This fall, the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) was excited to learn of two opportunities to support students at Los Alamitos High School through its Ignite Fund. Both the LAHS Show Choir and Hydrogen Endurance Racing Team submitted grant requests for unique opportunities, and the LAEF Board of Directors was excited to help enhance educational experiences for both groups of students.
With LAEF’s donation of $2640, twenty students from the LAHS Advanced Choir Student Leadership Team had a first-time opportunity to participate in the Disney Youth Education Series, Creating a Leadership Legacy on October 5, 2019 at Disney’s California Adventure park. The experience provided these choir leaders with a unique opportunity to learn how to develop their own leadership legacy, become confident in their ability to accomplish goals, and be motivated to achieve the impossible. Skills learned will be utilized to inspire and guide over 300 students at this summer’s Xcite! Camps, where the Leadership Team will serve as lead counselors.
“LAEF is thrilled that the Disney leadership program was a positive experience for the students involved. We are confident it will make them stronger leaders for Show Choir and that the skills will serve them well in life beyond high school,” said LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue.
The LAHS Hydrogen Endurance Racing Team was looking for ways to increase participation for the 2019-20 race season and reached out to LAEF. With LAEF’s help and a $965 grant, the team purchased parts for a second car. With the additional parts, a second team will design, produce, assemble and complete in the multi-hour endurance races. Giving the team an opportunity to build a second car not only gives more students a chance to participate, but also exposes more students to the engineering department. While building the second car, the students will use the engineering department’s CAD software, 3D printers and CNC machines. They are hopeful it will take the team to the next level; with one car last year, the team advanced to the California State Finals and they are hoping for continued success this year.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF impacts all students by providing significant funding for STEAM teachers and instruction, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources. For more information, call (562) 799-4700 Ext. 80424 or email info@LAEF4kids.org today!