Les Miller Outstanding Student Awards

To get into the breakfast honoring the top students in Costa Mesa this morning, a 4.0 grade-point average just won’t cut it. These students shattered the 4.0 scale while they mastered community service, athletics and other skills to be honored as the best students at Costa Mesa schools.

The 29th Annual Les Miller awards at 7:15 a.m. this morning at the Costa Mesa Hilton showcase the top students from Costa Mesa, Estancia, Monte Vista, Back Bay and Orange Coast Middle College high schools, as well as the top athletes and students from Vanguard University and OCC.

The top students at each school receive the Les Miller award, named after the first principal of Costa Mesa High School and one of the founders of the banquet that began honoring students in 1979 on behalf of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

The first awards honored the top four students from Costa Mesa and Estancia and 35 people attended the breakfast, said Hank Panian, an original member of the committee who created the awards.

Now the event attracts about 125 guests and not only honors the top four students from both Costa Mesa High School and Estancia, but includes a salute for all students in the top 5% at both schools.

“Once you see the biographies of these young people, I am glad I don’t have to compete with them,” Panian said.

Daniel Tedford

COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL

Elliot Sneen

Activities: Participated in drama for three years, Math Engineering Science Achievement, Madrigal Choir for four years, competed in varsity tennis for four years and has served as junior class vice president, Associated Student Body first vice president and captain of the tennis team. Off campus he has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Elliott plans to attend Sonoma State University, majoring in business, music and theater.

GPA: 3.63

Carlos Perez

Activities: Played in the marching band, advanced band, jazz band and drumline. Much like his school activities, when he is off campus, he has participated in numerous band tournaments. Carlos plans to attend Fullerton College before transferring to Cal State Fullerton to complete his music studies.

GPA: 3.10

Tracey Wagner

Activities: Drum major in marching band, advanced band drumline, Small Ensembles, dramatic plays, musicals, Madrigal Choir and National Honor Society. She has been recognized by being named to Principal’s Honor Roll for four years and as a member of National Honor Society for three years, received the Mustang Award/Certificate of Achievement in Music and Drama two years and third place Medal in Speech in Academic Decathlon. Tracey has been accepted to Boston University, UC Berkeley, Northeastern University and University of Puget Sound. She plans to major in health sciences and pre-med.

GPA: 3.88

Aithi Hong

Activities: Academic Decathlon, EMA, ZOE Academy, founding president of Gay-Straight Alliance, opinion editor of The Hitching Post, Recycling Club, drama and tennis. She has been awarded the CMHS Excellence in Academics medallion for the subjects of U.S. history and environmental science, and the Good Citizenship Award from the Colonel William Cabell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has volunteered for the VA in Long Beach and as a standing member of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. Aithi plans to attend UCLA with a double major in history and in ecology, behavior and evolution.

GPA: 4.05

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL

Ryan Esfahani

Activities: Estancia’s Production Drama Troupe, a member of the Youth and Government Club, representing Estancia at YMCA Youth and Government Mock Legislature in Sacramento, and competing in football, track and field, water polo, wrestling and swimming. Just a fraction of his honors and scholarships include the Hubert H. Wakeham Scholarship; Outstanding History Student and Outstanding Math Student; Scholar Athlete, selected to second team All-Orange Coast League. Ryan will be attending UC Berkeley. He plans to follow up with graduate studies and work in the public policy arena on issues concerning the environment.

GPA: 4.17

Kyle Jordan Anderson

Activities: Honor roll for four years and a Scholar Athlete for 2008. He also served as a senior advisor to incoming freshmen, as a tutor in math, English, Spanish, science and golf, and as co-captain of the varsity golf team. Volunteer activities have included Animal Rescue and the Irvine Animal Care Center, saving rabbits from euthanasia and raising funds for the school golf program. Kyle intends to pursue a degree in digital arts with applications in areas of medicine, education and entertainment. He has been accepted at UCI, Cal State Long Beach and Chapman University’s Dodge College of Digital Arts.

GPA: 4.27

Meagan Kunert

Activities: Key Club as president; Human Rights Club; the school newspaper as back page editor, sports page editor and co-editor in chief; and Freshmen Apprentice Advisory. She has competed in varsity swimming and water polo, earning seven varsity letters. Meagan has been awarded an Irvine Co. Scholarship and Kiwanis Athlete of the Month, and been named to honor roll, and California Scholastic Federation. Her community activities have included Splash Aquatics, Huntington Beach Water Polo Club and Costa Mesa Youth Council. Meagan plans to attend UC Berkeley with a double major in political science and English.

GPA: 4.32

Kelsey Abigail Koff

Activities: California Scholarship Federation; Camp Med; Australian Exchange Student; and Homecoming queen. She has competed in junior varsity varsity tennis, earning Orange Coast First Team All League; varsity basketball; and in junior varsity varsity softball, as captain and named to Orange Coast Second Team All League and winning league champions in her junior year. Her community serviced encompassed beach cleanups, Mesa Verde United Methodist Church Youth Group, and Senior Advisory Committee. Abby plans to attend either Harvard or Brown University, majoring in biology and pre-med.

GPA: 4.30

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

Kaitlin Patton

Activities: Varsity tennis and junior varsity volleyball, earning the Leadership Award in each. Kaitlin’s volunteer experiences have included visiting, singing and reading to critically and chronically ill patients at Healthbridge Children’s Rehab Hospital in Tustin; serving at Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa; a mission trip to Mexico; and with Youth With a Mission working with local Chileans to help build an outreach and counseling center and pool in Pichilemu, Chile. Kaitlin plans to attend Biola University and major in intercultural studies.

GPA: 3.75

BACK BAY HIGH SCHOOL

Megan Marshall

Activities: Began high school at Newport Harbor, competing on the cross country team. She decided the environment provided by Back Bay High School suited her better and transferred in her sophomore year. By focusing on her studies, she was able to finish her studies, graduate five months early, and is currently enrolled at OCC. She has volunteered in Second Harvest Food Drive and the Blue Cross Sprint/Run. Megan is planning on attending Santa Barbara City College before transferring to UC Santa Barbara.

GPA: 3.00

ORANGE COUNTY MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Brandon Whitfield

Activities: Attending The California Association of Student Councils leadership camp and being selected to represent the school at the Middle College National Consortium conference in New Orleans. Brandon’s consortium team planned a benefit concert to raise money for Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society. Brandon is a student leader at The Crossing’s church youth group called the Realife. This fall Brandon will be attending Cal State Fullerton, majoring in business with an emphasis in finance.

GPA: 3.46

Carmela Mendoza

Activities: She is school treasurer, editor in chief of the monthly school newsletter, editor in chief for the Save Our Youth Newsletter and vice president of Interact Club. Honors and recognitions include receiving a Gear Up! Scholarship and a SOY Scholarship, and being recognized for outstanding achievement in ASB. Community activities have included volunteering for local elementary school fairs and tutoring. Carmela plans to attend a four-year university to major in business and minor in graphic design.

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY

Kent Irwin

Activities: Graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a bachelor’s of psychology. During his time at Vanguard, Kent was extremely involved in the Associated Student Body government and Activities Board, holding a position in the Executive Board as the vice president of administration and activities. Strongly interested in psychology, Kent was an active member of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society and spent his free time working at a long-term care facility for seniors with dementia. As he looks ahead to the future, Kent has many aspirations, including language school, culinary school or art school and possibly a graduate degree in clinical psychology or social work.

Bonnie Klein

Activities: Graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a bachelor’s pastoral leadership. Bonnie involved herself in several areas of campus including the university chorus, women’s chorus and singing for the worship team. Bonnie’s success in the academic setting was evidenced by her many scholarships and awards including: Academic Honors List, Entourage Academic Honors List and Florence Blossom Beck, Plum Creek, Nielsen and Takashima-Campbell scholarships. Her interest in those around her led Bonnie to volunteering at Smart Start Preschool, Port Mesa Elementary and serving as a camp counselor. Bonnie is excited to pursue her graduate degree in pastoral counseling.

OCC

Shane Cutting

Activities: President of the Sierra Club, hosting Earth Day celebration, film screenings and local hikes. As Student Senate vice president he chaired the Focus the Nation event, and for the Sustainability Committee led a delegation to the community college sustainability conference. Shane’s list of honors and recognitions include the Robert B. Moore Student Leader Award, the Dr. Drew Multi-cultural Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Honor’s List, and Dean’s List. Through the Sierra Club, Shane has participated in and led beach and hiking trail clean-ups. His future plans are to teach history and continue his work in sustainability and the environment.

GPA: 3.79

Christine Todd

Activities: President of Doctors of Tomorrow, chairing Science Night, Club Rush, a speakers series, leading the Cadaver/Plastination Tour, serving as InterClub Council representative, on various fundraisers, and providing practice testing for MCAT and DAT. Christine has been awarded the Julie Daniel Memorial Scholarship, Student Leader Award, Huntington Beach Host Lions Club Scholarship, and the Robert B. Moore Student Leader Award, and been named to Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society, Honor’s List, Dean’s List and the President’s List. Christine plans to continue her education to eventually become a doctor.

GPA: 3.94

VANGUARD ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Jessica Richter

Women’s Basketball

Honors: From Oregon City, Ore., her three seasons at Vanguard University have been exceptional, most recently leading the women’s basketball team to the 2008 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship, which is the first national championship in school history. Jess has been the player of the year in the GSAC for the last two season and was selected the NAIA National Player of the year after the 2007 season.

Jennifer Olvera

Women’s Softball

Honors: From Gilroy, she graduated from Vanguard University in spring 2007 and returned for her senior season in softball as a graduate student pursuing an MBA. She has pitched two no hitters in the 2008 season, and led the GSAC in strikeouts. Jennifer led her team to a ninth-place finish at the 2007 NAIA National Tournament and had them in the hunt for the 2008 season. In 2007 she was named to Second team NAIA All American.

Jason Valenzuela

Men’s Cross Country

Honors: Senior distance runner from Costa Mesa. While helping the 2007 Men’s Cross Country team to a third place finish in the Golden State Athletic Conference, Jason tied the highest GSAC finish in school history. He was All GSAC, All Region II and an NAIA National Qualifier in Cross Country in 2007. Jason has qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field meet in marathon and is in hunt for All American honors.

OCC ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Kevin Welch

Men’s Volleyball

Honors: A graduate from Corona del Mar High School, earned Pacific Coast Conference MVP honors this year, guiding the Pirates all the way to the State Championship match against Irvine Valley. Along the way, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter set the single-season school record for kills with 460 as well as the career record for kills with 785, topping the previous career mark by over 130. Showing his ability to play defense as well, Kevin finished his career with 266 digs, seventh-best in OCC history. His strong all-around play has grabbed the attention of the University of Hawaii and USC as collegiate possibilities for Kevin. A two-time All-PCC selection, Kevin helped lead the Pirates to the State Final Four in 2007 and helped the Pirates to a 32-11 two-year record.

Courtney Ford

Women’s Basketball

Honors: A 5-foot-7 guard from Villa Park High School, put together one of the finest careers in OCC women’s basketball history. A two-time, first-team, all-state selection, Ford also earned Orange Empire Conference MVP honors for the second straight season after averaging 23.2 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and 2.6 steals per game this year, guiding the Pirates to a 29-4 overall record and a 13-1 OEC record. She helped guide the Pirates to back-to-back OEC titles and this year, she became the school’s all-time scoring leader with 1,416 points. Her 21.6 points-per-game average is also a new career record. OCC posted a 57-8 overall record and a 27-1 conference mark during Ford’s two years of action. Courtney Ford is planning to attend Mercer University in Macon, Ga., in the fall.

COSTA MESA’S TOP 5%

COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL

Ann Vu

Activities: Asian Club; Math Engineering Science Achievement; National Honor Society, for which she served as vice president; Recycling Club; and Make a Wish. She also competed in junior and varsity tennis. Ann’s honors and recognitions include the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor Youth Scholarship, the CAP Scholarship and being selected as captain of the varsity tennis team. Her community activities have been volunteering in pediatrics at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and as a teaching assistant in religious education at St. John the Baptist. Ann plans to attend Cal State Long Beach to study nursing and become a registered nurse.

GPA: 4.08

Victor Hieu Tran

Activities: Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) all four years, Academic Decathlon, drama, ASB treasurer in senior year, and yearbook editor in chief. He has competed in varsity tennis for four years, as team captain in his junior and senior year. Throughout his high school career Victor has been named to the honor roll three years, placed first twice in the American Math Competition, was named to the National Honor Society, served as a Boy’s State delegate, is a National Merit Scholar and Regents Scholar. Community activities have included volunteering as a tennis coach, at the Soup Kitchen, and for UCI’s Super Science Sunday. Victor hopes to attend UCLA or UC Berkeley, major in biology and eventually become a doctor.

GPA: 4.43

Jaci Philip Cheskes-Harris

Activities: Math Engineering Science Achievement, Academic Decathlon, journalism and National Honors Society. He has also competed in varsity cross country and three years in varsity tennis. Jaci served as copy editor, associate editor in chief and editor in chief on the school paper, treasurer for National Honors Society, and was named California Golden State Citizen, attendee to National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security, and was awarded a half-scholarship for the JAM-AIPAC trip. Extracurricular and community activities have included Boy Scouts of America, Adat Noar and T.A.L.I.T. (both Jewish youth education programs), Purim Spiel and an annual play put on by his synagogue. Jaci will be attending UCI, majoring in political science.

GPA: 4.33

Mikhail Y. Popov

Activities: Journalism, on production of the yearbook, in drama production, in Authors Club and as secretary in Gay Straight Alliance. His community involvement has been as junior leader in both Costa Mesa Summer Camp and at Challenge Day 2006. Mikhail plans to attend Cal State Fullerton to major in illustration and mathematics, and eventually earning graduate degrees in both and a PhD in math.

GPA: 3.97

Noelle Bianes

Activities: Color Guard, yearbook, Medical Club, Academic Decathlon, secretary for Compassion in Action Club, and National Honors Society. Her community activities have included Costa Mesa High School Band (2002-08), volunteering for the Disneyland Half Marathon, as a student leader for Challenge Day, for Orangewood Children’s Foundation auction, and at the MIKA Christmas Store. Noelle plans to attend UCI as a psychology major.

GPA: 4.00

Monica Dimson

Activities: Drama, Concert Choir, Mock Trial, Critics and Awards Program, president and founder of Recycling Club, Z?H Academy Recycling Program coordinator, copy editor for Hitching Post, and Madrigal Choir. She has been named to Mustang Scholar Honor Roll every year, has earned the AP Scholar Award, and is an Irvine Company Scholarship Recipient. Community activities include serving as a teaching assistant at St. John the Baptist Summer School and as a volunteer at Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Monica plans on attending Sonoma State University to major in English, most likely.

GPA: 4.19

Thienphuc Duc Nguyen

Activities: Math Engineering Science Achievement, Academic Decathlon, drama, yearbook production and tennis. He has been recognized as an AP Scholar and a Mustang Scholar and has received Costa Mesa High School Certificate of Achievement in Science and Biology, and the UCLA Scholarship Recognition Award. Thienphuc’s community activities have included St. John the Baptist Vietnamese Choir Tin Vui, volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, and attending Vietnamese School. He plans to attend UCLA or UCI, major in biology and eventually become a doctor.

GPA: 4.17

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL

Sean Ulrich

Activities: Varsity football, baseball and tennis, and served in ASB, Youth in Government, Key Club, as Australian Student Ambassador, and as front page editor for the school paper. His community and volunteer activities have included AYSO pancake breakfast, Senior Youth Group Mexico trip, Mississippi trip and Little League Baseball. Sean has not yet selected a major but hopes to attend UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Louis Obispo or University of Redlands.

GPA: 4.17

Chantel O’Toole

Activities: ASB senior class president, vice president of Key Club in her junior year and as a member for four years, and participated in Youth in Government Club and Senior Advisory Committee. She competed in tennis for four years and was named Scholar Athlete. Another honor received was California Scholarship Federation. Chantel worked for two years at Mimi’s Café while at Estancia High School. She is planning to attend UC Santa Barbara, majoring in biochemistry.

GPA: 4.05

Stacy McDaniels

Activities: Key Club, French Club, ASB, and as a senior mentor, as well as competing in varsity soccer. Her honors and recognitions include California Scholarship Federation and Scholar Athlete. Stacy has volunteered as a Daily Pilot Cup Soccer coach, an AYSO coach and as a tutor. Stacy plans to major in medicine but has not yet decided on a college or university.

GPA: 4.00

Marysol Hernandez

Activities: UCI Criminology Outreach Program, UCI Global Connect, Key Club, Book Club, the Job Shadowing Program arranged with OCC and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Students Mentoring Students, and the Senior Mentor Program-Freshman Apprentice Program. She competed in junior varsity tennis, varsity tennis, and junior varsity softball. Her honors and recognitions include second place in UCI Global Connect Essay Writing Contest: “The Shrinking World,” second place in UCI Global Connect Poster Contest on Globalization, National Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars, California Scholarship Federation, and Outstanding Academic Achievement in U.S. History. Community activities in which she has participated are Youth Hospitality Group at Saint Joachim’s Parish, Costa Mesa National Little League volunteer, and volunteering at local elementary schools. Marysol plans to attend either Cal State Fullerton as a business major or Cal State Long Beach as a double major in business administration and sociology.

GPA: 4.00

Olivia Schow

Activities: French Club, Key Club, Youth in Government Club, Senior Advisory Committee, as a Girls State representative, and as ASB junior class vice president and senior class secretary. She competed in varsity volleyball as team captain and MVP, and in varsity water polo. Her honors and recognitions include honor roll, Scholar Athlete and being named to the First Team All League in volleyball. Outside activities have included competing in Club Volleyball and gymnastics, as well as coaching gymnastics. Olivia plans to attend Bates College in Maine, possibly majoring in neuroscience or engineering.

GPA: 4.20

Erik Rudolph Jureack

Activities: Vice president of Youth in Government Club, in Journalism Club, as opinion page editor and as editor in chief for The Talon. Through the Early Start Program at OCC, Erik has already completed college classes in precalculus, sociology, psychology, and calculus 1 and 2. He competed on the 2007 junior varsity swim team, the 2008 varsity swim team and as captain of the 2007 junior varsity water polo team. Erik has been recognized by being named to California Scholarship Federation and the honor roll for four years, and with the Outstanding Journalist Award. Volunteer activities have included Peer Court at Orange County Courthouse, Estancia High School Aquatics Statistician, and providing frail and economically-dependent elderly with government-sponsored food boxes.

GPA: 4.15

Shea Kopp

Activities: Four years as a varsity swimmer, named MVP in three of those years and captain in two. She has also competed in varsity water polo for two years as well as played on the tennis team for two years. Shea has also been active in Key Club for four years, two as treasurer, in ASB as senior secretary, Freshman Advisory, and Senior Mentor. Outside activities have included the Every 15 Minutes Program, and as a club swimmer and assistant coach for Splash Aquatics. Shea will be attending the UC San Diego, majoring in biology or psychology and competing on UCSD’s Division II NCAA Swim Team.

GPA: 4.20

Aashish Varma

Activities: Journalism advertising coordinator and feature page editor, as Legislative Analyst for the Youth in Government Club and as a researcher at UCI. He has competed in varsity tennis for three years with two years as co-captain. Other activities have included volunteering with the Tennis Fireworks Booth, Tennis Serv-a-Thon, coaching the girls’ junior varsity and freshman/sophomore level Tennis teams for three years, and attending the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project Conference. Aashish is currently deciding between attending either UC Berkeley or Occidental College. He is leaning toward a double major in economics and either math or statistics. Then again his interests may take him into engineering, aerospace, electrical engineering or nanotechnology.

GPA: 4.10

Jennifer Corona

Activities: ASB publicist, Key Club secretary, California Scholarship Federation Publicist, and Youth Ambassador – an Australian Exchange Student. She has competed on the tennis team for four years, served as a senior mentor, and been named a Toshiba Scholarship recipient. Off campus Jennifer has played the piano for eight years and worked as a gymnastics assistant for six years. Jennifer plans to attend UC Berkeley and major in public health.

GPA: 4.20