After a very successful season for “the world’s largest youth festival,” the Junior Orange Bowl Committee invited members, friends and sponsors to an installation dinner held March 31 at the Miami Springs Country Club.
Past JOBC President John Admire installed following officers for the 2009-2010 season: Marti Bueso, President; Brian Seits, President- Elect; Jim Borgmann, Immediate Past President; Dallas Brown, Vice President; Don Slesnick III, Vice President; Charles Knight, Treasurer; and Enid Miguez, Secretary. Past President Rex Russo then took over the podium to install the newly elected board two of whom are also past presidents: John Admire and Barbara Waters. Also installed to serve with them on the board were Dr. Randy Groh and Nancy Little.
Among the highlights of the evening were the presentations by the Queen Marlis Miller and Princesses Alyssa Hidalgo and Taylor Matthews, all three of whom addressed the crowd to talk about their experience as part of that royal court and having the honor of attending almost every single event. In addition, the a very surprised JOBC Secretary and Chair of the Queen’s Pageant Committee, Enid Miguez, was announced as the Jim Charlton Member of the Year Award winner with the late Jim Charlton’s widow, Chris, on hand to help present the coveted award.
Outgoing President Jim Borgmann, of course, received a standing ovation and was presented with very special gift, a framed cartoon of Borgmann and his wife, created by a local student from DASH, Bryan Garce. Garce is a very talented 9th grade student at DASH who actually made the cartoon while only having a photo and a description of Borgmann’s personality from Bueso. That alone speaks volumes for his talent as most cartoonists will not take on such a challenge without a live body from which to work.
The JOBC final event for the 2008-9 season was held on Friday, March 27, with its Photography Award Ceremony, chaired by Dr. Randy Groh. Students, and teachers that made this annual contest a possibility were on hand with friends and family to participate in the event that showcased the work of these young and talented photographers. Winners were awarded with Gift Certificates from the event’s sponsor, Pitman Photo Supply.
On June 4-7, 2009, hundreds will gather at Shake-A-Leg Sea Base in Coconut Grove to participate in a four-day festival that proves what can be done rather than what cannot. Partnering with Shake-A-Leg, No Barriers USA will use its “No Barriers Festival 2009” to reach out to professionals aspiring to break barriers in their fields and individuals hoping to overcome their personal challenges.
For more information on Shake-A-Leg or for a virtual tour their facility visit their website at www.shakealegmiami.org Until next week, keep making each day count.
Keeping up with what’s happening in our community is quite a challenge and I am certain there are many activities I miss. If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to < galburns@aol.com >.
