3 Teen-Agers Named as Merit Scholars

Two youths from Long Beach and one from Whittier have been named corporate-sponsored Merit Scholars as part of a nationwide program to honor academically talented high school seniors. They are among more than 6,000 young men and women chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. to receive stipends for their college education ranging from $500 to $8,000. The recipients qualified on the basis of high scores on standard screening tests, outstanding scholastic records and extracurricular accomplishments.

Michael W. Briggs of Long Beach Poly High School will receive a scholarship from GTE Corp. He is planning a career as a professional cellist. Briggs has won the Poly music medal and Ebell fine arts award, is a solo competition winner, has played in the state finals for chamber ensembles, and in the American Youth Symphony, all-Southern California Orchestra and all-Long Beach District Orchestra. Briggs also is a bicyclist, Comedy Club treasurer and is active in his church youth group.

Shiloah C. Driscoll, also of Poly High, will receive her scholarship from Libby-Owens-Ford Co. and pursue a career in law. She has been on the student council two years, a class senator two years, vice president of the Portia Welfare Club and secretary of the American Field Service Club. Driscoll also has played varsity softball, been a volunteer at the Long Beach Children’s Museum and has won a Pursuit of Excellence award in English.

Douglas A. Wade, a resident of Whittier and student at La Habra High School, will get his scholarship from Carter-Wallace Inc. He has been editor of the opinion page of his school newspaper and has won first- and second-place awards in editorial writing contests. He is a member of Quill and Scroll for student journalists, was student of the month in the mathematics department and plans to focus further education in physics.

Whittier Philanthropist Commended

Esther F. Goerg has been commended by resolution of the California Legislature for her humanitarian and philanthropic work on behalf of the homeless in Whittier. Her contributions of $75,000 to the Salvation Army have enabled it to accommodate women and children overnight at a local motel, and provided for renovation of the Salvation Army Hospitality House, which provides meals, beds, showers and counseling for transients.

The commendation from the Joint Rules Committee of the Senate and Assembly was presented by Christopher W. Lancaster, administrative assistant to Sen. William Campbell (R-Industry). At the same time during a ceremony at Hospitality House in Whittier, Maj. Alfred Van Cleef, general secretary of the Southern California Division of the Salvation Army, unveiled a plaque honoring Goerg. The plaque will be placed in the new women’s and family section of Hospitality House. Goerg is a former county public health nurse, and retired as a school nurse from the Whittier Union High School District.

Rancho-Starbuck Principal Appointed

Fred Wright has been appointed principal of Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School in Whittier, succeeding J.L. Dunn who has resigned, effective July 1. Wright, 52, has worked in the Lowell Joint School District since 1960, beginning as a math teacher, then guidance counselor and for the last 10 years as an assistant principal. Dunn, 57, is retiring after 12 years in the district, beginning as principal of Starbuck School in 1976. When Starbuck was closed in 1981 because of declining enrollment, he became principal of Rancho-Starbuck, the district’s only intermediate school. Supt. Ronald T. Randolph said the district has established a screening committee to begin the search for a new assistant principal.

Biola Minister Given Honorary Doctorate

The Rev. George Moore, director of ethnic and international student relations at Biola University in La Mirada, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Hindustan Bible Institute and College in Madras, South India. The institute recognized Moore as being instrumental during his 12 years at Biola in organizing workshops for diverse ethnic groups and in training students for inner-city and overseas Christian ministries. As the founder of Fishermen’s Gospel Ministries, he also has taught at Bible and pastoral conferences throughout Africa and the Caribbean. Moore has been an ordained minister for 30 years and currently is associate pastor of Miracle Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Officers of College Business Club Installed

Newly elected officers for the Kappa Alpha Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Lambda organization for business students were installed in a ceremony at Compton Community College. They are Telisa France, president; Emma Rae Leilua, vice president; Laura Atchinson, secretary; Lynn Hood, assistant secretary; Teresa France, Telisa’s sister, treasurer; Cheryl Richee, historian; and Charles Hansford, parliamentarian. Douglas Robinson, dean of student affairs, conducted the installation. Business faculty advisers to the club are Ruth Dorsey and Robert Joiner.