4 Named Finalists for Disneyland’s Ambassador of the World in 1990

Michelle Cora, 25, of Mission Viejo; Holly Evans, 23, of Cypress; Jennifer Faust, 22, of Anaheim, and Teresa Gregory, 21, of Rowland Heights have been named finalists for the 1990 Ambassador of the World title at Disneyland in Anaheim.

Disneyland said the ambassador, accompanied by Disney characters, travels the world to bring the message of happiness to children of all ages in hospitals and care facilities.

The winner will be announced Oct. 27 during ceremonies celebrating the Ambassador Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary in the forecourt of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

The Saddleback/Irvine Valley forensics team, composed largely of new members competing in their first contest, won 16 awards at the recent Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Assn. tournament, according to coach Bob Bornemann. Team captain Jennifer Huss of Irvine was awarded two superiors for extemporaneous and impromptu speaking.

James Faith, drug-awareness chairman of Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge 2444, was presented a special citation for his work in promoting the perils of drug abuse.

Faith has carried his message on radio and television in Southern California as well as distributing drug-awareness pamphlets to students, law enforcement agencies, drug rehabilitation clinics and service organizations.

A tireless worker, he also promotes and directs the club’s Soap Box Derby each year.

Ingram Micro D, a Santa Ana-based computer software and hardware distributor, played an active role in helping Charleston, S.C., survive the recent Hurricane Hugo disaster.

Chip Lacy, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingram, said the company created and operated a computerized information clearing center to coordinate the dispatch of aid with those who needed it.

A bank of 30 phones and volunteer operators was also established with a toll-free number for people to call for assistance or for those making donations.

Lacy said his company’s effort is an excellent example of a local company mobilizing its resources to respond to a major disaster.

A check for $1,069, the amount raised from a chili cook-off at the Starting Gate restaurant in Los Alamitos, was presented to Casa Youth Shelter, a facility in Los Alamitos for runaway teens.

Restaurant owner Kenny Brandyberry said the contest winners donated their winnings to the shelter.

Several Orange County people and groups were honored with Apple of Our Eye awards by the Anaheim Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled during Independent Living Month.

The individuals who won awards were Orange Coast College student Eric Anderson; Kathy Vasquez, a radio announcer who is blind; Fountain Valley traffic engineer Jim McClendon; Huntington Beach civil engineer Bill Waddell; Dr. Francis Mackey; Jim Hemp; Dr. Sharon Kawai and Golden West College student Denise Patin. The groups that received awards were the Orange County Human Relations Commission, Newport Beach Fire Department, Campbell Construction Co., Carl Karcher Enterprises and the Garden Grove Roque Center.

Frances Coad, first-grade teacher at Salk Elementary School in Anaheim, was named a winner of the Sallie Mae First Year Teacher Award by the Arlington, Va.-based Assn. of School Administrators.

She was one of 100 teachers honored for an outstanding first year on the job and who received a $1,000 award. She was recommended by her principal, Dan Copple.

Coad, of Anaheim, is a graduate of Anaheim’s Connelly High School and the University of San Diego. She said she plans to use the money toward her master’s degree at Cal State Fullerton.

Herbert J. Vida’s columns are moving to new days. Beginning today, Three Cheers will appear each Saturday, and his People column will appear each Tuesday and Thursday. Submit items to Three Cheers, The Times, c/o Herbert J. Vida, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. (714) 966-5989.