Community leaders, police brass, proud parents and talented student artists gathered at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in downtown Flushing recently, for an awards breakfast celebrating an art contest and special project organized by the 109th Precinct Community Council.
The program, including the event, on Friday, April 3 was sponsored by Health Plus, Home Depot, Target Stores and TD Bank. Students from local intermediate school grades created poster art supporting the themes “Respect Everyone” and “Be a Friend, Not a Bully.”
Students from Flushing High School also created a coloring book for early grade schoolchildren, each page having a safety message for children, including “Call 9-1-1 in an emergency” and old saws like “Never talk to strangers,” “Always wear your seat belt,” and of course, “Police officers are your friends.”
“This is the second year, and participation has been wonderful,” said Council President Chrissy Voskerichian. The project is part of the Police-Community Partnership.
After opening ceremonies there were remarks by Deputy Police Commissioner George Grasso, 109th commander Deputy Inspector Matthew Whelan and Council President Voskerichian.
They were joined by Council Vice President Vana Partidge and 109th precinct youth officers Amanda Booth and Sergeant Brian McGeown, as contest awards were presented to: Daniel Lim, J.H.S. 185, fifth place; Leo Hishikawa, Bell Academy, fourth place; Shana Luo, J.H.S. 194, third place, Ashley Chang, J.H.S. 189, second place, and Anusha Sudhakaran first place.
Following the contest awards, the Flushing High School artistic team of Ruby Alverez; Allissa Bowen; Osdely Castillo; Katrina Garcia; Leidi Luna and Rosabla Reyes received awards for the coloring book project.
All the youths received enthusiastic applause from the audience, which included Councilmember John Liu, Assemblymember Grace Meng and a representative for State Senator Frank Padavan, who conveyed Padavan’s congratulations from Albany, where the Senate had not passed the state budget.
