Around Town: Scholarship awarded to OC veterans
Scholarship awarded to OC veterans
The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Orange County Community Foundation, has awarded scholarships to three Orange County veterans including Advaith Thampi of Irvine.
Corey Hamm of Huntington Beach and Gary Matsuk of Anaheim were also awarded. The scholarships range from $3,500 to $10,000 for a total distribution of $17,500.
The scholarship supports military veterans pursuing higher education in Orange County. It was created to recognize and support local veterans, as well as memorialize Rick Hopcraft’s military service and his community and commercial real estate industry leadership.
A luncheon to honor the recipients was set to be held Dec. 8 at Scott’s Restaurant and Bar in Costa Mesa. The event was hosted by Steve and Janice Hopcraft.
Advaith Thampi is pursuing a political science degree at UC Irvine. Thampi served as a plane captain, responsible for maintaining the plane’s systems, in the U.S. Marine Corps in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He received numerous awards, including the Navy Achievement Medal, and was named the UC Irvine Veteran Scholar of the Year and was also awarded a UC Regents’ Scholarship for his academic achievements.
Hamm, an Edison High School graduate, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007, attained the rank of sergeant, was a squad leader, and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Hamm received more than a dozen awards, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. Corey is pursuing a business administration degree at the USC.
Matsuk studies business administration at Cypress Community College. He served in the U.S. Navy “Seabees” beginning in 1973. The Seabees both “build and fight” in mobile construction battalions, developing airstrips, building bases, roadways and accomplishing construction, often in war zones of active fighting.
For more information about the fund or the foundation, visit oc-cf.org or mabril@oc-cf.org.
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Monahan’s restaurant helps raise funds
Skosh Monahan’s in Costa Mesa recently helped raise more than $2,000 to one of Newport Harbor High School’s dance teams.
The money will go toward the team’s costumes and props, said Skosh Monahan owner Gary Monahan, also a Costa Mesa city councilman.
The Segerstrom family also chipped in with a $1,000 donation. It was the first time that the family had donated to Newport Harbor High, Monahan said.
“I am hoping this will kick-start a really good relationship as we go forward,” Monahan said in an email.
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Free water ‘conservation kits’
Ratepayers of the Mesa Water District are eligible to receive free “conservation kits” Saturday at Estancia High School.
The kits include a high-efficient shower head, shower time and reusable water bottle.
The kits will be given from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, located at 2323 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa.
For more information, call (949) 631-1201 or email event@mesawater.org.
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