The Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach recognized many new Paul Harris Fellows at it’s meeting on April 7, including Dave Barnes, Shelley Hasselbrink, Dr. Sherry Kropp, Mike Obradovitch, John Paulson, Blair Pietrini, Bev Houghton, Kay Mount, and Amy Payne.

Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or whom have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006.

Fred Woods was recognized at the meeting as PHF+1. Judy Klabouch, Theresa Murphy, and Dick Ramseyer were recognized as PHF+2. Bob Dominguez was recognized as a PHF+3, while John Mount and Tom Stretz were recognized as PHF+4.  Dixie Fried was recognized as a PHF+5. John Mount was also recognized for becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society. Judy Klabouch pledged to become a Paul Harris Society member.

The Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach meets at The Eagle’s Nest on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at noon, varing locations on the 4th and 5th Tuesdays of the month. Visitors are welcome. For more information, please visit www.losalrotary.org.

Rotary International is an international service organization working to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 34,282 clubs and more than 1.2 million members worldwide.

“Every 15 Minutes someone in the United States dies in an alcohol related accident. Today it was me,” said one Los Alamitos High School student. It is the opening sentence of the letters 35 participants wrote their parents for the “Every 15 Minutes” program on Thursday and Friday.

Life’s lessons are best learned through experience. Unfortunately, when the target audience is teens and the topic is drinking and driving, experience is not the teacher of choice. The Every 15 Minutes Program offers real-life experiences without the real-life risks.

Under the leadership of the Youth Center in Los Alamitos and in collaboration with many community public/private organizations as well as many volunteers, the event took place at Los Alamitos High School and near the intersection of Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Blvd., where a rescue helicopter landed.

This emotionally charged event is designed to dramatically instill teenagers with about the dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol. It challenges them to think about personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions. “This program has been incredibly emotional and impactful,” said Alison Bayer, one participant. “It’s so powerful and reaches so many people.”

During the first day’s events the “Grim Reaper” calls students out of class who had been selected from a cross-section of the entire student body at LAHS. One student is removed from class every 15 minutes. A police officer immediately enters the classroom to read an obituary, which is written by the “dead” student’s parents. It explains the circumstances of their classmate’s demise and the contributions the student made to the school and the community. Simultaneously, uniformed officers made mock death notifications to the parents of these teens at their home, place of employment or business.

The morning of the simulated traffic accident at LAHS, rescue workers treat the injured student participants, where they experienced the first-hand sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-related collision. Student victims were then extricated by the jaws-of-life manned by firemen and paramedics, with the coroner at the scene to handle deaths.

A helicopter airlifted a victim to be treated at the local hospital. Police Officers investigated, arrested, and booked the “drunk driver.” Students went on an actual trip to the morgue, the hospital emergency room, and to jail.

At the end of the day, the students who participated in the staged accident and who made-up the “living dead” were transported to a local hotel for an overnight retreat. The retreat simulated separation from family and friends, with counselors and police officers to facilitate.

During it the students wrote letters to their parents, each beginning with, “Dear Mom and Dad, every 15 minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol-related accident, and today it was me.” Meanwhile, parents were at the Youth Center writing similar letters to their children.

On the following morning, a mock funeral service was held at the LAHS with an assembly that began with a video of normal school day activities. It included scenes from the first day of the “Grim Reaper” and the staged accident. Speakers included Antonio Carillo, who killed his friend in an alcohol-related accident. Students then read letters they wrote to their parents, and parents read letters to their children. The assembly stressed the effects of consuming alcohol and how it can affect many more people than just those who drink.

“Being a part of Every 15 Minutes and being ‘dead’ for a day changed my perspective on life forever,” wrote Skye Meredith on her Instagram at the end of the program. “Every choice we make affects our path and can change someone else’s. Take every moment you have and cherish it because you never know which one will be your last.”

The goal of the event is to utilize strengths, talents and resources of public and private organizations in order to prevent drunk driving. Participating were Los Alamitos Police Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Los Alamitos Medical Center, Orange County Courts, Cypress Forest Lawn, Seal Beach Lions and Leo’s Clubs.

Funding for Every 15 Minutes is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information about the program, please visit online at www.Every15Minutes.com or www.theYouthCenter.com.

More than 200 women and men attended the Woman’s Club of Cypress (WCC) Rose Garden Tea at the Cypress Community Center on March 28. The annual spring Victorian Tea, the organization’s primary fundraising event, raised more than $8,000 to help fund their community outreach programs.

Volunteer servers were members of the Key Club from Oxford Academy and Cypress High School. Their participation in the event allows them to complete their high school community service requirement.

Singer Tony Rogers entertained and had many women dancing along. During the show, members and students sang My Girl … in a performance that only Rogers could enthusiastically emcee.

In addition to hostesses at each of the 20 plus tables creating a uniquely different theme, there were vendors selling a variety of jewelry, clothes and other gift items. The club also had door prizes, opportunity baskets and a silent auction.

The Rose Garden Tea is the main source of income that funds many of the club’s philanthropic projects. Some of the beneficiaries include the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Acacia Adult Day Care Services, Cypress College Foundation, HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) and the Seal Beach Animal Shelter.

Sailing away with the Youth Center Community Support Campaign Chairman Scott Newton of the Seal Beach Lion’s Club, volunteers kicked off the 18th annual fundraiser on March 31 at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.

The nautical themed month-long event meets at various locations every Tuesday each week until April 28. More than 100 volunteer campaigners are raising funds to support the Youth Center’s programs throughout the year including their After School Program (ASP), Music Program, Summer Day and Teen Camps, Every 15 Minutes drunk-driving determent program, and Leadership Academy for teens. The fundraiser enables the nonprofit, which is not funded by any governmental assistance, to keep prices low and provide for full or partial scholarships to families in need.

Newton touched on how when the Youth Center saw a need for an elementary school music program, then fulfilled it. “Twenty four years ago, the school district had to do some budget cutting, and cut out the music program,” he said. “The Youth Center started with 50 kids in six classes. Roll forward to 2015, they now have 45 classes in seven campuses with over 350 students.”

Youth Center Music Director Daniel Van Adler said that since the program started, they have taught music to close to 10,000 kids. “This program is very special and is unique to our area,” he said. “Our teachers are fantastic and have 20 to 30 years of experience teaching children.” The program offers music for kindergarten through 5th grade in more than 20 different instruments throughout the entire year.

One music student mentioned was violin player Andrew described as a “very energetic” child. When he began playing he reportedly used his bow as a sword and violin as a shield. He learned to channel his energies into music, switching a year later to playing the trumpet. Andrew grew into being a lead soloist trumpet player who now plays for the Oak Middle School Jazz Band having six years of music experience under his belt thanks to the Youth Center Music Program.

“Even if the students move on to new things, they were able to learn how to build confidence to try new things, creatively solve problems, and to be a part of a team working together for a common goal,” said Van Adler. “These are things that really help every child get through life and do the things that they want to do without fear.”

Newton went on to talk about the After School Program (ASP) where the 120 kids go when they have no other place to go to keep them safe and improve their academic performance in the ASP Learning Center. The ASP promotes student well-being and is an investment in the future of the community. “The kids are going to be our leaders someday,” he said. “Many of them are already our leaders.”

Many after school programs typically cost $350 to $500 a month, but the Youth Center’s program only costs $25 a month (for materials) or nothing if parents come in to volunteer a few hours, according to Newton.

For the kids, the heart of the ASP is with the staff. One staff member and campaign leader who spoke was Miles Rubin who has been worked at the Youth Center since June 2013. He said that when he comes in every day to work and sees all the kids playing basketball, air hockey, ping pong and doing homework, that it never fails to put a smile on his face. He loves to see how much of an impact the Youth Center has upon their lives. “Coming to work at the Youth Center was like becoming a part of a special family where everyone that is a part of this place is family, especially the kids,” said Rubin.

One such kid who grew up coming to the ASP and has worked in child care for the last eight years is Marquis Knowles. He shared that as a kid growing up in Long Beach and not having much, he came to the ASP while in middle school. Knowles began to notice a world of difference coming from Long Beach to Los Alamitos. “It was kind of a culture shock,” he said. “I will never forget it was the first day of school and I remember meeting some new friends.”

His friends took him to the Youth Center, and Knowles’ mother ended up speaking with past Youth Center Executive Director Tom Stretz. After that, Knowles came to the ASP five days a week from 6th to 8th grade. “Those years were the most important years of my life because growing up in my neighborhood, the Youth Center exemplified a better way of life,” said Knowles. “Coming here just opened my eyes to a whole new world.”

Knowles was able to meet new friends and become more social through the ASP thanks in part to the influence of then ASP Staff Member Hans Lumme who taught him to play basketball.” I often speak of Hans and how he would beat me at basketball,” he said. “I tell them that now I’m doing the same to them (the kids he cares for in his job).” Knowles went on to thank Hans, and said he’d never be a father, family man or care for children if it wasn’t for the Youth Center’s influence upon his life.

Another amazing story of how the Youth Center “transforms lives one child at a time” came from Barbara Hallberg, grandmother and guardian of ASP student Hunter Rakutt. She told a story of Hunter’s problematic life at home, his being bullied at school and having no friends until he came to the ASP. “The Youth Center gave back Hunter’s self-esteem,” she said. “They taught him how to be caring, honest, loving and fair. These are all things that can’t be bought with money but that last a lifetime.” Hallberg went on to say that the Youth Center is about “out of self and into others,” a saying she learned in being a Soroptimist. The sole guardian of her grandson who lives on Social Security is very grateful to the Youth Center for giving Hunter a full scholarship for Summer Day Camp last year, and that he’ll be coming again this summer.

As for 9-year-old Hunter, he said the Youth Center means a lot to him because they are so nice to him, and that he recommends people send their children there.

“They’ve changed my life and it might be able to change yours,” he said.

For more information on the Youth Center and their programs, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org. To campaign for or make a donation, please call Executive Director Lina Lumme or Office Manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043.

Thirty-six students from the Los Alamitos High School Drama program recently went to the California State Thespian Festival, where they earned an amazing 28 “superiors” and 10 place distinctions in both performance and technical categories.

They had the honor of being selected to perform their one-act play on the main stage of the state competition, and were selected to perform at the national competition which was even a greater achievement.

Griffin Puppet Players Stella Thermos, Kaylie Harrington, Kendallyn Beltran, Sabrina Gludt, Kiley Barker-Taylor and Tara Virgil performed “Pyramus and Thisbe”.

First Place awards went to Improv Team members Nikki Law, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Ellie Sims, Michael Schultz, and Simon Martin. Comedy Showcase members were Stella Thermos and Ryan Smith. Miles Gutierrez-Riley won for Monologues, and Mercy Hightower won for Theatre Marketing. Skye Meredith earned Second Place for Makeup Design, as did Shane Ferguson for Sound Design.

Third Places went to Derek Madrid for Set Design, to Sydney DeMaria for Solo Musical, and to Kayla Wiggs and Tara Virgil for Duet Acting.

If students earn a “Superior” rating from the judges, they then qualify to move on to Nationals. Actors Katie Brown-Greaves, Kaitlin Buxton, Cassandra Cianciola, Evan Cusato, Sabrina Gludt, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Alyssa Hahn,Kaylie Harrington, Nikki Law, Michael Schultz, and Spencer Woolard all rated “Superior” in Monologues.

“Superiors for Solo Musical went to Sydney DeMaria and to Bridget DeMaria, and to Sydney De Maria for Duet Musical.

Five pairs for Duet Acting qualified went to Nikki Law and Alyssa Hahn, Jessie Winslow and Simon Martin, Ellie Sims and Spencer Woolard, Stella Thermos and Keith Ahlstrom, and to Tara Virgil and Kayla Wiggs.

Two teams qualified in the category of Group Acting including teams of  Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Jade Kaiser, Ryan Smith, and Katie Brown-Greaves as well as the team of Stella Thermos, Simon Martin, and Alison Parsons.

Tech Theater “Superior” ratings were earned by Oliva Elvidge, Mercy Hightower, Cameron Reed, Skye Meredith, Shane Ferguson, John Fujisawa, and Derek Madrid.

This was indeed an impressive showing by Los Al’s aspiring actors. They’re now looking for sponsorship to go to Nebraska in June for the International Thespian Festival.  If you have any leads, please contact Director Stacy Castiglione at sc**********@***al.org.

Weaver Elementary School in Rossmoor received a $700 check from the Youth Center in Los Alamitos for their support of the Youth Center Music Program. Pictured (left to right, front row) holding a copy of the check are music students Taylor Drake, Paige Steele, Gabe Freedman-Finch, Kaia Majka and Joseph Eng. Pictured (left to right, back row) are Youth Center Music Director Daniel Van Adler and Office Manager Julie Rubin.

Growing up in Seal Beach, Katie Neipris’ life was pretty standard for the area. She hung out at the beach, played softball with her friends and had a healthy appetite for books. The Los Alamitos High graduate developed a taste for writing through reading of some of her favorite authors.

Though Neipris grew up in the quiet Seal Beach and Los Alamitos area, like many young people, she didn’t truly come of age until she left for college and UCLA and began to make the sometimes arduous transition from childhood to adulthood. Seeing some the life changes that she and other people her age struggled with, led Neipris to take on the task of writing a book that spoke to those people.

The end result was her first novel, entitled, The Inconvenient Process of Falling. The book was launched as an e-book through Creators Publishing. Neipris’ own experiences shaped the story as much as her writing.

“Her honesty, sadness and humor reflect this age of transition, an age that has been largely ignored by the literary world,” Creators said about the book in a release.

Neipris graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA, where she studied English and Film, Television, & Digital Media. She currently lives with some of her college friends and works as an executive assistant at Lighthearted Entertainment.

Katie recently spent time with the News Enterprise to talk about her book and experiences with her home town.

NE: What was the most difficult thing about writing this novel?

Katie: Finding time to write!

NE: How much of your personal experience shaped it?

Katie: I wanted to write something that felt universal and relatable for 19-year-olds. The conflicts endured are things I saw people my age going through.

NE: You studied for a summer at Oxford and traveled Europe at that time, how was that experience?

Katie: It was definitely a life-changing summer. Visiting the favorite haunts of my literary heroes was the most inspiring experience I could ask for. I got to see how books bring people together and decided it was time I did the same.

NE: What are your favorite memories of the Seal Beach/Los Al area growing up?

Katie: Going to the beach as much as possible, playing softball at Rossmoor Park, and eating Nick’s burritos on Main Street with my friends.

NE: Who are some of your favorite authors/books?

Katie: J.K. Rowling, Pat Conroy, the Brontes; The Bell Jar, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice.

Publisher’s Summary

The Inconvenient Process of Falling

By Katie Neipris

Growing up is a strange process, and no one is exempt.

Seven childhood friends go camping together after their first year of college. Separated for several months and thousands of miles, they expected to have the same relationship as before. They could not have been more wrong.

Each character is an overachiever, driven by a defining characteristic — a love of medicine, a love of books, a love of love — and during that first year of college, they’ve each lost a little bit of whatever that thing is. They’re all experiencing some sort of identity crisis, and they’re relying on their childhood friends to remind them who they used to be.

The Inconvenient Process of Falling describes the real struggle of growing up and accepting that life is not going to turn out exactly as planned. It depicts the coming-of-age experience of returning home and seeing how much you’ve changed. It’s about friends coming together and old feelings colliding in unexpected ways. And it’s about moments of extreme sadness bolstered by dark comedy, because sometimes laughing is the only way to deal with things.

Ultimately, The Inconvenient Process of Falling is a novel about realizing that friends are the family you get to choose.

Creators Publishing

Ebook available at creatorspublishing.com. Also available on Amazon, iTunes, Nook, and Google Play.

ISBN: 978-1-942448-05-1

Price: $5.99

Pages: 222