Archive for the ‘trophies and awards’ Category

School Trophy Cases Built by Berkley Scout

Monday, February 6th, 2012

A new trophy case at Berkley High School that holds once moth-balled testaments to past sports triumphs is an achievement in itself. Built by senior Nathan Vertel, 17, with $2,000 he raised from bottle drives, 500-man hours went into the three sets of oak shelves for his Eagle Scout project. Also an athlete, Nathan said he was surprised to learn teams had won dozens of trophies that couldn’t be displayed because there wasn’t enough room. That gave him an idea for a community service project to get him into elite ranks of the Boy Scouts of America. He would custom design and build more trophy cases.

About 30 trophies stored in a gym closet were “cycled,” Nathan said of the awards put on and taken off display periodically. “My cases will be for the trophies that took a season to earn versus the participation kind,” said Nathan, who plays soccer, rugby and football.

He got approval from Paul Yowchuang, the athletic director at the time, and then looked for help from the community. Younger Scouts joined the effort, collecting about 20,000 bottles and cans to raise money for supplies. Nathan’s father, Larry Vertel, his brother Jacob Vertel, who is also an Eagle Scout, and neighbor Michael Plaskey also pitched in.

Plaskey let Nathan build the cases at his business, Finish Line Closeouts, Warren, and helped him get supplies at cost. Robin Wernick, an assistant scoutmaster, offered guidance with construction.

“I had only built a birdhouse and a tool box before this,” Nathan said. “I was surprised at how precise every measurement had to be.”

Nathan’s mother, Sandie Vertel, said she is proud on many levels from the planning stage, to the bottle drive and the construction. To collect the returnables, Nathan passed out 4,000 fliers and appealed to almost everyone in Berkley. “He demonstrated true leadership and maturity,” Vertel said. She also is impressed with her son for accomplishing his goal while keeping up with his other activities, including a Daily Tribune paper route. “He is one of the last of the kid carriers,” Vertel said.??A Scout since he was in first grade at Berkley’s Pattengill Elementary School, Nathan now is a member of Royal Oak’s Boy Scout Troop 1610. He recently presented the three trophy cases to Berkley High School.??“Teachers, students and friends tell me or text me that they look really good,” Nathan said. “It feels surreal to be done with them after months of work.”

When he receives his Eagle Scout ranking, Nathan will join an exclusive group of the highest ranked scouts. In 2010, 56,176 Scouts achieved the rank of Eagle. Eagle Scouts must earn 21 merit badges, serve in a leadership capacity within their troops, plan and implement a service project and successfully complete a board of review.

Dance Students Shine at ‘Stars on the Rise’ Event

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Several students under the direction of Robert and Kristine Oberst, owners and directors of the Back Mountain Dance Studio, Dallas, recently attended the ‘Stars on the Rise’ talent competition at the Chateau Resort at Camelback, Tannersville. Three students were named Best Overall Solo in their age division. Gabrielle Sabatini was the overall solo winner in the 7-9 age division. She also won first-place trophies in solo tap, hip hop and open and second place in the jazz category. Gabrielle was also named ‘Miss Photogenic’ and ‘All around Solo’ winner of the entire competition.

Jace Garnick was the overall solo winner in the 10-12 age division. She won first-place trophies in the solo hip hop, open and pantomime category and second place in solo jazz. Casidhe Menig was the overall solo winner in the 13-15 age division and placed first in hip hop, second in solo pantomime, open, vocal and modern and third place in lyrical. She also was given honorable mention in the solo tap category.

Critic’s Circle Drama Trophies Awarded

Monday, January 30th, 2012

The National Theater emerged triumphant at the U.K.’s Critic’s Circle Drama Awards, taking five of nine available trophies.

In a show of strength, the venue’s haul was spread across four productions. Benedict Cumberbatch took the actor kudo for Danny Boyle’s production of “Frankenstein,” which also garnered the design nod for set designer Mark Tildesley. Richard Bean’s Gotham-bound “One Man, Two Guvnors” won for new play, while Mike Leigh took the director trophy for his own play “Grief,” and the Peter Hepple Award for musical went to experimental tuner “London Road,” by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork.

Remaining four trophies reflected the diversity of London theater, with spoils split between commercial, not-for-profit and fringe venues.

Sheridan Smith, winner of a 2011 Olivier for her perf in “Legally Blonde,” nabbed an award for her highly praised turn in Trevor Nunn’s Theater Royal Haymarket revival of Terence Rattigan’s “Flare Path.” Eddie Redmayne picked up the John and Wendy Trewin Award for Shakespearean perf for “Richard II” at the Donmar Warehouse.

In the new talent categories, the promising playwright laurel went to Tom Wells for “The Kitchen Sink” at the Bush Theater, and the Jack Tinker Award for promising newcomer went to helmer Blanche McIntyre for her productions of “Accolade” and “Foxfinder” at the Finborough Theater.

New Home for Old Trophies

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

What began as a simple gesture of goodwill, through Facebook, exploded into a viral mechanism of community empowerment.  Soon after a former King George High School student posted the statement “You must be from King George/Dahlgren if (fill in the blank)” Facebook entries grew from former students remembering teachers to posting old photos of the old KGHS, currently called old King George Elementary School.

To determine the current condition of the old school a tour was formed to revisit the facility. During the tour of the cafeteria and library, the group discovered hundreds of trophies sitting on the floor, behind the old stage. The trophies, which went back as far as the early 1950’s, were placed there during the construction of the high school, currently King George Middle School. News of the discovery upset a number of KGHS graduates. A group of concerned citizens, led by King George Sports Hall of Fame (KGSHOF) president Gary Butler, created a committee to raise funds, and build trophy cases. “I said if you feel this passionately about it, let’s raise funds for new trophy case. People soon began talking about it, and the project went viral,” Butler said.

The love of KGHS and the memories associated with its sports accomplishments and memorabilia struck a deep note within the KGHS alumni. The financial response from the Fox alumni was overwhelming. The class of 1971 alone donated enough funds to buy one trophy case. Two cases were sponsored by Rick Hayden and Family KGHS Class of ‘79. Combined with individual donations, Eastside Glass Shop, the KGSHOF, and the KGHS athletic department, the trophy cases were completely paid for. “I was pleased that different KGHS classes began challenging each other to see who could raise the most money; their actions laid down the gauntlet, which led to the purchase of the trophy cases.”

Visionquest Builders, the architectural mill manufacturer which produced the cases, is owned by former KGHS graduate Conrad Snow. Snow’s sister, Laura Yarus, is the owner of Eastside Glass Shop. Due to his fondness for his high school alma mater, Snow built the cases for the cost of materials only. The retail cost for the cases is $1,500; Visionquest built the cases for $725 dollars each.

‘Doing the Right Thing’ Earns Trophies for Students

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Each month throughout the 2011-2012 school year, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office honors the positive actions of the community’s students through the “Do The Right Thing” Student Recognition Program. The goal of the program is to reinforce positive behavior among youths and to establish students as role models for their peers. “Do The Right Thing” partners law enforcement, local government, the business and Lee County educational community together in an effort to make a lasting positive impact on the community’s young adults, said John McGraw, program director. The trophies presentation ceremony was held in Fort Myers on Jan. 19.

Tri-State Film Festival Scheduled for Feb. 24

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Calling all local filmmakers. Start rolling cameras for the 2nd Annual Tri-state Film Festival.

Filmmakers are encouraged to submit short films for a chance to win trophies and prizes. Awards will be issued in the following categories: Drama, Comedy, Animation, Public Service Announcement, Music Video and Patriotic. Winners from each category will automatically be entered into the 2012 Laughlin International Film Festival.

The film contest is open to everyone and five trophies are up for grabs including 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; Best Teen entry and a People’s Choice award voted on by the audience at the Tri-State Film Festival, from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24, at the Riviera Recreation Center.

Applications are available at Bullhead City Hall, 2355 Trane Road; at the Boys and Girls Club, 2250 Highland Road; and online at www.bullheadcity.com. Click on “Recreation.” Entry deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 17. For further information, contact Recreation Supervisor Ryan Fruhwirth at 928-763-9400, ext 306.

Four Groups Take BBB Awards

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

The Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas handed out its prestigious Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence to Davis Funeral Home, ClayTexas Trophies, Ferguson-Veresh Inc., and the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation during a special recognition luncheon here on Tuesday.

Davis Funeral Home won in the small category (1-10 employees), ClayTex won in the medium category (11-49 employees), Ferguson-Veresh Inc. won in the large category (50-plus employees), and the Wichita County Area Community Foundation in the non-profit category.

Accepting the trophies were Doyle Davis of Davis Funeral Home, Jack Ellis of ClayTex Trophies, John Ferguson of Ferguson-Veresh, and Teresa Craves of Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation.

Other nominees in the small business category were Schenk, Schenk & Haines, Texas Carpet Outlet, and Wichita Telephone. The other nominees in the medium category were Dutton Funeral Home, H&R Block, Texoma Community Credit Union, and WL Plastics. In the large business category, the other nominees were KAUZ, and State National Bank. Early Head Start was the other nominee in the nonprofit category. The trophies winners  were selected by an independent panel of judges.

“The winners deserve our praise and recognition for consistently fulfilling their obligation to the marketplace to do what is right and what is fair.” said Monica Horton, president of the BBB here. “Ethical business practices are a win-win for everyone. These companies and organizations ensure that our country’s marketplace remains fair and honorable for all Americans. By awarding them the 2012 Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence, we are demonstrating to the community that adhering to Better Business Bureau ethical standards is the hallmark of successful, competitive companies and organizations.”
Master of ceremonies Robert Forrester, who is currently teaching Strategic Management at Midwestern State University and part owner of Four Stars Auto Ranch, said, “I am always impressed with the caliber of the businesses that submit their applications …and by the effort they go to for their business and customers.”

Butterfly Dance Competitors Score Trophy Haul

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Competition dancers from Butterfly Dance Studios, Goole, took part in their annual two-day dancing competition in Skegness at the end of 2011, which is the highlight of their competition year. And, as well as having a great time, they came away with a grand total of 31 trophies.

One of the dance teachers, Jennifer Rudge, said: “It is just like being on holiday with all their friends, and parents have a fun time too. The icing on the cake is that the Butterfly dancers won 31 trophies between them, competing against around 1,000 other dancers from York, Morley, Leeds, Wakefield, Wales, Skegness and Seaham.”

The dance school is to perform its annual show, this year entitled Ever Ever After at Hull City Hall on February 18. There is still time to join in rehearsals and no previous experience is necessary, just telephone 01405 780626 or email rudgeflutterbye@aol,com for more details or for tickets for the show.

Downey Rose Float Association Wins Again

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Its entry in the just concluded 123rd Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, titled “Enchanted Paradise,” which was concocted by the imaginations of designers Kelley Roberts, Jeff Shadic and Jason Redfox, on Monday once again won for the association the prized Founders’ Trophy, awarded to the “most beautiful entry built and decorated by volunteers from a sponsoring community or organization “

Obviously aware of the admirably consistent trophies winning of the DRFA (last year it also garnered the prestigious Lathrop K. Leishman trophy for its “A Stroll Down Memory Lane; two years prior, it bagged the Founders’ Trophy for its “Jewels of the Pacific” entry, and the Founders’ Trophy last year for “Broadway’s Golden Age”), Bob Eubanks of KTLA-TV which has been covering the event for several years commented to his announcing partner, Stephanie Edwards: “Downey always comes through, doesn’t it?”

Indeed, it does, and when asked how the association was able to win four consecutive trophies, Roberts, who is the current DRFA president as well as its longtime float construction chairman, replied, tongue-in-cheek: “Luck?”

It was apparent he was playing the modesty card. When he discerned that this reporter wanted a more logical explanation than that, Roberts said: “We are always trying to do our best. We want to make sure we deliver for the city, make the community proud. Finishing the float on time is satisfaction enough. Winning a trophy, should it happen, is really icing on the cake.”

McNary Trophies on Display at Heritage Museum

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

The plan for Keizer Heritage Museum’s February and March exhibit is a display of McNary High School athletic and scholastic trophies. The trophies exhibit is scheduled to open early February, said Sue Miletta, museum committee co-chairwoman.

The museum is in Keizer Heritage Center. This month, Keizer Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center is moving out of the Heritage Center to a larger location in Keizer Station, and the museum is relocating to the chamber’s former space.

Hours for the museum are 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The museum is in the Keizer Heritage Center at 980 Chemawa Road NE. For information, call (503) 393-9660 or go to www.keizerheritage.org. The phone number will remain connected during the move.