Trevor Osaki, a graduate of Cypress High School (‘13), has been named a Research Fellow by the Department of Economics and Undergraduate Research Center (URC) at Occidental College.
The topic of Osaki’s research will be to study the impact of federal financial aid on the tuition structure of public universities and how it has impacted the access to higher education of the groups that federal financial aid is intended to help. His research will be conducted throughout this summer and Dr. Robert Moore, Professor of Economics at Occidental College, will serve as Osaki’s research advisor. Osaki’s research proposal was reviewed and accepted by a faculty committee on behalf of the Occidental College URC and his research is being funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation.
Trevor Osaki is a junior at Occidental College, majoring in economics and with a minor in mathematics. He is also a teaching assistant in the college’s Academic Master’s Program.

The Cypress Council PTA and the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress partnered to host “Wildlife Wednesday” Family Night on Wednesday, March 30  from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Approximately 120 people attended from 10 different schools in the Cypress, Los Alamitos, and Long Beach School Districts.
All attendees enjoyed a free pizza dinner before exploring nine different hands-on animal stations and demonstrations. Some of the more popular stations included a “chameleon fly-catch game”, creating edible butterfly life cycles, and an M&M animal adaptation game. The evening concluded with a variety of fun raffle prizes and giveaways.
Attendees had a special treat when guests Yarib Deming from Inside the Outdoors and Mr. George Fotinakes brought in real live animals, bones, and pelts to interact with and identify.
Multiple STEAM clubs are offered at the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress throughout the year.
STEAM is a newly coined term which incorporates the addition of art into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) principles.
Science and engineering jobs are growing 70 percent faster than other occupations.
By 2018, one in twenty global jobs will be STEM-related! The arts foster creativity and help unleash STEM innovations through new ways of thinking.
The STEAM programs at the Club include weekly clubs, field trips, and special events, such as Wildlife Wednesday, and are designed to foster interest in key STEAM areas hopefully leading to future academic and career success for our youth members.
To find out how you can support STEAM programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress, or for more information about Cypress Council PTA, contact Sue Osbon, Director of Operations at 714-527-2697 x202 or sosbon@bgccypress.org.

Oak Middle School ShowCase Singers celebrated after delivering an amazing performance at the WorldStrides OnStage Festival in San Francisco last weekend. The local singers brought home the First Place Gold and qualified to perform at a Festival of Gold next year at Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Segerstrom Center.
In addition, Oak Middle School 8th grader Genyss Duncan was selected from over 2,000 students to receive the festival’s Ovation Award. The award is given to students showing strength in community service, leadership, academics and all around human excellence.

Rocking out and kicking off with a blast at Affliction in Seal Beach, The Youth Center’s Community Support Campaign Kickoff party was a success raising more than $30,000 in one night towards their monthly goal of $150,000, on April 5. To date, they have $48,000 raised.
More than 150 supporters enjoyed listening to nationally known musician and Orange County local blues/rock guitarist Randy Scott perform at the studio of the retail headquarters with the help of SirusXM LiquidMetal host Jose Mangin.
“I love it,” said Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp.
“It’s all about the kids and our community. Partnering with The Youth Center is one of the highlights of my year.”
Also in attendance were Los Alamitos City Council Members Richard Murphy and Shelly Hasselbrink, Miss Seal Beach Spencer Lopez, and Miss Seal Beach Teen Savannah Finch, the Seal Beach Volunteer Police, Seal Beach TV, and the Seal Beach Lion’s Club to name a few.
Campaigners and supporters united in their common purpose to make a difference in the lives of local kids and their families with the help of campaign chairman and Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich who said, “Anytime the community can rally and come together, we already are successful. We want to give a big thank you to Affliction and Randy Scott.”
All enjoyed delicious food generously donated by several Seal Beach restaurants and establishments including sushi from Mahe, pulled pork sliders from Café Lafayette, a variety of pizzas from Glory Days Pizza, sliders and wings from the Abbey, ice cream delights from Cold Stone Ice Creamery, and Paradis Danish Ice Cream and Vegan Sorbets.
First time campaigner Carol Chudy of Z-Pizza in Los Alamitos who has only been involved with The Youth Center for the last 6 months recalled how she and her husband Steve got involved.
“We started by donating pizzas,” Chudy said. “Now I’m on the Youth Center’s Events Committee.” Both are retired teachers who see the value of keeping kids out of trouble after school. “Kids need a positive outlet and place to hang out,” said Chudy who has four grown children and four grandchildren.
Returning campaigner and long-time supporter John Osborn from Alamitos Eye Care in Los Alamitos expressed, “It’s all about making sure kids become productive citizens. I’m glad there is a Youth Center as there would otherwise be a lot of kids on the streets.”
Besides the After School Program, the campaign also funds the Every 15 Minutes program where teens from Los Alamitos High School learn about dangers and consequences of poor decision making. Campaigners intently and quietly watched a video presentation from last year’s event after listening to three students speak about what an impact it had upon their lives.
“I can remember a girl came up to me and said, ‘Hey, you’re that cop who made me cry,’ said Chief Joe who emotionally had to read a student’s obituary in class as part of the program. “If we can make a difference in one child’s life, then it was absolutely worthwhile.”
Other programs benefiting from the Community Support Campaign include the Youth Center’s Music Program for elementary school students and the Leadership Academy for high school seniors and first year college students who learn valuable life skills to help prepare them for adulthood.
If it wasn’t for the annual campaign, the Youth Center wouldn’t be able to provide such valuable programs that help educate and enrich the lives of many local children from not only Los Alamitos but also from all the surrounding cities of Seal Beach, Long Beach, Cypress and beyond.
The Youth Center formally recognized CrossFit Tribe Functional Fitness and Southland Credit Union as their Local Business of the Year at the campaign kick-off.
Through their efforts and the efforts of each and every campaigner, The Youth Center can continue to provide for the needs of children now and in the future.
Campaigners and supporters will be getting together every Tuesday in April at various locations in and around Los Alamitos.
If you’d like to become a part of their efforts or to make a donation, please contact The Youth Center at 562-493-4043 or go online at theyouthcenter.org.

On Friday, April 1, Soroptimist International of Cypress and members of the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress’ SMART Girls Program toured City Hall and Council Chambers with Mayor Mariellen Yarc and Councilmember Stacy Berry. The girls experienced firsthand how City Council meetings are held and enjoyed sitting on the dais, taking turns sitting in the Mayor’s chair. Mayor Yarc spoke about serving on Council and answered questions posed by the girls. “This is a wonderful way to expose these impressionable young women to local government and public service.

From birth on, 14-year old twins Cheryl and Madison Godbee have shared everything together including growing up with the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.
Both the Los Alamitos High School students’ fondest memories made over their last three years in the After School Program include making friends, hanging out with staff, and helping each other with homework.
They have especially enjoyed participating in the Youth Center’s Halloween Maze and Christmas Tree Lot.
“These events (activities) have helped us to meet new friends by working and helping each other with school work, along with all the fun activities the Youth Center offers,” said the twins.
“Without the Youth Center (After School Program), we would have to hang around the high school even after the Media Center would close, without close adult supervision.”
This takes a lot of stress off the twin’s father, Charlie Godbee who says the Youth Center has been great for his family.
“It’s really helped when we needed a safe place for them after school, a place where they could go and do their homework along with other activities,” Godbee said.
“It would make it much more difficult for me to be able to pick them up and it does take a lot of stress off of me knowing that my girls are being watched.”
The girls are especially fond of the Youth Center After School Program staff who has helped them to grow through a willingness to give advice and help. This is especially true when it comes to getting their homework done.
“One time, I was frustrated by how much homework I had and one of the staff members came to help me,” said Madison. “Staff told me to calm down and to start on it one piece at a time and to not look at it as a whole but to look at each part individually. This taught me not become overwhelmed by my work but to concentrate on what needs to be done and soon all the work will be completed.” Cheryl went on to say that when she wasn’t concentrating on her homework one staff member advised her to not listen to her iPod in order to help her focus better.
Both the girls are looking forward to participating in the newly created Leo Club at the Youth Center, volunteering during the school year and helping out during the summer.
The Leo Club is a youth community service organization associated with the Seal Beach Lion’s Club.
“I hope to bring new ideas to the Leo Club and to have a positive attitude wherever I may go,” said Madison who was just elected president. “I hope to serve the community with a smile on my face and to give help to all those who need it.”
Her sister Cheryl who was elected vice president said she hopes to gain leadership experience and strive to have more people active in serving their community while she attends the many events offered by the Leo Club in order to serve the community.
“The Leo Club has been great for them. It will help them to develop leadership skills and volunteering for community events,” said proud father Charlie. “They really have grown in the years they have been at the Youth Center.”

Over 85 members, guests and local politicians attended the March 2 Woman’s Club of Cypress (WCC) 50th anniversary luncheon at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.

The ladies from the American Legion Unit716 Los Alamitos recently took a trip to the City of Orange to cook dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House on March 31. Pictured from left to right are Jan Ridgeway, Leslie Carter, Second Vice President Irene Hallam and Chaplain Carrie Taylor.

A meeting will be held Thursday, April 7, to look at the U.S. Navy’s proposed plan to replace the ammunition pier at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The meeting will be held in an open house format, 5-8 p.m., in the Community Room of Fire Station #48, North Gate Road, near Leisure World. Navy personnel will be on hand to answer the public’s questions about the proposal.
Navy officials want to build a 1,100-foot by 125-foot replacement ammunition pier inside Anaheim Bay. The project would include a new civilian boating channel.
“I support our Navy and our Navy’s work around the world to keep us safe.  Seal Beach has an excellent relationship with our Navy and the Navy is doing an Environmental Analysis to be sure that any possible unintended negative consequences are identified and mitigated. It is premature to support or oppose this particular project until an Environmental Analysis is done,” said Seal Beach Councilmember Ellery Deaton. She said she would ask for another meeting in Old Town as Old Town and Surfside will be effected by the project.
“We’re only at the earliest stages of this project,” said Gregg Smith, public information officer for the base.
The Navy is preparing a document that is called an environmental assessment for the project. But nothing has been approved yet.
According to Smith, the Navy must first prepare a document called an Environmental Assessment. Before doing that, the Navy wants to know what the public’s concerns are. Getting public comment will take about a month.
Then the Navy will prepare a draft of the Environmental Assessment, a process that will take about a year. Then, Smith said the Navy would seek public comment on the draft. In late 2017 or early 2018, the Navy will issue the final assessment.
Depending on the assessment, the Navy could determine that an Environmental Impact Report is necessary. That could take another two years, according to Smith.
One of the changes that could result from the project is the relocation of the civilian boating channel in Alamitos bay. Smith said that right now, the civilian boating channel goes by the ammunition facility. This is a security concern for the Navy, which sometimes makes it necessary to shut down the harbor to civilian boat traffic.
Smith said the project would move the channel farther from Navy operations, with less need to shut down civilian boating traffic.
Seal Beach merchant Joe Kalmick said repairing or possibly realigning the breakwater on Seal Beach’s side of Alamitos Bay would possibly reduce erosion of the city’s beach. Kalmick would also like to see improving the visual appearance of the fence at the end of the beach.
Smith said there has been no formal study on the economic impact of the project, but the base would be able to handle larger ships, which would mean more business opportunities because of the potential for more sailors to visit Seal Beach on liberty.

Los Alamitos H.S. History Club took second place in the Southern California History Bowl Championship held on March 5 at UC Irvine. Jourdan Mendoza and Arianne Crosby went against Whitney, Troy, Woodbridge, and two teams from Arcadia. Los Al went undefeated (5-0) in the prelims. In the finals, Los Al went against Arcadia’s A team with the score tied at 220 but the tiebreaker went to Arcadia. In the History Bee Individual Competition, Arianne Crosby took 1st place. In the finals, she went against two seniors from Arcadia and Whitney. You can find more information at http://www.historybowl.com/regional-sites/past-bee-results/.

Brandon Till, a fourth grader at Lee Elementary School in the Los Alamitos Unified School District, was awarded the Every Student Succeeding Award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) on Friday, March 11.  This prestigious honor is awarded yearly to individuals across the state who have exceeded expectations by overcoming great obstacles to succeed.  Brandon shows an immense amount of compassion, kindness, and generosity towards others. He is a Peace Maker, a classroom volunteer, and a student leader.  His resilience through personal tragedy has not only served as an inspiration to students, but to the staff as well.  Brandon has succeeded against all odds and has won the hearts of every student, teacher, and community member at Lee Elementary School.

Maged Tanios, M.D., a respected physician leader, educator, researcher and recipient of numerous grants and rewards, has been elected Chief of Staff at Long Beach Memorial. During his two-year term, Dr. Tanios will serve as a liaison to Long Beach Memorial administration and board of directors. He replaces James Wells, M.D., who recently completed his term.
Medical Director of Long Beach Memorial’s Intensive Care Unit and Program Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Training Program since 2012, Dr. Tanios led the Department of Internal Medicine for six years.
He currently is a member of Long Beach Memorial’s Board of Trustees.
Associate Clinical Professor at both UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Dr. Tanios has the distinction of being board certified in four clinical areas—Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine.
“It’s an honor to be selected by the medical staff and follow in the footsteps of Dr. Wells and the distinguished chiefs of staff that have served since the hospital opened in 1907,” says Dr. Tanios. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help lead our 2,000 world-class Long Beach Memorial physicians and look forward to all we can accomplish together to improve the health of our patients and the communities we serve.”
“Dr. Tanios has been active in leadership, clinical and research capacities, is highly regarded by his fellow physicians and a perfect choice at this time,” says John Bishop, CEO of Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and Community Hospital Long Beach.
“As chief of staff, he will work closely with our physicians and leadership to advance our culture of excellence in patient care and clinical outcomes.”
Dr. Tanios served on MemorialCare Health System Academic Advisory Board and as an expert medical reviewer for the Medical Board of California. He is a highly prolific author and recipient of multiple awards and grants, including recognition from American Lung Association and funding from National Institutes of Health.

Assemblywoman Young Kim (R-Fullerton) recently announced that Cypress Mayor Mariellen Yarc has been named the 2016 Woman of the Year for the 65th Assembly District.  Yarc was selected from numerous nomination applications sent in by constituents and community members throughout the district.
“Mayor Yarc is an ideal choice for Woman of the Year,” said Assemblywoman Young Kim. “She exemplifies leadership, public service, and community commitment. Her contributions to the City of Cypress, the Women’s Club of Cypress, local charities, and the fight against domestic violence are truly commendable. I am proud to have such a strong leader and advisor in the 65th district.”
Yarc is currently serving her first term on the Cypress City Council, and was appointed Mayor in December of 2015. She is also a former Commissioner for both the Cypress Parks and Recreation Commission and the Senior Citizens Commission. She serves as Vice President of the Board for the Cypress College Foundation and is an active board member of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce.
“I am very honored and humbled to have been selected as the Woman of the Year for the 65th District,” said Yarc, “and I appreciate Assemblywoman Young Kim’s efforts to encourage and recognize women in our area.”
Mayor Yarc has served on the Executive Board of The Woman’s Club of Cypress and led as President from 2009 – 2011. For the last two years, she has been the 1st Vice President/Dean of the Orange District for the California Federation of Women’s Clubs and will be installed as the President in April of this year. In 2011, she was chosen to represent the State of California at a national leadership conference for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was previously recognized as “Woman of the Year” by the Cypress Chamber of Commerce. She is also the founder of the annual Cypress Women’s Conference, which has since grown into a regional event.
Yarc has volunteered her time to numerous charity organizations and events such as Relay for Life, Autism Walk, Pancreatic Cancer Walk, Precious Life Shelter, Seal Beach Animal Shelter, and the Boys and Girls Club. She is also dedicated to the cause of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention and volunteers to assist victims at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Mayor Yarc holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California Los Angeles and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Southwestern University of Law. She is a partner of Brandon & Yarc, LLP and a Certified Family Law Specialist.
The selection of “Woman of the Year” coincides with the California State Legislature’s commemoration of Women’s History Month in March. This annual tradition salutes women with outstanding community service leadership.
Assemblywoman Kim represents the 65th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Palma, and Stanton.