Choosing the team for Girls State

The American Legion Auxiliary of Newport Harbor Unit 291 has selected seven young women from local high schools as delegates and seven as alternates for Girls State, which will be held at Cal State Fresno from July 2 to 8, auxiliary member Cynthia Culp announced.

Newport-Mesans selected were Caroline Pham and Natalie Bernardy, Corona del Mar High; Linh Hoang and Dao Nguyen, Costa Mesa High; Sara Stratton and Melissa Buchmann, Estancia High; and Arielle Little and Annabelle Storch, Newport Harbor High.

Selected from elsewhere in Orange County were Rebecca Mason and Avni Mehta, Irvine High; Jennifer Tamminen and Amy Kasahara, Northwood High; and Anna Zhou and Devon Klug, Woodbridge High.

They were selected for academic excellence and involvement in extracurricular school and community activities. The delegates will join 500 young women from throughout the state for the one-week conference.

The girls will learn how the legislative system works through hands-on experience. They’ll learn by living in “cities,” establishing laws, running for office, writing and debating legislative bills and participating in simulated trials.

The young women will be honored at a district luncheon and will be involved in other activities throughout the year. All expenses are paid for by the auxiliary and sponsors.

The auxiliary sponsors numerous programs that benefit our children, as well as contributing countless hours of service to our veterans.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact the American Legion at (949) 673-5070.

LIONS GIVE BACK

Harbor Mesa Lions Club has raised a record $15,000 to give back to the community this year. On Monday, President Carol Van Holt will be distributing checks to representatives of the Boys and Girls Club, Blind Children’s Learning Center, Angels Charity, Costa Mesa Police Officers Assn., Youth Employment Services, SOS Free Medical and Dental Clinic, Families of Costa Mesa, Adult Day Services and various Lions International Projects.

“This is a record year for us and is the result of our members’ dedication to helping our community,” Van Holt said.

Funds were raised by events such as Casino Night, Lucy and Ethyl’s Bingo Parlor, Spaghetti Splash Dinner and booths at the annual Lion’s Fish Fry. For information about the club or any of these events, call (714) 962-0265.

Harbor Mesa Lions will meet for Allocations Night at 6:30 Monday at the Costa Mesa Country Club.

NUREMBERG PROSECUTOR

Dr. Whitney Harris, the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg war crimes trials, will be the featured speaker on Sunday, April 23, at Tempe Bat Yahm in Newport Beach. Harris is the author of the classic book on Nuremberg, “Tyranny on Trial.” The event, open to the public, starts at 7 p.m. Tickets, $18, are on sale at Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback St. There is no charge for students. For more information, call (949) 644-1999.

PREPARING FOR CHARTER

The new Rotary Club of Costa Mesa is looking for a few more members as it gets ready to file its application for a charter with Rotary International, said club President Dale Bixler. The club needs 20 members, said Kim DeBroux, assistant governor for District 5320 and a member of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa. The Costa Mesa club is made up of men and women of all ages who work or live in Costa Mesa and who want to give back to their community, Bixler said.

The Costa Mesa Club meets on Tuesdays at noon at the Clubhouse at South Coast Plaza for lunch and a program. For more information, call Bixler at (714) 437-0100 or DeBroux at (714) 444-1100, or join the club Tuesday for lunch.

NEW SERVICE CLUB MEMBERS

Craig Phillips joined the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise, and Stan Schneider joined the Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar.

WORTH REPEATING