Briefly In Education

LBHS student wins Soroptimist award

Laguna Beach High School student Alia Manetta has been awarded with the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship.

The award honors young women for their volunteer service.

Alia is an intern with the R Star Foundation, a nonprofit that helps women and children in Nepal. She is also the creator of the LBHS Goat Club, which fundraises to buy goats for the needy in Nepal.

“No doubt [Alia’s] variety of talents and large community service resulted in the decision,” Rosalind Russell, director of the R Star Foundation, said in a statement. “Who else could have come close to this young woman? We of the R Star Foundation couldn’t be more proud of Alia, who is an outstanding young human, bound to make great strides in our world.”

Alia’s service also includes making care packages for military troops, volunteering at the annual Walk for Hope, and helping run the Special Olympics.

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Band, chorus member is Student of the Month

The Rotary Club of Laguna Beach has chosen LBHS student E.J. Kramer as its Student of the Month for March.

Kramer is involved in the jazz band, marching band and chorus. He is also president of a youth group and helps raise money for Broadway Cares.

He received a certificate of recognition from the Rotary, and he’ll be awarded with a scholarship at the Honors Convocation at the end of the school year.

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Coffee Break hosts evening fundraiser

The PTA Coffee Break will celebrate 18 years and raise money for more speakers at an evening event April 19.

Tyler Durman, a past Coffee Break speaker, will be the master of ceremonies at the event, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Laguna Beach Women’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive.

Tickets are $35. Desserts and coffee will be available. For tickets or more information, email debbieachristian@gmail.com.

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Laguna Vibrations to sound out at Artists’ Theatre

The 18th annual fundraiser for the Laguna Beach Music Boosters is April 21 at the Artists’ Theatre at Laguna Beach High School.

Funds raised will benefit the instrumental music department at LBHS and Thurston Middle School.

This year’s event, Laguna Vibrations, will feature classical guitarist Eric Henderson, along with The Blues Offenders and Laguna Allstars including Nick Hernandez, Shaena Stabler, Bobby Campion and more, according to a news release.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission. To buy tickets, call the box office at (949) 497-7769.

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‘Out On The Town’ nets more than $6,500

Lagunans went “Out On The Town” and helped raise more than $6,500 for Thurston Middle School on March 21.

The sold-out event had parents, teachers and supporters visiting local restaurants to enjoy food and drinks while raising money for PTA-sponsored programs at the school.

Participating restaurants included: Romeo Cucina, Lumberyard, Nick’s Laguna, 370 Common Table, Sundried Tomato Café, Asada, House of Big Fish and Zinc Cafe.

The Thurston Middle School PTA is thankful to parent and business sponsors including: Peggy and Josh Wolff, Lauri and Dan Webb, Ketta and Jeb Brown, Robin and Ali Rounaghi, John and Stacy Gavin, Christy and Tom Addis, Kris and Jim Thornton, Kimberly and Michael Sivetts, Maricor and Dave Meriwether and Laguna Graphic Arts.

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LBHS senior will do exchange program in Brazil

Laguna Beach High School senior Sam Wellsfry will head back to high school next year — in Brazil.

Sam has been accepted to the AFS Brazil exchange program, and Laguna Beach AFS has awarded him a $1,000 scholarship.

“I am ready for the adventure of going to Brazil and living with a host family,” Sam said in a statement.

Students interested in participating in AFS should visit https://www.afsusa.org.

—Kelly Parker

Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN