NORTH SHORE LIONS CLUB HONORS FOUR GLEN COVE HS GRADS

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Each spring, the North Shore Lions Club honors four students who will be graduating from Glen Cove High School in June.  The honorees receive their awards in recognition of all that they have accomplished during their high school years.   This year’s honorees received their awards from North Shore Lions President Donna Giordano and Mayor Reggie Spinello prior to the start of the May 10 City Council meeting.  Following the awards, the Lions hosted a congratulatory reception for the honorees and their families at the Glen Cove Youth Bureau.  This year’s honorees include:

The North Shore Lions Scholarship for Community Service was awarded to Kai Williams.  This scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated the meaning of community service and has made a difference in the community as reflected in the Lions’ motto “We Serve”.  Kai has been a constant volunteer at the Glen Cove Youth Bureau.  Through the years, he has shared his time and talent on numerous projects including food drives at local supermarkets, maintaining the Youth Bureau’s community garden, including building a greenhouse for the garden and helping younger students with their homework.  Kai also assists local residents by shoveling snow in the winter and helped a family friend in need move all of her belongings to her new home.  Kai will be attending NYIT in the fall where he has been accepted into their Engineering Honors Program.  This program will allow Kai to receive both his bachelors and masters degrees in five years.  Kai hopes to use his degree to develop automotive technology that will improve efficiency but keep the fun in driving.

The North Shore Lions Scholarship for Personal Achievement was awarded to Catherine Hatala.  This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated personal achievement and success in one or more areas.  During her high school years, Catherine has matured into an independent young woman who is very active in her community and school and who serves as a role model for others.  She has been active in the Glen Cove High School Student Senate where she helped to organize the annual pep rally and homecoming activities, volunteered at the Nicholas Pedone 5K, and participated in Relay for Life, the Intergenerational Ball and various blood drives.  Catherine received her Girl Scout Gold Award.  For her Gold Award project, Catherine created, developed and ran a week-long Science Camp at the Glen Cove City Camp.  She has also coached a weekly soccer clinic for mentally challenged children, served as a Junior Auxiliary volunteer at Glen Cove Hospital, was president of the GCHS National Honor Society and Interact Club, and coached lacrosse to 1st and 2nd grade girls.  In the fall, Catherine will be attending the University of California at Berkeley where she will be majoring in computer science.

The North Shore Lions Scholarship for Humanitarian Efforts was awarded to Claudia Mejia in recognition of her willingness to help others.  Through her activities at the Glen Cove Youth Bureau, Claudia has worked to make Glen Cove a better place.  She has participated in litter patrols and food drives and has helped maintain the Youth Bureau’s community garden, the proceeds of which are used to feed families who come to the Youth Bureau’s pantry and teach students about the benefits of healthy eating.  Claudia favorite school activities are DECA, International Club and STEP (Science, Technology Entry Program).  Claudia will be attending Nassau Community College in the fall.  She hopes to study either business or interior design.

The North Shore Lions’ Jack Ain Memorial Scholarship for Continuing Education was awarded to Devon Johnson.  Devon has been an active volunteer throughout her high school years.  As a member of the Glen Cove EMS Explorer Post, Devon has learned CPR and other life-saving skills and makes and serves lunch to the men in the homeless shelter located at the Glen Cove Presbyterian Church.  As a DECA member, Devon participated in the Any Soldier program at the Glen Cove Library and the Intergenerational Ball at the Glen Cove Senior Center.  She also tutored younger students at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club.  Devon is an athlete who specializes in Track and Field.  For two years in a row, she has received the award for Highest Points in Field Events and holds the record for Highest Female High Jumper in Glen Cove history, having broken the 30-year record during her sophomore year.  Devon is currently ranked second in Nassau County for girls’ high jump.  Devon will be attending Drexel University in the fall where she will study Film and Video.

Congratulations to all of the winners for their hard work and constant efforts to help those less fortunate and best wishes as you continue to pursue your dreams and passions.

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Congratulations to Kai Williams, Catherine Hatala, Claudia Mejia and Devon Johnson, all of whom received a scholarship from the North Shore Lions Club in recognition of all that they accomplished in high school.  The awardees received their scholarships from Mayor Reggie Spinello and North Shore Lions Club President Donna Giordano prior to the May 10 City Council meeting.  Following the meeting, the Lions hosted a celebratory reception at the Glen Cove Youth Bureau for the awardees and  their families.