BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Capretz attends leaders summit

Laguna Beach student Ryan Capretz was accepted into the People to People Future Leaders Summit, which took place at Columbia University and George Washington University from June 16 to 25.

At the summit, student leaders develop action plans to make a difference in their communities, develop skills and build their college resumes while earning academic or service-learning credit.

The program was founded by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Medical center gives seven scholarships

South Coast Medical Center’s Auxiliary, medical staff and administration recently awarded seven $1,000 scholarships to area students, including two Laguna Beach High School students, to pursue studies in medicine.

Laguna Beach students Dinika Bagga and Natalie Popenko received scholarships.

This year’s recipients were announced at each school’s annual awards ceremony by members of the hospital’s Auxiliary Scholarship Committee.

Funds for the scholarships were donated by the Marge Swanson Endowment, along with funds raised by the hospital’s Auxiliary and members of its medical staff. Hospital administration matched these funds dollar for dollar to increase the number of scholarships awarded this year.

‘Even Start’ kids receive diplomas

On June 15, 25 local families celebrated as their children finished their very first school year at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach -- Even Start Club Preschool.

The program is a free preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children from qualifying low-income families living in Laguna Beach and surrounding communities.

As part of the ceremony, the families heard from Cindy Ronses, a local student who was one of the program’s first graduates at Top of The World Elementary School 15 years ago.

Ronses is the first student from that historic class to enter college. She will be a sophomore at Southern New Hampshire University, studying International Business and Business Law.

For more information about Even Start, call Terry Anne Barman at (949) 494-2535, ext. 107.

Christian overnight surf camp scheduled

Laguna Beach-based Soul Surfing School, now in its fourth season, will hold its Overnight Christian Surf Camp from July 9 to 13.

Kids will participate in surfing, skimboarding, skateboarding, and other surf related activities. Lodging is at Concordia University. The cost for the all-inclusive week is $595 per person.

Also starting this year in Laguna Beach, the Soul Adventure Club will run throughout the summer, offering local and visiting kids weekly daytime activities including surfing, skimboarding, body boarding, skateboarding, hiking and ocean awareness.

For more information, visit www.soulsurfingschool.com.