Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) crowned the King & Queen of Hearts on Feb. 20 at The Grand in Long Beach.
Queen of Hearts is Los Alamitos High School counselor Tina Heeren and the King of Hearts is Tom Lent of Southland Credit Union.
All eight Royal Court candidates ended their 10-week fundraising campaign at the Royal Ball and Coronation with the grand fundraising total being $110,000.
Every dollar that each candidate raised counted as a vote, with Heeren and Lent the top fundraisers.
“We are so excited and humbled by the enormous amount of time and effort all the candidates put into the fundraising campaign,” said LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue. “We are thrilled with how engaged our community was in the campaign and how the candidates introduced many new people to LAEF’s mission.”
The Archduke Sponsor Southland Credit Union’s team was on hand to cheer on all the candidates and was very excited to see their very own Tom Lent crowned king. Duke Sponsors Alamitos Eye Care, NovaWurks and Mac-Fusion also applauded the Royal Court and their amazing fundraising accomplishment.
The 2014-15 Queen Royal Court members are McAuliffe Principal Annie Allen, Los Alamitos City Councilmember Shelley Hasselbrink and recently retired music teacher Coralie Prince.
The King Royal Court members are Los Alamitos USD School Board Member Dr. Jeff Barke, Jim Klisanin of Baytown Realty and Chief Joe Stilinovich of the Seal Beach Police Department.
“I am amazed by the growth of King and Queen of Hearts following the inaugural campaign last year,” said LAEF President Randy Hill. “Fundraising increased from $40,000 to $110,000 and Royal Ball attendance increased from 90 to 180 people. This will benefit all students as proceeds support STEAM Fairs (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math) on all campuses and a district-wide STEAM showcase at the end of the school year.”
For additional information on LAEF, please call 562-277-6876 or visit www.LAEF4Kids.org.