Around Town: American Assn. of University Women awards scholarships to O.C. re-entry college students

The Laguna Beach branch of the American Assn. of University Women, an organization that promotes gender equity, has awarded scholarships to 12 women returning to college.

The scholarships will go to the following reentry students representing four Orange County institutions: Orange Coast College’s Valerie Fernandez, Stacey Mori, Helen Thome, Jenny Ortega and Abigail Andressoo; UC Irvine’s Aliyah Clayton and Grace Lee; and Laguna College of Art and Design’s Jennifer Schmidt.

Patricia Reyes, Liz Clark, Jessica Trujillo and Kailee Cabrera all take classes at Saddleback College.

“In general, applicants must be women who have had to take a break in their educational journeys and have returned to school to continue,” Lesley Danziger, the president of AAUW’s Laguna Beach branch, said in a statement. “Thus, they are usually mature students. The students must also be in financial need and they must be on track to complete a certificate training course or an associate or bachelor’s degree.”

News

TimesOC: Some Orange County schools are back in class

While most Orange County schools are on track to return to campus on Sept. 22, more than 100 schools applied for waivers to open earlier — and most received approval to proceed.

Sept. 11, 2020

Danziger added that about 60 students applied for the scholarships, which range between $2,000 and $3,000.

The organization plans to raise funds for local high school and college students in the upcoming year. Those wishing to donate to the scholarship fund can go to lagunabeach-ca.aauw.net.

Orange County Community Foundation to host ‘giving day’

The Orange County Community Foundation will host an online “giving day” to support nonprofits serving Orange County youth on Sept. 23.

The event, called “Igniting Potential,” is part of a series of collaborative Giving Days organized by the OCCF, aimed to boost the capacity of local nonprofits that are providing vital services in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization aims to raise $125,000 for 11 nonprofits, including Assistance League Irvine; Helping Others Prepare for Eternity (H.O.P.E.); Irvine Public Schools Foundation; Kid Healthy; KidWorks; MOMS Orange County; Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America; Pretend City Children’s Museum; Parentis Foundation; Scholar’s Hope and The Youth Center.

“As our community rises to the challenges of the pandemic, we continue to see tremendous strength and potential in collaboration,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of OCCF, in a statement. “We are so proud to support ‘Igniting Potential’ and these 11 nonprofits as they work collectively to serve youth in Orange County in these challenging times.”

To give online the day of, visit igniting-potential-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org. Additional giving days will be announced over the coming year. For more information, visit oc-cf.org/iheartoc.

Silent walk to support Newport Beach police

A silent walk to support the Newport Beach Police Department will be on Sunday, starting at 9 a.m.

Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the corners of Newport Center Drives, near Fashion Island, and will walk in a single file line — 6 feet apart — to the Newport Beach Police Department at 870 Santa Barbara Drive to cheer and applaud. Organizers said that the walk is not political.

Interested parties are suggested to bring a “Thin Blue Line” flag. Participants are also encouraged to wear “brilliant” blue, navy or black clothing.

Sherman Library & Gardens showcases garden-inspired art

Original garden-inspired art pieces are now on display in the Cafe Jardin at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar.

As part of the Newport Beach Garden Tour, artists are featured at each private residence on the tour. Artists are then invited to capture points of interests in their work throughout their assigned gardens.

This year’s artists include Andrea Holte, Cathy Hull, Mike Ishikawa, Jai Kim, Carol Kreider, Yuma Lynch, Ellen Small and Lesa Vander Bie.

Interested buyers can visit the cafe to purchase the artwork until Wednesday. The cafe will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Proceeds from sale of artwork will go toward children’s education programs at the Sherman Library & Gardens.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.