Sheepshead Bay
In January of 1918 the Spanish Influenza was first seen in Kansas, Herbert Hoover called for “wheatless” and “meatless” days to benefit the war effort, “Tarzan of the Apes” premiered on Broadway, and on Jan. 28, Mary Favilla came into the world.
Standing O pal Mary, who hails from a large family, was born and bred right here in our little town. She celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family along with the staff at the Chateau at Brooklyn Rehabilitation and Nursing Home by enjoying a scrumptious cake, good food, festive balloons, and loads of love and good wishes.
Standing O sends Mary an Italian toast, “A cento anni di salute e felicità.”
The Chateau at Brooklyn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center [3457 Nostrand Ave. between Avenues U and V in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 535–5100].
Downtown
4-’H’-onors
Put your hands together for Kyra-Lee Harry, she is the winner of the 2018 4-H Youth in Action Citizenship Pillar Award. Kyra-Lee will be nationally recognized by the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C., on March 20, for her commitment to service with New York City’s Community Board 9 in Crown Heights.
At the age of 15, she was the youngest person to get appointed to a Community Board in the state of New York. “My civic engagement began when I joined 4-H in the sixth grade,” she explained. “Being able to show my peers that their voices were heard is my greatest accomplishment.”
Kyra-Lee, now 18, and a freshman at New York University Tandon School of Engineering, is pursuing a career in business and technology management. She added that when she first entered the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math field she was hesitant, because “there aren’t a lot of people who look like me in STEM.” But now she credits 4-H with providing access to career exploration opportunities, encouraging her to persevere through challenges and creating a path to help her attend college. “I had a lot of self-doubt and encountered some people who told me to give up. But I didn’t want statistics to deter me. The only true failure is when you stop trying,” she concluded.
As part of the scholarship Kyra-Lee will receive $5,000 dollars to be used toward her education, and will also serve as the spokesperson for the 4-H Citizenship program.
Kyra is joined by three other 2018 winners, Sophia Rodriguez of Georgia, Cassandra Ivie of Utah, and Serena Woodard of Oklahoma.
The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community.
New York University Tandon School of Engineering (6 MetroTech Center at Myrtle Avenue in Downtown).
Bensonhurst
Oops!
In announcing the winners of the Scandinavian East Coast Museum’s annual Essay Contest in last week’s Standing O column student Muhammad Ali Bhutta’s last name was inadvertently omitted. We appologize for the error and wish him good luck.
Edward B. Shallow Junior High School [6500 16th Ave. in Bensonhurst, (718) 256–8218].
