Spotlighting Rancho La Habra Republican Women Federated
In 2011, the Rancho La Habra Republican Women Federated, (RLHRWF) Club came up with a
great idea supplied by their then current President, Jan Mitchell. Jan suggested that the Club
put together an essay contest for their local school district. All RLHRWF Members were excited
about the idea. So, with the support of the School Superintendent, the Essay Contest was
originated under the leadership of RLHRWF Member and former school board member, Jan
Averill, with RLHRWF Member and former educator, Lily Moniz becoming the first Essay
Contest Chairperson.
The premise was that RLHRWF would pick an American patriotic theme and the students of
each school in the district, grades 1 through 8 would write an essay on the theme and submit it
for judging by members of RLHRWF.
An Annual Event
The first essay contest in March 2012 received such a tremendous response from the teachers,
the students, the parents, local community groups and local elected officials that RLHRWF
decided to make it an annual event with a different American patriotic theme for each year.
Acknowledging Our Chair Person
RLHRWF Member, Christine Spruston took on the position of Chairperson with Jan Averill
continuing to assist as Co-Chair. Christine received her doctorate at the University of La Verne.
She was the Coordinator for the Cal State TEACH Program, working with teacher interns, at Cal
Poly Pomona and Cal State Los Angeles. She was a principal in several school districts and the
District Office Coordinator in the Magnolia School District. Since she had recently retired, we
were thrilled to hand over the reins to Christine who has done an outstanding job of organizing
and coordinating the Essay Contest.
Essay Contest Contributors
RLHRWF Member, Vicky Taylor graciously provided the materials for the teacher contest
packets and paid for the participant certificates. RLHRWF Member, Tela Millsap designed the
participant certificates as well as the framed certificates given to the 8 first place winners.
California State Senator, Bob Huff’s Office, provided commendation certificates to each of the
winning students. US Congressman, Ed Royce’s Office also gave commendation certificates as
well as a beautifully boxed American Flag that had been flown over the Capitol building in
Sacramento to each winner. The 4th District Supervisor, Don Knabe’s Office supplied
commendation scrolls for each winner and a generous donation to RLHRWF for help with the
cost of the luncheon. The local community organization, Los Compadres donated funds to cover
the cost of the student lunches at the event.
This Year’s 2014 Essay Contest
This year, RLHRWF held its 3rd annual Essay Contest. The theme was, "What American Liberty
Means To Me." We had an unprecedented 1,023 participants. Word had obviously been
circulated among the students that this was quite the prestigious event and many students
wanted to be part of it.
Essay Contest Preparation
Teacher packets with the essay rules and guidelines were distributed in December 2013 to the
Lowell Joint School District Schools of El Portal, Jordan, Macy, Meadow Green, Olita and Rancho
Starbuck. All of the completed essays were placed back in the packets by each school and all
packets were picked up by RLHRWF in February.
Judging The Essay Contest
RLHRWF selected 8 teams from our membership to represent each grade level. In reading the
essays, the teams were provided a specific selection process and judging criteria. Using this
process, a winner was chosen for each grade level, 1 through 8. After the selection process, the
packets with all essays were returned to the school along with a participation certificate for
each student who entered the contest.
The names of the winners were kept in confidence and announced only to the Superintendent
who in turn notified the specific teachers of the winning students. The students were then
notified by receiving an invitation to attend the award luncheon with a family member at
Hacienda Golf Club.
RLHRWF March Meeting
Our March meetings are now held as the annual Awards Luncheon. In attendance this year
were the eight winning students and their families, the teachers, the school principals and the
Lowell Joint School District Superintendent, Dr. Patricia Howell.
Also attending were representatives from the offices of California State Senator, Bob Huff,
US Congressman, Ed Royce, and 4th District Supervisor, Don Knabe who also participated in
presenting the awards to the students during the award ceremony. Tim Shaw, former La Habra
Mayor and current Director for State Senator Bob Huff also attended and participated in
presenting awards to the students.
During the luncheon, each student read their winning essay to the audience. After the readings,
the representatives and some of our RLHRWF members conducted the ceremony honoring the
students. Each winner was presented with an 8-1/2 x 11 framed color certificate and a copy of
the Constitution from RLHRWF as well as the commendation certificates, scrolls and American
flags.
An Incredible Response
This year, the RLHRWF essay contest with the Lowell Joint School District had an incredibly
positive response, not only from our club members, but all who attended. It has successfully
provided an opportunity for all students, parents, educators, community members and local
political representatives to pay tribute to our young people and this wonderful country of the
United States of America. It truly is an uplifting experience to see the bright spots in our future
that causes us to expand our faith in the future of this great country.
Your Club’s Challenge
This idea on the part of the RLHRWF Club has been one of the most gratifying experiences in
the Club’s history. To hear the wonderful essays written by the students, to see the pride pour
out of the parents, teachers and principals, to see our elected officials and local community
groups get wholeheartedly behind these young people is the most satisfying feeling in the
world for us.
We, here at RLHRWF would like you to experience the same. So, our challenge is: Get out there
and have your own Essay Contest. It’ll be one of the best things you have ever accomplished!
Ruth Wolfarth – President of Rancho La Habra