Community & Clubs: Girls State Conference delegates selected

The following students at local high schools have been selected to serve as delegates at the 2011 Girls State Conference this summer at Claremont-McKenna College: Emily Knight, Corona del Mar High School; Caitlyn Brock and Raquel Friedmann, Costa Mesa High School; Parisa Esfahani, Estancia High School; Johanna Lee and Trish Nguyen, Irvine High School; Tori Schmitt and Kimberly Watanabe, Newport Harbor High School; Adelina Pak and Rini Sampath, Northwood High School; Deepali Dhruve and Amanda Jaramillo, Woodbridge High School.

These girls are academic high achievers involved in numerous extracurricular activities in their schools and communities. They demonstrate a high moral character and show strong leadership abilities. The schools submit names of junior girls that meet the criteria set by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Girls State is a one-week conference in which the girls study local, county and state government processes. There will be about 500 young women attending from throughout the state. Girls State helps young women develop leadership skills, confidence and poise while learning about their duties as United States citizens.

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Note of thanks from sister city

Here is the substance of a thank you e-mail that local Rotarians and the Sister City leadership received on April 4 from Masao Kato, a Rotarian from Okazaki, Japan, Newport Beach's Japanese sister city:

"…On behalf of my friends at the Rotary Club of Okazaki South, I would like to convey their and my profound appreciation for your generous donation in the total amount of $3,000 for the victims of the East Japan Disaster. Indeed, your funds have been duly received. I have worked with Mr. Watanabe in arranging an appointment for him to meet Mayor Koichi Shibata of the city of Okazaki on … April 14, at which time he will present to Mayor Shibata your donation in the names of the Rotary Club of Newport Balboa, Newport Beach Sister City Assn. and Mr. Hal Gray. Hopefully, your goodwill will be made known to our citizens with an article in our local newspaper (like your Daily Pilot). Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness. Again, thank you and with my warmest regards, Masao Kato."

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Local Lions raising funds for Japan

The Harbor Mesa Lions Club and other Lions clubs in Costa Mesa are joining with Lions Clubs International Foundation to raise money for the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.