For the second time this season, SoundTrax and SoundFX have won National Grand Championships. Both groups, competing in the FAME Shoir Choir Finals at the Genesee Theatre just outside of Chicago, scored impressive wins on their way to earning the right to be called double National Grand Champions. This is the first time high school’s show choirs have won two national championships in the same year.
Last Friday, SoundTrax won in the Unisex Division, capturing awards for Best Show Design, Best Vocals and Best Choreography. Malia Rivers was named Best Unisex Division Soloist.
On Saturday, SoundFX followed up with an equally impressive win, capturing awards for Best Costumes and Best Choreography. Jenna Rosen was named the Mixed Divison’s Best Female Soloist.
Both groups have many members who are now gearing up for the program’s production of Les Miserables on May 13. The upcoming show will take place at 7 p.m. at the Cottonwood Church Auditorium located at 4505 Katella Ave. in Los Alamitos.
Tickets are currently on sale through the LAHS choir program’s website at www.losalamitoschoir.com.
For more information, please email lo***************@***il.com.
Los Al Choir groups bring home two national titles
Youth Center campaign raises $200,000
With final numbers tallied after their month-long Community Support Campaign led by Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich, the Youth Center in Los Alamitos successfully reached their goal of raising $200,000 in donations to support the center.
The Youth Center reached their goal due in part to the amazing leadership by Chief Joe and the support of the Lions Club, Affliction, Griffins’ Grill and Brew Kitchen Ale House.
Campaign funds go directly to vital programs and activities for the year ahead including the Youth Center’s After School Program, elementary school music program, Every 15 Minutes teen drunk driving determent event, the Leadership Academy and Summer Camps. Also, scholarships awarded to families in need are made available due to campaign funds raised.
“When busy people who absolutely have no time come together to raise funds for something that’s dear to their heart and the community, they always succeed as they did this year,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “I want to thank all the campaigners and supporters especially Chief Joe for stepping up and helping us to raise funds so we could keep our doors open for all the families who need us.”
With the uncertain future of the Youth Center, Chief Joe said he knew it was critical to reach and surpass their campaign goal.
“The team and community are responsible for the success,” he said. “This year we were able to activate many communities to work as a team. Residents and businesses in Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Cypress and Long Beach all worked hard.” He lauded his division leaders Shawn McLean, Brandon Petersen, Scott Newton, Karen and Eric Frankenberg, who have been involved for years with the Youth Center, crediting them for their dedication and leadership in making everything possible.
A passion for the Youth Center and telling their story is what motivated Campaign Division Leader Scott Newton to successfully raise $25,000. “Inspiration comes from knowing how important The Youth Center is to our community and our kids,” he said.
Youth Center programs and operations manager Julie Rubin will be braving an ocean swim challenge thanks to donors giving $1,000 or more to her campaign efforts. “I set out to design a big challenge for myself in doing the ocean swim because the kids mean so much to me,” she said. “At first I was hesitant but I am now ready for the challenge.”
“This year’s response to the campaign from parents, friends, family and community supporters to the needs of the Youth Center was absolutely amazing. We are very grateful,” she said.
Although the month-long campaign has officially come to a close, The Youth Center accepts contributions year-round. If you are interested in making a contribution, please contact them by calling 562-493-4043 or visit their website at www.theyouthcenter.org.
Community Briefs
May is Poppy Month thanks to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 716
Poppies represent the sacrifice of service made by our veterans and has been an important goal of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 716’s Poppy Program since its inception in 1921.
Recently, the City of Los Alamitos, Mayor Richard Murphy and the Los Al City Council awarded the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 716 of Los Alamitos a proclamation, which made May Poppy Month. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, millions of red crepe paper poppies, which are all hand made by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation, are distributed across the country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities.
Camp Cypress registration now open
Looking for some summer fun? Sign your kids up to have an exciting summer while meeting new friends at Camp Cypress. Cypress Recreation and Community Services has begun registration for Camp Cypress, a summer day camp for children entering first-seventh grade.
Camp is held at the Cypress Community Center located at 5700 Orange Avenue, from June 13 to Aug. 5. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Extended hours are also offered from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please call 714-229-6780 or visit the website www.cypressrec.com.
Los Al-Rossmoor Library brick sale
The deadline to order your personalized pavers is June 1. There is still time to immortalize your name, the name of a loved one, a family pet or a favorite saying on Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library’s Front Porch. Tell all your friends and neighbors. Time is running out,
The deadline to order your personalized brick is June 1. Order forms are available at the Friends Bookstore or at the library front desk. The cost is $100.00.For more information please contact Friends of the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library Paver Coordinator, Sandy Tessier at fr*****************@***il.com.
La Palma Library booksale
The Friends of La Palma Library will have a book sale on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise funds for library programs. The sale is at the library at 7842 Walker St. in La Palma. The materials in the sale have been donated by area residents or culled from the library collection to make way for new books. For more information visit friendsoflapalma.wix.com/home, email fr**************@***il.com, or call Rebecca Allen, who’s President of the Friends of La Palma Library at 714-747-1456 with any questions.
Charity raises $90K in a night
We Care’s 10th annual From the Heart fundraiser on April 9 raised $90,000 in one night. The funds raised allow We Care to offer vital services that provide a safety net to families in the community for self-sufficient futures. From the Heart was hosted at Aegean Designing Whims and Tamara Rene Designs in Los Alamitos. Almost 300 supporters enjoyed food and drinks graciously donated by local restaurants including Naples Rib Co., Shenandoah at the Arbor, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Coconut Rabbit, El Zerape and Franco’s Italian Restaurant.
The future of education
If I were to ask you to list the conditions for powerful learning, I’ll bet you would come away with a list very similar to mine, including: safe environment, personal investment, real world application, fun, relevance to students’ lives, social, interesting questions, positive environment, real audience, passion, autonomy, challenging, not time constrained.
I’ll also bet that in a room of 100 adults, not one of them would say that powerful learning comes with sitting in rows, one-sized curriculum, teacher controlled, standardized tests, emphasis on grades, no choice, lack of relevance, no real world application.
So why do we continue to run our schools the same way they’ve been run for over 100 years? Why do we continue to test, emphasize grades, restrict learning to the textbook, expect all kids to learn at the same rate and ability, and isolate content in 50-minute blocks?
I read an article this week published in the summer of 2014 by the Hawken Review written by the Head of Hawken School, D. Scott Looney. He spoke of the future of education — the scary, daunting, exciting time in education where “we are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet.”
We live in an extraordinary time in human history. We are witness to unprecedented economic, environmental, and political instability. At the same time, we are witness to incredible advances in technology, medicine, and communication. This paradox of fear and excitement poses a challenge to us all, young and old. And yet we continue to teach our children in an antiquated system of sameness, as if we need all our children learning ubiquitous content, at the same time, at the same rate, in isolation. Where is the power is this model?
I was thinking this week about the interviews we see on TV every year wherein some host stops random people on the street to ask them questions about some factoid we all “learned” in elementary, middle or high school. We laugh collectively as we watch the interviewee hem and haw before answering incorrectly. Do we laugh because we know, or do we laugh because we, ourselves, would answer incorrectly, as well?
These interviews simply reflect the truth that we forget most of what we “learn” in school. So why do we continue to teach and test content knowledge like this?
Powerful learning, the knowledge we remember, comes from moments in which we were completely immersed and engaged. True learning requires a personal interest in what’s being learned. The process of learning for the sake of a test just isn’t effective or purposeful. In fact, I argue that kids with access to the internet and technology are “learning” more outside of school than they are inside of school.
So what should schools be doing?
We need to be teaching kids how to USE content. Teaching kids how to think, collaborate, wonder. Teaching kids how to navigate ambiguity, complexity and interconnectedness.
Our kids need to find a passion that pushes them to “learn” what matters to them, so their learning can solve problems and impact the world — or at least their own small corner of the world.
It’s time to rethink what we do on a school’s campus and why we do it.
The future of education? It’s going to require we ignite students’ curiosity and interests — or we aren’t going to have much of a future at all.
Cathy Larson, Rossmoor resident, classroom teacher at Oxford Academy in Cypress, owner of Write Away U summer camp, www.cathylarson.com
Veterans Voices: Anti-slavery
First, this article is not about any person serving in any country’s armed forces, nor about any military Veteran, nor about any person of any ethnic or gender, nor about any person’s religion, race, skin color, etc.
The primary intent of this article is to tell the story behind the man who wrote a particular, well-known song, and often sung at numerous, various types of events.
The story was told by Dr. Wayne Dyer on a PBS TV program my wife and I tuned in on Thursday, April 21, 2016.
Dr. Dyer was an American philosopher, famous author of over forty self-help books, and as a world-renowned motivational speaker. (In 1977, I bought a copy of his first book, “Your Erroneous Zone.”)
Wayne Dyer was born on May 10, 1940, in our hometown of Detroit, Michigan, and he died of leukemia on August 29, 2015 in Hawaii.
The story Dr. Dyer told was about the song, “Amazing Grace” as sung by a San Diego children’s choir on the TV program.
John Newton was an English clergyman and poet until he was forced to join the British Royal Navy. After leaving the service, he became an English ship captain who sailed a ship to Africa to pick up a boatload of natives and then to transport them to South Carolina, so they would be sold into slavery.
After several similar voyages, Captain Newton no longer wanted to be involved in the slave trade, so on his next shipload of African natives, he sailed back to Africa and released all his “passengers.”
Then, he sailed back to England and resigned from the ship-owners, and ended his slave-trading career in 1754.
Thereafter, he wrote a poem with the following words to “Amazing Grace”
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine.”
Isn’t it interesting how one man’s “indirect participation” in the slave trade in the 18th century cause him to write a poem that was written into a song that has been sung by millions of people worldwide over the past three centuries?
This story reminds me of a few lines in a poem that appears in a book I wrote, “Telly’s Torch.”
“I know no foreign people; I serve them all.
I know no difference in race or color,
I favor all, from east, west, north and south.”
Impressions of the Model United Nations
In April it was my pleasure to produce for Los Alamitos Community Television coverage of a day-long conference on the campus of Los Alamitos High School called Model United Nations 2016 now airing on Los Al TV Channel 3. The event was hosted by the Los Al Griffins student Model UN Club, which simulates the real world challenges, processes, and drama that face the actual United Nations body, compressed into a daylong conference. And although it was an hour long program featuring highlights of the day’s proceedings, I was left with the notion that so much about this remarkable day went unsaid.
First and foremost, I was impressed by the equal measure of professionalism and enthusiasm displayed by virtually all of the student-delegates, nearly 400 strong from over 20 other high school campuses across the Southland converging for this one day conference and focusing on the single issue of the very real refugee crisis that faces Europe and Africa today and the threat of terrorist groups who would infiltrate them. It was clear from the start that these student/delegates, from advanced high school seniors to first time middle school novices, brought with them a remarkable grasp of the facts as they presented their arguments, thoroughly immersing themselves in the political perspective of the particular UN country they were designated to represent. Over the course of the day, from small committee deliberations to full resolution debates, I observed these student/delegates presenting concise and compelling arguments, displaying a command of the issues with a poise and maturity that would seem beyond their years to conjure. Unfortunately, only a fraction of these articulate exchanges between delegations, often from even the younger delegates, was I able to include in the program.
It was equally clear to me that they were just as excited to be there as they were prepared, eager to share their world views and to hear what others had to say. Even at lunch break I overheard many of the committee delegates carry on the debate over their catered in Pollo Loco box lunches, driving home a point on the status of political refugees while waving a chicken leg in the air. It was easy to see these high school kids had found their place in the sun. Their glory moment in which to shine. Not on the football field. Not on the performance stage. But on the debating floor armed only with their wits, their powers of recall, and their sincere devotion to solving the world’s problems.
And their optimism seemed to extend beyond the debating floor. While shouldering the responsibilities of hosting a day-long conference, the Los Al Griffin MUN Club and their boosters also found time and energy to set up a charitable concession to collect funds through refreshment sales to support the very real world need of refugee aid. Through the day they raised over $400, all of which will go to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
All the more impressive is the fact that, unlike many of the other participating high school MUNs competing on this day, Los Al MUN Club is just that, a club, not part of the regular curriculum as is the case at many of the other participating high schools. These Los Al MUNs are made up strictly of students who want to be there, to compete and to represent their school without the added incentive of getting course credit for it. In other words, they are there for the sheer love of the UN process, a thirst for the world and how it works, and what appeared to be a sincere belief that civilized dialogue among peoples can produce results.
Of course there were some stumbles, misstatements, and occasional over the top presentations resulting mostly from an abundance of, shall we say, enthusiasm. Like the senior delegate from another HS who proclaimed MUN “way cooler than that other [debate] club, JSA.”(Junior Statesman of America) But in the main I was deeply impressed and reassured somehow that there were millennial kids out there in this 27 character world who could take that deep dive into the thorny and often murky pool of world politics, think critically, and come up for air with informed and articulate prescriptions and solutions, and do it with smiles on their faces.
Speaking to these budding leaders of tomorrow, one on one when I could, I did get the distinct impression from them the world’s problems actually could be solved with just the right convergence of advocacy and compassion. I in my somewhat more senior years hold a slightly more cynical view, but I held my tongue. Who knows, maybe these sophomores of life are on to something. At any rate my reporter’s hat is off to these young multitalented, multilevel thinkers for even daring to be optimistic. And to our own Los Al Griffin Model United Nations Club, returning from a decade of dormancy, to field a delegation of almost 100 highly motivated LAUSD students to then organize, host and officiate a successful regional MUN conference pretty much on their own- I say long may they run.
John Underwood is a senior producer at Los Al TV. Visit losaltv.org to view Los Al TV programs online.
Three OC Championships for Los Al’s girls track team
The Los Alamitos High School Girls Track and Field Team had a challenge in front of it trying to defend last year’s title at Saturday’s Orange County Championships, especially after graduating several high-caliber seniors last year. However, with the team scoring in both five track events and five field events, the Griffins achieved a second place finish behind a strong Mission Viejo team.
In the often overlooked Field Events, the Los Al Girls especially shined while being led by multi-event senior Alison Parsons. Parsons not only won the Long Jump (18’-09”) but placed second in the Triple Jump with a school record leap of 37’-04.25”, finished third in the 100m Hurdles (15.48) and fourth in the High Jump (5’-00”). Parson’s talents accounted for nearly 40 percent of the points for the girl’s team.
Adding to the team’s accomplishments on the field, junior Kallie Given won the High Jump with a clearance of 5’-06”. Sophomore Faimalie Sale, who placed second last year in the Frosh/Soph Shot Put, moved up to compete in the Varsity Shot Put this year and again placed second (39’-09”). Sophomore Jade Galloway placed second in the Frosh/Soph Long Jump (17’-03”).
On the track, senior Ashley Willingham won the 200m (24.76) and placed third in the 400m (56.43) . Willingham was also a member of the third place 4x100m Relay with seniors Anijah Green, Pi’ilani Mata and Ashlan Revollar, and the fourth place 4x400m Relay again with Mata and juniors Claire Stevens and Caroline Desmet.
In the Boys Varsity events, junior Jose Rubio placed second in the 110m Hurdles (14.94), fourth in the Long Jump (22’- 01.25”) and eighth in the 300m Hurdles (40.10). Senior Thomas Heib repeated as runner -up in the 800m with a time of 1:54.07 and senior Andrew Fowler cleared a personal best height of 14’-10” to place third in the Pole Vault. Additionally, in the Frosh/Soph events, sophomore Kevin Schmitt placed second in the High Jump at 5’-10” and sophomore Brandon Bandley placed 3rd in the 800m with a time of 2:01.14.
Other Los Al athletes scoring points at the Orange County Championships included:
• Girls Frosh/Soph 800m: Bronsyn Ledgard – 4th Place
• Girls Frosh/Soph 4x100m Relay: Lauren Willingham, Nicole Barham, Sydnee Kolster, Danielle Limp – 5th
• Girls Frosh/Soph 1600m: Delaney Sanacore – 6th Place
• Girls Frosh/Soph 100m: Danielle Limp – 7th Place
• Girls Frosh/Soph 200m: Sydnee Kolster – 8th Place
• Boys Varsity Discus: Ryan Coy – 8th Place
• Boys Frosh/Soph Pole Vault: Michael Parsons – 4th Place
• Boys Frosh/Soph Pole Vault: Christian Virga – 5th Place
• Boys Frosh/Soph 300m Hurdles: Samuel Scott – 7th Place
• Boys Frosh/Soph High Jump: Sean Ayale – 8th Place
The track teams’ next meets was the Sunset League Prelims at Huntington Beach High School on Friday, April 29 and the following meet will be the Sunset League Finals, also at HB HS, on Thursday, May 5.
Dennis powers Griffins to key win over Edison
Lindsi Dennis had a solo home run and drove in another run as the Los Alamitos High softball team held off Edison for a 2-1 win in key Sunset League game on Thursday at Edison High.
Centurions, Fighting Irish on collision course
With just two weeks left in the regular season, the Cypress and Kennedy High baseball teams have separated themselves from pack in the Empire League race. Both teams were 6-0 coming into this week, tied for the league lead. They square off on May 10 and 12, the final two games of the regular season.
Last week, Cypress survived a close game at Pacifica High, then jumped out to a 4-1 lead and held off the Mariners, 6-3, at Cypress High in the second game. In the second game, Isaiah Parra had a home run and four RBIs to lead the Centurions offense. Isaak Gutierrez, Aaron Lizarraga, Ryan McCanless and Ezele Wicks also scored runs for Cypress.
James Acuna was the winning pitcher, going seven innings with seven strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed. Two days earlier, the Centurions had survived a 2-1 game against the Mariners after a couple of bizarre occurrences.
After three scoreless innings, Dominic Fletcher broke the tie with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Centurions a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, the Mariners threatened when they loaded the bases with no outs.
A hit by pitch, error and bunt single loaded the bases. Pitcher Raul Salazar got a double-play ground ball for two outs, but the Mariners scored a run on the play. After that, Salazar got a grounder back to the mound to end the inning with a 1-1 tie. In the top of the fifth, Jason Baca drew a leadoff walk and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Bradley Butler. After a fly out, Baca would score the eventual winning run on a double by Isaak Gutierrez.
In the sixth, the Centurions would bring another run around, but the runner was called out on ruling that he missed third base on his way around. Later, a runner stole third with one out, but was sent back to second when the home plate umpire called interference on himself for hindering the catcher’s ability to make the throw.
The runner would advance back to third on a ground ball that could have potentially brought him home, but was stranded at third. Salazar went the distance with just five hits allowed to get the win. Pacifica had runners at first and third with one out in the sixth, but a double-play ground ball got them out of the inning. Salazar set the Mariners down in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Kennedy keeps pace with sweep of Valencia
The Kennedy High baseball team held off Valencia in two wins last week, defeating the Tigers, 8-1 at home, and then 2-1 at Valencia, two days later.
In the 2-1 win, pitcher Jarett Velez scattered five hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and just one run allowed. Velez also sparked the offense, going 3 for 3 with a double, RBI and run scored. James Allen also had a hit on offense.
In the 8-1 win, a Dillon Paningsoro home run and Austin Criss RBI triple highlighted the big offensive output for the Fighting Irish.
Cypress remaining games
May 4 – at Valencia, 3:15 p.m.
May 6 – vs. Valencia, 3:15 p.m.
May 10 – vs. Kennedy, 3:15 p.m.
May 12 – at Kennedy, 3:15 p.m.
Kennedy remaining games
May 4 – vs. Tustin, 3:15 p.m.
May 6 – at Tustin, 3:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Cypress, 3:15 p.m.
May 12 – vs. Cypress, 3:15 p.m.
Cypress project back to the drawing board
Changes to Los Alamitos Race Track’s vision plan for the future of the property were presented to the public last week during meetings on April 19 and 21.
A modified vision plan that included the erasing of a business district and the increase to a 20-acre park in the approximately 170-acre area was shown to residents in a conference room at the Courtyard Marriott last week.
Despite making revisions to the plan, which was first shown in March, several residents in attendance were still not convinced about how closely the plan would be followed in the future. The development is expected to occur as early as 10 years from now, said Frank Sherren, project manager for the racetrack. Sherren expressed that the racetrack isn’t planned to close right away but that eventually there won’t be a racetrack in the area.
Distrust in the Cypress City Council, Sherren and his team, and potential developers, was felt by many residents in attendance.
Sherren said he and his staff had received several comments about the lack of trust in the city council to keep its word. That’s why a provision that would require a vote by residents for any major change to the plan will be included in the final vision plan, said Sherren. He expects the vision plan to be finalized this week, and the ballot initiative that would come before Cypress voters is currently in the works. Voters will have the final say on whether the proposed land uses in the vision plan become solidified during the November election.
As it stands, the vision plan will add almost 800 single family homes and more than 300 multi-family residences to the area. Sherren said that the density of potential homes is something his team is looking at reducing following the public meetings.
The effect of that many families moving into to the area would have on traffic, schools and law enforcement is still unclear through the plan. Sherren said that currently the school district boundary line would mean half of students in the single-family residence area (light brown area on the map) would go to the Los Al School District and the other half would go to the Cypress School District.
“It would be fantastic,” said Dr. Sherry Kropp, who’s Los Al School District’s Superintendent, when asked about the potential influx of students due to the development. “We would reduce the amount of inter-district students to accommodate for the new students. [The District] loves having more residents and will accommodate for those students,” said Kropp when the issue of available space for the students was asked.
“We will serve any children from our area,” said Anne Silavs, who’s Cypress School District’s Superintendent. “The Cypress School District has many closed sites that could be open to serve those children if need be,” said Silavs when asked about the amount of room currently available in the district.
A big change to the original vision plan was increasing the size of the park. The developers bumped up the size to 20 acres and added a lake to the mix. Residents were not convinced by the size, placement or amount of amenities included. The suggestion of adding a bike path to the plan was also brought up by residents and was noted by Sherren and his team.
Also in the mix is a town center area that would potentially span 33 acres and face Katella Ave. 12 acres of the proposed town center is currently owned by the City of Cypress.
Despite making changes voiced by the community in the first round of meetings, the revised plan was still looked at with distrust as past development in the area caused controversy. This notion was felt strongly at the recent meetings, and as one Cypress resident noted to the News Enterprise, part of the reason for distrust in the racetrack and potential developers.
“My sense of the community’s concerns based on the residents attending the most recent race track development meeting are that the residents are not only concerned about losing the remaining vestige of open space in our area but even more concerning is the potential of setting the community up for another bait and switch such as what happened with Measure L and the Prologis nightmare,” said George Pardon. “Many residents from both Cypress and Los Alamitos strongly stated that they are not interested in more traffic and more housing. They want to save open space which was the basis for the passage of Measure D passed by the residents in 1987.”
Many at the meeting also voiced lack of trust in the Cypress City Council to keep its word. Los Al Mayor Richard Murphy said the distrust wasn’t with the current Cypress City Council but “unfortunately it’s from past experiences.”
The potential for another bait and switch scenario is what worried many residents at the meeting. The 14-acre mixed-use area was cited by some at the meeting as a potential area where something of the sort could arise.
“I’m worried about a hotel popping up next to my home,” said Lois Waddle at the meeting. Though the plans for the mixed used is purely conceptual, Sherren and his team designed the area so it could be used for either residential, business, or town center purposes. And if solidified in November, no major changes to the proposed land uses could come about unless done so through a public vote by Cypress residents.
Sherren and his team are currently still taking in suggestions via their website and will soon release a finalized vision plan. For more information visit www.cypresstowncenter.com, or call 714-820-2728.
“We are trying to be as transparent as possible and create a plan that best serves the community,” said Sherren.
Robotics team gets a boost from LAEF
Los Alamitos High School Robotics Team won the first Orange County Robotics Competition on April 2. The win qualified them for the first Robotics Championship from April 27-30 in St. Louis, Miss. One problem: the team had no funds to get to the competition. So the Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s Board of Directors stepped in and approved a donation of $10,000 to fund the team’s trip to the championship tournament, which was supported by the Seal Beach Lions Club at $1000, Run Seal Beach at $1000, and Alamitos Eye Care at $500. In addition, Phillips Steel stepped in with nearly $1000 in brand new tools and Ganahl Lumber invited the team on a shopping trip to acquire additional tools and supplies, free of charge. Also, Los Alamitos Unified School District supplied the $5000 fee to enter the World championship tournament. The Robotics team officially called Team 6220, pictured from left to right are LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue, LAHS Teachers Martin Valenzuela and Dan Bennett, Noel Limb, Team Captain Nick Jones, LAEF President Sean Payne, Jacob Flynn, Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp. Back Row – John Osborn of Alamitos Eye Care, Daryl Phillips of Phillips Steel, Brandon Petersen of Ganahl Lumber, LAEF Treasurer Kevin Guetig, Grayson Galisky, Andrew Stumpf, Will Dang, LAEF Board Member Trini Jimenez, Team Coach Mark Lengsfeld, LAEF VP Theresa Blankenstein.
Music student follows in his dad’s footsteps
When 7-year-old Jaxon Lopez of Long Beach one day picked up a guitar recognizably playing Seven Nation Army by White Stripes last summer, his musician father realized he had to encourage his son’s budding talent and enroll him in The Youth Center elementary school Music Program.
“As you might imagine, I was ecstatic when Jax showed an interest in playing music,” said father Josh Lopez who has been an active musician for just over 27 years, and currently plays in a band called The Sly Digs where he plays bass and sings with three of his very best friends. Music is an extremely important part of his life and always has been.
Jaxon started playing on his own accord after getting a guitar at the age of 5. He now plays guitar, ukulele, keyboard, hand drums and some banjo taking lessons for about a year now.
He showed interest on his own accord, and his father makes a deliberate point to never be overbearing or pushy when it comes to his son’s relationship with music.
“I want him to play because he loves to, not because dad does,” said his father.
“My job is to provide as much love, encouragement and support as humanly possible as with all aspects of his young life.”
“I hope that writing and playing music will be as inspiring and fulfilling for him as it has been for me,” he said.
Josh recognized his son’s interest in music from an early age, saying Jaxon has always loved listening to and interacting with music, and that he’s got an unbelievable recall when it comes to melodies, sons and artists.
“He can hear a song once, and six months later (or even a year later), he’ll recognize the melody and tell you who the artist is and the song title,” said Josh. He and his wife, Karen, foster their son’s musical ability by providing unconditional love, support and encouragement along the way, and by making sure Jaxon has the physical tools of instruments and lessons through the Youth Center in order to move forward.
They say hearing Seven Nation Army by White Stripes last summer sealed the deal for him to pursue music.
“He came downstairs with his guitar in hand, sat down and plunked on the strings until he figured out the riff,” said his parents. “He then proceeded to play that riff over and over for two to three weeks solid.”
They both feel that music has definitely helped their son in building self confidence, and having an outlet to express himself.
Jaxon is currently in electric guitar lessons with Nicola (last name) at Applied Music through The Youth Center in Los Alamitos. Jaxon’s favorite thing about music is composing his own made up songs as he makes up cords.
“I don’t know how Jaxon would be without the Youth Center Music Program and the personal relationship we have with the Youth Center,” said Josh.
For the remainder of April, the Youth Center is holding their annual Community Support Campaign fundraising drive.
If you are interested in becoming a campaigner or donor for kids like Jaxon in the Music Program and more, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org.
Day of service in Cypress
Saturday was a busy day at the Cypress Nature Park.
The City of Cypress provided the trash bags and large dumpster while the volunteers came ready to work armed with their rakes, hoes and shovels.
Approximately 70 volunteers trimmed back branches and raked up leaves and other debris that had accumulated over the winter months.
Volunteers ranged in age from preschoolers to ‘old’ schoolers.
Young Malachi Christsensen worked alongside of his grandma, Ramona Watts, and his great grandma, La Vona Dickinson, clearing away fallen palm fronds.
While Boy Scout Pack 660, sponsored by St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress, raked up leaves and cut back branches sticking out along the pathways.
The park, located at 4201 Ball Road in Cypress, is open the first Saturday in June for an outdoor education presentation and every Saturday in the summer months for the cities walking club.
It is open April through October by reservation only and is closed during the winter months November through March.
The Cypress Recreation and Park District is always looking for volunteers to help with the Nature Park, contact them directly at 714-220-6780 if interested.
Saturday’s volunteer activities were sponsored by the Cypress congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of an organized state-wide day of service.
Other local service projects included completing 85 fleece blankets to donate to various charities, 25 children made drawings for soldiers and the elderly and 2,500 invitations were distributed for the American Red Cross to an upcoming Relay for Life event in May.
For other volunteer opportunities in the community, visit www.JustServe.org
JFTB holding tour in May
Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos (JFTB will be holding its second of four scheduled base tours during 2016 on Thursday, May 19. Residents are encouraged to reserve their spot. The tour will get underway at 1 p.m. from the Veterans Service Center (Building 244) and will take approximately three hours.
The fully-guided bus tour includes an introduction and historical overview of the base and features stops to visit the new 40th Infantry Division Headquarters, Los Alamitos Army Airfield Base Operations, an up-close look at a California Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and fire-rescue equipment utilized by the JFTB Fire Department, and a unique opportunity to personally experience the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST 2000).
Reservations can be made by sending an e-mail to the JFTB Public Affairs Officer – ri******************@**il.mil. Emails must include full name, address (including zip code), phone number and email address for each member of your group.
Space is limited and all participants must be pre-registered. There is no charge for the tour. Please contact Col. Richard Lalor at 562-795-2096 (office) or 626-733-1170 (mobile) or by email at ri******************@**il.mil for more information.
Centurions underestimate, fall to Mariners
Against the pitching of Pacifica High’s Hannah Boos, the Cypress High softball team needed to play a disciplined game. While, Boos was solid all game, the Centurions had a chance to put some on the Mariners, but ran into trouble.
Trailing 2-0, in the third, the Centurions had runners on first and second with no outs. When catcher Dejah Mulipola caught the runner off second base, the Centurions were let off the hook when the ball was dropped on the tag, leaving Cypress with runners on second and third with no outs.
But when Mulipola again caught the runner at second with a throw behind her, the Centurions tried to score, only to get tagged out at home. It was a pivotal moment that kept the Mariners in control. Cypress coach John Felicetti said his team was trying to pressure the defense, but underestimated the arm of Mulipola.
“We got away with it once, we didn’t get away with it the second time,” Felicetti said.
Despite the loss, the Centurions like their progress and potential to finish the season strong as they eye a CIF-SS playoff berth. The Centurions were able to get five hits against Boos, including two from sophomore first baseman Brianna Gargano. Marissa Wightman, Katie Arce and sophomore Jessica Martinez each had hits.
After the Mariners scored two runs in the first inning, Cypress pitcher Maddy Byrd pitched a strong game in relief. The Centurions bounced back from the loss with a 5-0 win over Valencia on Thursday.
Jessica Martinez drove in two runs, while Arce, Byrd and senior Jenelle Martinez each drove in a run. The win keeps the Centurions one game behind the Mariners, who will be tough to dethrone for the league title. Felicetti also expects the race for the top three spots in league to be tight. And he likes his team’s chances.
“We just have to play smarter,” Felicetti said.
The Centurions hosted Tustin on Thursday April 28 at 3:15 p.m. and hosted Western on May 3, also at 3:15 p.m. They play at Pacifica on May 5, at 3:15 p.m.
Fighting for playoffs
The Los Alamitos High boys volleyball team defeated Fountain Valley, 25-23, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, to improve to 4-3 in Sunset League play on Friday at Fountain Valley High. The Griffins came into the week tied for third place in league with Edison. They had a match against Newport Harbor (6-1) on Tuesday (score not available at press time) and played at Huntington Beach (6-1) on Thursday April 28, at 5:45 p.m. They close out the regular season with a home match against Marina on Tuesday, at 5:45 p.m. Above, Los Al senior middle blocker Jonathan Frenzel puts a kill shot past two defenders.
Cypress coach makes VB National Finals
Cypress resident Aric Anderson coach for the Chapman University Panthers took on all challengers at the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Tournament and came home with the silver medal and ranked second in the nation among all Men’s Division II club teams.
With only eight players on the roster for the tournament, Chapman defeated teams with much deeper benches and ran up an impressive string of victories before suffering their only loss in the Finals of the tournament.
In that gold medal match, the Chapman men pushed defending champion Messiah College to a third game, tie breaker to decide the match. Three Panthers were also named to the All Tournament Team – Taylor Braun, Ben Gelaris, and Justin Parks.
Camp Cypress registration going on
Summer is almost here! Looking for some summer fun? Sign your kids up to have an exciting summer while meeting new friends at Camp Cypress. Cypress Recreation and Community Services has begun registration for Camp Cypress, a Summer Day Camp for children entering 1st-7th grade. Camp is held at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, from June 13 – Aug. 5. Camp fee includes arts and crafts, games, sports, spectacular special events, camp t-shirt, and much, much more!
Camp Cypress registration going on
Summer is almost here! Looking for some summer fun? Sign your kids up to have an exciting summer while meeting new friends at Camp Cypress. Cypress Recreation and Community Services has begun registration for Camp Cypress, a Summer Day Camp for children entering 1st-7th grade. Camp is held at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, from June 13 – Aug. 5. Camp fee includes arts and crafts, games, sports, spectacular special events, camp t-shirt, and much, much more!
Cypress threatens Pacifica, falls short
Against the pitching of Pacifica High’s Hannah Boos, the Cypress High softball team needed to play a disciplined game. While, Boos was solid all game, the Centurions had a chance to put some on the Mariners, but ran into trouble. Trailing 2-0, in the third, the Centurions had runners on first and second with no outs. When catcher Dejah Mulipola caught the runner off second base, the Centurions were let off the hook when the ball was dropped on the tag, leaving Cypress with runners on second and third with no outs. But when Mulipola again caught the runner at second with a throw behind her, the Centurions tried to score, only to get tagged out at home. It was a pivotal moment that kept the Mariners in control. Cypress coach John Felicetti said his team was trying to pressure the defense, but underestimated the arm of Mulipola. “We got away with it once, we didn’t get away with it the second time,” Felicetti said. Despite the loss, the Centurions like their progress and potential to finish the season strong as they eye a CIF-SS playoff berth. The Centurions were able to get five hits against Boos, including two from sophomore first baseman Brianna Gargano. Marissa Wightman, Katie Arce and sophomore Jessica Martinez each had hits. After the Mariners scored two runs in the first inning, Cypress pitcher Maddy Byrd pitched a strong game in relief. The Centurions bounced back from the loss with a 5-0 win over Valencia on Thursday. Jessica Martinez drove in two runs, while Arce, Byrd and senior Jenelle Martinez each drove in a run. The win keeps the Centurions one game behind the Mariners, who will be tough to dethrone for the league title. Felicetti also expects the race for the top three spots in league to be tight. And he likes his team’s chances. “We just have to play smarter,” Felicetti said. The Centurions host Tustin on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. and will host Western on May 3, also at 3:15 p.m. They play at Pacifica on May 5, at 3:15 p.m.