2011 TEENAGER OF THE YEAR

The Youth Activities Committee proudly announces the selection of the Gateway Elks Lodge Teenager of the Year. She is an outstanding student from David Douglas High School. A senior with a 3.94 grade point average, she is the daughter of proud parents Barb and Craig. In addition to academic excellence, she is active in school sports and activities, her church, and in the community. She is the December 2010 Teenager of the Month and also the winner of the lodge's Most Valuable Student Scholarship - the first time in Gateway history. Her name is Katie Dyk (pronounced Dike).

A member of the National Honor Society, Katie has twice been named student of the month at David Douglas High School. She achieves her high GPA despite taking advanced placement (AP) classes. These include health sciences, Spanish, English, chemistry and pre-calculus. As AP classes earn college credits, one must imagine the material that must be mastered to complete these classes, let alone do as well as Katie. If this were not enough, she is also certified in first aid and CPR and, is a Certified Nursing Assistant - licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Though becoming a varsity volleyball player as a sophomore, Katie made the varsity track team in her freshman year. In fact, in her sophomore year, she was the number-one point winner for the track team. Now, she co-captains both teams. In June of this year David Douglas named Katie Athlete of the Month. In addition, she is a Multnomah Athletic Club Scholar Athlete - earning a $1500 scholarship from that prestigious organization.

Katie's teachers rave about her attitude and eagerness to serve the community. She can be seen volunteering with the American Red Cross, during blood drives and at the blood bank assisting donors with aftercare and refreshments. She has served as a volunteer tutor at the Mill Creek Elementary School. And, she is able to put her nursing skills, and license, to use, working at a local retirement home.

Not one to relax for long, Katie also helps out with Sunday school classes at her church - the Trinity Fellowship. In 2007, she travelled to Spain with her church group. And, in 2009, she went on a six-week mission trip to Nepal with World Servants. According to their website, World Servants is a Christian organization which plans and hosts mission trips to areas in need, such as Kenya, Ecuador, Haiti and West Virginia.

In what little free time she has, Katie enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with friends. She enjoys travelling and looks forward to her next adventure, wherever that may take her. In the longer term, she is eyeing a career in the health sciences field. No matter what she does or where she goes, we can be confident that Katie will exceed all expectations and reflect great credit upon herself, her school, her church, and the Portland community.

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2010 TEENAGER OF THE YEAR

On Thursday, May 13, the Gateway Elks Lodge proudly announced their Teenager of the Year, Allison Rae Dazey (shown at right with ER Ralph Hartmann).  Chosen as the most outstanding of the outstanding Teenagers of the Month for this past school year, Allison was awarded a certificate from the Elks Grand Lodge, a $250 Savings Bond and a trophy.   A proclamation from Mayor Sam Adams of the City of Portland was read proclaiming May 13, 2009 as a Day of Appreciation for Allison Rae Dazey.

Allison is a senior at Reynolds High School with a 4.27 GPA and the daughter of proud parents Brian and Deborah.  She is the Reynolds High School Chapter President of the National Honor Society, is very active in sports, scholastic activities and in the community.  On the Oregon State Assessment she scored in the top one percent in reading and top three percent in science and she is ranked number one in her class at Reynolds, the largest high school in the state.  She contributes to the school’s yearbook, working mainly on photography, but also helping with page layout.  She is Minister of the Treasury for the Reynolds History Club and is active in “Students against Destructive Decisions”.  Last year she was Vice President of the Junior State of America, Reynolds chapter.  She also played the violin for three years in the school’s orchestra.

For the last four years, Allison has been on the varsity swim team and for the last three she captained the Varsity Water Polo team.  She participated in the 2008 Junior Olympics and is an active member in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.   Currently, she is the Reynolds nominee for the Wendy’s Junior Heisman Trophy.

Allison won the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs United Nation Essay/Speech contest which landed her a part in the “U.N. Pilgrimage” to the Eastern U.S. and Canada.  She was a unit winner of the “We the People” competition, in which contestants are queried on their knowledge and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution; her group discussing the 2nd Amendment.  She has also received an Executive Women International Scholarship.

With mom Deborah as a troop leader, Allison remains active in Girl Scouts.  She participates in the Cultural Thinking Day.  Here, the young ladies discuss a country which also has a girl scout-like organization.  They prepare dishes of that country and collect food for a food drive.  Allison is also a camp counselor at the Girl Scouts Oxbow Day Camp and a Silver Award winner for community service.  And that award is well deserved.  Her volunteer ventures include the Portland Marathon, Race for the Cure and Snowcap, which provides food and clothing for the poor.  She also puts in her time at the soup kitchen at the St. Therese Parish, helping with Knights of Columbus breakfasts and helping with activities for mentally disable persons.  In addition, as part of the National Honor Society, Allison helped organize the largest student-led blood drive in the state in 2009.  During her high school years, Allison has given over 350 hours of her time for worthy causes.  Her efforts merited the Extra-Mile Community Service Award and she is the chapter winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award.

In what little free time she has, Allison enjoys playing the violin and attends the St Henry’s Church in Gresham.  She is currently waiting to find out if she’s been accepted into the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.  She hopes to study law and eventually become an attorney and possibly, a judge.  No matter which institution she attends or career she pursues, Allison will, no doubt, reflect admirably on the Portland community.

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Allison Rae Dazey and honor her as our Teenager of the Year for 2010!

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January 2012
Teenager of the Month

The Gateway Elks Youth Activities Committee is pleased to start out the new year by introducing another fine student from David Douglas High School. She is a senior with a 3.40 GPA. The daughter of proud parents Troy and Maria, her name is Vanessa Harris. In addition to her academic achievement, she is active in her school, her church, and in the community.

Vanessa is a four-year member of the David Douglas thespian group. She most recently played Chava in the school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. She took 2nd place in the regional drama competition - for duo scenes. And, not only does she sing with the school's Troubadours but, she is a member of the concert choir.

Vanessa recently completed a 6-week internship at Unified Grocers. She also serves actively in her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Most notably, this includes preparing and delivering "brown sacks of food" for underprivileged people. And, up until recently, she sang in the church's choir.

In her little free time, Vanessa enjoys drawing and painting - mostly still-lifes with acrylics and watercolors. She hopes to attend Oregon State University or the University of Oregon and study Marine Biology. Vanessa's dream is to contribute to tackling the problem of pollution in our oceans.

The Gateway Elks lodge is a part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. Portland area Elks Lodges are committed to community service such as supporting the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at the Casey Eye Institute and Meadowood Springs Speech and Hearing Camp as well as youth recognition, scholarships, veterans' assistance, and other programs. For more information, contact the Gateway Elks Lodge at (503) 255-6535 or go to the website www.gatewayelks.com.

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November 2011
Teenager of the Month

The Gateway Elks Lodge, Youth Activities Committee proudly presents another outstanding Teenager of the Month. He is a senior from David Douglas High School with a 3.93 grade point average. The son of proud parents Tim and Connie, his name is Kevin Hurley. In addition to academic excellence, Kevin is active in his school and in the community.

A member of the National Honor Society, Kevin is also a member of his school's student council. He has earned varsity letters in football, basketball and tennis at David Douglas. And, he active in promoting sports in the community.

Kevin has volunteered at local basketball camps for both grade school and middle school-aged children. He has also aided in summer school programs at Alice Ott Middle School. In addition, Kevin works at the East Portland Community Center - hosting, coordinating and assisting in various community events.

Kevin is also involved in Young Life - a non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to youth. In his little spare time, he enjoys playing sports with friends. And, while it is early in the college selection process, Kevin looks forward to playing sports at a four-year university.

The Gateway Elks lodge is a part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. Portland area Elks Lodges are committed to community service such as supporting the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at the Casey Eye Institute and Meadowood Springs Speech and Hearing Camp as well as youth programs, veterans' assistance, and other programs. For more information, contact the Gateway Elks Lodge at (503) 255-6535 or go to the website www.gatewayelks.com.

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May - September 2011
Teenager of the Month

Your daughter or son could be pictured here. Your grandson or granddaughter could be bragged about here! Put in your nomination for your family member or accomplished teenager that you feel deserves to be recognized! Just click here and fill out the form. We do all the rest!!

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April 2011
Teenager of the Month

The Gateway Elks Youth Activities committee proudly introduces another outstanding student from David Douglas High School. She is a senior with a 4.0 grade point average. The daughter of Parents Guo Shu (Tony) and YueZhu (Lena), her name is Carmen Min Rong. In addition to academic excellence, she is an active force in her school and in the community.

A member of the National Honors Society, Carmen has also been named David Douglas' March Student of the Month. Since some of her classes count towards college credit, she's also earned a place on the President's Honor Roll at Mount Hood Community College. And, if this were not enough, Carmen earned the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the Portland Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Chinese Language School - where she has taken three years of Cantonese and three years of Mandarin.

Carmen is President of the David Douglas Japanese Club, a member of the Scots PRIDE team and, up until last year, a member of that school's wind ensemble, pep band and marching band. As current captain of the Red Cross team, she and her team volunteer at the local donor center - escorting blood donors and providing refreshments. She is also a member of the David Douglas Key Club, which provides volunteer services -most notably organizing donated food and clothing at Snowcap - which helps local families in need.

As a teen council member of the Multnomah County Library, Carmen's tasks include organizing events such as the lunar celebration and reading to kids. She is also a volunteer for the Tender Green charity - singing and dancing in Chinese performances for the elderly, local Chinese New Year's celebrations, and to raise money for victims of natural disasters.

In her little free time, Carmen enjoys playing volleyball, dancing, and learning new languages - she is teaching herself Korean. She has been accepted to both Pacific University and Oregon State University. At one of those schools, she will likely major in the health sciences and/or business. No matter her path, Carmen will, no doubt, reflect well on herself, her school and the Portland Community.

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March 2011
Teenager of the Month

Gateway Elks Lodge's Teenager of the Month for March 2011 comes from David Douglas High School.  Her name is Emma Moss, a senior with a grade point average of 3.56 and the daughter of proud parents Paul and Kathy.  On top of being an accomplished academic she is also active in her school and in the community.

Emma is a member of the National Honor Society and is active on the David Douglas Student Council.  She is an editor on her school’s newspaper, The Highlander, where her efforts contributed to three American Scholastic Press Association Nation First Place Awards and has been part of the school’s yearbook staff.  She also belongs to the Scot’s Pride team.  This team, among other facets, works to boost student morale and bolster school pride. 

Emma particularly enjoys working with children. She relishes her role in the Children’s Healing Art Project, a program which brings the emotional solace of working on art projects to local children with chronic diseases.  She is also active in the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization through which she has taken a ten year-old girl under her wing and she is a student counselor at the Adams/ Mill Creek Outdoor School.

In her free time Emma, enjoys reading and photography.  She has been accepted into the University of Oregon and plans to major in education.  She is currently eyeing a career as an Elementary School Teacher.  No matter her choice of career, we can be confident that she will represent herself well and be a credit to her family, school and the greater Portland community.

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February 2011
Teenager of the Month

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are pleased to honor Jessica Davison, a local student, as their Teenager of the Month for February 2011.  She is a senior at Parkrose High School with a 3.7 grade point average.  In addition to her academic prowess at school she is also active in her community.

Jessica maintains her admirable grades despite taking advanced placement (AP) classes such as Literature and Government.  AP classes earn college credit for students willing to take on the extra challenge.  She is active in her school's band, mock trial and model United Nations programs.  She earned a varsity letter for her participation in Parkrose High School’s championship-winning dance team, the Parkrose Elite.

Currently, Jessica’s time is filled with her immersion in the school’s theater group.  She has played major roles, such as Goneril, in King Lear and Mrs. Popov in The Boar.  She narrated the school’s production of Jungle Book, had minor roles in Comedy of Errors and Bronco Cabaret and was assistant stage manager for Seussification of Romeo and Juliet.

As Vice President of Thespian Troupe 1783, Jessica has been involved in the national Trick-or-Treat-So-Kids-Can-Eat program throughout all four of her high school years.  The troupe’s members make the rounds on Halloween but, instead of candy, they ask for canned goods for needy families.  For a number of years she participated in the “Meals on Wheels” program with her grandfather Wayne Corcoran, and, since his passing, continues the family tradition of service with her grandmother Shirley.

Acting, singing and dancing take the vast majority of Jessica’s time.  When she does have time away from these she enjoys reading, jogging and more singing – by herself and with friends.   She has applied to several colleges including Lewis and Clark, Willamette and Gonzaga, plans to major in theater and is considering a career as a drama teacher.

The members of Gateway Lodge are proud to present our Teenager of the Month for February 2011, Jessica Davison.

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January 2011
Teenager of the Month

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are pleased to honor Emily Weatherford, a local student, as their Teenager of the Month for January 2011.  She is a senior at Park Rose High School with a 4.08 grade point average.  In addition to being an outstanding student and member of the National Honor Society, she is active in her school, her church and in the community.

Emily is part of her school’s mock trial team.  The team tries past cases based on information presented at the actual trial, sometimes with a different outcome.  While they are not necessarily judged by the outcome, the students are judged on how they conduct the trial.  Also a member of the Model United Nations, she currently acts as the Mexican Ambassador.  Last year, she represented China.

Having played flute, saxophone and bass clarinet throughout her four years in the Parkrose marching band, Emily is now a section leader.  In this position she acts as a right-hand person of the director, organizing and mentoring the musicians within the wind section.   She also works as a stage manager for the school’s theatrical productions and is the current president of Thespian Troupe 17, the local chapter of the International Thespian Society.  As part of the thespian group, Emily helped organized a local “Trick-or-Treat-so-Kids-Can-Eat” campaign.  On Halloween the group goes around to houses but, instead of candy, they ask for canned goods to help feed families in need.  This year her troupe collected 1,850 pounds of food for local families.

Emily is very active in her church and worked in a soup kitchen until it recently closed.  She is currently a youth group leader at the Portland Central Church of the Nazarene, mentoring middle school kids.  For the last six years she has worked in the church’s nursery during Sunday services.  She also belongs to the Christian Body of Parkrose, a group of Christian students who get together at school during the week.

In her free time Emily enjoys playing music, reading classic novels and hiking.  She especially enjoys the Columbia gorge and Horsetail Falls.  Like many of us she is not sure what she wants to do when she “grows up”.  Although law is a distinct possibility, for the near term her college choices include Lewis and Clark College, Reed College or the University of Puget Sound.  No matter the school or choice of endeavors, Emily Weatherford will be an excellent representative of her family, her church and of the Portland community.

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December 2010
Teenager of the Month

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 honor their Teenager of the Month for December, 2010 Katie Dyk (pronounced Dike).  A senior at David Douglas High School with a 3.94 grade point average, she is the daughter of proud parents Barb and Craig.  In addition to academic excellence, she is active in school sports and activities, her church and in the community. 

A member of the National Honor Society, Katie has twice been named student of the month at David Douglas High School.  She achieves her high GPA despite taking advanced placement (AP) classes.  These include health sciences, Spanish, English, chemistry and pre-calculus.   As AP classes earn college credits, one must imagine the material that must be mastered to complete these classes, let alone do as well as Katie.  If this were not enough, she is also certified in first aid and CPR and is a Certified Nursing Assistant, licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Katie made the varsity track team in her freshman year and became a varsity volleyball player as a sophomore.  In fact, in her sophomore year, she was the number-one point winner for the track team.  Now she co-captains both teams.   In June of this year David Douglas named Katie “Athlete of the Month”.  In addition, she is a Multnomah Athletic Club Scholar Athlete – earning a $1500 scholarship from that prestigious organization.

Katie’s teachers rave about her attitude and eagerness to serve the community.   She can be seen volunteering with the American Red Cross during blood drives and at the blood bank assisting donors with aftercare and refreshments.  She has served as a volunteer tutor at the Mill Creek Elementary School and she is able to put her nursing skills, and license, to use working at a local retirement home. 

Not one to relax for long, Katie also helps out with Sunday school classes at her church, the Trinity Fellowship.   In 2007 she travelled to Spain with her church group and in 2009 she went on a six-week mission trip to Nepal with World Servants.  According to their website, World Servants is a Christian organization which plans and hosts mission trips to areas in need such as Kenya, Ecuador, Haiti and West Virginia.

In what little free time she has Katie enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with friends.  She enjoys travelling and looks forward to her next adventure, wherever that may take her.  In the longer term, she is eyeing a career in the health sciences field.  No matter what she does or where she goes, we can be confident that Katie will exceed all expectations and reflect great credit upon herself, her school, her church and the Portland community. .

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Katie Dyk and honor her as our Teenager of the Month for December 2010!

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November 2010
Teenager of the Month

The Youth Activities Committee of Gateway Elks Lodge is pleased to present their Teenager of the Month for November, 2010.  He is Robert Morgan, a senior from Gresham High School.  (shown at left with ER Ralph Hartmann)

In addition to maintaining a 3.98 grade point average, Robert is an International Baccalaureate student who is also active in school activities, sports and in the community.  The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, is a “rigorous, off-the-shelf curriculum, recognized by universities around the world” (TIME, 12/18/06).  Robert excels in this program and scored a “7”, the highest possible score, on the IB mathematics exam.  A score of “4” is generally accepted for college credit at most universities.  He is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Joining the Gresham High School Robotics Team in 2009, Robert helped to design and build a soccer-playing robot and led the teams programming efforts toward vying in the Northwest Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition which was held at the Memorial Coliseum.  The team also built a robotic t-shirt shooter for school sporting events and Robert hopes to be this year’s team captain.

In 2008-2009, Robert began swimming on Gresham’s Junior Varsity swim team and is now a member of one of the high school’s newest clubs - Ultimate Frisbee.  As a member of the LINK crew he helps incoming freshman get acclimated to the high school environment which, this year, happened to include his sister Patricia.

In the summer of 2009, Robert volunteered at Mt. Hood Community College helping summer-camp attendees safely negotiate the rock wall.  This last summer he helped with cleaning up trails for Portland Parks and Recreation.  He also volunteered to shovel snow, scraping paint and haul wood at the Meadowood Springs Summer Camp for hearing and speech impaired kids in Eastern Oregon.

Robert’s interests include rock climbing, running and video games.  He also enjoys playing guitar, shooting and sailing.  After High School he is looking towards a career in engineering and hopes to attend either the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Robert Morgan and honor him as our Teenager of the Month for November 2010!

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April 2010
Teenager of the Month

The members of Gateway Elks, through their Youth Activities Committee, are proud to present another outstanding teenager as their Teenager of the Month for April 2010.  He is a senior at Park Rose High School with a 4.26 grade point average.  In addition to academic excellence, he is active in sports, his school, his church and in the community.  The son of proud parents Todd and Terri, April’s Teenager of the Month is Nathan Clement. (shown with parents Todd and Terri and brother Jeremy)

A member of the National Honor Society, Nathan is also the secretary of the Parkrose chapter.   He is an advanced placement scholar, with honors, and a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.  He is also very likely to be Parkrose High School’s Class of 2010 Valedictorian.  Having been a team member during all four years of high school, Nathan is currently head lawyer and co-coach of Parkrose’s Mock Trial team.  He has also represented the school as part of the “We the People” program.  Participants are tested and make a ten-minute presentation on one of three selected areas of the U.S. Constitution.

Being a well-rounded student, he was captain of last year’s Science Bowl team and has played for three years in the school’s jazz band.  A four-year swimmer and water polo player, he is now captain of both of the varsity teams.  He is co-holder of the school’s record in the 200-meter medley relay and he is the 2010 State Water Polo Tournament MVP.

Nathan and his family are active in the Wood Village Baptist Church.  Along with other church members, he has traveled to Tecate, Mexico to help build houses for needy residents.  He participates in the AWANA program (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) which supports international and prison ministries.  He has also been a recreation leader at Vacation Bible School and plays guitar in the church’s worship band when time permits.

Nathan has already been accepted to Harvard University.  He plans to major in Political Science or International Relations and then will likely continue on to law school.  He looks forward to a career in law or possibly in politics.  In his spare time, he enjoys playing Frisbee, reading and movies.

The members of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 are extremely proud to present Nathan Clement and honor him as our Teenager of the Month for April 2010!

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March 2010
Teenager of the Month

The Youth Activities Committee of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 has chosen another fine student from David Douglas High School as the Lodge’s Teenager of the Month for March 2010.  She is a senior with a 3.26 grade point average and her fascination with predatory animals, particularly the vertebrate ocean variety, earned her the nickname “Shark Girl” among the committee.  Her passion and dedication to the environment also merited extra points with the members. She is Melody Ellen Miller.


Molly, as she prefers, has always been active in school activities.  The coaches at David Douglas voted her most-inspirational and best defensive player on the junior varsity soccer team.  Although a knee injury curtailed her athletics, she excelled in other areas and was nominated for the National Young Youth Leadership Conference and Youth Forum and was invited to travel to France as part of her American Sign Language class.

As part of her involvement with environmental issues, she has been involved with logging temperatures and Ph and oxygen levels in Johnson Creek on the Bundy property.  As part of the Student Watershed Research Project, this sampling site is one of three for which David Douglas students are responsible.  Once a month, she also helps with the Salmon River Side-Channel Restoration Project which is under the direction of the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council.  As part of the Portland Environmental Engagement Program (PEEPs), Molly planted willows and taught elementary students about salmon and habitat preservation.  During a recent Salmon Watch Appreciation Event, she not only directed foot traffic; she did it dressed in a salmon costume!

When not saving the environment or working at her job with Pizza Baron, Molly enjoys pursuing her interests in art.   Her artwork has, in fact, earned her a winning place in the David Douglas Scots Pride Art Contest.  She also likes painting on varied surfaces such as t-shirts and backpacks.  She especially enjoys drawing people who are unaware that they are the subjects of her work.   In her remaining time she likes movies, the Law and Order television series and getting together with her family for camping trips and other family-oriented activities.

The members of Gateway Lodge are pleased to present Melody (Molly) Ellen Miller as our Teenager of the Month for March 2010.

Gateway Lodge’s Teenager of the Month program takes place every month during the school year and is open to qualified Junior or Senior students from Park Rose, David Douglas, Madison, Portland Christian and Marshall High Schools or Portland Adventist Academy.

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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!

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GATEWAY HONORS TWO NEW EAGLE SCOUTS

The members of Gateway Lodge were pleased to honor two new Eagle Scouts in February.  Nicholas Robinson of Troop #777 (left) and Grant Webster of Troop #174 (right). Both are shown with Exalted Ruler Ralph Hartmann who made the presentations of an American Flag that was flown over the US Capital at the request of Gateway's Americanism Committee and a plaque.

Nicholas Robinson's Court of Honor was held on February 22nd at the Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Portland, OR.  His Eagle project was to design and build two picnic benches and an arbor for Next Step, a facility that serves as a transitional home for previously homeless men.
Grant Webster's Court of Honor was held on February 27th at Glen Otto Park in Troutdale, OR.  His Eagle project was to rebuild, refinish and attach 22 shutters for the Zimmerman House on Sandy Blvd.

The members of Gateway Lodge congratulate these fine young men and wish them all the best for their futures

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GATEWAY HONORS NEW EAGLE SCOUT

(left to right: Chaplain Larry Weirich, Eagle Scout Spencer Bell, Exalted Ruler Ralph Hartmann and Esquire Bob McKay)

The members of Gateway Lodge are honored to present an American flag and plaque of achievement to Boy Scout Spencer Bell at his Eagle Court of Honor.  The ceremony took place at the Lynch Wood Church of God in SE Portland on Saturday, February 12th.  Lodge Chaplain Larry Weirich, Lodge Esquire Bob McKay and Exalted Ruler Ralph Hartmann were on hand to make the presentation and to congratulate Spencer on behalf of the Lodge members.  Spencer, age 19, is in his first year of college where he is studying medicine with an eye towards becoming a pediatric oncologist.

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NEW EAGLE SCOUT
JACOB WITTREN

On Sunday, October 3, 2010 an Eagle Court of Honor was held at the American Legion Hall for Jacob M Wittren of local Boy Scout Troop 108.   Attending the ceremony were Loyal Knight David Heiden (shown at right with Jacob) and Exalted Ruler Ralph Hartmannn.   David, who used to be a member of Troop 108, presented Jacob with a certificate of congratulations from the Lodge and an American Flag with certificate.

For his Eagle Scout project, Jacob designed and constructed eight handicap accessible picnic tables for use at the Hopkins Demo Forest Center in Oregon City.

The members of Gateway Lodge congratulate Jacob on his outstanding achievement and honor him as a credit to his family, his community and his nation.

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A PAIR OF NEW
EAGLE SCOUTS
NEAL SAUTER and ALEX GALLACHER

On Sunday, September 19th, Gateway Lodge honored new Eagle Scouts Neal Sauter and Alex Gallacher.  At their Eagle Court of Honor, held at Piedmont Presbyterian Church in Portland, Exalter Ruler Ralph Hartmann and Loyal Knight David Heiden presented each of the new Eagle Scouts with a certificate of congratulations from the Lodge and an American Flag with certificate.  The two young men, Alex age 18 and Neal age16, worked very hard to achieve this award and honor.   They are a credit to their families, their community and to their nation.

(lt to rt) Loyal Knight David Heiden, Eagle Scout Alex Gallacher, Eagle Scout Neal Sauter and Exalted Ruler Ralph Hartmann

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Gateway Honors 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)

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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.

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