It was another spectacular weekend of youth recognition as Manteca Youth Focus conducted its 14th annual scholarship competitions. A celebration of leadership, volunteer service and talent – MYF was successful in its campaign to award educational scholarships to deserving young men and women of achievement.

Eighteen young men and women of achievement stepped forward with the desire to make a difference and represent their community. In recognition of their unique talents and abilities the Board of Directors of Manteca Youth Focus awarded each contestant with a “Starlight Award” in the phase of competition they scored their personal best as indicated below. (Individual starlight awards indicated in parenthesis below)

Here are the results of the Manteca Youth Focus Scholarship Competitions held March 6-7:

Representing the City of Manteca and Manteca Youth Focus:

• Miss Manteca Amanda Nicole Rosas (Community Service); will also receive a $500 scholarship and sponsorship to 2010 California State Youth Accolades Scholarship Competition in San Jose, California.

• Manteca City Ambassador Horst Michael Bauer (Personality and Event Interview); will also receive a $500 scholarship and sponsorship to 2010 California State Youth Accolades Scholarship Competition in San Jose, California.

• Miss Teen Manteca Victoria Ahonui Watson (Community Service); will also receive a $250 scholarship

• Teen Manteca City Ambassador Dalton James Harris (Personality Interview); will also receive a $250 scholarship

• Miss Young Manteca Lauren Elizabeth Perez (Personality Interview); will also receive $250 educational savings bond

• Young Manteca City Ambassador Nicolas Perez (Scholastic Achievement); will also receive $125 educational savings bond

Representing the Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Manteca and their annual Pumpkin Fair:

• Miss Pumpkin Fair Tanya Christine Towner (Personality & Event Interview); will also receive a $250 scholarship

• Pumpkin Fair Ambassador John-Alan Hewitt (Stage Arts); will also receive a $250 scholarship

• Miss Teen Pumpkin Fair Jordan Nicole Rosas (Personality Interview); will also receive a $125 scholarship

• Miss Young Pumpkin Fair Taela Lynn Ann Heath (Personality Interview); will also receive a $125 educational savings bond

• Young Pumpkin Fair Ambassador Eric Kurys (Community Advocacy Speech); will also receive a $75 educational savings bond

Representing Manteca Youth Focus and the Manteca Twilight Holiday Parade:

• Miss Winter Fest Erika Anne Hafer (Personality and Event Interview); will also receive a $125 scholarship

• Miss Teen Winter Fest Marissa Davina Candelaria (Community Advocacy Speech); will also receive a $75 scholarship

• Miss Young Winter Fest Cipriana Love Lopez (Stage Arts); will also receive a $75 educational savings bond

A special note of gratitude is extended to the other members of the 2009 All-Star Team; Anmol Kaur (Community Advocacy Speech), Genevieve Elise Hammarstrom (Scholastic Achievement), Mikaela Lee Bristow (Personality Interview), Lauren Alyssa Herrington (Community Service). They also serve as outstanding role models in the community with significant contributions in volunteer service and leadership.

These are the winners of the various special awards.

Talent Award Winners: (highest score in stage arts phase of competition)

• Manteca Scholarship Competition - Amanda Rosas

• Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition TIE

• Marissa Candelaria

• Jordan Renfro

• Young Manteca Scholarship Competition - Cipriana Lopez

Community Service Award Winners: (highest score in community service phase of competition)

• Manteca Scholarship Competition - Amanda Rosas

• Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition - Victoria Watson

• Young Manteca Scholarship Competition - Lauren Perez

Scholastic Achievement Award Winners: (highest score in scholastic achievement phase of competition)

• Manteca Scholarship Competition - Horst Bauer

• Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition - Lauren Herrington

• Young Manteca Scholarship Competition TIE

• Nicolas Perez

• Taela Heath

Most Inspirational Award Winners: (as voted by the contestants)

• Manteca Scholarship Competition – Amanda Rosas

• Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition – Victoria Watson

• Young Manteca Scholarship Competition – Lauren Perez

People’s Choice Award Winners: (fundraiser voted on by members of the audience)

• Manteca Scholarship Competition Erika Hafer
• Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition Victoria Watson

• Young Manteca Scholarship Competition Cipriana Lopez

For the 2nd year in a row, MYF featured the Community Advocacy Speech phase of competition. This phase challenges each competitor to address a need in the community and come up with a project they would like to implement if chosen as a titleholder. The Board of Directors of Manteca Youth Focus will then provide assistance in the coming year in order for each individual to serve as “project manager” in carrying out their ideas along with the help of other volunteers from the organization and community at large. The 2009 Community Advocacy Projects include:

1. Amanda Rosas, fundraising and awareness for Every 15 Minutes, an anti-drinking & driving campaign for high school seniors

2. Horst Bauer, recruit youth to volunteer as tutors for Give Every Child a Chance

3. Victoria Watson, creation of a new community event “Barktoberfest”, a pet fair and costume show with proceeds benefitting the Manteca Police K9 Association

4. Dalton Harris, connecting youth with senior citizens by creating an “Adopt-a-Grandparent” event

5. Lauren Perez, continuation of her “Keep It Clean” (KIC) Project which she created last year to combat graffiti and trash in public parks.

6. Nicolas Perez, Tots for Socks drive to collect clean socks for donation to underprivileged families and children

7. Tanya Towner, continuation of her “Reach for the Stars” Team in the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation annual MS Walk fundraiser

8. John-Alan Hewitt, encourage youth volunteers to participate in the Manteca Interact Club

9. Jordan Renfro, hold a booth at a local community event to promote awareness of Rachel’s Challenge

10. Taela Heath, raising awareness about foster children by working at various events and fundraisers for “Families by Choice”

11. Eric Kurys, combating childhood obesity by creating a family play day to encourage youth to go outside and play for 1 hour per day

12. Erika Hafer, combating hunger by creating a canned-food “bridge” display benefitting the San Joaquin County 2nd Harvest Food Bank

13. Marissa Candelaria, letter writing campaign to show support and encouragement for armed service men and women serving overseas

14. Cipriana Lopez, aluminum can drive at local elementary school to benefit underprivileged families and children

On behalf of my Co-Director Lavonna Robins, Assistant Director Alanna Robins and the Board of Directors of Manteca Youth Focus, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support of MYF programs. With your support and encouragement we are truly making a difference in the lives of these young people. Help us spread the word! As always, if our kids can assist your group or event in any way, do not hesitate to contact Yoli Vaughan, Community Service director at 823-5048 or myself at 612-6930.