A large contingent of students at Los Alamitos High School joined the nationwide protest on March 14, making their voices heard in the wake of the most recent attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
As chants and signs flooded the air, the tune of Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up” played in the background, Los Al students assembled together, along with thousands of other schools in the nation, to stand up for their safety and against gun violence.
Oxford Academy’s girls basketball team held a 48-42 lead over Legacy High of south Gate with just over two minutes left in the game in the CIF State Championship, regional semifinals. But the Patriots blinked and Legacy got a lift from senior guard Arianna Harper as the Tigers closed the game on a 12-1 run to win the Division 3 regional semifinal, 54-49, on Saturday at Oxford Academy.
Harper scored all 19 of the Tigers’ points in the fourth quarter and finished with 26 in the game. Oxford junior center Austyn Masuno, had a game-high 27 points, including 17 consecutive free throws, but the Patriots could not keep pace with Harper as she heated up down the stretch.
“We knew their player was Arianna, we did some things to stop her, but she just played a great game,” Patriot coach Dave Clifton said.
Clifton also noted that the defensively, the Tigers’ full-court press late in the game was effective enough to force the Patriots into costly turnovers and mistakes. It also disrupted attempts to get the ball into Masuno inside, where she had been effective. And the Patriots cooled off at an inopportune time.
“The outside shots just weren’t dropping,” Clifton said.
Masuno was fouled and then a technical foul was added to Legacy, with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter. Masuno converted all four free throws to give the Patriots a 44-37 lead. Harper scored consecutive baskets to cut the lead to 44-41, but Sophia Chan finished a fast break with a layup off a Mylee Madrazo assist to push the Patriot lead back to 46-41.
After two more free throws by Masuno gave the Patriots a 48-42 lead, Harper scored on a jumper in the key and then followed with a steal on the inbounds and layup to cut the Patriot lead to 48-46 and swing the momentum to Legacy. Harper tied the game with a driving scoop shot and gave the tigers a 50-48 lead with two free throws with 1:18 left in the game.
Oxford finished the season with an overall record of 29-3. After falling in the CIF-SS semifinals, to Flintridge Prep, the Patriots were given a berth in the state tournament. Oxford won their regional opener, 61-44, over Beverly Hills, which had won the CIF-SS 3A championship.
Masuno led the Patriots over Beverly Hills with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Chan had 10 points, while junior guard Angie Gagnon added nine points. Freshman Angie Choi and Madrazo each chipped in eight points.
You’d never imagine it, but 10-year-old Youth Center After School Program student entrepreneur Elijah West of Los Alamitos is already an owner and founder of his own business, having big dreams for his future with it and beyond.
Elijah started off selling “personality” novelty socks and has expanded to sell beanies, hats, bow ties, t-shirts, and sweatshirts and soon, will launch backpacks. The idea is a collaborative effort with his mother Keysha Selders.
The Los Alamitos High School Dance Program embarked on a new opportunity by competing, for the first time, in the Imagine National Dance Challenge on Feb. 24 and emerged with three first place awards and two Overall First Place awards. The Advanced Dance Team placed first in the Jazz-large group, Jazz-line, and Lyrical-small group categories, with two of these placing first overall when combining the scores of all categories in the competition. The Advanced Dance Team is led by teacher and Director, Richelle Jones. Jones was the choreographer for the two First-Place Overall awards, winning an Outstanding Choreography Award, and Krystal Fight was the choreographer for the Jazz-large group dance.
The Pageant of the Masters has held its annual casting call for 2018 and is working to fill the slots in the art pieces that have been selected for this year, as those pieces change yearly.
What doesn’t change, except for two or three years in the past, is the concluding scene, “The Last Supper” and so those people are mostly cast from the same group each year, as they already fit that scene.
Those familiar with “The Last Supper” oil painting of Leonardo de Vinci, find that’s an overall favorite at the end of the Pageant; however, there are two other artists who have also painted “The Last Supper” that have been used to conclude the Pageant of the Masters.
Those are, “The Sacrament of the Last Supper” by Salvador Dalí, completed in 1955, after nine months of work and Andy Warhol’s synthetic polymer painting from 1986.
That having been said, Tony Loesch has portrayed Christ in de Vinci’s The Last Supper for 19 years and his nephew, Nate Loesch, both from Los Alamitos, has portrayed Bartholomew, which is the far left Apostle leaning on the table in the painting.
Nate, who sports no hair on top of his head in real life said with a big smile, “I have hair in The Last Supper picture.”
“In 2006 my wife and I moved to California and Tony and his two girls and wife were going to Laguna Beach to sign up for the Pageant and so we went with them to hangout in Laguna,” said Nate. “Tony said, ‘Sign up and see what happens’ and that’s when I got called to be Bartholomew because I was the right height and build.”
Tony said he hasn’t taken a break in 19 years of portraying “Christ” in, “The Last Supper” except for two years when the Pageant used Salvador Dali’s Last Supper scene. “I didn’t think I’d be doing the part this long, but now I’m mostly doing the Pageant with my youngest daughter, Lily, 15,” he said. My daughter Maggie, 20, is away at college and happens to also be the youngest-to-date holding the distinction of a ‘Life- time member’ of the Pageant,” he explained. “As a life time member you can be a member of the board; vote and get two free tickets to the Pageant each year for the rest of your life.”
For two years, Tony’s wife, Mary, portrayed “John the Beloved” in The Last Supper scene, as that figure has more feminine facial features and she fit the look.
Tony said being in the Pageant is a chance to be with other cast members and also to be with his nephew who’s been in the same seen with him for 10 years at the far left of the table in the picture.
“The cast members are such great people and I’ve been with my kids and so it becomes a very social atmosphere,” Tony said.
Besides being in the Pageant, Nate is a nurse at Los Alamitos Medical Center and Tony is a general contractor in the Huntington Beach area.
With the casting call complete and measurements recorded, the wait begins for the cell phone to ring of those who tried out.
It’s been said by participants that there’s no place on earth like the Pageant and that’s why they look forward to being there year after year because of the people they get to work with. A person who volunteers at the Pageant is there because they want to be, not because they have to be and so that’s what creates an incredible ‘working’ environment where it’s possible to make lifetime friends while helping to put on one of the most spectacular shows in the world.
One participant described the Pageant as, “Summer camp for adults.”
Pageant volunteers are not only needed for on-stage positions in the art pieces but also for positions in wardrobe, make-up and headdress departments, as well as cast-area coordinators and refreshment servers, to name a few of the positions.
Students volunteering for the Pageant earn credit toward community service requirements.
“It takes more than 500 volunteers, both onstage and behind-the-scenes, to put on the Pageant,” said Pageant director Diane Challis Davy. “We wouldn’t have a show without our volunteers and they have so much fun backstage, volunteers return year after year.”
Performances are nightly at 8:30 p.m. from Saturday, July 7, to Friday, Aug. 31, except for a special fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 25. This year’s show, “Under the Sun,” is set to showcase lots of art depicting activities “Under the sun.”
The national protests that sprang up as a result of the school shooting in Parkland Florida, on Feb. 14, reached the Los Alamitos community on Thursday.
A rally, organized by teachers and parents, was held in front of Los Alamitos High School to show support for the students from Florida, who are waging a battle for gun reform in the wake of the tragedy that occurred at their school.
A statement released by the organizers of the rally at Los Al, stated: “While we consider Los Alamitos High School to be safe we want to follow the example of the brave students from Parkland and use our voice to ask the community and government to demand more, to move past ‘thoughts and prayers’ and make real action to prevent mass shootings in our communities.”
Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida are using their voices to push for gun reform, after 13 students and three staff members were killed during the campus shooting at their school.
The rally at Los Alamitos High drew more than 100 protesters, who sported signs, chanted for change and drew honks from passing motorists.
“Technology and the weapons of war have advanced to the point that if the NRA truly wants to protect the 2nd Amendment they should consider common sense regulation on public use of weapons designed for war. When universal background checks, banning bump stocks and semi automatic weapons is seen as infringement by some-we all need a reality check. The alternative is more of the same. Regularly occurring massacres of Americans,” organizer Mark Celtsen said.
The Los Alamitos High girls basketball team’s run in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs came to an end with a 48-40 loss to West Torrance, on Saturday at Los Alamitos High.
The Griffins trailed much of the game, but the score was close down the stretch, as the Griffins made runs to try and catch the Warriors on several occasions. West Torrance led 24-16, early in the third quarter, when Asia Avinger drove the key for a scoop shot that cut the lead to 24-18. Sydney Gandy followed with a three-pointer that cut the lead to 24-21.
Oxford Academy’s girls basketball team reached the CIF-SS semifinals for the third year in a row, but again came up short. The top-seeded Patriots could not hold off a rally by Flintridge Prep, a they fell 45-40 in the CIF-SS Division 3A semifinals on Saturday.
Oxford was unable to hold onto a 13-point lead midway through the second quarter and a 10-point halftime lead. In the first half, Oxford was 6 of 11 from behind the three-point arc and held Flintridge star point guard Kaitlyn Chen to only one point. In the second half, Chen scored 19 points, for a game-high 20 points, while Oxford struggled from the field shooting 3 for 18 in the second half.
Oxford cut the lead to 42-40 when Ausytn Masuno converted inside with 1:13 remaining. Oxford had a chance to tie with :20 remaining and went back inside to Masuno but this time she was unable to convert. For Oxford, Masuno finished with 13 points while Angie Gagnon scored 9 points by converting on three, three-point shots. Both Sophia Chan and Angie Choi scored 6 points all on 3-point baskets.
On Feb. 21 at Oxford, the Patriots held off LaSalle (20-8), 55-50, in the quarterfinals to advance to the finals. The game was a one-possession game most of the way.
Masuno led the way with a team-high 24 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 assists. Senior guard Sophia Chan had 8 points.
Freshman point guard Angie Choi scored 6, and added 6 steals and 5 assists. LaSalle senior point guard Julia Macabuhay scored 33 points including 24 of the team’s 26 second-half points.
However, Oxford Academy qualified for the Regional State Tournament and will be back in action on March 7, opponent and site to be determined.
The Cypress Americana Awards began in 1975, where Cypress College pays tribute to local residents who generously give of their service to the various communities within the college’s boundaries.
The Club for Teens at the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress held their first collection drive for the spcaLA of Long Beach.
Students from Hebrew High ended the 2017-2018 first semester with a trip to West Lake Village to celebrate the Second Annual Unity for Israel Day. They joined a hundred students from around the southland to celebrate and learn Israeli traditions. In anticipation of Israel’s 70th Anniversary, students learned about how different parties worked together to write the Israeli Declaration of Independence. In this workshop, students learned that like the American Declaration of Independence, it was an icon of Democracy. All factions had specific items that they felt must be included. The final product was a true compromise because while it was a great action, all parties were equally disappointed.
Some students learned self-defense techniques in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Boot Camp. IDF training is strong with martial arts since before Israel became an independent nation, Israeli Defense Force were not allowed most weapons even when used in defense.
Most Hebrew High students learned how to make hummus from scratch. They learned how healthy chickpeas are and how to make their hummus full of flavor. Students ended the day with lunch and writing letters to soldiers.
There is time for Orange County and Long Beach area students to join Hebrew High students for second semester and earn up to five language credits. In its 14th year, the WASC accredited Hebrew High program serves students from over 8 local high schools in Long Beach, Huntington Beach Union, Anaheim Union, and Los Alamitos School Districts. Students enjoy hands-on learning and an unforgettable experience. “The foreign language program at Hebrew High is a real feather in the cap for the students on their college application,” says High School counselor, Debbie Fried.
To learn more about joining the Hebrew program for second semester, visit www.ChabadLosAl.com or call 714-828-1851.
Brian Sunley would have probably considered himself a soccer fanatic. It was the sport he played most, and was a passion for him since youth. But Sunley was fan of all sports and the positive impact he believed it could have on the lives of young people
Cypress PONY Baseball league held its opening night ceremonies on Friday at Oak Knoll Park, and dedicated its season to Brian. Sunley passed away suddenly in late 2017.
“Brian believed volunteerism is the heart and soul of a community,” former Cypress Council Member Todd Seymore said.
Sunley had been a long-time Cypress resident and dedicated volunteer in various organizations around the city. He was a former president of the Friends of Cypress Parks and Recreation.
He had long been a member of the Cypress Festival Committee, including a past chairmand, and usually organizing and leading the Chili Cook-off and Car Show. Brian coached and refereed in Cypress AYSO soccer for more than 17 years. He helped Cypress High football raise money and was a former Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commissioner.
In 2009 was the recipient of the Commission’s Volunteer Services Award for the City of Cypress. In 2008, he and his wife Linda, were selected by Cypress College as Citizens of the Year for the City of Cypress. Linda was on hand Friday to accept an award from the league, commemorating their dedication of this season to Brian.
“He would have been absolutely thrilled and honored by this, I am too,” Linda said.
The Los Alamitos High rugby team knocked off undefeated Servite to advance to the playoffs. The Griffins rolled past Servite, 48-12 in the win.
Senior inside center Dylan Ramirez scored four tries while tries were also scored by freshman wing Xzavier Nadeau-Perez, outside center Andrew Andrade, No. 8 Ken Sale, and flyhalf Gustavo Hernandez.
Senior Simon Gerard converted six of those tries, and Elijah Tuialii converted one.
“This game was a well set challenge for both teams,” said Los Alamitos Head Coach Dan Chase.
Los Alamitos High School held a signing day in the school gymnasium, spotlighting nine seniors who signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiate-level athletics on Feb. 7.
The Los Alamitos Marching Band and Cheer and Song teams kicked off the festivities, performing to a packed house of family, friends, teachers, counselors, and coaches.
Each student-athlete was introduced by his or her coach and then spoke to the crowd, thanking the key people who have been a part of their academic and athletic journey.
The following students signed National Letters of Intent:
Football
Matthew Faupusa—University of Idaho
Alex Miskela—Brigham Young University
Dylan Norrbom—Western State Colorado University
Zack Ruiz—Western State Colorado University
Rowing
Mikaela McClure—Southern Methodist University
Soccer
Sydney Cooper—Mercy College
Vanessa Millsaps—University of Washington
Ashley Soto—University of Southern California
Track and Field
Delaney Sanacore—Columbia University
Los Alamitos High School will hold its next signing day in the spring.
Oxford Academy girls’ basketball team finished the regular season 25-1, ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Div. 3, and ranked No. 10 in Orange County. Oxford finished 12-0 in the Academy League to pick up their 3rd consecutive league title.
The Lady Patriots’ lone defeat was in the Larry Doyle tournament to Brea Olinda, who is ranked No. 2 in Orange County. Oxford won their division at the Ocean View tournament and won their own tournament and have victories over top teams such as Kennedy, Cypress, and Edison.
Oxford Academy has been led all season by senior guard Sophia Chan, junior center, Austyn Masuno, and freshman point guard Angie Choi. Chan averages 14.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 Steals and has scored over 1,000 points in her Oxford career. Masuno is a dominating force around the basket and averages 20.4 pts and 11.4 rebounds and has scored more than 1,500 points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds in just three years. Choi is the catalyst on offense and averages 9.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.9 steals
The Lady Patriots are now shifting their focus on the CIF playoffs where the team has been stopped in the semi-final game the past 2 years. The team has worked hard all season with the goal to win CIF 3A Championship. The team is battled tested and returns four starters from last year’s squad.
Seeded No. 1, Oxford has a first round bye and will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Oxford against the winner of Villa Park and Simi Valley, who are playing on Thursday.
Driven by a vision to “ignite unlimited possibilities” for every student within the system, Dr. Sherry Kropp, Supt. of the Los Alamitos Unified School District, has been chosen the Orange County Superintendent of the Year.
“I am very gratified,” said Kropp, adding that she “feels really privileged to serve and support what our parents and students what from our school system.”
Dr. Sherry Kropp acknowledged the honor by saying what she does requires a team effort. “No one person can do this work,” she said. “We have an amazing team and a very committed board of education.”
The Association of California School Administrators this week announced the decision to honor Kropp. She will officially be honored on May 7.
“To really excel, you must truly believe in potential of every young person in the system,” says Kropp, and “to serve them, you have to be very responsive and interact with parents and students.”
Kropp chose a prophetic theme for this school year. The Los Al Unified School District operates under a “one team, one vision” concept, which professes a goal of “igniting unlimited possibilities” for students.
As such, Kropp instructs her staff to be “capable, competent and caring” in everything they do. “Whatever it takes,” she often says.
More importantly, the superintendent is visible. Her staff jokes “she is everywhere.” Kropp has obviously learned the value of feedback. She puts her personal cell phone number on all communications to parents and happily speaks to most who call.
“To fully serve and support what our parents and students want from our system,” she says, “you have to listen.” She does and instructs her team to do the same. And, she says, the listening pays dividends. As an example, the district recently installed a new, advanced computer robotics program which resulted directly from parental input.
Kropp says her team is “committed and talented.” Together, they believe in the students. The superintendent is fiercely and firmly driven to make every student believe they have an “amazing future” and “unlimited possibilities ahead.”
The announcement also drew praise from the Los Al Unified Board of Education. “Providing the best possible educational experiences for all students” is the driving force behind Dr. Kropp’s exceptional leadership,” said Los Al Unified Board President Dr. Jeffrey Barke.
“Sherry believes in our vision, is courageous, and supports our excellent staff who provide robust programs in academics, athletics, activities and the arts.”
According to Barke, “there is no fiercer advocate and champion for students than Dr. Kropp. She understands the incredible impact one caring adult can have on a student and loves it when adults “let their eyes light up” when they see and interact with young people. She leads with a heart for children and inspires others to believe in unlimited possibilities as we help develop caring, capable, and competent students. She dreams big and wants students to dream big, too.”
Kropp has been serving in Los Alamitos Unified School District since 1985 and has been the Superintendent for seven years. Prior to being named the Superintendent, she was a teacher, assistant principal, and interim principal at Los Alamitos High School, a principal at Laurel Continuation High School, and a Director and Assistant Superintendent at the District office. Sherry considers it a privilege to work in Los Alamitos Unified, where staff, families, and community members join together to nurture, cherish, and support the success of young people.
Kropp has become known for innovation during her years in the LAUSD and has led the district to a number of significant accomplishments, said Barke. As Dr. Kropp fondly says, “Los Al is a great place to live, work, and go to school.” On behalf of the Board of Education, please join me in congratulating Dr. Sherry Kropp on this prestigious honor, he added.
Kropp has served in a variety of capacities for several non-profit organizations and currently serves as a Board Member for the Los Alamitos/Seal Beach Rotary Club and the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce. She was selected as the Teacher of the Year twice at a middle school in Washington, Administrator of the Year while the Principal at Laurel, and received the PTA Honorary Service Award twice, as the Assistant Principal at LAHS and as the Superintendent for Los Al. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership.
The Kennedy High girls wrestling team captured the Empire League title for the third consecutive year. The Fighting Irish advanced to the CIF Regionals, where they took third in the team scoring and sent nine girls to the CIF Masters tournament, taking place Feb. 9-10, at Roosevelt High School.
The girls who qualified to CIF Championship (Masters) are: Prethy Enriquez, Danielle Lopez, Cameryn Hulbert, Ariana Gonzalez, Destiny Gonzalez, Alexandra Alers, Lauren Madison Camp, Kiana Hatfield and Evelyn Pablo.
Printmasters of Los Alamitos was honored by the Los Alamitos City Council during its meeting on Jan. 16 for its 10th Anniversary. “We should honor all of our businesses when we can,” said Mayor Troy Edgar,”But where Nesi is different, is that she’s involved in the City and is currently serving as the president of the Casa Youth Shelter’s board, along with serving on the board of directors for the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce.” Pictured from left are Council member Mark Chirco, Mayor Pro tem Warren Kusumoto, Mayor Troy Edgar, Printmasters Owner Nesi Stewart, employee Ashleigh Bostic, Council woman Shelley Hasselbrink, Printmasters Owner Carl Stewart, Council member Richard Murphy and employee Robert Torres. Printmasters is located at, 10666 Los Alamitos Blvd. Photo by Loreen Berlin
Outstanding philanthropic youth were celebrated at the Youth Center’s A Night Among the Stars awards on Jan. 27 at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos. Out of 16 nominees, four young volunteers were awarded $500 scholarships, with a “Courage in Volunteering Award” given by the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach to one outstanding nominee who overcame personal challenges to give back to the community.
The Cypress High girls soccer team remained unbeaten in league play with wins over Valencia High and Kennedy High. The Centurions held Valencia scoreless for a 1-0 win on Wednesday and then topped rival Kennedy, 2-1, on Friday.
The two wins improved the Centurions’ league record to 6-0-2, wth two games scheduled for this week. Pacifica is sitting atop the league standings at 7-0-1 with the two teams set to conclude the regular season with a game on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Cypress High.
The Centurions are looking for a fifth consecutive league title. They have not lost a league game since February of 2014 at Yorba Linda. The Centurions have not lost a home league game since 2013, to Pacifica.
Cypress and Pacifica each had games on Tuesday (past press time) against teams at the bottom of the standings. Barring an upset loss, Cypress and Pacifica will decide the Empire League championship on Thursday. Cypress was ranked No. 5 in this week’s CIF-SS Division 2 poll, while Pacifica is ranked No. 1 in the Division 3 poll.
Rooted deeply in your community for nearly 100 years, the Event-News Enterprise has been continuously published since 1923. In May of 2018, the Event News and News Enterprise merged to form the Event-News Enterprise, and publishes every Wednesday. Proudly reporting on the news and events of multiple communities including Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Cypress, El Dorado Park Estates, La Palma, and portions of Seal Beach. The Event-News Enterprise integrates both digital and social media platforms, enabling our readership to access our content through various forms of media while significantly increasing our audience. The News Enterprise is committed to reporting on, gathering, and delivering timely news and informational content in print and online. Our readership is our most valuable asset and continues to grow daily.