Two St. Bede Elementary School graduates recently were awarded the Father Lawrence Signey Essay Contest awards for writing excellence. The first place winner, Alyssa Valdivia, was awarded $250 for her essay on the value of Catholic education, her heritage and the good derived from church and community service. Janssen Van De Yacht received a second place award for $100 for his essay covering the same criteria. Valdivia will be attending Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in the fall and Van De Yacht will be attending St. Francis High School.

Each year the local branch of the Italian Catholic Federation at St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church provides awards to elementary school graduates to acknowledge their writing skills in subjects important to the ICF organization. ICF is a national organization open to membership to all Catholics of any ethnic origin. Branch 374 meets at St. Bede monthly.

For information, call (818) 952-1969.