La Cañada sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students were honored recently by the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada at the club’s weekly luncheon at Van DeKamp Hall at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge.

Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance. Students work with their teachers to establish goals to enhance behavior, peer relationships, attendance and school work. Achievement of their goals earn them the designation Terrific Kid and they are honored by the Kiwanis Club.

Mathew Kim is a student who loves math and basketball. Hudson Harbolt, the youngest of five siblings, enjoys baseball and basketball. Troy Psatis, a sixth grade student at Palm Crest, is very active in school programs and AYSO soccer, La Cañada Little League and YMCA summer camp.

Rachel Real said math is her favorite subject. She loves to read and participate in gymnastics. Genevieve Fairpont is a member of the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club and has played water polo in national tournaments including Junior Olympics and is a winner of the PTA Reflections program for musical composition. She has played piano since age 5.

Ava Salzman collects animal skulls and fossils and has a strong interest in biology and paleontology. She plays the guitar and enjoys skateboading and fencing. Haley Potts sings in and participates in the La Cañada Presbyterian Church choir and has sung in the church’s musicals since third grade. She enjoys math and participates in the after school Math Enrichment Program.

Henry Vaugan for the past two summers has studied ancient civilizations and international relations in the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. He enjoys reading, drawing, playing with Legos and spending time with his many friends. Thomas Hoffman has been a member of the Rose Bowl swim team for the past six years and is striving to make it to the Olympics. He has played baseball with the Crescenta Valley Little League and wants to be a major league catcher. He has pursued acting for six years had has had roles in films, television and commercials.

Absent from the ceremony and photo are Rose Cano Ruiz who recently was selected for the role of Annie in the upcoming performance of the school musical “Annie,” and Liam Bui who is an amatuer Egyptologist and Greek mythologist.

Contributed by Al RESTIVO