See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Dyker Heights
Standing O is doffing its hat to Poly Prep Country Day School students Ruby Bilger and Zachary Kimmel, (no relation to Jimmy), for winning the “National Council of Teachers of English Student Writing” awards.
Budding Hemingway 11th grader Ruby aced 155 contestants for the Achievement in Writing Awards for Juniors.
“The competition is extremely stiff,” explained Marisa Gomez of Poly’s English department.
You ain’t kidding!
Aspiring Jack Kerouac eighth-grader Zack won the Promising Young Writers competition, besting 212 other contenders.
“The fact that you are a winner speaks highly of your abilities,” said Kent Williamson, executive director of the National Council, who urged Ruby and Zack to “keep on writing.”
Good advice, says Standing O.
Poly Prep Country Day School [9216 Seventh Ave. at Poly Place in Dyker Heights, (718) 836–9800]
Marine Park
Snip, snip, hooray
Three cheers to the new and improved Avenue R Mini Mart. The local store, which for 20 years has given generously to food drives sponsored by the Madison Marine Civic Association, is back in business after completing a major redo.
Members of the Madison Marine Civic Association were verklempt while the store was undergoing its face lift because they missed the delicious foods served there.
Standing O joins the civic group in saying, “Welcome home again.”
Avenue R Mini Mart [2924 Avenue R at Nostrand Avenue in Marine Park, (718) 336–2644].
Homecrest
Bank on a cash grab
Standing O throws out the welcome mat for Northfield Bank, which will open its latest branch in Brooklyn with a two-day celebration on May 30 and June 1 — games and refreshments included.
On May 30, from 9 am to 4 pm, guests will have a chance to jump inside a cash cube and grab as much moola as possible in 15 seconds — Standing O will be first in line.
After stuffing pockets full of the green stuff, participants will be able to visit with Sandy the Seagull, the Brooklyn Cyclones mascot, who will spread his wings, from 2 to 4 pm. Guests can also enter raffles for a chance to see the Cyclones and revel away at Luna Park.
Can you believe all the fun you can have in a bank?
Northfield Bank [1123 Kings Highway at E. 12th Street in Homecrest (732) 449–7200].
Brownsville
It’s cool to be kind
Francesca Foster, a first grader at Brooklyn Ascend Charter School, knows about the awesome rewards of compassion.
She was named the grand prize winner in the national “There’s Always Time for Kindness” award for public, private, and home-schooled students, sponsored by the Be Kind People Project, an organization dedicated to improving the nation’s educational environment.
Francesca’s cool illustration — entitled “Be Kind” — was selected because it conveyed the power of kindness and the positive actions that students can take to express kindness in their schools.
She wrote, “These are some ways to be kind. When you are home help your parents in the house. Also be kind to your friends. And If you see someone that needs help, you can ask them, ‘How can I help you?’”
The pint-sized humanitarian won $1,000 for her school, and a Be Kind People Project sports watch for her fellow students.
Brooklyn Ascend Charter School 204 Rockaway Parkway at E. 98th Street in Brownsville, (718) 240–9162
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