Junior Kahunas

Ahmad Abdelman, 11, seven grade, Fulton Middle School ... Plays football,

basketball and baseball ... Made All-Star Team every year in football,

and made team once each for basketball and baseball ... Likes

skateboarding.

Lauren Ackley, 11, fifth grade, Fulton Middle School ... Student body

president two years in a row ... Plays piano and sings in church choir

... Plays soccer ... Studies art ... Straight-A student ... Parents are

Kim and Mike.

Salman Alam, 16, a senior at Marina High School ... One of two

valedictorian candidates ... 4.66 cumulative grade point average for high

school ... Received school-wide recognition in history, science, math and

foreign language ... Plays basketball and serves as editor-in-chief of

the school’s newspaper ... President of Kiwanis community service club

... Three-year member of National Honors Society ... Academic Decathlon

team ... Involvement in peer tutoring program ... Involvement in Key Club

and Ecology Club ... President of a Muslim youth group at a local mosque

... Hospital volunteer at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical

Center ... Involvement in Interfaith Youth Dialogue, sponsored by the

National Council.

Alyson Allen, 17, senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Member of

Troubadors ... Runs track, cross-country ... Student Senate

vice-president ... Attends Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

... Concert choir member ... Helped clean beaches ... Visits homeless

shelters regularly ... Worked hard to overcome adversity ... In advanced

placement classes ... Parents are Terry and Randi.

Brandon Allen, 17, junior at Edison High School ... Involved in Search

and Rescue ... Teacher’s aide ... Church youth ministry ... High school

youth ministry ... Been called a great crew chief in Search and Rescue

and has helped the captain greatly.

Jeanette Antolin, 18, a senior at Marina High School ... One of country’s

top gymnasts, will be competing in the 2000 Olympics ... Placed second in

all-around at the World Team Trials in Kansas City, Mo. ... Will travel

to China this month for World Championships ... Mother is Nola Antolin.

Christopher Barlow, 9, a third-grader at Village View Elementary ...

Participated in Scouting for Food, Bolsa Chica wetlands planting and

Village View planting ... Has a problem with one of his eyes which was

found at 3 years old ... Had to have his good eye patched for over 6

years to help his brain work on the opposite side ... Would wear the

patch everywhere he went ... Had difficulty doing normal things with the

patch ... Remains good natured and happy ... Gets along well with

classmates and is always looking help others ... Parents are Kate and

Dan.

Brooke Bartlett, 9, a fifth-grader at Tamura Elementary School ...

Attends St. Bonaventure church ... Active member of student council ...

Stays after school to volunteer ... Also active in church ...

Consistently shows respect for all adults and classmates ... Caring ...

Maintains high expectations for herself in academics ... Plays tennis,

and is ranked 70th in Southern California ... Parents Mike and Laurie.

Jose Benitez, senior, Ocean View High School ... Writes stories and poems

for the school’s literary magazine ... Has played guitar and trumpet in

the marching, concert, jazz and pep bands ... Member of Entre Amigos, Key

Club, Literary Club, California Scholarship Federation ... Runs

cross-country and track ... Listed in the Who’s Who of American High

School Students ... Member of the high school’s Business Academy ...

Elected outstanding volunteer at a local elementary school ... Volunteers

for the Children’s Bureau of Southern California ... Organized a

lunchtime Mexican Independence Day activity.

Pakayla Biehn, 13, eighth grade, Talbert Middle School ... Honor student

and school mascot ... Spearheaded drive to create Adopt-A-Beach and

Coastal Cleanup at Newland Elementary and Talbert schools ... Organizes

volunteers for three cleanup days a year, making sure they sign in and

out so they earn service points for their school ... Volunteers to baby

sit for school and church functions ... Parents are Pat and Tom.

Jamie Birk, 17, a senior at Edison High School ... Plays varsity softball

and basketball ... Freshman Orientation crew leader ... Disciplined and

focused ... A diligent worker ... Committed to the goals that she sets

for her teams and for herself ... A true leader by example ... Tore a

knee ligament playing softball during the spring of her sophomore year

... In spite of the injury she worked her way back to play basketball and

softball during her junior year ... Parents Vicki and Jim.

Tyler Briscoe, 9, a third-grader at Village View School ... Attends Grace

Lutheran Church ... Participated in annual Memorial Day grave marker trim

and cleanup at Westminster Cemetery ... Helps with Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Restoration on weekends ... Does volunteer tree planting and maintenance

at Village View School PTA fund-raising for school support and student

body activities ... Active in Cub Scout Pack 287 ... Attends City Council

meetings for participation in municipal government ... Visits senior

citizens homes with church youth group ... Has overcome the loss of both

grandfathers within a nine-month period.

Joshua Cable, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Associated Student

Body president ... Editor-in-chief of school newspaper ... Actived in the

California Scholarship Federation, Key Club, Entre Amigos, International

Baccalaureate, and Peer Assistance Living ... Received Golden State Exam

High Honors in English literature, chemistry, biology, algebra and

American history ... Served on the Huntington Beach Junior Philharmonic

Committee, the Huntington Beach Youth Board, the Human Relations Task

Force and the Healthy Start Program. Parents are Bill and Laurie.

Lynette Carlson, 16, a junior at Cornelia Connelly School ... Assistant

leader of Junior Girl Scout troop ... Received Gold Award, highest award

available in Girl Scouts ... Donates time to Environmental Nature Center

... Assists in food distribution at Share Our Selves soup kitchen in

Costa Mesa .... A great leader who can motivate others to work towards a

good end ... Concerend about the needs of her community.

Adam Chao, 16, junior, Ocean View High School ... Junior Class President

... A member of numerous clubs and activities including key club ...

Plays on the varsity tennis team ... Has traveled around the world ... In

International Baccalaureate program ... Parents Rho and Ping.

Brandon Chao, 16, junior, Ocean View High School ... Member of Associated

Student Body, Key Club ... Plays varsity tennis ... Plays the piano ... A

team player, he is dedicated and goes the extra mile to get things done

... Parents are Rho and Ping.

Christina Chen, senior, Ocean View High School ... Involved with the

school yearbook ... Member of the Newspaper Club, the Medical Academy and

National Honors Society ... Received the Golden State Exam High Honors in

four subjects ... Scholarship recipient for Stanford University summer

session ... Junior Team Tennis Orange County finalist ... Member of the

Key Club and California Scholarship Federation ... Has volunteered as a

teacher’s assistant for Vacation Bible School ... Works hard in the

classroom and wants to help pay for her younger brother’s education when

she gets out of school.

Huy Quoc Dang, 17, a senior at Marina High School ... President of the

Key group, the largest community service organization at the school ...

Has accumulated 250 community service hours attending various projects

during last four years ... Also a member of CHERISH project at Rodgers

Seniors’ Center ... Member of the Volsunga school newspaper and Runes

Literary Magazine ... Co-captain of Academic Decathlon ... Secretary of

the Math Club ... Also a member of the Spanish and Vietnamese clubs.

Justin DeMarco, 11, fifth grade, Simon and Jude School ... One of the top

readers among first- through fifth-grade students ... Plays baseball,

basketball and soccer ... Soccer all-star ... Awarded Warchief prize,

highest ranking of Pacific Eagle Nation, which is only awarded to those

with more than 50 specific accomplishments of self-improvement, family

activities, and community involvement.

Kari Doyle, 17, a senior at Marina High School ... Teaches religious

education ... Facilitator on retreats ... Helped organize youth group

meetings ... Lectured and ushered at masses as well as participating in

fund-raisers for various underprivileged groups ... Participated in

Campus Pride Day, where students come together on a weekend to help clean

up and improve the school ... Has been a mentor for our school’s freshman

orientation week ... Mother Kandi Doyle.

Commissioner of Girls Athletics ... member of Associated Student Body ...

Also a member of Intercultural Club.

Chelsea Eichler, 6, Golden View Elementary ... Brownie in Troop 1679 ...

Plays soccer in Region 117 ... Helped with cleanups at Mile Square Park

... Donated Christmas tree, presents and food to needy families ...

Raised money for refugees in Kosovo.

Justin Eichler, 8, third grade, Golden View Elementary School ... A Cub

Scout ... Won the World Conservation Award ... Plays soccer ...

Volunteered in Mile Square Park cleanup ... Set up lemonade stand to

raise money for Kosovo refugees ... Mother is Gina.

Laura English, eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Plays volleyball

... Team placed 10th out of 44 teams in largest women’s competition in

the U.S. ... Played in Junior Olympics in New Orleans, placing ninth out

of 49 teams ... Also plays in beach tournaments.

Chris Freeman, 13, eighth grade, Fulton Middle School ... Plays baseball

and basketball ... A green belt in taekwondo and won third place in

sparring competition ... Considered a true team player by teammates and a

natural leader by coaches ... Parents are Suzanne and Doug.

Amanda Glenn, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Participated

in academic holon team when her team placed second overall ... On the

current events team ... Involved in the orchestra ... Plays the piano ...

Is a hard worker who is not deterred by difficult challenges, faces them

as a real fighter ... Tried out for and made the volleyball team and put

many hours into training and practice ... Parents Chuck and Marcia.

Nicole Goldenberg, 16, junior at Saddleback High School ... Attends

congregation Bnai Tzedek ... A teacher’s aide for first-graders at the

Sunday Religious School for past four years ... A Girl Scout since she

was 5, still involved in Girl Scout activities ... Also does community

service for the March of Dimes for Folic Acid Awareness and Spina Bifida

prevention ... Member of Spanish Club ... Mother is Sula.

Jason Christopher Gorman, 10, a fourth-grader at St. Bonaventure School

... St. Bonavenvture Catholic Church ... A 4.0 student ... Played

Fountain Valley Little League since age 4 ... Also plays league soccer

... A Cub Scout ... Volunteered at a nursing home ... A great sense of

humor and extremely compassionate ... Takes responsibility for himself

... Father passed away when he was two ... Has managed to become a

strong, talented and intelligent youth ... Mother Michelle Gorman.

Noah Griego, 10, a fifth-grader at College View Elementary School ...

Class conflict manager and Kid Council representative ... Plays football

and baseball ... Amazing student and academically well rounded ... Also

an actor ... Teachers call him the kind of person who will succeed no

matter what ... Teachers say his enthusiasm is infectious ... Parents are

Daniel and Valerie.

Mason Hall, 8, a third-grader at Village View School ... Involved in Big

Brothers/Sisters of America ... Plays piano ... Enjoys surfing, skating

and swimming ... Has overcome loss of his mother ... Has a strong desire

to succeed ... Due to adversity in his life he has learned the meaning of

responsibility, compassion, sharing and is an inspiration to family and

friends ... Father John.

Victoria Hall, 9, fourth grade, Village View Elementary School ...

Involved in Big Sisters of Orange County ... An award-winning piano

player ... The loss of her mother at a young age has helped her learn the

meaning of sacrifice and sharing ... Is an inspiration to friends, family

and neighbors ... Father is John.

Zachary Hall, 11, a sixth-grader at Marina View School ... Member of Big

Brothers/Sisters ... Member of Marine View school band, plays saxophone

and piano ... Hobbies include in-line skating, surfing ... Participates

in the X-games ... Has excellent problem solving skills ... Has overcome

the loss of his mother ... Father John.

Erin Harrington, 13, eighth grade, Talbert Middle School ... Co-student

Body President ... Member of Talbert academic pentathlon team ... Has

maintained a 4.0 grade point average every trimester ... A cadet in the

Girl Scouts ... Donated her hair last year to make wigs for cancer

patients through Locks of Love ... Parents are John and Andrea.

Rubin Hipolito, a fifth-grader at Star View School ... Is extremely

involved in Scouting and takes challenges in his life very seriously ...

His iron determination is evident in his scouting rank relative to his

age: he is already working toward the Scouts’ highest level ... Always

works hard to achieve his goals and is a great example to other students

... He has an inherent leadership ability that his classmates respond to

... He is well liked and treats all his classmates with respect.

Mary Hite, 14, an eighth-grader at Village View School ... A hard worker

who is caring and helpful toward others ... Involved in a wide variety of

school activities ... helps with food drives and recycling at St.

Bonaventure Church ... Enjoys tennis, religious education ... Plays piano

... Received all A’s at Mesa View during 6th and 7th grade ... Member of

California junior scholarship Federation ... Recipient of outstanding

student author award ... Received annual academic excellence awards.

Alexis Hoag, 17, a senior at Marina High School ... Worked at Newport

Beach’s annual Race for the Cure, striving to find a cure for breast

cancer ... Attended Girls State conference last summer, which gave her a

passion for political science and government ... Wants to continue to

work in government to pursue her passions and help others ... Gets great

reward out of helping others and working together toward a common cause

... Member of cross-country teams and works at First Financial Resources

... Plays soccer, track, and cross-country ... Winner of several valuable

player awards ... Junior class president ... Spanish club president ...

Also a member of intercultural club ... Mother Candace.

Cyrus Hwang, 13, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Every day

after school devotes an hour to help custodian ... Also helps as many

teachers as possible ... Every Halloween, gets neighborhood friends to

collect candy for UNICEF ... At school, collects candy for Fairview

Hospital ... Maintains a high grade point average -- from 3.8 to 4.0 ...

Received school science award and faculty recognition award ... Has

played violin for eight years ... Is part of two orchestras ... Is

concert master of an orchestra of 50 people ... Parents Joanne and

Arthur.

Melissa Iverslie, 12, a seventh-grader Fulton Middle School ... Is an

attentive listener ... Follows directions and is a mature and responsible

young adult ... Exceptionally gifted in athletics ... Plays soccer and

volleyball ... Set a record for making 120 free throws in 10 minutes ...

Great student who always gets good grades ... One of best free-throw

shooters in the entire school.

Christina Jakymiw, 10, a fifth-grader at Circle View School ...

Participates in dance and is a Level 5 competitive gymnast ... She is an

enthusiastic learner who displays a positive attitude at all times ...

She is in the Gifted and Talented Education program at her school ...

Considerate of others and liked by peers.

Kathryn Jones, 17, a senior at Marina High School ... Participated in

community service through National Charity League ... Helped

underprivileged children at Orangewood Children’s Home by making blankets

for them and hosting holiday parties ... Donated time to Huntington Beach

Public Library over past four years ... National Merit Semifinalist ...

Vying for top student in the senior class ... Member of the Ecology Club

... Parents Steve and Denise.

Erik Kappe, 17, a senior at Calvary Chapel High School ... Member of

Calvary Chapel Band , swim team ... Life Scout working on Eagle Scout

rank ... Junior lifeguard 1992 to 1998 ... Currently a Huntington Beach

lifeguard ... Has a tremendous amount of independence ... Adheres to high

standards and is self-motivated ... Has overcome harsh conditions during

his lifeguard training including 52-degree water and wind ... A teen of

high character and a standout lifeguard ... Parents Dennis and Brigitta.

Brian Kersey, 9, a third-grader at Village View Elementary School ...

Attends Shorelife Church ... Loves to golf, swim, camp and body-board

with his Dad ... Has helped to beautify his school by planting hibiscus

plants with his Scout troop ... Compassionate -- when a neighbor was

assaulted last year he made sure he visited her often and still does, to

see that she is healing well ... Since his grandfather died about a year

ago he makes sure to visit his grandmother regularly ... Was a great

support while his grandfather was dying and made the best of a bad

situation ... Parents are Doug and Linda

Drew Leahy, 13, an eighth-grader at Village View School ... P.A.L.

leadership member ... Works hard and stays focused on positive activities

... Always ready to volunteer on a project involved in drama and sports

... Parents John and Patricia.

Alexis Liberto, 9, a fourth-grader at Tamura Elementary School ...

Attends Holy Spirit Church ... Dance club member ... Tutors

kindergartners and first-graders ... In computer/video club ... Plays

piano ... Overcame death of uncle who was close to her ... Always willing

to go the extra mile on assignments ... A role model and responsible ...

Mother Evelyn.

Faith Elizabeth Lott, 10, a fifth-grader at Tamura Elementary School ...

Attends First Baptist Church ... Involved in dancing classes, drama ...

Helps out at hospitals and senior homes ... Teaches songs to kids ...

Assertive, takes initiative ... Funny and high-spirited person who gets

involved in helping others ... In spite of separation of her parents, she

stayed positive and focused on school and church ... Parents Timothy and

Elizabeth.

Valerie Marini, 9, a fourth-grader at Tamura Elementary School ... An

active student council member ... Also helps in classrooms ... Teachers

are always able to depend on her to help other students with work ...

Plays soccer, baseball and sings and dances with the Sun Shine Generation

... Her mother is recovering from a life-threatening illness, during this

time she continued to participate in all school activities . She also has

had to face the challenge of the death of her two grandparents. Parents

Frank and June.

Nicole McCarthy, 9, a fourth-grader at Perry Elementary School ...

Passionate about Irish dancing and has a commitment to excel in it. With

the practices, rehearsals and competitions, she still manages to maintain

excellent grades and a positive attitude toward life and others ... She

gets along well with her fellow students and is a key member of her

family.

Adam Miller, 17, a senior at Marina High School. Congregation B’Nai

Israel ... Chairman of Church Youth Weekend ... Huntington Beach junior

lifeguard ... Delegate for California Boys State ... Varsity water polo

and swimming at Marina High School ... 1999 Huntington Beach Orator

Champion ... Recognized for social sciences ... A leader, outgoing, smart

and athletic ... He is a standout lifeguard and an exceptional teen ...

Parents Scott and Lisa.

Heather Newbert, 17, senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Attends

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... Has played the piano

since she was 7 ... Member of the Glee Club, Concert Choir, Economics

Club ... Senior Commission member of Associated Student Body ... Parents

are Debbie and Scott.

Sage Newman, 10, a fifth-grader at Tamura Elementary School ... Loves to

help others, always willing to go the extra mile ... Artistic ... An

outstanding student ... Received a hug trophy for reading 56 books in

Best Foot Forward reading program ... Extremely honest and respectful ...

A bridge between some of her friends who have not gotten along ... A

mediator, tries to create peace ... Involved in ballet, baseball and

piano ... Received a Jr. Music Academy Award ... Parents Dale and Ginger.

Kristin Orgill, 17, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Attends

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... Plays piano ... Member of

Associated Student Body ... Works at a homeless shelter in Santa Ana ...

Cleaned beaches with church group ... Plays soccer, track and

cross-country ... Parents are Terry and Randi.

Jackee Oshann, 16, a junior at Edison High School ... Lutheran Church of

Resurrection ... Member of church youth group ... Plays water polo ...

Participates in feeding the homeless ... Has participated in Habitat for

Humanity ... Her uncle died in October 1998, and her father died of

cancer in August 1999, but she overcome these losses ... She is a hard

worker who always contributes positively to the classroom atmosphere ...

Mother Cindee.

Bryan Osuna, 13, a seventh-grader at Calvary Chapel Junior High ...

Wrestling since second grade ... Excels as a wrestler ... Placed at state

and regionals and took fourth in nation in weight and age category ...

Also plays on a club soccer team and plays baseball ... Attends Sea

Breeze Church and Huntington Christian Church ... Involved in youth

groups at both churches ... Playing varsity flag football though he is 13

... Loves skateboarding and surfing and loves running ... Does bike

tricks ... Straight-A student, always on principal’s honor roll ...

Parents Donna and Ed.

Jonathan Pavloff, 9, a fourth-grader at Village View Elementary School

... Participated in restoration project for the Bolsa Chica Land

conservancy and Sierra Stewards ... Will also participate in a school

beautification program at Village View ... Had brain surgery and his

attitude has been an inspiration to all around him ... Involved in Scouts

... Wears leg braces and has been limited in his physical activities but

has a spirit to overcome his difficulties ... Always tries to befriend

others ... Wants to help with wildlife and environment ... Parents Ed and

Elizabeth

Stephen Pendarvis, 12, a sixth-grader at Dwyer Middle School ... Member

of chess club ... Extremely responsible student ... Always prepared to

work, even when others in class are not ... Always polite and helpful to

the teacher and other students and never misses an assignment ... Has

been diagnosed with cerebral palsy which makes his speech difficult but

doesn’t keep him from contributing to class discussion ... Never gives up

and is constantly striving for excellence ... Parents Raiva and Fredrick.

Hamilton Pham, senior, Ocean View High School ... Member of the Key Club,

California Scholarship Federation, Medical Academy, Peer Assistance,

Leadership, Peer Mediation, National Honor Society and International

Baccalaureate committees ... Plays volleyball ... Received recognition

and honors in the Golden State Exam ... Has worked with the Boy Scouts of

America in Scouting for Food and Adopt-a-Beach ... Eagle Scouts projects

include painting a preschool and helping maintain the Bolsa Chica

wetlands ... Involved with Project Cherish, a Key Club project assisting

the elderly.

Wesley Pinkham, 11, Talbert Middle School ... A young actor, he has

appeared in numerous productions throughout Orange County, including the

Youth Cultural Arts Foundation’s production of “Charlotte’s Web” ...

Plays synthesizer in the T-Bird band at Talbert ... Parents are Lance and

Laura Pinkham.

Kristin Pitera, 11, a sixth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... A dancer

for the past seven years ... Does jazz, ballet, tap and gymnastics ...

Has scored in the top 10 in national finals in Las Vegas six years in a

row ... Won first place twice ... Wants to be a professional dancer ...

Parents are Dave and Karen.

Brandon Plummer, 13, an eighth-grader at Sowers Middle School ... One of

only two kids to win two soccer state championships back to back in

entire state ... Plays golf, tennis ... Excellent student ... Helps

little kids around neighborhood to learn sports ... Part of WED Welcome

Everybody Program that helps new students at school acclimate to middle

school ... Loves sports ... Can break 100 on any course, plays better

golf than most adults ... Very dedicated to school with a 3.5 grade

point average ... Attended U.S. Air Force Academy soccer camp and won

outstanding athlete award ... Won Tommy Surf City Run on July 4, 1999 ...

Parents Ron and Cindy.

Jon-Tristan Poper, 14, a freshman at Mater Dei High School ... Junior

lifeguard for four years ... Awarded “Best All-around Athlete” and

“Coaches Choice Award” for 4 years running ... Also on wrestling team ...

Loves theater and took acting classes at South Coast Repertory for three

years ... performed as Ebeneezer Scrooge in 1996 ... Acted in several

productions including the lead role in Grease in 1999 ... Committed to

the environment and volunteers with the Environmental Nature Center of

Newport Beach ... Graduated with honors from the Carden Academy of

Huntington Beach ... Received President’s Award for educational

excellence ... Mother Dorinda.

Tiffany Prugpicachailers, 13, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School

... No. 1 pentathlon student in the county ... Won seven medals in math

history essay, literature, super quiz ... Maintains a 4.0 grade point

average ... Placed first and second in spelling bees since fourth grade

... Plays volleyball, basketball, runs track and swims ... Won several

art contests ... Member of school’s yearbook staff ... Won awards for her

writing and playing clarinet and piano ... Parents are Pongchai and

Chaupit.

Jesus Ramos, 13, an eighth-grader at Dwyer Middle School ... A hard

worker and tries his very best every day in class ... Came from Mexico

four years ago with no English skills ... Learned English on his own ...

Has overcome his language and cultural barriers to be successful in the

classroom ... An aspiring artist ... Would love to pursue a career in

art.

Erin Denise Robers, 13, an eighth-grader at Dwyer Middle School ...

Involved in surfing, soccer, basketball, track and art projects and

contest ... Her school’s No. 1 girl surfer in 1998-99 ... A polite,

hard-working and diligent student ... Always willing to put forth a great

effort to achieve her goals ... One of the best overall artists at her

school ... An inspiration to other students not only in class but outside

as well ... A great role model.

Erin Roy, 17, a senior at Edison High School ... Works with young

children at LA Fitness Kids Club ... A student aid for physically and

developmentally handicapped students at Edison ... Sponsors a 7-year old

child living in India through the Children’s Relief Fund ... Loves

animals and enjoys creating art, especially with clay ... Strength and

perseverance has allowed her to overcome a severe injury as a passenger

in a motor vehicle accident.

Gabriela Salcedo, 16, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Attends

Swords For Christ Church ... Involved in church youth group ... Member of

Glee Club, Associated Student Body ... Runs cross-country and track ...

Math tutor ... Maintains high grade point average ... Volunteers as

child-care worker ... Volunteers in homeless programs ... Mother is

Maggie.

Paola Salinas, 10, a fifth-grader at Isojiro Oka Elementary School ...

Persistent even when times are difficult ... Always cheerful ... Though

she did not speak English when she came here, she finished the school

year at the top of her class ... Has faced cultural and language

difficulties with grace and strength in order to become a strong student

and young leader ... Father Jorge Salinas.

Dean Sasaki, 13, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Competed in

the Currents Events Challenge as a seventh-grader and won a

all-expense-paid, 10-day trip to England and Wales ... Maintains a 4.9

grade point average ... Participates in the school band and orchestra ...

Plays the clarinet and the viola, and is now learning to play the oboe.

Logan Shaw, 18, a student at Golden West College ... Plays water polo ...

Protects the public as a city beach lifeguard during the summer ...

Coaches water polo club .. Starter for Golden West, one of the best in

the state ... Cares about the safety of all who go to the beach to enjoy

the ocean ... Excellent attitude and positive outlook on life ... Does

the right thing and has excellent leadership skills. Pursuing a BA in

public administration and a career as a firefighter ... Parents Marsha

and Tom.

Patrick Sheffield, 9, a fourth-grader at Village View Elementary School

... A Webelos Scout who has completed several levels in the Scouts ...

Plays under-10 soccer ... An excellent student and an example to fellow

students for his exemplary sportsmanship and fair treatment of all ...

Attends Good Presbyterian in Los Alamitos ... Parents are Karen and

Nathan.

Shawn Shuck, 18, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Student

Body president ... Three year starter in varsity football and baseball

... Very communicative ... Strong supporter of his school ... Encourages

all students to get involved in school activities ... Demonstrates

outstanding leadership qualities as student body president and athlete

... Mother Tori Hoffman.

Shannon Slattery, 14, an eighth-grader at Talbert Middle School ...

Co-student body president and co-head cheerleader ... Has maintained a

4.0 grade point average each trimester ... Member of school’s academic

pentathlon team ... Plays soccer and runs track ... Cadet in the Girl

Scouts ... Parents are Terry and Richard.

Briahna Smith, 10, a fifth-grader at Peterson Elementary School ...

Attends Christ Presbyterian and Choir ... Member of student council and

Buddy Club ... Tutors English language learners ... Can be seen at the

ice rink at 5 each morning to train for competitive ice skating ...

School work is challenging for her but she dedicates the time necessary

to complete her assignments in “top form” ... Mother Amie Larson.

Brianna Smith, 13, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Student

of the Year in fifth grade ... Plays volleyball and basketball ... Enjoys

music and plays clarinet in school band ... Sings in the choir ...

Parents are Dennis and Cheryl.

J.P. Smith, 13, a seventh-grader at Sowers Middle School in Huntington

Beach ... An exceptional athlete ... Excels in basketball, soccer, and

baseball ... Friends and teammates respect him as a very hard working kid

and athlete ... Parents Jeff and Liz.

Rona Smith, 17, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Student

representative to Huntington Beach Union High School District board ...

President of California Scholarship Federation ... Helps in fund-raising

for seniors ... Beach cleanup volunteer ... Captain of varsity field

hockey team ... Member of Model United Nations ... Student Advisory

Council representative ... Meets with leaders of other high schools ...

Speaks Spanish ... Parents are Roy and Sezgi.

Carole Som, 14, a eighth-grader at Village View School ... Volunteers at

school during the regular school year and during the summer ... A hard

worker, caring about others ... Doesn’t let tough environment get in the

way of her positive outlook ... Parents Laura and Karnales.

Casey Sperbeck, 11, a sixth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Went to a

national dancing competition and won first place overall ... Has been

dancing for seven years ... Also a cheerleader and dances jazz, ballet

and hip-hop ... Has competed in dance competitions in Las Vegas and won

first prize overall three times ... Hopes to win a scholarship to New

York University ... Aims very high and is passionate about dance ...

Mother Cherly.

Cassandra Stewart, 17, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ...

Starting a local chapter of Binky patrol, a national organization that

donates handmade blankets to children suffering terminal illnesses or

homelessness ... Her commitment to improving her community and the world

is sustained and goes beyond a one time event ... Plans to donate the

blankets to Hoag Hospital ... Has been a Girl Scout since age five ...

Does food drives, Christmas caroling in Senior homes ... Vice-president

of German club ... Member of California scholarship federation ... Member

of ecology club ... Parents Stephen, Mary Carolyn.

Bret Stewert, 15, a sophomore student at Fountain Valley High School ...

Attends Grace Lutheran Church ... Active in journalism projects and youth

group ... A Life Scout in Huntington Beach Troop #1, where he spends many

hours on community service projects ... Working to restore benches at

Moffett School in Huntington Beach ... Organized community forces to

donate paint, lumber, clothes and other tools needed ... Outgoing and

eager to help ... Always keeps his eye on Scouting and community service

... Parents Ray and Debbie.

Doreen Szeto, 17, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Served on Ocean

View yearbook staff ... Member of the Medical Academy, California

Scholarship Federation and Key Club ... Plays piano and badminton ...

Worked more than 100 hours as a Hoag Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer ...

Involved with church youth group and youth choir coordinator ... A

National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist ... Has been Student of the

Month ... Helped form and led vocal octet ... Selected songs, coordinated

practices and scheduled performances.

Kyle Tague, 18, a student at Golden West College ... attends Holy Spirit

Catholic Church ... Teaches Sunday school ... Involved in church youth

group ... State lifeguard and junior lifeguard instructor ... Honest,

independent, easygoing ... Loves kids, is a people person ... Has shaped

his own identity and experienced personal success ... Is trying to start

a youth water polo team at Edison High School ... Enjoys life without

infringing on others’ happiness ... Parents Robert and Susan.

Takeo Terashima, 13, an eighth-grader at Dwyer Middle School ... Member

of jazz band and plays basketball ... An excellent student and is very

modest ... Gets several phone calls a night from students asking him for

help with homework ... His quiet nature confronts others in an unusual

way ... He is liked by all ... Came to the United States six years ago

not speaking a word of English ... Has mastered the language and

academics ... Mastered seventh grade and made the Math team, which

usually only accepts eighth-graders ... He placed seventh in the

individual competition ... Mother Masako.

Cathy Tran, 16, a junior at Fountain Valley High School ... Member of

Associated Student Body ... Club secretary for Kiwinis ... District

publications editor ... California Assn. of Student Councils regional

representative ... Member of electronic journalism team that manages

school newspaper and web site ... Works as a tutor ... Walked in AIDS

walk ... Cooked at Ronald McDonald House ... Helps at Orange County

Interfaith Shelter.

Kevin Wagoner, 18, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Served in

various positions on the Associated Student Body ... Has participated in

main stage performance at Huntington Beach High School and was voted

Improv Actor of the Year ... Won a Golden Hawk Award for U.S. History and

is listed in the Who’s Who of High School Students ... Has participated

in cross-country, directed and written several plays.

Stacy Wallace, 18, a senior at Marina High School ... Associated

Student Body president ... Homecoming committee ... Member of French Club

and Key Club ... Received scholar athlete award all four years of high

school ... Cheerleader ... Also works ... Member of Girl Scouts ...

Coaches Junior High volleyball ... Announcer at Huntington Beach Fourth

of July parade ... Has overcome loss of childhood friend who drowned two

years ago ... Made promise to self because of her friend’s death to be

the best person she could be for her and him.

Jorelyn Wong, 17, a senior at Marina High School ... Attends St.

Bonaventure Church ... Volunteer coordinator for Project CHERISH,

Community Helpers Engaged in Restoring and Improving Seniors Homes ...

Responsible for recruiting high school volunteers to assist with Kiwanis

Club members working together to help seniors with light housekeeping,

without which they would not be able to remain living self-sufficiently

... Hit an all-time record last Saturday by recruiting 89 students to

participate ... Mother Margarita Guillory.

Nicole Wood, 17, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Member of

school’s Associated Student Body ... Member of Peer Assistance

Leadership, Spirit club, volleyball and softball teams ... A counselor in

training for Campfire Boys and Girls at Long Beach Youth Leadership

Council ... Student representative for Youth in Government Day ...

Organized a blood drive ... Raised money for the American Cancer Society

... Served as a Friend of the Children’s Library.

Jose Xicohtencatl, 17, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Cultural

Awareness Commission member for Associated Student Body ... Leader in

Entre Amigos program ... Soccer coach for elementary school ... Helped

plan school’s International Week.

Irene Yu, 14, an eighth-grader at Fulton Middle School ... Cheerleader

since the sixth grade ... Has taken ballet, jazz and gymnastics ...

Speaks Chinese and has done Chinese folk dancing since she was 4 ...

Competes in many Chinese speech contests ... Hobbies include playing the

Chinese flute and the piano ... Also talented in art and has won state

art competitions ... Parents Theresa and Choa.

Jeffrey Yun, 17, an 11th-grader at Marina High School ... Involved in

Project CHERISH (Community Helpers Engaged in Restoring and Improving

Senior Homes) in Huntington Beach ... One of many students who assist

seniors one Saturday a month with light housekeeping and yard work ...

Will be appearing on HBTV3 Golden Wave speaking about the program ... Has

volunteered for the OC Food Bank and the AIDS Walk in 1997 and 1998 ...

Is presently an intern for the City of Huntington Beach Administration

Department ... Has donated over 600 community service hours to various

locations ... Parents Chong and Young.

Corey Kubo, an eighth-grader at Talbert Middle School ... An academic

pentathlon participant, with her team taking first place in the region

... Volunteers at a Junior Optimist’s Club ... Does community service

including graffiti cleanup and helping the school custodian ... An

all-star athlete, has won school awards for physical education ...

Parents are Robert and Arleen.

Megan Pulfer, 12, an eighth-grader at Spring View Middle School ... Avid

ballet dancer ... Has overcome tremendous heart problems ... Had surgery

for three heart conditions she has dealt with positively, calmly and with

maturity ... Dances at Huntington Academy of Dance.

Stacey Yudin, 13, a student at Marine View Middle School ... California

Junior Scholarship Federation member ... 4.0 GPA ... Member of

volleyball, basketball, and track and field teams ... ‘Student of the

Month,’ scholarship and citizenship award-winner, first grade through

middle school ... Two-year member of the conflict management team for

Marine View Middle School ... Has donated 100 hours to the Huntington

Beach Library, Huntington Beach Art Center, Orangewood Children’s Home,

Petline and the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter ... Parents are Bernita

and Gary.

Eric Fober, 12, seventh-grader at Brethren Christian Junior High ... Won

a gold medal July 9 at the USA National Karate-Do Championship in

Charleston, W.Va., beating 46 athletes in the kata competition for

12-year-olds ... Has won 17 medals and eight trophies ... Will compete in

the 1999 Junior Olympics in Chicago on Nov. 21.

Andrew Su, 13, eighth-grade at Marine View Middle School ... Donates

money to charities that help children and the homeless ... Volunteers to

help teachers during and after school ... Tutors students in math ...

4.0 GPA ... Member of the California Junior Scholastic Federation ...

Plays soccer, football, basketball and volleyball.