31 seventh and eight graders at Golden Springs School in the Pomona Unified School District recently celebrated the official chartering of their Leo Club at a gala ceremony and dinner at the PUSD Board Room. The Pomona Host Lions Club is sponsoring the Leos. Primary organizers were Lions Leo Advisor Frank Guzman, Assistant Leo Advisor Kris Georgeson, and Principal Cynthia Quan.
Approximately 100 parents, friends, Leos and community leaders packed the room for the chartering ceremony, which included the induction of members, the installation of the officers, the presentation of the Lions Clubs International Leo charter and the presentation of the gavel. An Italian dinner was also served.
Golden Springs Leo Advisor Frank Guzman was the master of ceremonies. Lions District 4-L4 Leo Chair John Doogan inducted the members, and District 4-L4 Governor PJ Smith installed the officers. Also taking part in the ceremony were Pomona Mayor Lion Elliott Rothman, Diamond Bar Mayor Lion Jack Tanaka, and Pomona Host Lions President Barbara Smith.
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Other notable attendees were Pomona Unified Superintendent Richard Martinez, PUSD Board President Roberta Perlman, and Board Members Adrienne Konigar-Macklin, Lion Jason Rothman, Lion Frank Guzman, and Andrew Wong. Also attending were PUSD Administrative Director Lion Fernando Meza and YMCA CEO Jane Taylor.
The charter officers of the Golden Springs Leo Club are President Anna Mercado, Vice President Jade Love, Secretary Kendra Magana, Treasurer Vanessa Pulido and Historian Emely Esquivel.
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Other charter members are Issac Alanis, Victoria Chan, Stephen Dominguez, Fernando Garcia, Samantha Gutierrez, Ulani Mendoza, Bianca Ramirezz, Autumn Ramos, Leila Sanchez, Corey Blair, Etania Cheng, Hannah Elrefai, Maya Garcia, Min Ha Kim, Bryan Meza, Francisco Ramirez, Vanessa Rosas, Joseph Valdivia, Samantha Cabrera, Choi Chow, Aniya Evans, Briana Gutierrez, Joanne Lee, Paris Muñoz, Juan Ramirez, and Susan Saikaly.
All members got to sign the charter before it was framed. This charter will remain at the school and will be passed down year after year.
The Pomona Host Lions also presented checks for $50 to Evelyn Ruiz for her site winning peace poster and to Maddie Gramajo for her peace essay.
Leo Clubs are the youth arm of Lions Clubs International. Worldwide, there are more than 150,000 Leos in 139 countries. The Leo Clubs’ focus, similar to the Lions Clubs, is “to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.”
For further information about Leo Clubs or Lions, email Pomonahostlions@gmail.com .