Senior and Associated Student Body (ASB) President at Borrego Springs High School Danielle Del Bono was honored on Feb. 26 during the 63rd Annual Washington-Lincoln Laurels for Leaders Awards Luncheon held in Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University.

Each year, the Lincoln Laurels for Leaders recognizes "ASB Presidents for their dedication and commitment to leadership and service in our community. Each year, nearly 100 ASB presidents and their family members are celebrated by 300 educators, civic and community leaders from throughout San Diego."

The luncheon was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of San Diego and the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation (Gold), US Bank (Silver) as well as Silver and Bronze Sponsors.

Accompanied by teacher Kaitlen Caruso, Del Bono, along with other ASB presidents from every public, private and charter schools in San Diego County, were recognized during this event.

Claire LeBeau, President of the Washington-Lincoln Laurels for Leader, welcomed the crowd of more than 450 persons before turning it over to Judy Leitner, President of the San Diego Kiwanis Club.

Scripps Ranch High School AF JROTC provided the Color Guard, while Nikita Nair, ASB President at La Country Day School, sang the National Anthem. Maya Zimmer, ASB President at Grossmont High School, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Alex Pacheco, ASB President at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, gave the invocation.

Rockette Ewell, Vice President and Community Affairs Manager for Southern California of U.S. Bank, spoke about the Martin Luther King Jr. 12th Annual High School ASB Food Drive Challenge this past Fall, providing checks to the schools that collected the most food for the San Diego Food Bank.

The keynote speaker for the day was Sal Convento, owner of United States Karate Academy in San Diego and Chula Vista.

During an inspiring, enthusiastic talk that included breaking boards by students and adults, he traced his own journey from being the youngest in a poor family in the Philippines to graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, a career as a Navy pilot and a martial arts world championship. Convento focused on discipline, confidence and persistence, three of the most important traits of a leader.

Luncheon guests included Charles Day, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities; Jay Jeffcoat, senior counsel at DLA Piper international law firm; Gordon Boerner, Senior Vice President and Regional Private Banking Manager of US Bank, and Jennifer Zingg, Master Trainer and Product Developer, and Natalie Halabuk, Leadership Coordinator, both of the Blanchard Institute.

Martin Kruming is a San Diego attorney who chairs the Mongolia-San Diego Friendship Group which partners with the Khovd-Borrego Springs Friendship Group as part of the Global Neighborhood Project. He and his wife, Barbara, a retired elementary school teacher, frequently visit Borrego Springs.