Borough-wide
Here she comes, Miss Elite Beauty for 2013. Put your hands together for Cassandra Nicole Fellows. The borough beauty was hand picked to wear the crown for her outstanding achievements, her community involvement, and her over all impression. And did Standing O mention, the camera loves her beautiful smile?
Cassandra also helps out in her church, is an honors student, and a sponsor for St. Jude’s Partner in Hope program. She also dabbles in acting, playing an instrument, and participating in pageants.
Standing O can hardly wait to hear about her next win.
Student scholars
Standing O sends out home runs to Asia Alman and Marianna Beaute for their induction as Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars for class of 2017. The borough brains joined 129 other undergraduates and will receive $30,000 in tuition and other services.
Asia graduated the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School and is currently at Vassar College. Marianna graduated from Clara Barton High School and is studying at Barnard College.
Both students, selected for demonstrating leadership potential, were among a brainy and diverse bunch that hailed from across the nation.
Della Britton Baeza, president and CEO of the foundation, said her organization was proud to continue a time-honored trend.
“Through our comprehensive mentoring and leadership program, these young men and women join a rich 40-year history of excellence,” she said.
Holy grants
The New York Landmarks Conservancy awarded Sacred Site grants to Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, the Grace Church of Brooklyn Heights, and the Union Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuvyesant. The funds are earmarked to repair and restore the houses of worship.
“It’s vital to renew and repair religious buildings” said Peg Breen, president of the Conservancy. “Not only do these sites convey their community’s history, but they serve their neighborhoods with food pantries, nursery schools, and a variety of worthy programs.”
Standing O genuflects in agreement.
Gerritsen Beach
Roaring Lions
The Flatlands Lions Club and Lions Club International presented a whopping $40,000 to Gerritsen Beach Cares last May, (yes, Standing O knows it’s several months ago, but there are just so many Os to give out and so little space), to help with Sandy recovery efforts and rebuilding the community. The grant is slated to provide building supplies and help to support the volunteer-based, multi-agency rebuilding project of the GBC Sandy Recovery Center.
Gerritsen Beach Cares, Recovery Center [2658 Gerritsen Ave. and Avenue W in Gerritsen Beach, (347) 585–8630].
Bay Ridge
Rallying around Haley
Greenhouse Cafe is hosting a blood drive in memory of Haley Gray Daquara. Haley was just 9 months old when she was diagnosed with a rare genetic storage disorder called Hurler Syndrome. The brave tyke went through scores of treatments, bone marrow transplants, and multiple rounds of transfusions. Through it all she maintained a strength few adults possess, always smiling and playing, and determined to be like everyone else. Her mantra was, “I can do it,”
The drive celebrates Haley’s extraordinary courage and bravery — and her laughter and joy.
Come on down on Sept. 17 from 12:30 to 6:30 pm, and donate a pint or two. Who knows, the life you save may be your own.
Greenhouse Cafe [7717 Third Ave. at 77th Street in Bay Ridge, (800) 688–0900].
Downtown
Welcome to Pratt’s new head
Pratt Institute has a new chairwoman in the Humanities and Media Studies Department. Welcome to Maria Damon, a renowned poet, scholar, and academician with more than 25 years experience in higher education. Maria’s research covers a diverse range of concentrations, including American poetry and cultural studies in ethnicity, ethnography, and diaspora poetics.
Her colleagues are laying out the welcome mat.
“Professor Damon’s poetry and scholarship represents the transdisciplinary work that is the hallmark of the department and the school,” said Andrew Barnes, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
As chairwoman, Maria will oversee the bachelor of arts program in writing, the new master’s degree program in media studies and writing, and a wide variety of courses for non-majors.
Pratt Institute [200 Willoughby Ave. at Myrtle Avenue in Downtown, (718) 636–3554].
