American Legion Auxiliary Meeting May 18, 2009

American Legion Auxiliary District 18 President Juliana Potter of Baldwin Park will conduct the regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 18^th, 7:30 p.m., at Charter Cove Post 755, 20516 E Arrow Highway, Covina. May is Poppy Month in the Auxiliary, and Units throughout the San Gabriel Valley will soon be offering poppies to the public to assist with the various programs benefiting our veterans.

Special guests for the evening will be the winners of the 2009 Americanism Essay Contest. Chairman Carol Vasquez of La Puente has announced the winning students who will read their award-winning essays: Group I (4^th-5^th grade) Madeleine Ulery, Sutherand Elementary (sponsored by San Dimas Unit 475) writing on “What is a Veteran”; Group II (6^th &7^th grade) Kevin Acuna, Merlinda Elementary (West Covina Unit 790) “Why I Love America”; Group III (8^{th &} 9^th grade) Hannah King, Bonita High School (San Dimas Unit 475) “What are the Rights we Enjoy as Americans?” Group IV (10^th-11^th-12^th grade) Madison Zylstra, Bonita Inflatable Water Slide High School (San Dimas Unit 475) “Why is our Constitution Important?”

Girls State Alumni are busy planning the annual Girls State Tea to which all 2009 Girls State delegates and guests are invited, the tea to be held May 17^th at East Pasadena Post 280, 179 N Vinedo, Pasadena. The alumni look forward to greeting the new delegates and will have the opportunity to tell them about the challenging experience of actual participation in city, county and state elections and functions when they are at Girls State at Pitzer College, Claremont, June 27^th to July 3^rd.

With the annual Department Convention coming in June in Riverside, it is time for election of new officers for 2009-2010, and the 2009 caucus meeting will be held on the 8^th of June. Sponsoring Units have nominated DeNyse Laugeson of El Monte as President and Carol Vasquez of La Puente as 1^st Vice President. Other nominations will be received prior to the election of officers and nominees to the National Convention. District delegates to the Riverside Convention will be seated at this caucus.