Tomorrow's Leaders Redesign A Symbol of California
by Bryan Carrigan
California cars will soon be featuring a new license plate designed by two High School students.
Dashielle Samoy, a 17-year-old 12th-grader at Allan F. Daily High School in Glendale, and David Amond, a 17-year-old 12th-grader at Mary Star of Sea High School in San Pedro, created the winning design to commemorate those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks and benefit the families of the California victims.
Assembly Speaker Herb J. Wesson, Jr. announced the winner of the California Memorial License Plate Design Contest. The new license plate will feature Samoy's American flag design with Amond's slogan, "We Will Never Forget."
A selection committee consisting of representatives from government, local law enforcement arts and school organization chose the winning design from the hundreds of renderings submitted by California school children. "We received an overwhelming response from young people across California," Speaker Wesson said. "It was a difficult decision for our selection committee, but we now have a license plate that will serve as a symbol of our solidarity."
Once the legislation necessary to make the plate official passes, it will be available to all registered California drivers for a $50 one-time cost and a $40 annual fee. "The tragedy of September 11th gave birth to a new feeling of patriotism," said the Rev. Brenda Lamothe, a selection committee member. "It is a blessing to have something as simple as a license plate - created by California's young people - to rally around as we come together as Americans."

Student Artist

Top Right: “Jack Russell Terrier” -- color pencil and graphite
Sidney Stephens age 6, first grade student at Carpenter Ave School, began drawing at age 4, has studied with Linda Wehrli for 7 months, favorite media is colored pencils, favorite subjects are people, and future goal is to be an artist.

Bottom Right: “Golden Retriever” -- colored pencil on sketching paper
Julian Stephens age 10, third grade student at Carpenter Ave School, began drawing at age 4, has studied with Linda Wehrli for 7 months, favorite media are oil pastels, water colors, pencil and colored pencil, favorite subjects are cartoon faces, favorite artists Bill Watterson and the cartoonists at Warner Bros. and Disney, future goal is to be a comic book artist.
Both artists have work that has been displayed in the Rotary Club’s Octoberfest Art Show.

Book Review

The Adventures of J.J. Bear
by J. Edward
The Adventures of J.J. Bear is a book that is filled with awakenings. Every page is an eye opener for the little cub, J.J., a fresh outlook on the world, the way a child would see it when he begins to notice things for the very first time.
The story begins with the end of J.J.'s hibernation, a hibernation which has filled him with new and different dreams. When he first awakens, he is exposed to the fresh sounds of spring and is so taken with what he hears and sees that he runs out of his cave without telling his parents where he is going. On his first day out, he is introduced to a world that he never wants to leave. He meets new friends, enjoys the day, and sings new songs. As the day comes to an end, J.J. finds himself alone after all of his friends have gone home. J.J. is so excited to tell his parents all about the new experiences he's had that in his rush to get home, he loses his way and learns about being alone in the woods. He begins to miss his parents and regrets leaving his cave without asking for permission. In the midst of his journey home, the cub meets two humans that keep him safe and help him find his parents again.
Bright illustrations, fun characters, and songs to sing along to make The Adventures of J.J. Bear a great learning experience for children of any age. Illustrated by Peggy West; TJE Enterprises 818-763-3699.
- Book Review by Leah Bachar