Shirley Wild: Kiwanis Club of Bixby Knolls/North Long Beach Student Awards Luncheon

Supporting Youth and Community Through Successful Fundraising

Kiwanis North Long Beach, photo from left: Chuck Ponti, David Lalonde, Myra Kremen, Roger Leue, Tony Diaz, Marco Marano, and Rick Pinson. (Courtesy photo)

Kiwanis Club of Bixby Knolls/North Long Beach celebrated its 28th year of recognizing students from local middle schools for being outstanding students, with an emphasis on citizenship, on June 3.

Secretary Roger Leue has helped organize this annual event for the past 28 years with help from Marco Marano.

The three $2,000 Key ClubScholarship Awards were presented by President Tony Diaz. Brenda Vazquez and Brandon Vazquez from Jordan High School were presented with scholarship awards, as was Kristine Del Rosario from Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School.

Also recognized were 42 exceptional middle school students, introduced by their principals or assistant principals.

Special guests were Salvador Madrigal from the Long Beach Unified School District office, Shannon Johnson from the Fifth City Council District office, Franbert Calderon from the Eighth City Council District office, and President Tara Reggi from the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association.

Seen at the scene: Roger Leue, Tony Diaz, Marco Marano, Myra Kremen, David Lalonde, Chuck Ponti, Alba Swalheim, Stephen Donnenfield and Rick Pinson.

By Shirley Wild | [email protected] | Press-Telegram
PUBLISHED: June 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM PDT

Text