Deisy Castro has been named the 2008 recipient of the Mendocino College Foundation Hopland Elementary Achievement Award. Deisy, age 11, shares her goal of becoming a marine biologist with Donna Wilsey, Hopland Elementary School secretary and on-site administrator of the award. The foundation, in conjunction with certain strategic donors, is in the process of instituting Elementary Achievement Awards throughout the various elementary schools in the College district. The Hopland award has been generously underwritten by Wade and Mary Lou Koeninger. Courtesy photo.
UKIAH – Nineteen years ago Wade and Mary Lou Koeninger had an idea. They wanted to recognize the students’ achievements at Hopland Elementary School and motivate them to get their high school diploma.
Their idea addressed students who not only weren’t finishing high school but also didn’t have a vision or plan for their future.
“We created a scholarship program that was all about student success and encouraging them with recognition so they’d graduate with a high school diploma and a plan for their future,” said Wade Koeninger.
Today that scholarship program, which has been in place at the Hopland Elementary School since 1989, has joined forces with the Mendocino College Foundation.
“Wade is a familiar face at the Foundation,” said Kathy Lehner, Mendocino College superintendent/president. “He has actively served on the Mendocino College Board of Trustees for the past 16 years and we are very grateful for his generous donation as well as his vision to initiate this program.”
“It is the perfect partnership,” said Wilda Shock of Lakeport, immediate past president of the foundation and the person Wade credits as having inspired him to partner with the foundation. “By bringing the Koeninger Elementary School Achievement Award into the foundation, we hope to attract and inspire other philanthropists, so that eventually every elementary and middle school in the Mendocino-Lake Community College District will have a program that motivates its students to graduate from high school and attend college.”
Mark DeMeulenaere, foundation director of development explains the mechanics of the program.
“Each year Hopland Elementary School faculty and its staff select a motivated fifth grade student who has shown dedication and promise for completing high school and entering college. The Koeningers have created an endowment where the foundation awards a selected student with a check for $25 and a certificate stating that a scholarship for $1,000 is available providing the student obtains a high school diploma and enrolls for at least one full semester as a full-time student in Mendocino College. If the student completes high school but does not enroll in college, a prize of $500 is awarded.”
“First, you need to inspire them while they are young, so they see their path and stick to it,” observed Mary Lou Koeninger. “Second, money is important. Our vision was to empower the students and their parents to concentrate on the goal of graduating from high school.”
The Koeninger Elementary Achievement Awards have helped nearly 40 students over the past 18 years. Close to ninety percent of the students selected complete high school.
“It has been a wonderful program,” enthuses Donna Wilsey, Hopland Elementary School secretary and administrator for the Koeninger Achievement Awards program since its inception. “By choosing fifth graders, we give them a chance to think about their future, knowing that college is a real possibility. They leave Hopland Elementary as sixth graders and when they come back to visit after high school graduation, suddenly they’ve grown up and know what they want to do. It’s very rewarding to watch the recipients grow and mature.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring a similar Elementary Achievement Awards scholarship program is invited to contact the Mendocino College Foundation at 467-1018.
The Mendocino College Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation comprised of a dedicated team of volunteer community, education and business leaders who live and work in the Mendocino-Lake Community College District. Its mission is to cultivate support and raise funds for the benefit of the students of Mendocino College. These funds are used to support the College’s vision of delivering innovative educational programs, focusing on student success and contributing to the vitality of the region.
An additional Mendocino College Foundation Elementary Achievement Awards program has been initiated at the Frank Zeek Elementary School, Ukiah, through the generosity of donors who prefer to remain anonymous. Chris Carrigg, age 11, receives congratulations from Mendocino College Superintendent/President Kathy Lehner (left) and his mother Norka Ahlswede, who considers education to be a top priority in her son
Swimmers prepare to start their race at the Aug. 13 meeting. Photo by Craig Eve.
LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Channel Cats invited the Hidden Valley Sharks to participate in their second annual Lake County Channel Cats Swim Meet on Aug. 13 at the Westshore Pool.
More than 200 swimmers and family members participated. The “unofficial” meet is used as a practice ground for swimmers to gain valuable experience that they can then use at official USA Swimming meets.
“Official swim meets can be a little intimidating for first-time swimmers,” said team Vice President Shelly Bell. “Our meet is designed to introduce swimmers to ideas such as starting blocks, heats, lane assignments and starting buzzers.”
The Channel Cats have grown to more than 150 swimmers this season and meet practice is critical to a competitive team.
Community interest in the Lake County Channel Cats is at an all-time high, bolstered by the amazing achievements of the United States swimmers at this summer’s Olympic Games.
“It was nice to see so many community members from around the county at the pool on Wednesday,” added Bell.
The Channel Cats are wrapping up their summer season next week with a “Fun Night” on Tuesday and their annual Awards barbecue on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The community is invited to this event and it is expected that some of the individuals running for City Council will also be in attendance.
The Channel Cats also are hosting their second annual Family Bingo Night on Sept. 5 at the Lakeport Senior Center to raise funds for the team. Businesses are encouraged to sponsor the Channel Cats and those doing so will have signage at the pool.
The Lake County Channel Cats will begin their fall season on Sept. 2. Registrations are now being accepted for the fall team. The team fills on a “first-come, first-serve” basis.
For questions regarding bingo night, awards night, sponsorships or fall swim, please call Jen Hanson at 263-3131.
Matteo Merodio performs the breast stroke. Photo by Craig Eve.
Shannon Fronsman puts on a good show at the meet. Photo by Craig Eve.
Shao Jia Chang took part in the Aug. 13 meet. Photo by Craig Eve.
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Kelsi Alexander, Kelsey Sills and Sherry Falge visited Australia recently. Courtesy photo.
LAKE COUNTY – 4-H members Kelsi Alexander of Upper Lake and Kelsey Sills of Kelseyville recently traveled to Australia as part of the 4-H International Australia Exchange Program.
Chaperone Sherry Falge, a 4-H Volunteer from Upper Lake also traveled with the group, which included 20 other 4-H delegates from throughout the United States.
The group stayed in Australia for just under a month and their time there included going to Melbourne, Sydney and branching off into separate host families.
Kelsi Alexander stayed on a small farm in Simpson, where she learned about Australian home life, went to sporting events and met many life-long friends.
Kelsey Sills stayed on a dairy farm in Cobden, where she helped with the milking process, went sailing, and went to the college town of Bendigo.
Sherry Falge stayed on a sheep farm where she helped with the daily chores, worked cattle and sheep, and did some traveling. This trip was possible with the help of the Citizenship and Leadership 4-H Club, which is a group overseen up by Sherry Falge to promote older youth to stay in 4-H and is designed to prepare future leaders and good citizens.
This group has also sent many 4-H members to other Citizenship and Leadership conferences and programs such as:
– California Focus, which is a unique 4-H Citizenship educational experience that combines hands-on participation in workshops, debates, and simulations with outstanding speakers and visits to historical, cultural and governmental sites. California's capital city, Sacramento, becomes a "living classroom" for this five-day, action packed adventure that strengthens leadership skills.
– Washington Focus helps delegates to understand how their individual actions can make a difference in our world. This unique program, in the Washington D.C. area, combines visits to historical and cultural attractions with participation in educational workshops and simulations. Delegates have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators, discuss contemporary issues, and learn how proposals are funded and public policy is administered. In the process, they have the chance to share concerns, ideas, and information with peers from across the country.
– Japanese Exchange Program, in which participants live with a family and see Japan through the everyday experiences. This is an opportunity to experience life in Japan from the inside, not as a tourist. Host families eagerly introduce California teens to life in Japan.
The Citizenship and Leadership club has been raising money for many years for these travel programs and continues to raise more money for future delegates. We would like to thank everyone in our community who has supported us over the years and who continues to support our program.
4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, telephone 263-6838.
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