Project Independence announces 2019 schedule
Costa Mesa-based Project Independence, a 40-year-old nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disabilities find jobs, develop friendships and live independently, has announced the 2019 events that will comprise its popular Access2Adventure program.
Next year, the group will visit the Art of Strength Fitness facility in Irvine to learn about fitness and eating nutritiously, experience the freedom of flight at the iFly indoor skydiving center in Ontario, voyage to Catalina Island and back, root for the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, visit with the LA Chargers and more.
Underwriters of the program include the Newport Beach-based Louis & Gladyce Foster Family Foundation and the Costa Mesa Foundation, which underwrote a Catalina Island Conservancy tour.
Organizers said 87 cents of every dollar raised by Project Independence goes directly to support programs for people with developmental disabilities. For more information, go to proindependence.org.
– Submitted by Dan Pittman
Huntington Beach Pier Snowflake Lighting raises thousands for at-risk youth
Waymakers, a nonprofit that provides counseling and support services to struggling Orange County children and families, worked in partnership with the city of Huntington Beach to kick off the holiday season. Thousands of community members participated in a countdown to the Huntington Beach giant snowflake lighting during the annual “Light a Light of Love” holiday celebration and fundraiser.
The event raised more than $120,000 to benefit nonprofit Waymakers’ Huntington Beach youth shelter, a “safe haven” for homeless, runaway, abused and at-risk youth.
This year’s festivities featured entertainment from local musical acts, including the Marina High School band and Huntington Beach High School cheerleaders. There was also a children’s holiday parade down Main Street with grand marshal Brett Simpson, resident and professional surfer inducted into Huntington Beach Surf & Sport’s Surfing Hall of Fame. Guests also had the opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus before the lighting ceremony of more than 83 giant snowflakes throughout Main Street and the pier.
Proceeds from Light a Light of Love will benefit the Waymakers’ shelter, which since opening its doors 11 years ago has helped more than 1,300 homeless, runaway and struggling Orange County youth and their families. Last year, Waymakers celebrated 36 years of providing youth shelter services to runaway, homeless and at-risk youth, through their three shelters in Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Tustin.
– Submitted by Kaitlyn McKay
Foothill High thespians win big
Seven members of Foothill High School’s Thespian Troupe 2722 won first place and swept all acting awards at the California State Thespians Southern California Play Festival.
The competition was held at Los Alamitos High School and featured more than a dozen schools and more than a hundred performers.
In its very first thespian competition, Foothill High School won first place for its scenes from the play, “Almost, Maine.” Advanced Theatre Arts students Maya Aguirre and Sophie Wankel tied for the best actress award, and Jude Henderson won for best actor.
The win qualifies Foothill to perform on the main stage at the 2019 California State Thespian Festival, a three-day event in March that attracts more than 1,200 student actors and technicians from all over the state.
La Quinta’s Hall of Fame Night honors baseball legend
La Quinta High School’s third annual Hall of Fame Night was a diamond affair of the baseball variety, as staff, students and community members gathered to honor legendary La Quinta CIF-champion coach Dave Demarest, as well as alumni and professional baseball player Brandon Laird.
“La Quinta’s baseball program has a longtime reputation as one of the county’s top programs, producing talented athletes for many decades,” school board President Bob Harden said. “Coach Demarest is a household name in Orange County high school baseball and Brandon Laird is among the many student-athletes he helped get to the highest level of the sport.”
Coach Demarest led La Quinta to three CIF-SS baseball titles, making La Quinta the first back-to-back champions in 1994 and 1995. Some of his accomplishments include being a two-time national coach of the year, being the all-time winningest baseball coach in Orange County history, and tying a state record with 15 consecutive league championships. He coached seven players who eventually made it to the MLB.
One of those players was 2005 graduate Laird, a two-time CIF and all county player of the year, as well as first team all-state and second team all-American in 2005. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2005 but chose to play baseball at Cypress College. He was again drafted in 2007, this time by the New York Yankees. He is currently playing major league baseball in Japan.
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.