From Our Readers

Female Student Sweeps the Competition at Judo Tournament
Karissa Bruner, a student at Antioch Middle School, swept her competition at the Judo Tournament in Blue Springs on Saturday, April 2. She earned 1st place in her 13-year-old, 110-pound bracket. What makes this a unique accomplishment for Karissa is that this was her first time competing in Judo, and she was the only female contestant in her bracket. She has only participated in Judo for 3 months.

Additionally, Karissa competed as a white belt against boys who were all above her in rank including yellow, orange, and green belts. She had to win three matches in order to take 1st place at Saturday's meet, and she did just that!
Submitted by: Traci Bruner


Junior Girl Scout Troop 966 Earns Bronze Award
Recently, Junior Girl Scout Troop 966 earned their Bronze Award by completing multiple service projects for the Parkville Animal Shelter. The troop collected donations for the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter during pet adoption events at Petco in North Kansas City in February, collected gently used towels and blankets in donation boxes that they decorated, and made pet treats and beds for the dogs and cats at the shelter. The girls also held a “Smooches for Pooches” Valentine event at a troop meeting where the girls brought treats for the animals at the shelter instead of Valentine treats for each other.

The Bronze Award is a prestigious honor. The Girl Scouts’ national Web site notes that the Bronze Award is a leadership adventure that helps girls develop confidence.

The Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter’s primary mission is to humanely house, care for, provide medical treatment for, and find permanent homes for the abandoned and stray dogs and cats from Platte, Clay and, to some extent, surrounding counties which have come under their care. The work of the organization is carried out almost exclusively by dedicated volunteers and is financed through donations and fundraising events.

Troop 966 has 20 members from Chapel Hill Elementary, Northview Elementary, Academie Lafayette, Meadowbrook Elementary, Oakwood Manor Elementary, Shoal Creek Elementary, and St. Charles.Troop members are: Josephine Biggs, Paige Borgeson, Talia Burke, Enza Cangelosi, Madelynn Caster, Addison Edwards, Brianna Edwards, Zoe Goss, Elizabeth Hagan, Anna Heagy, Ale’Shae Hayes, Tia Jacobs, Paola Lopez, Alyssa Magrone, Jennifer Marx, Anna Merkel, Elisabeth Nielsen, Madison Swanson, Madalyn Temaat and Paige Whisenhunt.
*Submitted by: Colleen Doctorian