The four winners of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Scholarship, with Vice President of the Point Loma-OB Democratic Club Mike Johnson: (left to right) Frank Rogozienski, Kelly Chavez, Amy Armstrong, Laurin Hoadley. Photo cred. John Loughlin
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Scholarship Is an Annual Event
By South OB Girl
For students in Mr. Patrick McElhaney’s history classes at Point Loma High School there is an event that students have begun to look forward to every year.
The lucky students of McElhaney’s AP US History, AP European History, and American Government classes have the opportunity to attend a lavish banquet at the Bali Hai, where many students are presented with awards and scholarships. This year was the 11th year Mr. McElhaney has coordinated the event.
This year the event on June 9th included costumed Union and Confederate soldiers, presenting the flag for the pledge of allegiance, and doing a 21 gun salute (with blanks and Civil War-era guns) to honor the life of PLHS Vice Principal Mr. Kevin Gormly, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in October. Previously The OB Rag reported on fund raisers for Mr. Gormly .
The students and guests enjoyed visiting with the reenactment soldiers who also spoke with accents throughout the night and interacted with people as if they were from the time period of the Civil War. The reenactment troops represented the Army of the Potomac, NY 69th Irish Brigade and the Army of Northern Virginia, Co E 3rd Regiment Harts Engineers.
Ed Harris gave the keynote address.
The students enjoyed lots of delicious Bali Hai food, cake, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages. And they also enjoyed being the recipient of scholarship awards. What a night for these youngsters.
The Point Loma-OB Democratic Club was proud to present the Franklin D. Roosevelt Scholarship to four winners:
– Amy Armstrong
– Kelly Chavez
– Laurin Hoadley
– Frank Rogozienski
Applicants for the scholarship prepared essays about how President Franklin D. Roosevelt exemplified democratic values. Mr. McElhaney selected the four winning essays. The scholarship of $100 was also based on superior academic achievement.
The following additional scholarships were presented at the History Department event:
USS Midway Military Service Award for Academic Achievement
Theodore Roosevelt Award For Public Service
Spirit of Life Memorial Award in Honor of Brady Truesdale
Society of Friends
Ronald Reagan Award for Academic Achievement
Nanking Memorial Award
McElhaney Richard Award for Academic Achievement, Leadership and Personal Character
Mark Twain Award for Humor and Academic Excellence
Irish American Heritage Award for Academic Excellence
Humanistic Psychology Award For Academic Achievement
Hayes Award for Academic Achievement in History
Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Academic Achievement
Devin Peugh Leadership Award
Andrew Brady Scholar Athlete Award for Academic Achievement and Leadership
Abraham Lincoln Award For Academic Achievement
It was an honor for the Point Loma-OB Democratic Club to see such happy, smiling faces in the crowd of students at Mr. McElhaney’s awards banquet. And in these trying times it is such a joy to see the optimism and the ambition of youngsters and the potential for the future.
The following quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech to Congress, on April 29, 1938, seems appropriate:
“Unhappy events abroad have retaught us two simple truths about the liberty of a democratic people.
The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism—ownership of Government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power.
The second truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if its business system does not provide employment and produce and distribute goods in such a way as to sustain an acceptable standard of living.”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
April 29, 1938 — Speech to Congress
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Just to clarify, each student received $100. PLDC is proud to be able to increase support this year, due to the increasing generosity of our members!