Seven North East ISD students recently competed in the Stone Oak Community Optimist Club Oratorical Contest on March 10, 2008. The students were Kathy Gaard and Chloe Casper from Canyon Ridge; and Ryan Sun, Joseph Monsour, Shareen Woody, Brooke Lindsey Dippo-Foderaro and Madeline Krebs from Lopez. Each student was given a participant ribbon and a book entitled "250 Optimistic Quotes for 'Achieving the Extra Ordinary'" presented by author, Ron Graves, president of the Oratorical International Foundation. There were two first place winners, Joseph Monsour and Shareen Woody. Second place winner was Madeline Krebs, and third place went to Brooke Lindsey Dippo-Foderaro. Each first place winner received an Optimist International medallion and a $200 cash award for their outstanding speeches. The first place winners will move up to the Zone Level of competition on April 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Christian Church. These students have the opportunity to continue to win award money, which depending upon the level could reach $1,500.

The Stone Oak Community Optimist Club also recently awarded Wilderness Oak Elementary student, Kaitlyn Reed, "Youth of the Month" during the morning announcements on March 13. Olympic Champion and Optimist Member, Josh Davis, presented Kaitlyn with a plaque and gift certificate and Ron Graves presented her with one of his authored books. Stone Oak Business Leaders thanked the student for "being such a kind, caring, compassionate and optimistic youth."

Kaitlyn Reed was nominated for "Youth of the Month" by Wilderness Oak Elementary Gifted and Talented teacher, Kathy Middleton. "Katelyn is in fact a very quiet young lady, but she is a diligent student who is always respectful, kind and helpful," said Middleton. "She never mentioned her community service because she is very humble and not one to brag." Middleton was inspired to find out in December that Katelyn makes and sells at a local store little bracelets and uses 100 percent of her profits to buy dog treats for a pet shelter. The shelter feeds the dogs but cannot afford to buy them treats.