Wilkins, PA Lodge News
East Catholic School “BIG “ (Biggest!) Win on Drug Awareness and Patriotism Among Region’s Elementary Schools
East Catholic School “BIG “ (Biggest!) Win on Drug Awareness and Patriotism Among Region’s Elementary Schools (Photo:2014 Elks National Foundation Award Recipients from East Catholic School are (LR): Jenna Yezovich (8th), Kaitlyn Busch (7th),
Hannah Shanley (7th), Mark Black (6th), Madison Hackett (6th), Brianna Fulciniti (6th, Mallory Sherman (6th), Tyler Macko (8th) and Meghan Murphy (8th))
Pittsburgh PA: Nine amazing elementary students at East Catholic School received 13 2014 ENF (Elks National Foundation) Drug Awareness Posters and Essay and Americanism Essay Award certificates and monetary awards at their school assembly May 15, 2014.
Over 350 entries from area elementary schools competed at the local lodge level of this National Elks Foundation student competition. Entries were sponsored and administered by two area lodges – Wilkins Elks 577 Lodge and the Braddock 883 Lodge.
As Sister Judith Stojhovic, RSM, Principal at East Catholic Elementary School assembled her students in the school gymnasium that day, Elks officers Roni-Sue Stevens, Lodge Secretary Wilkins Elks 577 Lodge and Debbie Raible, Vice Chairman, West Central PA District also representing the Braddock 883 Lodge made ready the awards - which were the largest amount earned among participating area schools.
Of the nine East Catholic students who won at the local Lodge Level, four went on to win first, second and third place awards at the West Central District Level representing entries from Pittsburgh to Johnston and as far away as Indiana, Reynoldsville and Punxsutawney, PA.
“East Catholic and several of our area’s schools private and public have been participating in this nationally acclaimed program which promotes drug awareness and patriotism among our youth for many years, “ says Ms. Stevens.
“Our ENF programs, which, in addition to instilling positive personal development in our elementary schools also provides opportunity for high school seniors to compete on a local, state and national level for annual college scholarships which can amount to $60,000 a year,” says Ms. Raible.
“As Elks, we focus our efforts on building communities and it begins with our children,” adds Ms. Stevens.
About the Elks National Foundation
The mission of the Elks National Foundation is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow's leaders, our youth, with lifelong skills; honor the Elks' pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
About the Wilkins Elks 577 Lodge
Located at 718 Beulah Road, Turtle Creek, PA 15145, the Wilkins Elks 577 Lodge with an ever-growing membership of nearly 500 community-minded area residents, provides local families, elderly and Veterans with Home Services and other forms of living assistance services. The 577 Lodge also support area schools, and municipalities and human services organizations like the Westinghouse Valley Food Pantry with special Elks National Foundation Grants and many revenue-building fundraising activities.
PHONE/EMAIL: 412.823.6300 wilkinselks577@hotmail.com or Visit us on Facebook.
Entire ENF Awards Presentation is available to view on Youtube.com: