Lauren Claassen gives her account of DYW contest week

Dusty

Lauren Claassen, daughter of Wes and Jen Claassen, had the pleasure of becoming the second runner-up in the Washington State Distinguished Young Woman program in Pullman.

Lauren represented LaCrosse.

The competition was at Beasley Performing Arts Center Saturday evening.

The young women arrived in Pullman Tuesday and met their host families.

Lauren, Tessa Jantz of Ritzville and Kendyl Druffel of Colton stayed with Wendy Jo and Shane Brenan.

They had lunch with Pullman Rotary Thursday and with Kiwanis Friday.

Claassen’s parents, her grandmother LaRae Claassen, aunt LaRena Draper, Lauren’s siblings and several friends attended the program Saturday evening.

Lauren played “Flight of the Bumblebee” on her saxophone for the talent portion and competed in fitness and self-expression categories with 14 other young women from around the state.

Lauren was also evaluated on an interview with a panel of judges as well as on scholastic achievement.

First runner-up was Elizabeth Barlow of Moses Lake and Washington State’s Distinguished Young Woman for the year was Kendyl Druffel of Colton.

Amber Broeckel and Dominic Lovotti, Boise, visited Amber’s parents, Ed and Joan Broeckel, from Friday until Sunday. They enjoyed picking peaches at Penawawa, riding the combine in harvest and helped Ed move the combine Saturday to the Onecho Church harvest.

Former neighbors, friends and family gathered Saturday at Warm Springs Ranch for the annual Penawawa picnic. The event was hosted by Terry and Janet Eggers and Patsy and Mike Kromm in the tradition started by their parents, Shirley and Stacy Eggers. Memories were shared and friendships renewed. Peaches and nectarines were in abundance with the season continuing for the next three weeks.

Birdie Stueckle Holling, her son Dick Holling, and Brian and Mandy Holling spent Monday at the Parsonage Bed and Breakfast to celebrate Birdie’s 88th birthday. She is the daughter of Jake and Martha Weber Stueckle. Jake built the home in 1921 and Birdie lived there as a child. The family sold the home to St. John's Congregational Church, now the Country Bible Church, in 1936 and moved to Prescott. Birdie and her family now reside in Spokane. While here, they also visited the church and reminisced about her attendance there as a young girl. Mandy Holling planned the day as a surprise destination for her grandmother.

Denise Kendall returned to her home in Tacoma Sunday morning after helping her brother Brian Broeckel with her truck driving skills during harvest.