HIGHLAND PARK NEWS/EAGLE ROCK POST • DECEMBER 2006 ...

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Highland Park News / Eagle Rock Post
DECEMBER 1/2006
How can we help
our children in
need?
Nov 27, 2006, Pasadena, CA – During the holidays,
we often ask, How can we help our children in need?
Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services
has two simple ways that will help bring a smile to
a child’s face – Grant a special wish for a child in
need, or purchase a 2007 calendar featuring artwork
created by children with emotional challenges. Both
are easy and inexpensive; each one will make an
immense difference this holiday season.
For those children who reside at Hathaway-
Sycamores Child and Family Services, the holiday
season can be an emotionally difficult time. To make
their season a little brighter, the agency works with
the public to fulfill holiday wishes for the children
served by the agency. If you are interested in
donating to the Hathaway-Sycamores Holiday Wish
Tree, please contact: Andi Sica at (626) 395-7100
ext. 2516. (Note: JPG attached of calendar cover art)
The 2007 Hathaway-Sycamores Children’s
Art Calendar featuring ceramic column sculptures
created by boys, ages 14-18, who have participated
in the agency’s Masters-In-Residence art therapy
program, is available for sale, and makes an ideal
holiday gift. The calendars may be purchased for
$10 by calling: (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516. Proceeds
from the calendar sales benefit the children served
by Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services.
Kevin Myers, a La Canada native, is Hathaway-
Sycamores’ 2006 Master-in-Residence, who has
been working with the boys on the ceramic column
sculptures featured in the 2007 calendar. The
Masters-In-Residence art therapy program, funded
in part by Citibank/Pasadena, provides structured
year-round art for the boys, ages 6-17, who reside at
the Altadena campus. Citibank is the official sponsor
of the 2007 Children’s Art Calendar.
Over the years, the Master’s-in-Residence
program has resulted in dramatic visual results as
well as in the individual growth of each child. The
creative and structured use of art in the rehabilitation
process assists in reconciling emotional conflicts,
promotes self-awareness, develops social skills,
and promotes self-expression, which can reduce
anxiety and improve the child’s outlook. Designed
to engage the youngster’s interest and build
on their individual strengths, the Master’s-in-
Residence program provides a creative outlet for
emotions, increases self-esteem, problem solving
and social and communication skills. It is proven
fact that programs, which encompass art, are an
effective means of preparing youth to be productive
participants in society. Most compelling is the
marked success that art programs provide the
disadvantaged and at-risk populations.
For more information on the agency, please visit:
www.hathaway-sycamores.org
Community Kids
Children’s Old Fashioned Christmas
Around 400 families turned up to see
the Children’s Old Fashioned Christmas at
the Eagle Rock City Hall.
The Patsy Metzger Dancers performed
as well as Eagle Rock High School. Jose Huizar
was in attendance with his wife and kids
for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Santa
arrived on the big red fire truck with gifts,
hot chocolate and cookies. Merry Christmas
from the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce
and Councilman Jose Huizar’s office who
sponsored the event.
HIGHLAND PARK NEWS/EAGLE ROCK POST • DECEMBER 2006 7
62nd Northeast Holiday Parade draws
thousands to Highland Park
by: Nelly Kim
The 62nd Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade brought in
the holiday season on Sunday, December 3. It began at noon with a
very low fly over by an air sea rescue helicopter, so low in fact that
heads turned to the thundering chopper blades above our heads.
60 entries in all from throughout Los Angeles and hundreds of
participants remembered the theme of Holidays in Old L.A.
This year’s crop of entries was better than other years with
entries from companies like Wells Fargo Stage Coach., and Coca
Cola. Crowds were also treated to a Los Angeles Fire Department
antique fire truck with Santa Claus, a vintage 1958 Metro bus and
other surprises.
The Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade is the city’s second
oldest annual holiday parade. In years past, there have been crowds
as large as 20,000 gathered to see it. This year, there were around
10,000 spectators, still a very large crowd for Highland Park. The decline
in attendance is attributed mostly to less promotion this year.
The quality of the entries was considered the “best ever,” according
to many spectators, many of whom have made seeing the parade
an annual tradition.
The parade traditionally offers the best of family entertainment
including marching bands, equestrian units, dancers and
musicians representing diverse cultures, drill teams, floats and
celebrities. Even though Highland Park is not exactly close to the
ocean, an ocean going boat was in the parade. Children were encouraged
to bring their letters to Saint Nicholas and deliver them to
a very special post master.
The volunteer - organized community parade was a collabora-
tion between the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, the North
Figueroa Association, MTA, Coca-Cola, the Honorable Ed Reyes,
Councilmember, 1st District and Honorable Jose Huizar, Councilmember,
14th District and the City of Los Angeles. The parade
program proceeded from North Figueroa Street and Avenue 60,
southbound to Sycamore Grove Park on North Figueroa Street.
The festivities continued at Sycamore Grove Park where Winterfest
continued with bands and a carnival. Well done Pamela S. Selevich
on being a great Parade Chair.
Franklin High
School a great
cherishment
In Franklin High School there
seems to be a great cherishment for all
sports teams and any other competitive
teams. Franklin High has a great pride for
its band, basketball team, soccer team,
volleyball team, and overall its football
team.
Yet none stop to ponder about the
JROTC program and what they have
done for the community and pride of the
school. With having eighty-seven years of
history in Franklin High, people have yet
to witness its importance and its triumph.
Overall in the JROTC program our
Mighty Panther Battalion’s main priority
is to prepare our cadets to graduate
and give to our community, or like in our
mission statement, “To motivate young
people to become better citizens.” We
often demonstrate this when we perform
and volunteer work around the neighborhood
and community. We offer our help in
the local elementary schools that include
Aldama and Monte Vista.
We often help as translators during
their parent/teacher conference days or
perform Color Guards for an elaborate
ceremony. We participate in Veteran’s Day,
Memorial Day, Multi-National Independence
Day, and Christmas Day ceremonies
and parades. We also help out by presenting
our teams in competitions. One of
course being the pride of our program is
the recent competition held at Hollywood
High School.
Out of the seventeen schools, Franklin
was awarded 1st place. For months our
four-man Color Guard worked tirelessly to
win what our school has never won. With
confidence, determination, and four pairs
of shiny boots they’ve accomplished just
that. You all may think that our JROTC program
is to recruit and enlist students into
the military, but it’s quite the opposite; we
ensure our cadets do well in their academics
to achieve a place in college. JROTC is a
regular high school class that teaches leadership
and helps build up: self-confidence,
self-esteem, and citizenship. If you don’t
believe me, than just look at our new 1st
place trophy.