On the Town: Games and music close out the school year

It was an afternoon of challenging carnival games, picnicking, enjoying the company of family and friends, and indulging in treats such as hand-dipped candy apples. It was an evening of classic rock ‘n' roll.

That's how the students, faculty, family members and supporters of William McKinley Elementary School celebrated the passing of another school year and the beginning of summer vacation this past week.

Staged as a Spring Family Night Country Fair on the school's Valencia Avenue campus, the event was a joint effort of the Parent Teachers Association, along with the PTA PALS room parents, who put together classroom opportunity baskets and assisted each grade level in creating a country fair booth.

Students, school staff and family members who enjoyed the day included Esmeralda and Adriana Cruz, Dana Maginnis, Melissa Blinkley, Rob and Makenna Outwater, Jamee Tingley, Taia Perry-Kretz, Gwen McHugh, Jack Weerts, Michelle Smith, Lisa Brennan, Sandra Johnson, Marisol Medina, Saralynne Precht, Beth Roth, Gabriella Smallwood, Christopher Acedo, Keith Distefano, Jared Pasion, Ashley Samuel, Leander Benedicto, Justice Howe and Jenny Harris.

Among the special guests and dedicated supporters who enjoyed the fair and the evening's concert performance by members of McKinley Rocks and the Burbank Music Academy under the direction of the organization's founder, Don DeSimone, were McKinley Principal Bobbie Kavanaugh, PTA President Brenda Outwater and McKinley Rocks Chairwoman Roxana Cousens-Acedo.

Others who helped make the event a success included Vanessa Thiemann, Melanie Waldrop, Jill Pennington, Suzanne Weerts, Doug Argumedo, Jennifer Franklin, David Hunter, Jenny Clark, Linda Fitzgerald, Adriana Glass, Sarah Terry and Leslie Michener.

Last week also saw the conclusion of Burbank City Clerk Margarita Campos' 38-year career with the City of Burbank.

Prior to her last city council meeting, Campos was honored by Mayor Dave Golonski and City Manager Mike Flad in a reception that took place in the rotunda of City Hall. Among those in attendance to bestow the retiring Campos with well wishes were her husband, Vince Campos, council members Gary Bric, Jess Talamantes, David Gordon and Emily Gabel-Luddy, City Treasurer Donna Anderson, executives and employees representing all of the city's departments, and former mayors Bob Bowen, Michael Hastings, Vince Stefano and Mary Lou Howard, who all worked closely with Campos during their respective terms.

DAVID LAURELL can be reached by email dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.