First place of $1500 goes to Melissa Hawkins of Merrill. She is the single parent of a 3 year old son. Melissa is taking classes from University of Phoenix online, and is set to obtain her associates degree in Business in May 2009. She also works full time, sings in her church choir, and is a licensed florist. Her goal is to become a real estate appraiser.
Violet Richardson award
First place winner of the Violet Richardson award: Kayla A. Gordon
She is a senior from Bonanza who is active in Honor Society since 2007. She is also involved with the Yearbook and has been since 2007. She has been playing basketball since 2005 and participated in Volleyball in 2008 and Track in 2008.
Kayla volunteers for Living Springs Fellowship, Klamath Family Head Start, and Bonanza Little Springs Day Care. She also was involved with the Blood Drive 2008-2009.
She received the COSA Award in Foreign Language – 2008 and in Business in 2008. Kay was chosen for the Work Ethnic Class Award in US History from 2007 -2008.
Second place winner of the Violet Richardson award: Elissa Marie Haskins
Elissa Marie Haskins, our second winner, wrote a wonderful essay “A Pebble Among Boulders.” In it she describes her volunteer work in the Guide Dogs for the Blind. She calls herself a puppy raiser and is so grateful to be able to help mold her puppy into “someone’s hero” at a later date.
She and other volunteers for this organization are working to help bring independence, mobility, and normality into the lives of blind individuals across the nation. They also believe that they not only serve the blind but also serve their communities. In her words: “Boulders become mere pebbles when you have everyone working toward the better cause.”
She is happy to be teaching Gladi to behave like a “princess” and then to later give her up to assist the person in need. That is the most difficult part for Lisa.