Congressman Alan Lowenthal recently announced that five of his Congressional nominees to the nation’s service academies for the Class of 2019 have successfully received appointments.

“Each year, it is a distinct honor to nominate some of the best and brightest of the 47th District to the finest service academies in the world. I am tremendously proud of each of them. They are the leaders of tomorrow and they fill me with confidence and hope that the security of our nation is in good hands,” Lowenthal said.

The five appointees from the 47th District are:

• Ryan J. Dorris from Long Beach; attends Lakewood High School; appointment to United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO.
• Lucas W. Echeverry from Lakewood; attends Lakewood High School; appointment to United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO.
• Timothy R. Getscher from Garden Grove; attends Servite High School; appointment to United States Naval Academy at Annapolis
• Analise Howard from Westminster; attends River Springs Charter; appointment to United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO
• Robert A. Niscior from Cypress; attends Oxford Academy; appointment to United States Military Academy at West Point

Entrance to four of the five U.S. service academies–West Point (Army), Annapolis (Navy), Colorado Springs (Air Force), and Kings Point (Merchant Marine)–requires nomination by a member of Congress or the vice-president. The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, does not require a nomination.

Final decisions are made by the individual academies as they consider each of these talented and dedicated nominees from the 47th District for admission.

The selection process is highly competitive and each service academy looks for candidates of high scholarship with strong backgrounds in math and science, leadership potential, and physical aptitude. Medical fitness and the motivation for a military career following graduation are also important factors. The law requires that candidates for service academies be at least 17 years old and not have passed their 22nd birthday. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens, unmarried and not have any dependents.

Earlier this year, the congressman and his Service Academy Nomination Panel – composed of military veterans and academy graduates – reviewed almost two dozen service academy nomination requests his office had received for the Class of 2019.

“I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General Mark Toy and the rest of the members of my panel for their hard work on the review process,” Congressman Lowenthal said.

Nomination applications for the Class of 2020 will begin being accepted through Congressman Lowenthal’s office in June, 2015.

The Boys & Girls Club of Cypress recently celebrated the Spring 2015 completion of the SMART Girls program with a banquet for the young ladies and their families. The evening included a healthy dinner that was prepared by the SMART Girls and the Cypress Soroptimists, a speech from City Council member and Boys & Girls Club of Cypress Board Member Stacy Berry, and an award ceremony to recognize the achievements of the program participants.

SMART Girls is a National Boys & Girls Clubs of America program, which provides guidance for adolescent girls toward healthy attitudes and lifestyles, eating right, staying fit, and reaching their full potential. The SMART Girls members met weekly at the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress and discussed important issues such as proper nutrition, maintaining positive relationships, improving their personal body images, and living a healthy lifestyle.

The SMART Girls program would not have been possible without the support of the Cypress Soroptimist group, who helped plan and administer the program weekly. Special guests also assisted throughout the program and gave their expert opinion on various topics. Dr. Terrisa Ha came to speak to the girls about proper health and hygiene and the importance of good nutrition. Officer Julie Marquez spoke with the girls about cyberbullying and how to resolve conflict. The girls also had the opportunity to take a free Zumba class at Chuze Fitness and discuss the importance of regular physical activity. Each lesson was informative, fun, and simultaneously focused on the importance of creating meaningful connections and friendships with one another.

For more information about the SMART Girls program or any other Boys & Girls Club Cypress Programs, stop by the Club at 10161 Moody St. in Cypress, call 714-527-2697, or visit the website at www.boysandgirlsclubofcypress.com.

Students from Walker Junior High School, teacher and advisor Jennifer Sasai, and teacher Christy Hutchings attended the 68^th annual FHA-HERO: The California Affiliate of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership meeting held April 25-28 in Fresno, California at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Fresno Convention Center. FHA-HERO is a career technical student organization for students in grades 7-12.

The Cypress Art League open show was held April 26 and once again, it was an outstanding exhibit with 221 pieces entered.

The judge was Jason Dowd, an art educator who teaches at the Laguna College of Art and Design and a past member of the Disney team. The winners will be on exhibit at the center through May 17. The community is encouraged to stop by the Community Center while it is still on display.

The City of Cypress Best of Show Award went to Nancy Anderson and Mayor’s Award was given to Barbara Rogers. There were several special awards including the Frame Maker Award (custom framing), Art Supply Warehouse gift certificates, high-end jewelry from Diamond International Center, as well as certificates from Leon’s Picture Framing and The Tile Zone.

At their general meeting on Sunday, May 17, the Cypress Art League will be awarding student scholarships. The club continues to support young emerging artists from Cypress College. This will also be the last time to see the show.

The May meeting is the last general meeting before the art league takes a summer break. The demonstrator is Nohad Sabbagh, who will provide a demonstration in sculpting.

With the final numbers in after their five-week-long fundraising “cruise,” the Youth Center in Los Alamitos Community Support Campaign met their annual campaign goal of $125,000 in donations to support the non-profit this coming year.

“We had a tremendous support this year and I want to thank everyone for their time and financial contribution to our children,” said Lina Lumme, Executive Director.

The Youth Center’s annual campaign funds vital activities including their After School Program, Music Program, Every 15 Minutes teen drunk driving determent event, the Leadership Academy and the Summer Day and Teen Camps. Scholarships are awarded based on need to families in the area.

“It’s been a great ‘cruise,’ and I really loved how people care for our youth,” said Campaign Chairman and “Captain” Scott Newton, who heads up efforts for the Every 15 Minutes event along with community supporters. “They are willing to invest in the kids in the area so they can be the best they can be.”

Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp said, “One of the things I appreciate the most in Los Alamitos is the commitment we have to children and youth, and the Youth Center plays a pivotal role in this commitment.”

Executive Director Lina Lumme went on to say that if we continue investing in our youth today, we will have a thriving community in the future but that the Youth Center can’t do it alone. “Our volunteers, staff, and supporters believe that what we do is important. Programs like Every 15 Minutes are important to the students, parents and community. Kids need us and my hope is to better and expand our programs for them,” she said.

The Every 15 Minutes event, held bi-annually, was done about two and a half weeks ago is a realistic simulation of a drunk driving accident with Los Alamitos High School student involvement. This year’s event even had a rescue helicopter land at the intersection of Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard. One mother of a student who “died” in the accident suggested at the final campaign night that driving while texting should be included in the next event.

Of the event Los Alamitos High School student Megan Kizziar said it “makes her learn responsibility,” and “that it really does change lives.” She went on to say that it gave her a greater appreciation for being alive. Another student participant Karina DuBourdieu said the event brought her closer to her parents and that she can’t imagine losing someone to drinking and driving. “This program changes lives,” she said.

“It’s a worst case scenario to have a child die before you pass, and Every 15 Minutes reinforces that kids have real choices to make,” said another parent. LAHS student participant Sky Meredith was overwhelmed to learn that her “death” at the event made her realize how many lives she impacts on a daily basis at school. “Students I didn’t even know said they were glad I was alive,” she said.

“I think we have made a huge impact in the community with Every 15 Minutes,” said Newton. At the end of the two-day event, Los Alamitos High School holds assemblies for all grade levels. Some of this year’s event students were impressed to participate in the event while in their freshman and sophomore years.

“The Every 15 Minutes Program saves lives and teaches our young adults how important it is to make good and healthy choices in the moment,” said Dr. Kropp. “We love our young people and are grateful for the Youth Center in helping to keep them safe! The Every 15 Minute Program is powerful, shows the possible consequences of drinking and driving, and brings families closer together through the process.”

Bringing families closer together is at the core of what the Youth Center is all about. Cassy Lumme, 11, daughter of Executive Director Lina Lumme has been brought closer to her mother particularly during campaign season this year. She challenged individuals to either donate or get a plate of whipped cream in their face, and then dared them to ask two other people to do the same. She raised $1,600 and was awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year on final campaign night. “The Youth Center is my second home and I hope to work here or for a non-profit like my mom.”

The Youth Center is still accepting donations. If you are interested in contributing to them, please contact Executive Director Lina Lumme or Office Manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043. For more information on their programs, please visit online at theyouthcenter.org.

The Cypress Art League Open Show was held April 26  at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue in Cypress.  Once again, it was an outstanding exhibit with 221 pieces entered.  The judge was Jason Dowd, an art educator who teaches at the Laguna College of Art and Design, and is a past member of the Disney team. The open show winners will be on exhibit at the center through May 17.

To introduce young women to the workings of state government, local high school student Chloe Carpenter participated in California Federated Republican Women (CFRW) Advocacy Days. Carpenter, a junior at Los Alamitos High School, joined Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Women Federated Advocacy Chair Stephanie Janji in Sacramento on April 20 and 21.

Advocacy Days follows the annual CFRW Spring Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento. Created in 1974, following a suggestion by then-governor Ronald Reagan and other Republican legislators, the program has become a viable force in the legislative process helping to seat many women in political appointments, influence legislations and make the conservative views known throughout Sacramento.

During Advocacy Days hundreds of CRFW women from throughout California converge on the state capitol to lobby both Republican and Democrat legislators.

Ms. Carpenter had personal meetings with California State Senator Janet Nguyen (34th district) and California State Assemblywoman Kim Young (65th district), among other politicians. She asked questions regarding life in Sacramento, their view of the current legislature and their position on specific bills.

Chloe also sat on Assemblywoman Kim’s Transportation Committee meeting, which focused on Online driving training instructors needing 2,000 hours certification to have a business license, and rear-facing child seats for children up to two years of age.

High school students participating in Advocacy Days also Skyped with best-selling author and movie director Dinesh D’Souza where the question and answer session focused on his hit film America. D’Souza had a film crew in Sacramento following the students throughout their workshop, tour of the State Capitol as well as attending meetings.

During their two days of watching how Sacramento functions, including the way lobbyists use meeting recesses to push their agendas, the most talked about legislative bills presented focused on California’s ongoing drought, the measles vaccination debate and legalizing marijuana.

“The Youth Advocacy Program offers conservative students the opportunity to see our California government in action and learn how each person’s voice is important to the process,” said Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated Club President Nancy Hathcock. “The students come away armed with the knowledge that our leaders in Sacramento are accessible. Moreover, they start thinking about becoming part of the process by being an advocate or even running for office.”

Carpenter will share her experience during the May 16 meeting at the Cypress Courtyard Marriott. The networking and breakfast program is $20 per person and begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a guest speaker discussing human trafficking in Orange County. It concludes at noon giving members and guests plenty of time to enjoy the day. For more information, contact Chris Barnes at ch**************@***il.com or 562-865-3258.