Stars shined at the second annual “A Night Among The Stars” awards ceremony at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos on Feb. 8. More than 100 community members and dignitaries came out to honor 20 youth philanthropists.
“Tonight is a special night for our community because it celebrates the countless hours our youth give back,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “The volunteers we nominate truly make a difference and their impact is truly phenomenal.”
Featuring organizations nominating award winners include Grateful Hearts, Los Alamitos Unified School District, Precious Life Shelter, Seal Beach Lion’s Club and The Youth Center.
“I think it’s amazing any time we are honoring the work of young people … just amazing,” said Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp. Los Alamitos Mayor Gerri Graham-Mejia and Council Member Troy Edgar were among those presenting the awards. Also in attendance were Los Alamitos High School Principal Joshua Arnold, Precious Life Shelter Executive Director Theresa Murphy, the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress Executive Director Anne Hertz, and Grateful Hearts Executive Director Blair Pietrini.
One of two “Stellar Volunteer” $500 scholarship award winners went to Janine Kim, 17, of Cypress for her volunteer work at an orphanage in Guatemala and her local work with her Spanish teacher donating books and clothes to those in need. The second “Stellar Volunteer” award went to Laura Munley, 16, of Cypress for her tutoring students in all subjects at the Youth Center and for her work at the Youth Center’s Haunted House.
President of the Seal Beach LEO’s Club (Leadership Experience Opportunity) and award winning nominee, Carl Aaker, 17, of Long Beach who volunteered more than 600 hours said it’s good just being nominated and to help out the community. His parents, Terry and Lynn said they were very honored and that Carl learned a lot of new skills during his work including decorating a Rose Parade float, volunteering for PONY baseball and making pancake breakfast with Santa in Seal Beach.
Award winning nominee, Zechariah Kragenbrink, 17, of Long Beach taught children at the Youth Center Summer Camp at Rossmoor Park about dinosaurs, fossils and safety around train tracks. He said he was honored to just be here. “I’m very touched for him to be recognized,” said Zechariah’s mother, Erin Peyton. “It’s empowering and encourages Zechariah to do more. What the Youth Center does to help out the community is fantastic!”
Another award winning nominee, Tania Bridges, 15, of Lakewood who volunteered many hours as a junior leader at the Youth Center’s Summer Camp said she was excited and nervous. She was in attendance at the ceremonies with her proud mother, Toni Williams.
Other award winning nominees include Jessica Bailey, 17, of Cypress, Aaron Lopez, 18, of Long Beach, Adrian Maass, 18, of Seal Beach, Harout Manukian, 17, of Cypress, Nicholas Marco, 17, of Cypress, Michael McGlothlin, 17, of Los Alamitos, Cameron Moore, 17, of Huntington Beach, Samantha Newlin, 18, of Cypress, Maxine Pak, 17, of Cypress, Sam Passanisi, 16, of Seal Beach, Emily Rogers, 15, of Los Alamitos, Kiki Ruiz, 25, of Seal Beach, Olivia Wakamoto, 17, of Los Alamitos, Brook Whitely, 15, and sister Basia Whitely-Habash, 16, of Buena Park
