Two Carlsbad siblings recently each had a very memorable trip to Washington D.C., through a program called Envision by WorldStrides.
Campbell Foster, who is about to start high school in Carlsbad, attended the National Young Leaders Conference, where she had an opportunity to tour the White House and the Capitol. The group met on the House floor where Congress meets, and Campbell had a chance to meet keynote speaker Anthony Robles, an all-American wrestler who overcame a disability. Campbell’s project and presentation was related to school shooters and mental illness. She also had the opportunity to meet with young leaders from around the country.
Her older brother, Garrison, is a senior at the Early College High School. Garrison spent several weeks at Johns Hopkins University in the Advanced Medicine Program for high school students in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he participated in hands-on workshops and learned basic principles of wound care, suturing and practice surgical knot-tying techniques. He also performed a simulated fracture reduction of a long bone, from scrub and site preparation to fracture fixation and surgical wound closure. Garrison aspires to attend John’s Hopkins once he graduates and pursue a career in medicine.
Congratulation to both Campbell and Garrison. We look forward to hearing about all of your accomplishments in the future.
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The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce presented some excellent awards during the organization’s annual banquet on Thursday. XTO Energy was honored for being a great community partner, while Dianne Joop received a very special recognition as “Ambassador of the Year.”
I was honored to present this year’s “Janell Whitlock” award to none other than Becky Thompson, who was a very close friend of Janell. Becky is a member of the Carlsbad Hall of Fame, and she has a field named in her honor at the Bob Forrest Youth Sports Complex.
Becky was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, and moved to Carlsbad after graduation. While she was carhopping at the A&W Drive-In, the All American Redheads came through town. Becky dyed her hair red and attended tryouts, and she made the team. She travelled with them for two years. When Becky learned about the Carlsbad Women’s softball team, she showed up for the first practice without cleats or a glove, but she still made the team. She was also the Elks Rodeo queen in 1961 and 1962.
As a community member, Becky is always willing to help and support where it is needed the most. Becky brightens the day of everyone around her. Becky is an outstanding Carlsbad resident, and very deserving of this year’s honor.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway