April 8: April Skalak; Kim Sonnier; Alexis Carriles; Frank DeLoach; Kay Middleton
April 9: Pam Hecox; Kierstyn O. Milligan
April 10: Eric Clard
April 11: Linda Spencer; Lesley Bourg; Michaela Harper
April 12: Lola Zimmerman; Jeff Hobbs
April 13: Kenneth Gregory; Eva Meitzler; Dustin Whisenant
April 14: Toby Torres;
April 15: Diana Hardegree; John Wayne Helms III
April 16: Justin Munsch
April 17: Anna Wolters
April 18: Anthony Hugh Ward
April 19: Helen Hardcastle; Derek “Sparky” Sparks; Tarah Munsch
April 20: Rosa Christensen
April 21: Debbie Gayle; Margaret Ragusin; Louis Andrew Ragusin
April 22: Elias Castro; Margaret Claiborne; Tracey N. Sandoval

Citizens of the Week at Port O’Connor School

Week ending March 25: PreK-Jaylah Ramirez; Kindergarten- Makayla Reed; First Grade- Shane Branch; Second Grade- Logan Hobbs; Third Grade- Carlos Sanchez; Fourth Grade- Drake Dyes; Fifth Grade- Justin Munsch; Sixth Grade- Trevor Williamson

Week ending April 1: PreK- Kyle Doggett; Kindergarten- Harley Peeler; First Grade- Madison Stringo; Second Grade- Eli Romo; Third Grade- Noah Guzman; Fourth Grade- Cierra Harper; Fifth Grade- Elsa Garcia; Sixth Grade- Will Ragusin

Students of the Week at Seadrift School

Week ending March 25: PreK Mrs. Myers- Taegan Sanders; K, Mrs. Kern- Desi Miller; 1st, Mrs. Christy- Ivin Vazquez; 1st, Ms. Stringham- Christopher Boyce; 2nd, Mrs. Petrisky- Colin Carabajal; 2nd, Miss Sistare- Kinley Lowery; 3rd, Mrs. Hons- Damien Cardiel; 3rd, Mrs. Rivera- Katie Frazier; 4th, Mrs. Gray- Miguel Gamez; 4th, Mrs. Spaeth- C.J. Morales; 5th, Mrs. Canales- Erica Jaramillo; 5th, Mrs. Flisowski- Aspen Whitstine Junior High: Mrs. Henderson- Tesa Hubbell; Mrs. Cady- Journi Huddler; Ms. Parnell- Trey Rodriguez; Coach Anderson- Ciyera Morales; Coach Sternadel- McCall Stafford; Mrs. Charnetski- Esgar Rodriguez; Mrs. Smith- Falyn Thomas; Coach Lillge- Mariah Wilson; Mr. Lavigne- Sara Guice; Mrs. Rivera- Jacob Montano

Week ending April 1: PreK, Mrs. Myers- Braeden Ragusin; K, Mrs. Kern- Johnpaul Morales; 1st, Mrs. Christy- Angie Medina-Lima; 1st, Ms. Stringham- Alex Perez; 2nd, Mrs. Petrisky- Shelby Cady; 2nd, Miss Sistare- Scott Esch; 3rd, Mrs. Hons- Becca Mendez; 3rd, Mrs. Rivera- Justin Lambright; 4th, Mrs. Gray- Will Helms; 4th, Mrs. Spaeth- Anhi James; 5th, Mrs. Canales- Erika Ruiz; 5th- Mrs. Flisowski- Benny Torres Junior High: Mrs. Henderson- Noah Rodriguez; Mrs. Cady- Wyatt Bowman; Ms. Parnell- Andrea Beaver; Coach Anderson- Aaliyah Navarro; Coach Sternadel- Marissa Martinez; Mrs. Charnetski- Madison Carter; Mrs. Smith- Mya Nguyen; Coach Lillge- Daniel Martinez; Mr. Lavigne- Tiffany Galloway; Mrs. Rivera- Ashley Ramirez

The Seadrift Band will have a BAKE SALE on Friday, April 15th, starting at 4:00 p.m. at Dick’s Food Store in Seadrift.

Please plan on buying lots of goodies.

Port O’Connor School will have a BAKE SALE on Friday, April 22 starting at 7:00 a.m. at Speedy Stop.

When I first moved to this county, I was intrigued by the amount of history and events that take place in this tight-knit community. Although small compared to the big city life I had become accustomed to, it was full of potential clients and exciting projects. In the last couple of years I have helped with the public relations at our local airport, Calhoun County Airport. It brings me great joy to promote events such as fly-ins, art contests and learning to fly.

In the beginning of March, most of my time was consumed with a particular event which was very near and dear to airport manager, Dianna Stanger’s heart. Her passion for aviation is contagious; she does everything in her power to educate our youth about the possible careers available in aviation and aeronautics. Now, I even aspire to learn to fly someday in the near future.

The first annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide (WOAW) Week was scheduled for March 7-13 2011. We hit the ground running a week prior to the event. The goal was simple: to introduce as many females to aviation possible in one week by taking them on an introductory flight. We put a spin on the promotion and invited any female involved in a non-profit organization on a free helicopter ride!

Helicopter pilot Dianna proudly stated, “It was an eye opener to many of the girls to ride in a helicopter. They had the opportunity to fall in love with flying; that was heartwarming to share my love of aviation with so many others who could do it too.”

The calls began to trickle in and our schedule quickly filled for the weekend. All of the ladies to whom I spoke were beyond excited to view the world in a whole new perspective. It’s difficult to describe the first time you experience flight. I remember the first time I flew with Dianna in her EC120 helicopter. The slight nervousness quickly faded away as we lifted off of the ground and I felt no fear dangling out of the helicopter to take photos.

The girls and women from the local 4H group, Women Have Options, YMCA and others all gathered together on March 12th and 13th at Calhoun County Airport. One of the girls, Ali Mason, said, “My first flying experience was amazing! One thing I never knew is that we were surrounded by so much water, more than what I thought. This is a day I’ll never forget.”

Helicopter pilot, Dianna Stanger helps Kelly Wildes settle into the co-pilot seat.

Of 707 girls and women worldwide who went on their first flight during the 2011 Women Of Aviation Worldwide week, helicopter pilot Dianna Stanger was responsible for taking 99 of those females! “Well, it was probably the best fifteen minutes of my life so far,” commented 15-year-old Grace Carr.

I am very proud and elated to inform the Dolphin readers that earlier in the week, Dianna Stanger was awarded the “Most Dedicated Female Pilot in the World” title by Women Of Aviation Worldwide! I won the “Most Creative Aviation Advocate” title and Calhoun County Airport came in 2nd runner up for the “Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport in the World.”

Future female pilots, Karly Kade Critendon, Peyton Rudellat and Leanna Gottschalt can barely contain in their exitement to fly above their hometown.

Words can’t express how much it means to reach new heights with such a fantastic team of pilots who simply want to share their passion for aviation; I can’t wait for the next promotion challenge!

Till next time.

The Port Lavaca Art Guild’s annual Spring Art Show & Sale will be held Saturday April 16, 2011 at the old depot in Port Lavaca in conjunction with the Kite Fest.

Members of the Port Lavaca Art Guild, plus non-members are encouraged to enter Paintings, Drawings in Pen & Ink or Pencil, Pastel, Crayon, Collage & Sculpture. There is a $1.00 entry fee for each entry entered by non-members. Entries will be accepted at the depot Saturday morning from 8:00 am till 9:00 am. Judging begins at 10:00 am.

The show will be opened to the public at 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. Admission is free to the public. Entries are open to all ages, adults, youth and children, at all levels. For more information and rules contact a Guild member, call Carol at 361-552-6070, Janice at 361-552-6225 or Mary at 361-552-5170 or 361-552-2673 www.PLArtguild.com