United Nations Association local chapter honors essay contest winners

The Pomona Valley United Nations Association-USA gave three awards for an annual United Nations Association sponsored high school essay contest.

"The mission of the UNA-USA is to educate, inspire and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the UN, strengthening the UN system, promoting constructive US leadership in that system and achieving the goals of the UN Charter," according to a UNA news release.

Claremont High School student Johnny Huynh, son of Cam Tran and John Huynh was first place; Margaret Gallagher, daughter of Laura and Sean Gallagher was second place; and Chetana Srinivas, daughter of Shanthi and Srini Srinivas was third place.

Chapter Treasurer Emily Birch and President Mel Boynton presented cash awards of $250, $150, and $100.

The University Club of Claremont donated the funds.

The students teacher, David Chamberlain, was also recognized at the dinner while a total of 17 essays were received from four area high schools.

Huynh's winning essay will be submitted to the national competition.

Essays, in the form of a letter, were written to President Barack Obama on these questions: How can the U.S. promote sustainable development and economic growth in developing countries and how can the U.S. build an international system that promotes good governance, development, and poverty reduction.

Judges were Julie Steinbach, retired prison teacher; Arthur Sutton, Cal Poly professor; Jane Purcell Edwards, writer and former CHS teacher; and Mel Boynton, activist and substitute teacher.

Winning essays can be found at the chapter's website www.pv.una-socal.org

Sustainable Claremont had two members, Katie Gerecke and Freeman Allen, give a presentation on "Sustainability at Home and Around the World."

Officers and board for 2010-2011 elected at the event were Katie Gerecke and Richard Harris, co-presidents; Harry Brunger, vice president; Bob Wallace, treasurer; and Carolee Monroe, secretary.

The "Class of 2010" board members are Rizek Abusharr, Mel Boynton, Emily Burch, Mary Johnson, Malika Kachani, Dean McHenry, and Bob Smith.

The Pomona Valley Chapter, according to the news release, is one of ten active in Southern California, out of almost 200 chapters nationwide.