The Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated club is seeking local male and female students who would like to submit an essay to be selected for one of two scholarships that will be awarded at the club’s scholarship luncheon on June 10. Interested students would complete an application and essay explaining “The Importance of Amendment #___.” The deadline is March 31.
• $1,000 – awarded by club members
• $500 – Dorothy Sharp Memorial Scholarship.
Republican club offers scholarships
Griffins advance to Best of West semifinals
The Los Alamitos High softball team won its first two games of the Best of the West Tournament to advance to the semifinals. Ace Ryan Denhart pitched a shutout in the opener as the Griffins defeated Westlake, 8-0, on Saturday.
Denhart pitched five innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three. Alexa Schultz had two hits, including a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Mary Iakopo and Andrea Gonzalez also homered for the Griffins.
St. Hedwig runners out to compete
The running team of St. Hedwig School had fun participating in the Race on the Base 5K in Los Alamitos held Feb.
Run Seal Beach: The little race with a big heart
For 43 years, people have been running, walking and raising funds for the Seal Beach community during the Spring for the annual 5K/10K run and 5K walk, and for the last few years, the 1K kids fun run and fun zone. This year’s race along the scenic oceanfront course in Old Town Seal Beach takes place on April 8.
St. Hedwig Pony Baseball opening ceremonies bittersweet
“Play ball,” said St. Hedwig League President President Dr. William Poe for the last time over the microphone to the SH Pony Baseball players. The league held its opening ceremonies last weekend, which will be the last year for President William Poe, as well as many of the players who have been playing together since Kindergarten.
Poe, who has served on the board for the past five years, is turning over his reign to incoming President and current league Vice President JD Fox in June of this year.
Los Al defeats Long Beach Poly
Los Al’s boys volleyball team defeated LB Poly Varsity volleyball in three straight sets on March 1.
–These photos and captions appeared in the March 8, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
Los Al grappler advances to State
Los Al’s Ethan Bakker placed fourth in the Masters tournament where he led a field of three Sunset League wrestlers who qualified to advance to the state tourney in Bakersfield this weekend.
Bakker, ranked 14th in State, had three pins going in to the semi final match where he clashed with the number one seed, Joe Daniel of Santa Ana.
JV Cheer wins State Championship
The Los Alamitos JV Cheer Team won the State Championship in Ontario at the Cheer Pros Cheerleading Competition on Jan. 29. Back Row: McKenna Reutershan, Morgan Parsons, Alyssa Perez, Allison Sasaki, Cierra Sorenson, Hailey Finamore, and Sera Muyco. Front Row: Madison Troxel, Kylie Mercer, and Isabel Tuman
–This photo and caption appeared in the March 1, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
National Choir singers
Jack Munson and Jean Sullivan are the first Oak Middle School students to audition into the American Choral Director’s Association National Jr. High Honor Choir. This National meeting of choral directors takes place this year on Mach 8-11 in Minneapolis, Minn. These two wonderful vocal musicians are also the Oak Choir Presidents this year. Jean sings in the ShowCase Singers and Showstoppers while Jack sings with ShowCase Singers and ShowMen Elite.
–This photo and caption appeared in the March 1, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
Patriots fall in CIF semifinal game
Oxford Academy’s girls basketball team reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 4AA playoffs before coming up short, 40-36, against Valley Christian of Cerritos on Saturday at Valley Christian.
It was the second year in a row the Patriots reached the CIF semifinals, only to see their run end there. Last year the Patriots did get a berth in the state playoffs. This year’s state berths will be handed out this week, as the state tournament begins March 8.
Los Al girls soccer reaches quarterfinals
The Los Alamitos High girls soccer team reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs, before falling to JSerra, 2-1, to end their season.
The Griffins had blanked their first two opponents, including a 4-0 win over Palos Verdes in the second round at Los Alamitos High. Ashley Soto scored about 10 minutes into the game against Palos Verdes, off an assist by Ally La Carra Platt. That goal proved to be the game-winner as the Griffin defense would go on to shut out the Sea Kings.
State Cup Sweet 16 contenders
The pride of Los Alamitos boys 2005 elite soccer made it to the sweet 16 of the California State Cup over the Feb. 25 weekend.
Over 200 teams in Southern California competed and the local boys made it all the way to knockout stages of the competition.
This recent accomplishment is a first for the FC Premier club in that age group.
Letters to the Editor–March 1: Grateful Hearts president refutes misconduct claim from Jan. 25 letter; Local PTA member opposes Village 605 sign; The Diet of Lent
Grateful Hearts president refutes misconduct claim from Jan. 25 letter
Guest Column: Can Traffic Unite Us?
The larger world is dealing with life and death issues such as terrorism, civil wars, refugees and migration. Both the world and the U.S. are divided on solutions to these critical issues.
Locally, we have one issue, which potentially can unite us: our traffic. Whether it’s the 405 expansion, the Village 605 mall (at the I-605 intersection with Katella), or the nearby downtown Los Alamitos Blvd. project, there is much to be concerned about.
Bomb threat rattles Cypress College
The Cypress College Campus was left in utter chaos last week after a bomb threat was reported while classes were still in session. Cypress College Security and the Office of Campus Communications sent out a message to warn students and parents who were on their way to school. “The Cypress College Tech Education 2 Building has been evacuated to evaluate a specific threat to the area. A College employee discovered a note this morning in the men’s locker room located in Tech Education 2 specifying a threat to that building.
District names its teacher of the year
Los Alamitos Unified School District recently surprised David Moellenkamp, the Los Alamitos High School Director of Choirs, with the news he was selected to represent the District as the Teacher of the Year. Well, good news travels fast as his first period students cheered Moellenkamp on when he entered his classroom.
King, Queen crowned in Los Al
Kerri DaVanon and Brian Leibl were crowned the Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s King & Queen of Hearts on Feb. 24 at The Grand in Long Beach.
The Queen of Hearts, Kerrie DaVanon, is the owner of Happy Hour Fit Club, Rossmoor resident, and a district parent. The King of Hearts, Brian Leibl, is a Rossmoor resident and a Los Alamitos High School parent.
Weekend of Art in Los Al
The Los Alamitos Recreation & Community Services Department and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission recently announced the return of the Weekend of Art in Los Alamitos.
The exhibition will open to the public on Friday, March 17 from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, March 19 from noon-5 p.m. An opening ceremony will take place on Friday, March 17 at 6 p.m. with light appetizers and entertainment. Demonstrations in various art genres for children and adults will be taking place on Saturday, March 18. The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. The closing ceremony will include food, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
This event is free to the public and welcomes all skill levels and ages. Winning artists will receive a gift card to the Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster and an award ribbon. If you or someone you know would like to participate as a visual or performing artist, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org for an application and more information. For questions, please contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-430-1073.
Hoedown at the Ranch
Dust off those cowboy boots in the back of the closet and warm up your dancing legs for a Hoedown at the Ranch that benefits budding students in the community.
Knightlife, an annual fundraiser put on by the parent-group Friends of Rossmoor, will be hosting this year’s event on March 10 at Old Ranch Country Club with the Hoedown at the Ranch theme.
All earnings raised at Knightlife directly supports STEM programs at Rossmoor Elementary.
Visit tinyurl.com/knightlife2017 to purchase a ticket for the event.
‘He sowed his seeds of grace so gently’
Certain words get repeated when family and friends describe a man they adore and miss: loving, humble, brilliant, inspirational, cool.
A gentleman.
A singular soul.
Aubrey de Souza, who worked as an account executive at this newspaper group for several years, died on Jan. 17 at the age of 87, days before his birthday.