Mother and Son take Home First Prize in First Time Float
First published July 18, 2007 and reprinted with permission from the Eagle and Times, Coronado, California
By Nina McDonald

With almost 100 entries, very few walk away with a ribbon or prize during Coronado's annual Fourth of July parade. But for mother and son, Karien and Austin Bennett, this year's parade gave them even more reason to celebrate the holiday. First time entrants, the Bennett's won a blue ribbon and the Coronado Theme Float.

"It was all Austin's idea. He really was the one that inspired me to do it," says Bennett. "He came to me and said, mom the kids [in our classes] are all so good; why don't we do a float this year? So we got a trailer and decorated it. I had never done anything like this before and this was the first time we had ever been in the parade. I couldn't believe it when the judges came back and gave us first place."

Bennett is the owner of The Club 4 Me and etiquette school for elementary and middle schooler's. Bennett started the business in March and has enjoyed a growing popularity amongst parents who would like their children to learn better social skills. Bennett's philosophy is that each child is a star; a coincidentally perfect theme for a Fourth of July float.

"We decorated it with red, white and blue stars. Austin was up at 5 a.m. working on it. We had a little chair for each one of the kids and special bandanas and hats. We never really thought of entering it into the competition, but the judges came to us and said because we had considered the children so much they gave us a prize anyway. One judge said to me, I hope you [take what you do] all over the world," adds Bennett. "Austin was so thrilled when they came walking up with not just a blue ribbon, but this big silver plate as well. He said to me, 'Mom, you mean I get a real trophy?"