Cyndi Loza

Rainbow Girls

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a nonprofit service-oriented organization for girls between 11 and 20, recently donated $11,682 to the Alzheimer’s Association as part of their statewide community service project.

Through fundraisers, the Nevada Rainbow girls raised $8,157 and the remainder in service hours.

The Rainbow Girls also volunteered more than 6,530 hours over the past year in their communities. Service projects included Meals on Wheels, cleaning the Truckee River for Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and making blankets for the Nevada Humane Society, among other activities.

Honorable mentions

People who have distinguished themselves recently in education:

Stefan Kaiser, a student at Reno High School, was named the winner of a 2008 scholarship from the Reno Sons of Italy Lodge, an organization established in Reno eight decades ago. The scholarship, worth $1,000, is awarded every year to a deserving student of Italian heritage.

Lance Gonzalez, a junior at Bishop Manogue High School, won the 2008 Lions Student Speakers Contest at the District Convention in Pahrump last month.

By winning all four levels of the contest, Gonzalez won a total of $200 in cash prizes as well as $5,000 in scholarships. He was sponsored by Reno Arch Lions Club, which meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m. at the Gold ‘n’ Silver.

Gonzalez already has a list of achievements under his belt, including president of the Nevada Association of Student Councils and is a member of Manogue’s cross-country team. He plans to attend either the Naval Academy or become a defense attorney.

If interested in participating in the 2009 contest or for more information on how to donate to the Lions Student Speakers Foundation, contact Suraj Zutshi at 323-0110 or e-mail snz55@sbcglobal.net.