Foothills Sentry December 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 6 December 2021 OPA Annual Meeting is Jan. 29 The Orange Park Association annual general membership meeting will be held at Salem Church School Multi Purpose Room, 6500 Santiago Canyon Road, on Saturday, Jan. 29. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and donuts; the meeting starts at 9 a.m., with nominations and the election of officers at 10 a.m. For further information, see orangeparkacres.org . Left to right, Fernando Arroya from Orange County Rescue Mission; Elk Brian Fitzpatrick; Jamie Nelson, OCRM; scholarship recipients Tony Stambuk and Samuel Johnson; and Elk Stephanie Fitzpatrick. Elks honor veterans By Bill Neessen The Orange Elks 1475 exem- plify their motto, “As long as there is a Vet, the Orange Elks will never forget” with numerous remembrances during the week of Veterans Day. The Elks honored 50 veterans by placing a flag that included their name, rank and branch of service at the Field of Valor. The Field of Valor, an annual event sponsored by the Community Foundation of Orange, displayed 1,776 flags honoring veterans and servicemen and women. Elk Don Westerfield coordinat- ed “Veterans & Music Through the Years,” a program that includ- ed songs associated with the wars and conflicts involving U.S. vet- erans. When the song “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” played, Vietnam veterans immediately recognized it. For the last 15 years, the Elks Veterans Chairs Brian and Steph- anie Fitzpatrick have given a Lo- cal Heroes Scholarship of $1,475 to a veteran. Over $22,000 has helped veterans acquire books, materials, even a computer to help them further their studies and earn a degree. The Elks hon- ored U.S. Army veteran Samuel Johnson as the 2020 recipient, and U.S. Army veteran Tony Stambuk as the 2021 recipient. Johnson is attending Masters University, working toward a theology de- gree. Tony Stambuk attends Or- ange Coast College, majoring in psychology. Both men reside at the Orange County Rescue Mis- sion (OCRM), which helps men, women and children who have become homeless. Earlier this year, the Elks Lodge selected the OCRM to receive a $2,500 Free- dom Grant. legislation include parking re- quirements, residential zoning and neighborhood compatible housing projects. The resolution was supported by all seven council members un- til Kathy Tavoularis insisted that the names of local legislators who approved SB9 and 10 be included in the language. She noted State Senators Dave Min and Tom Um- berg voted yes on the bills, and wanted them called out. She also erroneously advised that Assem- See "Petition" continued from page 1 blyman Steven Choi had voted no. Choi did not register a vote on those items. Arianna Barrios attempted to dissuade her colleagues from mentioning names, suggesting that if any individual legislators were named in the resolution, all of them, in fairness, should be. Tavoularis replied that she only wanted to include legislators who represented Orange. Five councilmembers support- ed adding names to the resolu- tion and voted to include them. Barrios and Ana Gutierrez voted against naming names, but sup- ported the resolution, nonethe- less. TAWC names outstanding young women The Tustin Area Woman’s Club announced its three Young Wom- en of the Month, a senior from each area high school represent- ing the best in academics, athlet- ics and extracurricular achieve- ment. Emma Garcia is involved in Foothill High School’s mock trial program, participating on both prosecution and defense teams. She researched constitutional change enacted by the U.S. Su- preme Court for her International Baccalaureate paper and plans to major in pre-law. She is also ac- tive in the Got Your Back Uganda Club and the Student Activists Club. Ellie Vandal from Tustin High School has a 4.7 GPA, and has competed on the varsity volley- ball and soccer teams all four years. She is also a four-year member of the T-Tech program, and is creating an electronic foos- ball table for her senior project. A lifelong Girl Scout, she earned her Bronze Award caring for ani- mals in shelters. She plans to at- tend a four-year university after high school. Hannah Kang is a Beckman High four-time varsity lacrosse starting midfielder, two-time captain and Mad Dog West Elite travel lacrosse club player. She is currently ASB treasurer, and has been named to the principal’s ex- emplary student honor roll every year. Hannah plans to study pre- law and play lacrosse in college. Emma Garcia, Foothill High Ellie Vandal, Tustin High Hannah Kang, Beckman High Dino Dash decked out for Halloween The Tustin Public Schools Foundation held its 30th annual Dinosaur Dash on Oct. 31, featuring the first- ever Halloween costume contest. Over 100 participants were judged on the most creative and original cos- tumes in three divisions -- youth, adult and family. The contest was organized and hosted by retired TUSD Communications Director Mark Eliot. Photo courtesy of John Garrett, Tustin Public Schools Foundation Heritage Elementary School Principal Courtney Smith as an “avia- tor” (center) won the Best Costume in the adult category. She was given the award by Jake Hill, “Elvis,” left, and contest emcee “Juras- sic Mark” Eliot.