Community spotlight: Hook Jr. High students, Navy sailor from Victorville

The community spotlight shines on students from Hook Junior High in Victorville, who participated in a speech contest hosted by a local Rotary Club.

Also, Navy sailor Jerry Blakeley from Victorville, who is serving on the USS Tripoli, an America-class amphibious assault ship.

Hook students

Four students from Hook Junior were recognized for speaking during the Francis G. Beatty Memorial Four-Way Test Speech Contest.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Victorville at Spring Valley Lake Country Club, the students included Brandon, Jesus and Daniela, according to club officials.

The sponsor of the event, held on April 5, was the founder of the contest, former superintendent of the Victor Unified High School District, Dr. Pat Mark.

The students spoke on the topic "Serve to Change Lives," while winding through the club’s traditional “Four-Way Test” of the “things we think, say and do.”

The test includes the following content:

• First: Is it the truth?

• Second: Is it fair to all concerned?

• Third: Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Fourth: Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Teacher Nancy Noble from Hook Junior chaired the event. The judges from the Toastmasters of Apple Valley Butterfly Tamers were Terry Saenz, Eddie Olson and Derenda DeRose. Rotarian timekeepers were Jeff Armstrong, Dwight Johnson and David North.

Navy

The Navy Office of Community Outreach spotlighted Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Jerry Blakeley from Victorville.

A Navy photo shows Blakeley practicing operating an aircraft tow tractor in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on April 14.

The Tripoli is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Modern aircraft carriers are capable of launching aircraft every 20 seconds, which means the flight deck can get pretty busy, so solid management and communication are essential to preventing chaos, Navy officials said.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mates ensure smooth launch and recovery operations by carefully directing the movement of all aircraft. They supervise every turn, tow and park, and secure them to the deck.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Spotlight on Hook Junior High students and Navy sailor from Victorville