Elks National Foundation Blog

Jocelyn Moya Programs Assistant Community Investments Program How long have you worked at the ENF? Just under two months. I started the first week in January. What projects are you/your department working on right now? Grants, grants, and more grants! But seriously, mostly approving Community Investments Program grant applications and reviewing Final Report Forms. It’s actually a very exciting time for us since we just got approved to increase the amounts on Promise and Gratitude Grants and we’re approaching the Community Investments Program’s 10th year. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? I really enjoy reviewing Final Report Forms. I get a good look into the projects we fund and how they’re impacting local communities. Most of them come with pictures and those are a lot of fun to look through. Describe your average day at the ENF. My average day at the ENF starts with responding to emails from local Elks Lodges followed by sorting through the mail to ...

Anastasia Pineschi 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient   University of California, Los Angeles—Theatrical Set Design Major Sponsored by Sun City Ariz., Lodge No. 2559 Elks scholars are well-rounded and dedicate their time to the things they are passionate about. For Anastasia Pineschi, she balanced her interests in athletics and the arts while also giving back to her community. At 9 years-old, Anastasia began taking fencing lessons at the encouragement of her father. Through practice and dedication, she became an internationally ranked fencer and a team captain by high school and continues to develop her skills. She was also a soprano soloist for the Mira Costa Vocal Ensemble, while serving as Artist Council President at the National Children’s Chorus and performing the principal part in several operas at the Los Angeles Opera. She also had a strong performance academically, being a member of the National Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation, an organization t...

Savannah Pham 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar   Stanford University—Psychology Major Sponsored by Temecula Valley, Calif., Lodge No. 2801 Savannah Pham leads her life according to an Abraham Lincoln quote, “I have an irrepressible desire to live until I can be assured the world is a better for my having lived in it.” Savannah is already on her way to making the world a better place. In high school, Savannah was active in the Air Force JROTC program, serving as a class officer and senator, and rising in the ranks to become a Cadet Commander for her unit of nearly 300 students. She was also a leader in academics, being a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She also volunteered her time with the Murrieta Youth Advisory Committee, planning events for local teens to keep them engaged and out of trouble, while also serving as a lawyer for Youth Court, and organizing events for local senior citizens. Beyond the classroom, she...

Greenwood, Miss., Lodge No. 854 With the help of the Elks from Greenwood, Miss., Lodge No. 854, Sgt. John Pittman Drive—a major route in the city of Greenwood—is looking more beautiful than ever. The Lodge used an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to partner with Boy Scout Troop 200, the Greenwood Department of Public Works, and local volunteers to improve the appearance of this major road.    Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all the individuals involved in making this project a success, 214 trees were planted along the route. “The Lodge came together and made this a success,” says Community Investments Program Project Manager Walter Jordan. “More members and citizens have expressed a desire to participate in the continuation of the project next year.” A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and ...

Kylie Lan Tumiatti 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar Seton Hall University — Diplomacy and International Relations Sponsored by Melbourne, Fla., Lodge No. 1744 Adopted as an infant from a Chinese orphanage, Kylie Lan Tumiatti has overcome many obstacles to become a passionate and driven individual. Though she spent years recovering from her first few months, Kylie never let it hold her back. She became involved in community service early on. In high school, she combined her love of reading and knowledge of the difficulties of learning English as a second language into a unique community service project. She partnered with a local nonprofit to create a literacy program for the children of migrant workers. Over the past six years, Kylie has raised funds, created activities and plays to help students learn, and recorded stories so students could practice at home with their families. She continues to use technology to aid in English knowledge and plans to expand the program even ...

Clayton, N.J., Lodge No. 2132 What are you doing this Friday? Elks from Clayton, N.J., Lodge No. 2132 will be dancing the night away! Using its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , Clayton Elks held a dinner and dance party for the Friday Fanatics—a group of local teens with disabilities. “One of the project’s successes is seeing the opportunity for the children to enjoy a wonderful dinner and party,” says CIP Project Manager Bill Oakley. “Without the Elks, this party would not be possible.” Elks are committed to America’s future. To build the character and competence of local youth, the Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an eligible youth event. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

By 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient and Elks Scholar Advisory Board Member Anji Radakrishnan Anji Radakrishnan, 2014 Legacy scholar and freshmen representative on the Elks Scholar Advisory Board , is giving us a glimpse into life as a college freshmen. Join her each month as she blogs about her exciting new challenges and experiences at Penn State.  Hi everyone! The last few weeks between Thanksgiving break and Winter Break were mostly centered on studying for finals. Studying for finals in college and high school are two completely different ballgames. In high school, I would stay at home and make my own study guides, maybe occasionally study with a friend over the phone. In college, I’ve never seen as many of my friends grouped in one place as during finals week. Whether I went to the study lounge, library, or even dining hall, there were swarms of people loudly engaging in group study. It was really the first time that I started studying in a group setting, and I learned h...

Katharine Bryan 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar University of Rhode Island—Civil Engineering and German Sponsored by Sierra Vista, Ariz., Lodge No. 2065 Like her fellow Elks scholars, Katharine Bryan takes advantage of opportunities presented to her, using them to better herself and her community. In high school, Katharine took advantage of numerous leadership opportunities, such as being Class President, present of her school’s academic team, captain of the tennis team, as well as state president of financial for the Arizona chapter of Future Business Leaders of America. Besides gaining public speaking and teamwork skills, Katharine also made a positive difference with her involvement. She led a community service project to benefit the local animal shelter, including building maintenance, animal care, fundraising, and advocacy. Her project was recognized nationally at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference. As she adjusts to the colder ...

Shawon Huang    2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar University of Southern California—Business Administration Major Sponsored by Santa Ana, Calif., Lodge No. 794 Shawon Huang knows the meaning of loyalty, dedication and patriotism. Besides being involved in marching band and community service, Shawon has dedicated much of his time to the Infantry Explorers, a group that prepares interested young men and women for careers in the Armed Forces. He served as both founder and a team leader in multiple battalions. He also founded and led his high school’s JROTC program, preparing both him and others to serve their country. “Infantry Explorers has allowed me not only to improve myself but improve others as well,” says Shawon. Shawon hopes his civilian and military education will enable him to become an effective and influential leader. After college, he plans to become a military officer in the U.S. Army, utilizing his years of training and hard work throughout high ...

Sophia Scalise 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient University of Arkansas—Biological Engineering Major Sponsored by Fayetteville-Springdale, Ark., Lodge No. 1987 Elks scholars are known for their hard work and dedication to excellence. Sophia Scalise is no exception. In high school, Sophia was involved in numerous activities, including playing varsity tennis, participating in school musicals, working as a lifeguard, and volunteering at her church and the local animal shelter. Besides her commitment to her extracurricular involvement and community service, Sophia also achieved academically, taking AP classes, becoming a member of the National Honor Society, and graduating first in her class. Now in college, Sophia studies hard for her biology courses and has also found time to become involved on campus. Her new involvements include club tennis, joining Phi Mu, and Residents Interhall Congress Judiciary, a branch of the university’s student government. While her eyes are set on...