The Los Alamitos Education Foundation crowned the King & Queen of Hearts on Feb.19 at The Grand in Long Beach. The Queen of Hearts is Seal Beach Lion of the Year Adriana Preciado-Ziegenbusch and the King of Hearts is Matt Herrick of Southland Credit Union. All seven Royal Court candidates ended their 10-week fundraising campaign at the Royal Ball and Coronation; the grand fundraising total was $93,000. Every dollar that each candidate raised counted as a vote, and Preciado-Ziegenbusch and Herrick were the top fundraisers.
“We are ecstatic and humbled by the vast amount of time and effort all the candidates put into the King & Queen of Hearts campaign,” said Carrie Logue, LAEF executive director. “We are thrilled by the engagement of our community and how the candidates introduced many new people to LAEF’s mission!”
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 Matt Herrick crowned king. Duke sponsors Alamitos Eye Care and Wells Fargo also applauded the Royal Court and their amazing fundraising accomplishment. The crowd enjoyed music from a Jazz quartet led by Oak Middle School Instrumental Music Director (and past King of Hearts candidate) Justin Padilla. Dr. Andrew Pulver, Los Al USD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, was the Master of Ceremonies.
The 2015-16 Queen Royal Court members are Los Al alumna Gina Biri, Los Al USD school board member Diana Hill and Rossmoor Elementary principal Kiva Spiratos. The King Royal Court members are Dr. Sean Braithwaite of Braithwaite Chiropractic and Aaron Roberts of Anytime Fitness.
LAEF President Sean Payne said, “I am amazed by the ongoing success of King and Queen of Hearts campaign. Fundraising has totaled to nearly $240,000 over the past three years and Royal Ball attendance has grown to nearly 200 community members. This will continue to benefit all students as proceeds support STEAM instruction and fairs (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math) on all campuses and the district-wide STEAM showcase on May 21 at LAHS.”
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence in our community by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to Pre-K to 12th grade students. For additional information on LAEF, please call (562) 799-4700 x80424 or visit www.LAEF4Kids.org. The King and Queen of Hearts campaign link is www.LAEF4Kids.org/kingandqueen.
