What are the options for your child this summer? Enrichment! Academics! Fun!
Three peat in Nashville
For the third year in a row, Los Alamitos High School’s Advanced Women’s and Advanced Mixed choirs have won national grand championships. Soundtrax and SoundFX’s latest victories happened this past weekend on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville where both competed against choirs from throughout the United States.
Los Al’s advanced women’s group, Soundtrax, also earned awards for Best Vocals, Best Visuals and Best Soloist. SoundFX, Los Al’s advanced mixed group, won awards for Best Visuals and Best Vocals. Jenna Rosen was named the competition’s Best Female Soloist.
Both groups have about 60 performers each and were accompanied to Nashville by chaperones, technical crews, a live band and supporters, bringing the Los Al entourage to about 200 people on the trip who returned home to Southern California on Sunday evening.
“I’m extremely proud of how hard every single one of our students in both groups worked to get to this point. Their performances on stage at the Grand Ole Opry were spectacular and worthy of them being named national champions,” said Choir Director David Moellenkamp.
Both groups, along with other Los Alamitos High School choir groups, will continue competing locally this coming Friday and Saturday at the John Burrough High School Music Showcase in Burbank. The following weekend on April 16, Soundtrax and SoundFX will travel to San Diego to compete in the group’s last competition event of the year.
For more information, visit the choir program’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LosAlamitosShowChoir/ or their website at www.losalamitoschoir.com.
Los Al art fest arriving this month
So far only three completed applications have been submitted for Los Al’s Weekend of Art on April 29 to May 1.
That number stands as of March 29 for the new art event according to a city staff report to be presented today at Los Al’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission meeting at 7 p.m.
Despite the small number of applications, many phone calls and emails have been made to the city inquiring about the event as well as the dispersement of hundreds of fliers, reads a Los Al City Staff report.
The art event was given the go-ahead earlier this year after Los Al’s City Council appropriated $5,000 to the Recreation and Community Services Department to hold the event.
Applications can be accessed by visiting the city’s website at www.cityoflosalamitos.org. Weekend of Art will be a three-day visual art exhibition that will take place at Los Al’s Community Center.
A Mayor’s award, Curator’s Award, Commissioner’s Award and Art Educator’s award will be given to work in the following mediums: sculpture, pottery, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, drawing, fiber arts, woodworking and print.
According to the staff report, the city is working on arranging skilled artists to speak about their craft every 30 minutes throughout the event. Later this month a schedule of all events at the exhibition will be finalized.
The awards reception will take place on Sunday May 1 at 3 p.m.
The show is open to any artists in the area. There is no charge to submit a work but each contestant is allowed to submit one work of art. Artist will be able to sell their work at the event but the work of art must stay in the exhibition for the entirety of the event.
Race on the Base registration dips
This year’s Race on the Base event, which took place in February, saw 4,082 registrants participate. That number is down from last year’s figure of 4,444.
Today, Los Al’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission will be updated with this and other information about Race on the Base during its regular commission meeting at 7 p.m.
The dip in registration comes after consecutive years of increased participation in 2014 and 2015. A Los Al City staff report cites the reason for the dip is likely due to industry-wide decrease in race registration and market oversaturation of racing events.
Los Al city staff sent out a post-event survey to participants on March 1. Over half of those that responded said they previously participated in the race. That number is up nine percent from last year.
Sponsorship for the race also saw a slight fall. $81,500 in total was raised through sponsors, which is down from last year’s total of $89,000.
Due to the decrease in registration and revenue, city staff lowered the revenue projections for next year’s race, reads a city staff report. A total of $90,078 was raised in revenue from the race. Expenditures totaled $203,463.23.
Charity Campaign
Honoring Our Fallen and Rock for Vets raised money for their causes at the race. About $10,000 was raised for Honoring Our Fallen and about $4,000 was raised by Rock for Vets. Next year, Honoring Our Fallen is looking to get even more involved and has scheduled a meeting with Los Al city staff to find avenues to do so, reads a city staff report.
Race on the Base city council and commission participation challenge
Park, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission member Josh Wilson challenged the City Council to face the commission in terms of participating in the race. All five of the city council members participated in the race, which means they won the challenge. On April 18, a plaque will be awarded to the city council recognizing this accomplishment.
Kids enjoy egg hunt at JFTB
More than 70 children of military members were treated to an egg hunt and story time with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 26 at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.
The event, which also included lunch, face painting, crafts and other goodies for the youngsters and their parents, was organized by JFTB’s Family Assistance Center, with volunteers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8954 in Buena Park, Bob Hope USO at John Wayne Airport, Garden Grove Elks Lodge and American Legion Auxiliary members from Lakewood and Newport Beach.
Local students represent Cypress at Math Olympics
Students from A.E. Arnold School in Cypress recently competed in the Math Olympiads Tournament held in Culver City. Over 150 “mathletes” from 28 schools from the Los Angeles and Orange County area competed.
Arnold students earned third place in the team competition. Individual student winners from Arnold included Shreyas Koppula (second place) and Peter Park (third place). Arnold School is extremely proud of these students and the entire math team.
Under the direction of teachers Katie Pham and Jan Wright, they have worked countless hours afterschool in preparation for this event. Arnold’s math team’s next competition will be the Orange County Math Field Day on May 14. Arnold will be looking to repeat its success last year and claim the 2016 Rubik’s Cube title.
Air exercises planned in Los Al
Military helicopters and fixed wing aircraft of assorted shapes and sizes will be common sights at Los Alamitos Army Airfield (LAAAF) during the month of April.
The month-long increase in operations at the airfield will be highlighted by the Operation Patriot Hook 2016 civil support exercise from April 20 to 25.
The majority of air operations will be conducted during normal airfield operating hours, but residents of communities located near Joint Forces Training Base and LAAAF may periodically hear the sound of aircraft arriving and departing during evening hours.
Currently, LAAAF is serving as the staging location for a number of U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters being prepared for shipment to Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii — operations that will continue for several more weeks.
Local residents looking toward the sky at several times throughout the month may notice military personnel parachuting from helicopters and floating over the city as they aim for their drop zone adjacent to the airfield.
Operation Patriot Hook will feature large U.S. Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft delivering and loading first responder agencies, their vehicles and cargo as they train to enhance teamwork, mobility and capabilities to deliver civil support to communities quickly and efficiently should disaster strike the region.
As always, Joint Forces Training Base will do its best to minimize inconvenience to its neighbors during these exercises and expanded air operations.
For additional information, please contact Col. (CA) Richard Lalor at 562-795-2096 (office), 626-733-1170 (mobile) or via email at Ri******************@**il.mil.
McAuliffe field upgrade
McAuliffe field is getting a new long jump. The exercise equipment currently located at the McAuliffe field will be removed and replaced with a new long jump. The entire field will be scraped, leveled and seeded. Los Alamitos City Staff is expecting construction to begin on late Spring. Source: Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services staff report for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission meeting on April 6.
Local inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Timothy Heffern of Los Alamitos was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Heffern was initiated at California State University, Fullerton.
Heffern is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society.
Eyassu Worku named to All-CIF team
Photo by Ted Apodaca
Los Alamitos High School basketball player Eyassu Worku was recently named to the All CIF-Southern Section boys basketball team in the Open Division. Worku averaged 24 points a game in all competitions and led his team to a tough CIF State Division Two Regional semifinal against Long Beach Poly; the senior guard scored 16 points in his final game for the Griffins. Worku also led his team to a third straight Sunset League championship this year. Here, Worku is pictured in a game against Poway High school in the first round of the Regional tournament.
Los Al boy qualifies for O.C. Track Meet
Los Alamitos resident Alexander Born, 13, qualified to compete in the Orange County Municipal Track Meet Finals in May. Alexander competed alongside his sister Brigid, 5, on Saturday at the Tustin Youth Track Meet. Alexander and Brigid competed in both track and field events, with Alexander tying for first place in the high jump and Brigid earning third place in the softball throw. Alexander qualified to represent the City of Tustin at the County Meet in the high jump event.
Cypress High Alum named research fellow
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.
Wildlife Wednesday in Cypress
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 so****@********ss.org.
Oak singers bring home the gold
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.
Centurions off to strong start in Empire League
Cypress High’s boys volleyball team defeated Pacifica, 25-17, 25-10, 25-17, in an Empire League match on Thursday at Cypress High.
The Centurions improved to 3-0 in the Empire League with the win. It’s a solid start for a Cypress team that went 4-6 in league last year to finish fourth in the standings. First-year head coach Alex Griffiths said the team has made its biggest strides in playing with a cohesiveness.
“I like that we’re finally learning how to work with each other,” Griffiths said.
After winning the second set by a lopsided score, the Centurions were looking to put Pacifica away in straight sets. But the Mariners came out strong and grabbed an early lead. The Centurions battled back to tie the set at 7-7 and would then go on a run to gain control.
The Centurions went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-7 lead. Chris Cons had consecutive points for the Centurions, one on a solo block and another on a second-hit tap to the middle of the court. That put the Cypress lead at 14-9, but Pacifica would rally from there.
The Mariners closed the gap to 14-12, before hitting an attempt into the net to give Cypress a 15-12 lead. From there the Centurions would go on another run to push the lead to 19-12. Kyle Farmer had three consecutive ace serves to complete the 4-0 run.
Pacifica would close the gap a little but could only get as close as 21-16 before the Centurions set up to win the match. Erik Papke had a kill from the left side and followed that with an ace serve that rolled over the net and dropped in to push the lead to 23-16.
Griffiths said she likes how the team has been able to get productive play from a lot of players.
Cons is giving the team stability at the setter position. Among the offense, the Farmer twins (Kyle and Andy) have been leading the outside hitting.
Pacifica and Kennedy were tied for second place in the league race last year, with Tustin winning the title.
The Centurions will play at Kennedy on Thursday (April 14) and will host Tustin on Tuesday. Both matches are scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Youth Center’s campaign kickoff a success
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.
‘SMART Girls’ get a tour of City Hall
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.
Growing up with the Los Alamitos Youth Center
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.”