Portola High School alumna Cecilia Mou has been selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Fall Internship Program. She is one of just nine students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2023 fall program.

The foundation’s Fall Internship Program provides 13-week part-time paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies to college students nationwide.

Mou, a sophomore at USC majoring in film and television production, will be a production management intern at Disney Branded Television in Burbank this fall.

Mou credits her sixth grade teacher for inspiring her to seek a career in television.

“(She) once gave me full creative freedom on a history project we had due in class (and) suggested that I create a video to practice my media literacy — and that one project spiraled into a love of filmmaking,” Mou said. “By simply giving someone the freedom creatively, she inspired years of love and dedication to the craft of storytelling within me.

“I am incredibly excited to get the rare opportunity to work alongside professionals of the highest caliber as well as learn from the endless amount of mentors fostered by the Television Academy Foundation,” she added. “There is no limit to the amount of valuable experience, relationships and skills you can learn with this program.”

The internship program also provides professional development sessions and customized seminars covering personal brand-building and navigating the job market ahead for participating students. Interns also become lifelong members of the foundation’s alumni family, giving them access to events and networking opportunities as they build their careers in the industry.

The Television Academy Foundation shapes the art of creating television by engaging and educating the next generation of television professionals, providing essential resources that help them discover their voices, refine their skills and forge rewarding careers in every sector of the television industry.

The internship program annually provides students from across the nation with hands-on work experience, mentorships and opportunities for accelerated career development in more than 30 industry disciplines.

– Submitted by the Television Academy Foundation

Foothill High School students win Dragon Kim Foundation’s Dragon Challenge

A one-week STEM camp that offered a basic foundation in science with hands-on chemistry experience and engineering projects to children living in under-resourced areas of Orange County was selected from four finalists as the winner of the Dragon Kim Foundation’s 2023 “Shark Tank”-style Dragon Challenge.

The teens behind the winning project they called Creative Labs are Foothill High School students Carson Ly and Robert Padilla, both of Tustin. Their camps were held this summer at Boys & Girls Clubs, Jamboree Housing and The Mix Academy. As winners, they received an additional $5,000 to continue their community service project.

“I always knew I wanted to do something to help my community, but I never knew what I would do or how I would do it. Fortunately, I found chemistry, and my passion for the subject has allowed me to set guidelines for future goals,” Carson said. “Winning the Dragon Challenge has made me realize that I can expand my horizons and explore more options, knowing I have what it takes to achieve success.”

Robert said: “Before the Dragon Kim Foundation, I was very shy and had little ambition, never knowing where my calling was. I found what makes me happiest thanks to the foundation. Somehow at every single training weekend, I learned something new about myself or acquired a new life skill. The foundation was a life-changing experience for me.”

The Dragon Challenge caps the 2023 Dragon Kim Fellowship program of the Dragon Kim Foundation, an Orange County-based nonprofit whose mission is to inspire youths to impact their communities while discovering and pursuing their passions.

This year marks the eighth anniversary of the foundation, whose fellowship program empowers high school students of all demographics and social backgrounds to go out into the world and make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who are disadvantaged.

Annually, the fellowship program awards community service grants of up to $5,000 to the teams that enables them to create and manage a service project that will impact their community.

The four finalists were chosen from the 47 fellowship projects run this summer by 80 high school students in Arizona, California and Nevada. Together, the projects directly impacted 10,874 individuals and empowered 815 volunteers to contribute to the fellows’ vision and cause.

Garden Grove teacher named finalist for Bill of Rights Institute’s National Civics Teacher of the Year

Sean Redmond, a teacher from Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove, is a finalist for the Bill of Rights Institute’s prestigious National Civics Teacher of the Year award.

This year’s finalists represent 10 states and every region of the country. Redmond was selected after a nationwide search that encouraged educators, students, parents and community members to submit outstanding civics teachers for consideration. All nominees submitted essays highlighting the role of civics educators in helping students live the ideals of a free and just society.

Although he didn’t win the top spot, as a finalist, Redmond earned a $1,000 prize from the Bill of Rights Institute.

– Submitted by Bill of Rights Institute

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A recent graduate of Sage Oak Charter High School, Hannah Karanick of Anaheim was awarded the 18 Under 18 Award by National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a scholarship that recognizes young students who spread positivity and show leadership in their communities through their passions.

During her lifetime, Hannah has had 15 foster siblings. She saw that many of her classmates were in similar situations as her siblings and worked with her principal to provide resources to children in need. She founded Hannah’s Helpful Hands, a free charity inside a closet at her local elementary school where teachers can discreetly give students what they need, like toiletries, laundry supplies, new clothes, blankets and gift cards for new shoes.

Hannah fundraises and restocks the closet weekly. Over the past four years, Hannah’s Helpful Hands has expanded to 12 schools and has helped hundreds of kids in need. Hannah’s goal is to bring her charity to a national level.

NSHSS, the organization that awarded Hannah the scholarship, is the premier honors and scholarship program co-founded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis. It offers a lifetime of benefits, pairing the highest performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships and career opportunities. For more information, visit nshss.org.

– Submitted by Sarah Ciuba

Fountain Valley carrier receives Postmaster General Hero Award

Fountain Valley letter carrier Jonathan Paterson was awarded the Postmaster General Hero Award in a special ceremony surrounded by colleagues, U.S. Postal Service managers and a customer who can now call her neighborhood carrier a “hero.”

The award is presented to those who perform a heroic act above and beyond the call of duty while on the job.

Paterson aided an injured customer as she was lying on the road, seeking help. Fountain Valley resident Maria Chavez was out for a stroll when she tripped on a rock and fell onto the pavement.

“I was crying for help, but no one could hear me,” Chavez said. “Jon was driving by, saw me lying there and stopped to help.”

“I didn’t know how long she’s been there,” Paterson said, “but as she turned her head, I could see the cut and swelling on her face. There was blood everywhere, so I did what anyone would do.

“I checked her injuries and looked to see if she had a concussion. After calling her son, I was able to help Mrs. Chavez to her house, cleaned her up a bit, and stayed with her until her son arrived.”

Emergency services were called and transported Chavez to the hospital to treat her wounds.

“Jonathan’s quick actions and aid to our customer makes him a hero in the eyes of the Postal Service and to the community,” said USPS manager Cipriano Corona Lisa Baldwin.

The U.S. Postal Service is observing the 20th anniversary of the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which was created in 2003 to commend USPS employees who go above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of situations, such as assisting lost children, getting help for sick or injured customers, spotting fires and more.

Around 5,500 individuals, known as PMG heroes, have been recognized through the program, which reflects a simple, yet powerful, idea: Because they know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, Postal Service employees are often the first to notify emergency personnel and render aid when something is wrong.

– Submitted by USPS

Beechwood School students celebrate new hockey rink on campus

Beechwood School students have a new spot to practice sports, thanks to the latest collaboration between the Fullerton School District (FSD) and the Anaheim Ducks/Middle School NHL PA (Players Association) grant for the donation of a rink.

The new rink will serve the entire FSD school hockey league, its expansions and the Beechwood students.

The latest reveal celebration is the third rink donation from the Anaheim Ducks Foundation and Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program to FSD. The event was held in the new rink at Beechwood School and featured district staff alongside Anaheim Ducks dignitaries.

The Honda Center DJ, JoJo, and Wild Wing attended the event with a long-term Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. teacher.

“We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program. Their generous donation in providing a street hockey rink at Beechwood will help grow our middle school street hockey league,” said Sung Chi, director of Educational Services for FSD.

– Submitted by Fullerton School District

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Erik and Stacey Rees’ 11-year-old daughter, Jessica “Jessie” Joy Rees, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2011. As she was leaving the hospital after undergoing treatment, Jessie asked her parents about the sick children in the hospital who didn’t get to go home each day. Her dad told her that some kids had to stay in the hospital for treatment.

She then asked something that would change the Rees’ lives forever: “How can we help them?”

Jessie went home that day and created the first of what would become her JoyJars – 64-ounce plastic jars stuffed with new, age-appropriate toys, games and activities. At her next treatment, she began delivering them to the kids at the hospital and encouraging them to NEGU – Never Ever Give Up.

Jessie lost her fight to cancer in 2012, but in those last 10 months of her life, she filled more than 3,000 JoyJars and encouraged thousands of kids to NEGU.

Today, the Jessie Rees Foundation continues Jessie’s legacy, serving as a beacon of hope and encouragement to kids and their families fighting cancer, especially those who are unable to leave the hospital while seeking treatment. The foundation is housed at the Irvine-based JoyFactory and oversees Mobile JoyFactories, where more than 40,000 volunteers have created 450,000 JoyJars that have been delivered to children locally, nationally and internationally.

In addition to JoyJars, the organization reaches kids fighting cancer, their siblings and parents through ClubNEGU, a free, 18-month program that provides monthly boosts of joy. Gifts are delivered throughout this time to provide encouragement and remind them they are not alone.

In August, the organization hosted FAMtastic, an event in Irvine for 48 local families that have children battling cancer.

In September, in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the organization will be holding the NEGU Golf Classic on Sept. 18 at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club and launching its #iNEGU Challenge. Each time someone writes iNEGU on their hands or holds up a sign and posts a photo on social media tagged #iNEGU, the organization receives $25 from a donor to create and deliver a JoyJar to a child in the hospital.

The funds from this year’s challenge will be used to create and deliver holiday-themed Winter Wonderful JoyJars for kids who are unable to be at home to celebrate the holidays. They also will fund the Hope for the Holidays program, providing $1,000 checks to families.

Jessie believed every child fighting cancer deserved joy, the opportunity to smile and to be encouraged to Never Ever Give Up. The Jessie Rees Foundation continues Jessie’s legacy every day. To volunteer or make a donation, visit negu.org.

– Submitted by Jennifer Baker-Asiddao, Jessie Rees Foundation

MCAS Tustin Young Marines honor Navajo Code Talkers from World War II

The MCAS Tustin Young Marines joined more than 175 fellow Young Marines youth members and adult volunteers from across the country in Window Rock, Arizona, on Aug. 14 to honor and learn from the World War II heroes, the Navajo Code Talkers, and their families.

Every year on Aug. 14, the Navajo Nation celebrates an elite group of World War II veterans, the Navajo Code Talkers. These remarkable patriots served their country by transmitting top-secret messages across enemy lines using the Navajo language as code – the only code unbroken by the Japanese during World War II.

To date, only three of the original 29 veterans remain.

Since 2006 (except during the pandemic), the Young Marines have traveled to Arizona each year to celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers and to meet the few remaining survivors and listen to their stories.

The Young Marines worked as escorts for the special veterans. They planned and participated in a community service cleanup at the Navajo Nation Zoo. The group also climbed the Navajo Code Talkers Monument in Window Rock. A major activity during the three days of service was to march in the Navajo Code Talker Day Parade.

The Navajo Code Talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They transmitted messages by telephone and radio in their native language, a code that the Japanese never broke.

The Young Marines is a national youth organization for boys and girls from age 8 through high school graduation. For more information, visit YoungMarines.org.

– Submitted by Young Marines

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The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program has announced the 2023 scholarship winners. Among the honorees is 16-year-old Helaine Zhao of Irvine.

Zhao won a $25,000 scholarship for her project, “Finding Focus: A Musical Medium to Increased Attention Span.” She is one of only 21 students across the country to be recognized as a 2023 scholarship winner.

“Being able to become a Davidson Fellow through music is a dream come true for me,” Zhao said. “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share my project and musical ideas with more people.”

Drawing on her 13-year journey with piano, Zhao’s project explores the intriguing intersection of instrumental music practice and concentration enhancement. Zhao was inspired to create the initiative after observing the significant improvement in her piano students’ attention spans over time.

Zhao’s “Finding Focus” project illustrates the pivotal role of music as a unique, effective tool for training focus and attention. The project aims not only to boost productivity and problem-solving capacities, but also highlight the role of music in fostering community connection and empathy.

Zhao is a rising senior at Pacific Academy in Irvine, where she balances her time between academics and her profound love of music. Outside of her musical commitments, Zhao enjoys writing, baking and reading. She has published five novels online, launched her own cookie business, and founded Between You & I Organization, a nonprofit that encourages student volunteers to make a positive impact on the community.

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program offers $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 college scholarships to students 18 or younger who have completed significant projects that have the potential to benefit society in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature and music.

– Submitted by the Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program

Anaheim student’s substance use prevention artwork placed on Buena Park bus shelters

Kennedy High School graduate Lena Chin is working to help keep her peers drug- and alcohol-free through her art.

Waymakers unveiled Chin’s artwork on a Buena Park bus shelter recently. The piece was selected after securing highest accolades in a districtwide Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) art contest titled “Connections over Addiction,” which promotes substance use prevention among youth.

Chin’s winning entry, “Surround Yourself with Helping Hands,” illustrates how encircling oneself with supportive people and reaching out for help can support youth in remaining alcohol- and drug-free.

The 4×6 ad displaying Chin’s artwork is at the bus stop in front of Farmer Boys on Valley View near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue in Buena Park.

The winning artwork will be displayed at three locations through Oct. 11. Two additional displays are at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Knott Avenue and the intersection of Ball Road and Walker Street in Anaheim.

Western High School parent named GEAR UP’s Family Leader of the Year

Juana Rojas, a parent in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program at Western High School, is celebrating her recognition as the 2023 GEAR UP Family Leader of the Year. She was honored during the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) conference this summer.

Rojas is the mother of an alumnus and a current student from Western High School in the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD). She was nominated by Cal State Fullerton GEAR UP for her outstanding commitment, leadership and engagement in pursuit of her students’ educational success.

As a parent in the GEAR UP program at Western High School, Rojas consistently juggles the demands of her personal commitments while signing up for educational events and spreading the word among other GEAR UP families. Her integration into the Western High School community began years ago with her oldest child, and she has since maintained a strong and enduring connection with the campus community. She always finds time to volunteer by participating in the Parent Teacher Student Association and Family Engagement committees as well as supporting events at the school.

Rojas’ dedication to empowering others and building meaningful connections makes her a true all-star within the GEAR UP and AUHSD communities.

GEAR UP is a federally funded grant awarded to Cal State Fullerton in partnership with the Anaheim Union High School District.

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Previously known as the Tall Ships Festival, the three-day event includes cannon battles at sea, breakfast with mermaids, Capn’ Jack’s Pirate School for Lil’ Scallywags and much more.

Sailing into the harbor will be the 110-foot brigantine ships the Irving Johnson and the Exy Johnson; the 136-foot Bill of Rights, the 82-foot Curlew, the 129-foot The American Pride, all three of which are schooners; and The Mayflower, a 52-foot ketch.

The join the Ocean Institute’s Research Vessel Sea Explorer and the 118-foot The Spirit of Dana Point schooner which are home ported in the harbor.

The family-friendly Maritime Festival has a variety of free and paid events.

Audrey Zhang and Lyn Huang are looking to make science cool and exciting for kids. The students at Orange County School of the Arts co-founded EpiSTEMic, a nonprofit summer science camp for children in fifth through eighth grade in Santa Ana and Orange communities.

With the help of funding from organizations such as the Dragon Kim Foundation and Google Fiber dedicated to supporting the visions of American youth, EpiSTEMic has been able to provide two weeks of free creative learning for students in Orange County.

Zhang and Huang started the project hoping that through the camp, students would gain new interest in and passion for science that they can remember and carry with them.

It all started with a question: Do you remember what was taught in your middle school science class? After asking around, the response the two got from most students was “No, not really,” and their idea was born.

From building roller coasters to learning how to perform CPR, and then a final day field trip to Santa Ana’s Discovery Cube, camp participants got the opportunity to experience applied science and gain new perspectives and interests in real-world STEM topics.

Big birthday wishes

Dorethea Tierheimer recently celebrated her 103rd birthday.

The birthday girl has lived in Garden Grove since 1967, having moved to town with her husband from Lynwood.

She retired from Northrop Grumman after 25 years and in the years since has enjoyed being a member of the Buena Park Emblem Club — including the organized bus trips to casinos with her friends, her daughter said.

For her 90th Tierheimer arrived in style to her birthday party on the back of a Harley Davidson, her daughter said.

Chapman gives high schoolers hands-on pharmacy experience

High school students recently conducted pharmaceutical lab tests, made medical gels, and discussed the workload and community impact of future pharmacists in the dynamic and unique Pharmacy Summer Research Program at Chapman University’s School of Pharmacy.

Nearly 50 young scientists, more than double the number since its first year, participated in the two-week program.

Witnessing the increasing enthusiasm for pharmacy education among high school students, Chapman faculty members designed the program to shed light on the multifaceted role of pharmacists and delve into the realm of pharmaceutical sciences, said associate professor Hamid Montazeri, director of the program.

Through hands-on experience and expert mentorship, young minds harness the power of scientific literature to craft and showcase their own research projects.

“It has exceeded our wildest dreams,” Montazeri said.

Chapman’s program immerses the young science-minded students into its lab environments with the latest technologies and techniques used in pharmaceutical sciences, he said.

The high school students performed lab tests to observe processes like blood clotting, made a pharmaceutical gel in the compounding lab, asked current students questions about everything from study habits to juggling extracurricular activities, and got advice from the School of Pharmacy’s career specialist.

The students were paired with a Chapman University faculty member to study their specialties. Erica Kim, an incoming senior at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton said, “Learning about Montazeri’s research into delivery systems targeting cancer cells was interesting because a lot of things he’s talking about I’m learning, especially in bio or chem, but he goes into more depth.”

The high school summer research program supports Chapman’s strategic plan goal to strengthen and expand graduate health science programs, advancing health care to meet community needs.

– Submitted by Chapman University

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Orange County Inland Empire chapter recently announced its top fundraisers in the Visionary of the Year philanthropic competition.

The competition brings together thousands of volunteers across the country who are driven to help LLS fight blood cancer, a disease that is diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. and has no means of prevention.

Fullerton resident Maria Elena Jones was named Visionary of the Year Runner-Up. Jones was diagnosed with leukemia and breast cancer on the same day in 2020. She had to fight two types of cancer, all during a global pandemic.

Jones’ love and faith, her husband, Rod, and family and friends helped her through her grueling treatment, and she came out the other side a warrior. Her brother served as a stem cell donor. Today, she is in remission.

Jones signed up to be a Visionary of the Year candidate because of the support and treatment breakthroughs she has seen from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She looks forward to continuing her legacy with LLS.

Staci Conely of Riverside, who raises funds in the name of her late daughter, Addi, was named Visionary of the Year.

– Submitted by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Orange County school recognized for community partnership to support homeless youths

Stratford School Mission Viejo received the Youth for Hope Award from Project Hope Alliance, an organization working to end the cycle of homelessness by supporting homeless youths, in honor of their three-year partnership.

Over the past three years, the partnership grew into a schoolwide mission to serve youths experiencing homelessness.

Among the projects students worked on was filling Boxes of Love for Valentine’s Day, with supplies that children would need to participate in classroom Valentine’s Day exchanges.

Another project involved a schoolwide fundraiser, Stockings for Hope, in which students filled stockings with donated toys, $25 gift cards and small gifts for children of various ages. In 2022, they filled 163 stockings with more than $4,075 in gift cards.

In addition to the school’s partnership with the Project Hope Alliance, students also work with other local and global charities, such as Operation Rescue, Community Table and efforts supporting families in Ukraine.

Orange County school employees recognized by state superintendent

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored nine outstanding classified school employees toward the end of the last school year, including two from Orange County, for their dedication to California’s public school students.

This year’s recipients were chosen from 151 nominations statewide, and local honorees were:

Clerical and Administrative Services: Adriana Ponce, office manager, Jordan Elementary School, Lowell Joint School District, Orange County (eight years of service)

Ponce sees no limitations, only endless possibilities, when it comes to serving the families, students and staff of Jordan Elementary and the Lowell Joint School District. She came to Jordan in December 2014 and brought her extensive technical knowledge of what is required to keep a campus running efficiently from her previous experience serving a large district in Texas.

Ponce looks for creative ways to solve problems and, during distance learning and the return to hybrid instruction, she organized tasks and delegated responsibilities to classified staff members who were not able to perform their typical duties. In doing so, she took care to be sensitive to personal schedules and various levels of comfort when it came to interacting with others.

Food and Nutrition Services: Jaime Carranza, senior warehouseman, Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County (five years of service)

As the senior warehouseman for food services, Carranza’s responsibilities include ensuring school sites receive their deliveries, providing technical guidance to all drivers, monitoring and maintaining warehouse inventory, receiving and storing deliveries of food and supplies, and maintaining warehouse equipment and fleet trucks.

Carranza goes above his responsibilities on a daily basis. He is dependable and is always ready and willing to assist in all areas. He is approachable and friendly and consistently provides excellent customer service by maintaining open channels of communication.

When challenges arise, Carranza is quick to address them and offer solutions. Because of his knowledge and experience and his willingness to assist others, employees never hesitate to call Carranza for assistance.

– Submitted by California Department of Education

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Samuel Olson, a 2022 graduate of Foothill High School, received his Eagle Scout Award in a court of honor of Boy Scout Troop 256. Olson is the seventh son of Ben and Marianne Olson to earn the title of Eagle Scout, which was a big motivation for him to complete the goal.

Olson and his brothers Ammon, John and Daniel attended Foothill High School in Tustin and were members of Troop 256. His older brothers, Jarom, Jacob and Seth, attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove and were members of Troop 548 before the family moved to Tustin.

An important part of the Eagle Scout requirement is to perform a service for the community that demonstrates leadership ability. Samuel Olson coordinated volunteers in Fairhaven Memorial Park to document nearly 3,000 gravesites for the BillionGraves website, which provides the GPS locations and inscriptions of tombstones.

He completed the requirements for Eagle Scout in June 2022 right after he graduated from Foothill, but because of delays in processing, and because he was away at college (Brigham Young University) for his freshman year, he wasn’t able to receive the award until recently.

His next step in life is to serve as a full-time missionary for two years in Guayaquil, Ecuador, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

– Submitted by Marianne Olson

Kurt Bensworth and Sharon King named Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year

Longtime Tustin community members Kurt Bensworth and Sharon King were the recently celebrated Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year.

The TAMWY program has been held for more than 60 years. Tustin individuals are recognized for their dedicated work and outstanding volunteerism in the community for the prior year. Nominations for the award come from previous winners or local nonprofit organizations. This year, two men and four women were nominated.

Bensworth is a longtime Tustinite who has a sincere devotion and concern for the Tustin community. The 1978 Tustin High School graduate champions collaboration with many Tustin organizations.

He has been a volunteer with the American Legion Tustin Post 227. He is the founding member and commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 227, and since 2019 has served as the post’s financial officer.

Bensworth’s other community involvement includes docent at the Tustin Museum, board member and treasurer for the Tustin Area Historical Society, co-chair of the Tustin Museum Revitalization Committee, member of the Tustin Pride Committee and supporter of the “Friends Feeding Seniors” food delivery program.

He has been a member of the Tustin Host Lions Club since 2019, currently serving as its president. He is the recipient of the 2022 Lions International Presidents Award and 2022 Lions Melvin Jones Award.

Bensworth also has been actively involved with the Tustin Community Foundation’s (TCF) annual Paper Football Challenge.

King worked in the Tustin Unified School District for 26 years. She served as an instructional aide at various elementary schools and school secretary at Marjorie Veeh Elementary School, Hillview High School, Sycamore School and Tustin Adult Education.

For the past 35 years, King has been a tireless volunteer. In addition to her work in the schools, she has dedicated her leadership skills to working with the Girl Scouts since 1987 and joined the local Soroptimists chapter of Santa Ana/Tustin where she served as its president for three years.

King also has volunteered for the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) as an active member of its Encore Auxiliary group, volunteering at Broadway in the Park and wherever help was needed in TACFA’s art and music programs.

Additionally, she has served as the volunteer chair for the Tustin Community Foundation’s Sip and Stroll event and participated on TCF’s Advisory Board.

They will ride in the Tustin Tiller Days Parade as guests of honor on Oct. 7 and will have their names permanently etched on a brick walkway in the plaza between the Tustin Library and Clifton C. Miller Community Center at the Tustin Civic Center.

– Submitted by Mark Eliot, 2021 Tustin Man of the Year

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Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) hosted its 12th annual Spirit of Excellence Gala at Karma Automotive in Irvine toward the end of the recent school year.

With more than 250 guests in attendance, including a mix of civic, business and community leaders, the event raised more than $830,000. Money raised will help fund critical programs and classroom support for Irvine Unified School District (IUSD).

The evening also celebrated the accomplishments of current IUSD students and alumni whose education in Irvine has set the stage for their success. Three honorees received the Spirit of Excellence award in their respective fields, in recognition of their achievements.

The honorees included:

Spirit of Excellence in Service — Christian Munden, who served eight years in U.S. Naval Special Operations and was among a select few Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to provide direct support to Navy SEAL teams in Afghanistan and Bahrain. (Irvine High School, Class of 2000)

Spirit of Excellence in Philanthropy — FUTEK, an industry leader in sensor technology and high-performance robotics, has set an example of what it means to be a leader in both business and philanthropy.

Spirit of Excellence Rising Star — Local muralist Derrik Diza, who finds a unique way to combine his passions for art, entrepreneurship and giving back. Diza empowers the artists he represents to create long-lasting impact in their communities. (Woodbridge High School, Class of 2012)

– Submitted by Irvine Public Schools Foundation

Art & Creativity for Healing raises $88K, recognizes local residents

Art & Creativity for Healing had its annual Palette of Colors fundraiser in recent months with 210 guests at the site of Rancho Santa Margarita’s Bell Tower.

This year’s theme, “A Canvas of Hope,” grossed $88,000, with 100% of proceeds supporting the organization’s emotional healing programs through art and creative expression for those living in pain, grief, fear or stress.

During the evening program, honorees included Laura Svette, who received the Big Heart Award for Outstanding Service & Support; Jennette Pulecio, who won the Big Heart Award for Teacher of the Year; and Grace Schlichter, who received the Big Heart Award for Volunteer of the Year.

Svette, of Huntington Beach, has demonstrated integrity and commitment, and has always gone the extra mile – literally. She drives from Huntington Beach to the southern area of Camp Pendleton to facilitate workshops at the Wounded Warriors Battalion. Svette connects deeply with her teen participants as they see how much heart she puts into her workshops and how much she cares for them. She recently coordinated a workshop for 100 participants at a local family resource center.

One of the newest certified Art4Healing facilitators, Pulecio, of Lake Forest, has demonstrated excellence in all that she does. She is dedicated, relatable, and has a huge heart for helping others. Born in Honduras, the mom of two has a degree in psychology from Cal State Fullerton and has worked in HR for the past 16 years.

Art & Creativity for Healing honored Schlichter for her exemplary volunteerism and positive attitude. She comes to the office at least once a week ready and willing for any task. From soliciting auction items for the gala to preparing art boxes for kids, Schlichter also recently joined the organization’s HeARTs for Healing Women’s Guild.

– Submitted by Barbara Kimler

Locals win national championship title in competitive bridge

Competitions are the driving force behind the popularity of the card game bridge. Notably standing out among competitors is Irvine native Hongsa Situ and Laguna Woods resident Bill Shane, who claimed a victory at the 2023 Spring North American Bridge Championship, hosted by the American Contract Bridge League in New Orleans in recent months.

Situ and Shane won the President’s Cup North American Pairs, Flight C event. Both were Mini-McKinney winners in 2022 and have been playing together since March.

The 2023 Spring NABC hosted more than 3,000 bridge players of all skill levels from across the world and more than 6,650 tables of play over the course of the tournament.

ACBL hosts an NABC three times a year across the United States and Canada. Founded in 1937, ACBL is the largest bridge organization in North America with 145,000 members. Participants compete for masterpoints, the exclusive currency of ACBL that measures achievement in duplicate bridge competition.

– Submitted by Addison Hare

Ocean View High School teacher honored as 2023 System 44 Outstanding Educator of the Year

Chris Young, a teacher at Ocean View High School, was recognized as a National 180 Award recipient, being honored as the 2023 System 44 Outstanding Educator of the Year.

Each year, learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt selects students and educators to be recipients of the 180 Awards. For educators, these awards signify their dedication to the growth and success of their students, with a focus on helping them overcome personal and academic obstacles.

The 180 Awards are divided into three categories, based on demonstrated improvements in reading or math: Read 180, System 44 and Math 180. Young was recognized as one of four secondary educators under the System 44 category due to outstanding achievements in literacy within the classroom.

Young has worked within the Huntington Beach Union High School District for 22 of his 24 years in education. He currently teaches at OVHS as a special education teacher and serves as the department coordinator for the IDEAS program, an inclusive program designed to support students with special needs on a comprehensive campus.

“I am honored to receive this national award,” Young said. “Literacy intervention programs like System 44 are excellent in improving reading outcomes. I feel through the power of education, teachers can help open doors, hearts and minds of students.”

– Submitted by Huntington Beach Union High School District

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.

Local teenagers helped raise awareness of gender inequalities and women in need through their student-led nonprofit, Girls Impact for Tomorrow (GIFT).

Led by CEO and Sage Hill High School student Amy Qin, the organization recently hosted a small-business pop-up fair in Irvine and raised $3,807. Thirty small businesses, including 10 student businesses, participated in the event and donated a portion of the revenue.

The money benefits Radiant Futures and its new residential project to house 20 families escaping domestic abuse and human trafficking.

Orange County student wins Battelle Climate Challenge with innovative proposal

Westminster resident Ashley Nguyen recently won the inaugural Battelle Climate Challenge with her proposal, “Seed Bomb.” The cost-effective, sustainable, seed-based restoration method is designed to increase the germination of eelgrasses to fight erosion along the California coast.

Nguyen also earned a $5,000 STEM grant to be split between the Westminster High School Environmental Club and the Westminster High School Mathematics Educated Resources Integrated Technology Science (MERITS) program.

“We are thrilled to recognize Ashley for her innovative thinking and dedication to solving one of the world’s toughest challenges,” said Wes Hall, vice president of philanthropy and education at Battelle. “We are proud to support students such as Ashley who are committed to leveraging STEM skills to better their local communities.”

The Battelle Climate Challenge encouraged and recognized high school students for sharing ideas for mitigating the effects of human-made climate change. For the challenge, students researched past and future impacts of climate-related hazards in their communities and developed proposed actions to help build more resilient communities.

Nguyen’s detailed proposal and proposals from other challenge finalists and semifinalists are posted at futureengineers.org/battelleclimatechallenge.

Battelle partnered with Future Engineers to launch the challenge as part of the company’s commitment to expanding quality STEM educational opportunities for all students and to developing climate solutions.

To hear about future STEM opportunities from Battelle, visit battelle.org/stem-education.

– Submitted by Battelle

9 Orange County Teens Selected for Carnegie Hall’s acclaimed national youth ensembles

Nine musicians from Orange County were selected as some of the brightest young musicians from across the U.S. for the 2023 rosters of NYO-USA and NYO2 – two of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles.

Their hard work has paid off, and for this 10th anniversary summer, they were invited to train with world-class musicians and perform at Carnegie Hall and on tour. Both ensembles undertake an intensive training residency at Purchase College, SUNY, just outside New York City.

This summer, NYO-USA embarked on a seven-city North American tour, ending in San Diego on July 28. Acclaimed conductor Sir Andrew Davis leads the orchestra. NYO-USA’s tour repertoire includes a new work written for the ensemble by Valerie Coleman, commissioned by Carnegie Hall; Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique”; and Barber’s and Tchaikovsky’s violin concertos.

Here is the list of the Orange County musicians:

NYO-USA

Minjae Jaden Kim, Violin (Irvine)

Rubi Lee, Violin (Irvine)

Jiin Yun, Cello (Irvine)

Daniel De La Cruz, Viola (Laguna Niguel)

NYO2

Natalie Kwok, Cello (Fullerton)

Jiyu Lee, Violin (Fullerton)

Kara Wong, Viola (Tustin)

Josephine Velez, Cello (Yorba Linda)

Paul Gong, Bass (Irvine)

– Submitted by Carnegie Hall

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.