classes in English, Math and Science. She is active in the ACE Mentor Program of America - a highly selective, career-awareness program which teams local youth with area professionals in Architecture, Construction and Engineering. Additionally, she travels each morning to Vancouver to attend Pre-Engineering Design Technology classes.
Andrea volunteers her services as a representative to the Portland Parks and Recreation Department. She is the youngest member of her Project Advisory Committee. This committee meets to publicly discuss planning and design, review proposals and generally guide the development Parkrose area parks.
With a respectable average of 130, Andrea is a member of the Parkrose High School Bowling Club. And, two to three times each week, she meets with the Christian Body of Parkrose. The C.B.O.P. is a discussion and prayer group organized by the students.
Andrea lives with her proud parents, Joseph and Sylvia Bunica, along with two sisters and her brother. In addition to the Spanish she takes in school, she enjoys speaking Romanian, which is part of her ancestry. She also likes to cook with her family – especially baking breads from scratch and eschewing modern bread makers. She is also particularly fond of Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.
Somehow, she still finds time to enjoy music. She taught herself the piano and clarinet at a young age and continues to play today. She prefers classical music and church hymns. Speaking of hymns, she and her family attend the East Hill Four Square Church in Gresham.
Gateway Elks Lodge is proud to honor Andrea Bunica as September's Teenager of the Month!
Gateway Honors another new Portland Eagle Scout
The Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council, held an Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday afternoon, June 8th for Paul Ball at the Gateway Elks Lodge in Portland. Paul, the son of proud parents Sheila and Patrick Ball, came to scouting in the first grade when he joined Pack 410 as a Tiger Cub. Now with Boy Scout Troop 108 and having continuously moved up the ranks, he has made it to the highest honor in scouts, the level of Eagle Scout. The ceremony, held before Paul’s family and friends, was conducted by Tom Peachtree and Troop leader James Hollett. Dan LeBrun of Gateway Elks Americanism Committee (himself an Eagle Scout) presented Paul with a Certificate of Recognition and an American Flag that was flown over the US Capital in Washington, DC.
For his Eagle Scout project, Paul developed, planned and executed the removal of an old stairway and railing that led to a now abandoned path at Girl Scout Camp Namanu and built a new railing along the entrance to the path to discourage its use. The project used approximately $150 worth of materials and was accomplished with the help of 10-12 other scouts and adult advisors.
When not in scouts, Paul, who just graduated High School, works manufacturing fabric fencing to help with erosion control and will be attending a Boeing Tech/ Prep Machinists internship on July 21st. He will also start classes at the University of Portland in late August and plans to follow a Mechanical Engineering major. Future plans also include US Air Force ROTC.
The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to honor Paul Ball and all of today’s Eagle Scouts across the nation. These young men represent the very best of what today’s youth have to offer our nation's future.
(Paul is shown above with Dan LeBrun as he receives his plaque and American flag)
Gateway Honors Teenager of the Year
Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 has named Maddison Rose Stapleton of David Douglas High School as “Teenager of the Year” for 2008.
With all of the outstanding “Teenagers of the Month” from this past school year, choosing only one for the title of “Teenager of the Year” was especially difficult. But, after much deliberation and consultation, the Youth Activities Committee finally made their decision.
Maddie, as she prefers to be called, is a senior at David Douglas High School with a 3.85 Grade Point Average. She is the daughter of proud parents Thom and Ronda Stapleton. In addition to maintaining an outstanding grade point average, she is involved in school athletics, Campfire USA and is noted for her artistic abilities.
Along with her academic excellence, Maddie has had perfect attendance every year since the third grade. She earned the Presidential Academic Achievement Award in sixth and eighth grades and was the March 2007 Student of the Month. She has earned a varsity letter in each year of high school thus far and has won several track and field awards, including Athlete of the Meet in 9th and 11th grades, Outstanding Freshman Athlete and 2007 district champion in pole vault. In ninth grade, she was also a member of the Dream Club, which raises money for charities such as Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the Oregon Food Bank. And, for the last two years, Maddie has been in the American Sign Language club.
Outside of school, Maddie is devoted to Campfire USA. She started during second grade and has been involved ever since. She was number one in candy sales in the Portland area from 1998 to 2004 and second in the nation in 2001. Most recently, Maddie has volunteered at Camp Namanu, near Sandy. Last year, she graduated from the counselor-in-training program, which requires seven weeks of training over two summers.
Maddie is also noted for her artwork. She was a finalist in the AK Media, Earth Day Art Contest in 1997, won the Child Magazine art contest in 1995 and won the Art Media Valentine’s Day Art Contest twice - in 1995 and 1996. She designs logos for the clubs and teams to which she belongs and helped design t-shirts and a plaque for her group at Camp Namanu. Additionally, Maddie designs, paints and races soap box derby cars.
Since winning Gateway Elks Lodge’s “Teenager of the Month” award in October, Maddie was part of the David Douglas Rose Court. And she has won yet another art contest – The Run for the Arts T-shirt Design Contest. She has also earned a partial scholarship and has been accepted into Eastern Oregon University.
As Teenager of the Year, Maddie and her family were guests of the Lodge where she and her parents were treated to dinner during the Lodge’s Teen Week festivities. She was presented a plaque, a certificate from the Elks Grand Lodge and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.
Gateway Lodge is honored to to have Maddie Rose Stapleton as our Teenager of the Year for 2008.
photo (left to right) – Mike Finch, Chairman of the Youth Activities Committee, Maddison Rose Stapleton and Exalted Ruler Russ Muma
Gateway Honors New Eagle Scout
“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.” Familiar words to every Boy Scout in this country, the opening line of the Scout Oath is even more familiar, and possibly more heartfelt, to those who reach the level of Eagle Scout. One such Scout is Bret Thomas Plumb of Troop 606, Thunderbird District. Bret, an exemplary scout and proven leader earned 28 merit badges (a minimum of 21 are required to qualify for Eagle Scout) and planned, developed and carried out the building of a 195 ft long concrete pathway for Menlo Park Elementary School as his Eagle project. The pathway, which consisted of 200 ft of 2x4’s, seven cubic yards of crushed rock and 13 cubic yards of concrete employed 34 workers and took 367.2 man hours over 4 weekends to complete.
In recognition of his impressive achievements, the Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council, held an Eagle Court of Honor for Bret on February 23rd. In front of his fellow scouts, his parents, family and friends, Bret was presented with the award, badge and scarf identifying him as an Eagle Scout. Scout Masters Brian Dazey and Dan Boothby of Troop 606 did the honors in a simple yet dignified ceremony. Lyle Wescott, representing Gateway Lodge, presented Bret with a Certificate of Recognition and an American Flag that has flown atop our nation's capital. Bret is pictured above with his parents, Jill and Alan Plumb, Scout Master Brian Dazey (left) and Lyle Wescott (right).
Gateway Lodge is honored to be a sponsor of Troop 606, Thunderbird District. All of our members are extremely proud of Bret, and, indeed, all of his fellow scouts, and wish him and them all the very best in their endeavors.
February 2008 Teenager of the Month
February’s Teenager of the Month is a senior at David Douglas High School with a 3.2 Grade Point Average. She is Erica Lynn Peacock (at right with ER Jim Schuermyer) and she is daughter to proud parents Paul and Amy Peacock. If Erica looks familiar, it is not a figment of your imagination. Erica is the twin sister of Last month’s Teen, Rebecca Peacock.Erica is very active in her school, her church and in the community. She is a member of the Troubadours, the school’s advanced choir ensemble and is in the David Douglas Theatre group. Most notably, she has played Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in the 2007 production of The Wizard of Oz and Mrs. Darling, Wendy’s mother, in Peter Pan.
Having been active in school sports, such as Winter Track, Junior Varsity Soccer and Girls Golf, Erica had to decide between athletics and the arts. In addition to School Theater and the Troubadours, she sings with the Stratosphere Girls Ensemble. This troupe performs 50’s and 60’s “oldies,” a’Capella, for groups such as churches and retirement homes. They’ve even played The Grotto. Additionally she placed in the top ten in Portland’s Teen Idol contest.
Erica also is involved in SADD, or Students Against Destructive Decisions. She participates with “Kids on the Block” – a puppet program which enlightens children on matters such as disabilities and medical and educational differences as well as social and safety issues. And she belongs to the Invisible Children’s Club. In addition she is active in the LDS (Latter-Day Saints) Young Women’s Program, where she is a counselor at summer camp. She is part of the LDS Youth Dance Committee – which plans monthly youth dances for the Mormon Church.
Somehow, with her busy schedule, she finds time to play guitar, sing and write songs. She made a CD last year with her twin sister Becky. She also enjoys running and spending time with friends.
Gateway Elks Lodge is proud to honor Erica Lynn Peacock as February's Teenager of the Month!
Lodge Honors Hoop Shoot Winners
1st row left to right: Brock Nelson, Hunter Davis, Zach Baugher, Taylor Morris and Elyjai Viaiva2nd row left to right: Steven Mumford, Kourtland Thompson, Samara Lapierre and Isaac Bonton
3rd row left to right: Danica Roady, Abigail Kandel, Austin Swift, Sterling Swift, Sydni Dalton and David Ott, Gateway Elks Hoop Shoot Chairman
Back row: Exalted Ruler Jim Schuermyer
In a very special Valentine’s Day ceremony the members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 gathered to honor the Lodge level competition winners of the Elks National Free Throw Contest, the Elks “Hoop Shoot”® that was held on January 19th.
The evening’s honorees were:
Boys’ age group 8-9: 2nd Place, Zach Baugher (Portland Christian Elementary) and 1st Place, Isaac Bonton (Shaver Elementary)
Girls’ age group 8-9: 2nd Place, Elyjai Viaiva (Lincoln Park Elementary) and 1st Place, Taylor Morris (Portland Christian Elementary)
Boys’ age group 10-11: 2nd Place, Brock Nelson (Ventura Park Elementary) and 1st Place, Hunter Davis (Lincoln Park Elementary)
Girls’ age group 10-11: 2nd Place, Sydni Dalton (Ventura Park Elementary) and 2nd Place, Samara Lapierre (Gilbert Park Elementary). 1st Place, Kourtland Thompson (City Christian) and 1st Place, Danica Roady (Arthur Academy)
Boys’ age group 12-13: 2nd Place, Steven Mumford (Portland Christian Jr/ Sr High School) and 1st Place, Austin Swift (Portland Christian Jr/ Sr High School)
Girls’ age group 12-13: 2nd Place, Abigail Kandel (Ron Russell Middle School) and 1st Place, Sterling Swift (Portland Christian Jr/ Sr High School)
These very gifted boys and girls then went on to compete in the Metro District competition on February 2nd where Isaac Bonton and Sterling Swift both captured 2nd Place and Taylor Morris ran away with 1st Place in the Girls 8-9 category. Taylor will now go on to compete at the state level at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, February 16th.
January 2008 Teenager of the Month
The Youth Activities Committee proudly selects Rebecca Ellingson Peacock (shown at left with Youth Activities Chair Mike Finch and ER Jim Schuermyer) as the January 2008 Teenager of the Month.Becky, as she prefers to be called, currently attends David Douglas High School as a senior and she is the daughter of proud parents Paul and Amy Peacock.
A member of the National Honor Society, she maintains a grade point average of 3.71, establishing herself in the top 15% of her class. Besides academic excellence, she is proactively involved in her school, her church and her community. Becky is President of the Students Against Destructive Decisions, or "SADD" club (originally founded as Student Against Drunk Drivers). She is an integral part of the David Douglas music program and belongs to the Troubadors – the school’s elite, audition-only choir. In addition, she performs with the school’s theater group.
Having been Captain of her junior varsity soccer team, Becky has also belonged to the varsity soccer and track teams. She needed to make the tough decision between athletics and performing arts. She chose the latter, and most recently, played in the school’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Along a closely related theme, Becky also plays guitar and enjoys recording original folk and country music with her twin sister and her Arts and Communications teacher, Mr. Jeremiah Franzen.
Becky has recently begun volunteering at the Portland Adventist Hospital. And she is deeply involved with fundraising for the Invisible Children Club, which fights against human trafficking of children in Uganda – generally for sexual slavery or forced military service under threat of death. She is also active in her church – the Cherry Park Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If she were not busy already, Becky is currently a camp counselor in Oregon’s Outdoor School Program at the Milk Creek Camp.
Mr. Franzen and Becky’s counselor, Ms. Miki Johnson, both sent glowing letters with this particular nomination. Becky is noted for her positive attitude, her warm personality and willingness to take leadership roles in the school and community. The faculty members note that she draws strong support from her family. Furthermore, they strongly suggest that this has a dynamic influence on Becky’s peers as well. To quote Mr. Franzen, “We need more people like Rebecca Peacock in this world.”
Gateway Elks Lodge is proud to honor Rebecca Ellingson Peacock as January's Teenager of the Month!