PB Optimists plan spring projects for youth
BY MARY CLAUS Special to the News

Spring time is one busy and happily productive time for the Pensacola Beach Optimist Club (PBOC) each year, and 2007 is bursting with activity for the "Friends of Youth".

The "Say NO to Drugs; YES to Love" poster contest for Pensacola Beach Elementary School students, judged each year by PBOC volunteers took place in late February, with finalists :

1st grade: 1st place Blair Amberson; 2nd place Morgan Churchill; 3rd place Meredith McCurdy & honorable mention Abby Jacobs.

2nd grade: 1st place Reddon McLaurine; 2nd place Gigi Dempsey; 3rd place Starfish Holk & honorable mention: Mary Elliott/

3rd grade: 1st place Lia Lampone; 2nd place Jace Amberson; 3rd place Marley Taylor & honorable mention Megan Cronin.

4th grade: 1st place Maddie Mateer; 2nd place Peyton Hoover; 3rd place Sara Post & honorable mention Jett Crowdis.

5th grade: 1st place: Sage Dunne; 2nd place: Ally Francis; 3rd place Bailey Trzcinski & honorable mention Stephanie Moraes.

"Entries were all excellent this year, and the choices for award winners were very difficult to arrive at," said Debbie Campanella, PBOC member and "Teacher of the Year" for Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES). Winning posters of the 4th and 5th grade levels were due in to PBOC President Joe Woodall and shall be submitted to zone contest level prior to March 26, before going regional and then state.

One of the most exciting events of the season is the PBOC Oratorical Competition, chaired by member BJ Davis. The preliminaries for this highly attended event are scheduled for April 3 at PBES, and judges for the contest are asked to be at the school by 8:15 am. "Members of the club volunteer with such enthusiasm for this competition and the children and their families always have a rewarding experience participating in this PBOC project," reported Davis. Finals for this youth project are scheduled for April 10 and the location shall be announced at a later date. Also at PBES, the PBOC is sponsoring the annual Bike Rodeo sometime in the May with details to come out later as well.

Scheduled for PBOC meeting speakers in the upcoming months are Jeff Castleberry, Principal of PBES in April; Sandy Sansing in May; a representative of Project Greenshore in June and Beach Renourishment people in July. The club is constantly serving the area's youth and environment and having a great time doing so. New members are welcome. To attend, please call Vice President Mary Claus 206-1341, or come to one of the meetings which are held each first and third Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Pensacola Beach Community Church House, Via De Luna and Avenida 18.