PEOPLE & PLACES: Organizations start making annual awards
Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 5, 2002
Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League honored members at the awards dinner April 25 at the NAS Officers Club.
President Barbara Bailey named two members to the John Vanderzicht Memorial Hall of Honor: Al Koetje and Ray Cusworth. The award is named in memory of John Vanderzicht, a charter member and the first president of the council, who further distinguished himself as Washington state president, Northwest Region president and national director. He reflected great credit on this Council and the Navy League, and embodied the spirit and intent of this award, and “set the standard for all future candidates for induction in the OHAC Hall of Honor.”
The President’s Award went to Dave Williams, who acted as Master of Ceremonies. Bailey noted that he “has performed service above and beyond the ordinary in support of the President, the council and/or Navy League at the State, Regional or National level during the past year.” Jo Balda received the Community Service Award, for her “notable contributions to the mission and precepts of Navy League through demonstrated support of strong and viable sea services, or of the members of the sea services. The Rookie of the Year recognized Manny Duarte as a newer Navy League member who has, “through demonstrated enthusiasm, initiative and early involvement, set the example for all.”
Council and Region Scroll of Honor winners were Treva and Nick Carter, Bob and Nancy Tull and Willida and Joe Elm.
President Bailey extended thanks to Community Affiliate members: Alaska USA Credit Union, Best Western, Mitzel’s American Kitchen, National City Mortgage, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pioneer Military Lending, First Command Financial Planning and Wal-Mart.
Navy League members will attend the launching ceremony of the USS Shoup, June 22, in Seattle, at Pier 37. The ship is a guided missile destroyer Aegis, assigned to Destroyer Squadron Nine, homeported in Everett.
Local high school women have been honored by the American Association of University Women, Whidbey chapter, as top women scholars in science, mathematics and technology, as selected by their high school faculties. From South Whidbey Megan Kelly was recognized for mathematics, Karen Schwager for science, Hannah Shafaat for technology; from Coupeville Christine Pocock was recognized for science, Tabitha Roemish for mathematics, Angelique Wyskoarko for technology; from Oak Harbor Elena Wagner for mathematics, Cami Hanson for science, and Linda Fontanilla for technology. They were honored at a reception May 9, at the Coupeville Methodist Church. AAUW members Celia Lamson, Julie Williams and Gena DiLabio presented the awards.
Fourteen members of the Bert Letrondo family, plus paternal grandmother, Nola Powell of Lynden, caravanned from Oak Harbor, Kirkland, Redmond, Puyallup and North Bend to the Spokane campus of Washington State University to celebrate Stefanie Powell’s graduation on Mother’s Day weekend. Stefanie graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design, and will continue with graduate studies in the fall. Proud parents are Belinda and Roy Powell, 1970 and 1971 Oak Harbor High School graduates. Grandpa Bert was presented with a “House Divided, Cougars-Huskies” T-shirt by daughter Belinda.
Granddaughter Nikole Letrondo will graduate with honors from University of Washington on Father’s Day weekend with a bachelor of science degree in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in chemistry. Nikole’s parents are Berni and Bert Letrondo, Jr., 1972 Oak Harbor high graduate.
The Paul Brewer, Chet Sullivan, Bert Letrondo and Wayne Martin families played camp hosts at Deception Pass State Park Memorial Day weekend to Fil-Am friends. Flo Thuringer prepared a feast to co-celebrate Paul and grandson, Jay’s birthdays.
Wildcat cheerleaders finished competition season walking away with trophies. Congrats to Vanessa Armstrong and Kristin Acton who had individual success. The five girl stunt team of Eliza Camacho, Keilah Oatman, Sarah Gohn, Kimberly Boon and Allison Hogan also had a successful season.
Dolores and Adolph Meische of Oak Harbor welcomed Mother’s Day guests Tim and Sherrie Meische of Bothell and Jill and Ann Cooper from Mercer Island. A salmon barbeque was a highlight of the day.
Kelsea Donnell received from her parents as a high school graduation present, a trip to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., to see the Dove Awards which honor Christian and gospel artists.
