Students Look at Government With a Capitol G

Ten Santa Ana High School students are back home from the nation’s capital after a firsthand look at how government works.

Nearly $10,000 had been raised to send the students--Martha Alvarado, Matt Brower, Dieu-Thuy Che, Alicia Duenas, Sylivina Elizalde, Susan Heike, Cindy Lowe, Sopheap Ly, Mario Navarro and Roumel Suarez--on the weeklong government studies trip. The amount included $2,000 from the Santiago Club, a philanthropic group of Latino businessmen and women.

Melanie Espinoza, Santa Ana High government teacher and adviser for the trip--during which the students toured the White House, Capitol Hill and talked to Orange County congressmen--said the Washington experience would help broaden the students’ outlook and increase their interest in attending college.

Fullerton resident Jesa H. Kreiner, chairman of the Cal State Fullerton mechanical engineering department, has been selected the Outstanding Engineering Educator for 1990 by the Orange County Engineering Council.

Maria M. Stripling of Marina High in Huntington Beach, Marqueda Young of Esperanza High in Anaheim, and John C.A. White of Brea-Olinda High in Brea were among 30 students selected from 1,500 nationwide who were named Black History Maker of Tomorrow by McDonald’s.

The students were selected on the basis of their scholastic achievement, leadership skills, ambition and character.

They were honored at a Los Angeles luncheon attended by leading Southland business and community professionals.

Brothers Eddie W. Watkins II, 17, and Jim M. Watkins, q15, of Cypress will be recognized at a March 18 Boy Scout court of honor for simultaneously reaching their Eagle rank.

For their community service projects, Eddie organized a team to distribute, door to door, information that he researched and compiled on pool safety and how to protect small children from drowning.

Jim planned and organized a team for a Red Cross blood drive in which 48 units of blood was collected.

Both are Cypress High School students.

Corina Bates was named 1989 Girl of the Year by the La Habra Girls Club to recognize her as the top contributor to the organization and community. She is a Sonora High School senior.

Cal State Fullerton senior Lisa Mankawich was named winner of the Los Angeles Advertising Women’s (LAAW) Mardi May scholarship. She was awarded $400.

Mankawich was selected for her “zealous commitment to advertising,” according to Joan Mellini, president of LAAW. The scholarship is named for a founding member of LAAW, which was formed in 1914.

Besides managing a full schedule at the college, Mankawich works at two jobs, one at a Howlett-Bergner & Associates, an advertising agency.

Laguna Hills resident Delores (Dee) Ford, a certified medical assistant and office manager at Saddleback College Orthopedic Medical Group in Laguna Hills, has been installed as president of the California Medical Assistants’ Assn.

Fullerton resident Denise Petrossi, 21, a 1986 graduate of Troy High School, has been named All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Assn.

The senior psychology major at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., is a forward on its soccer team and is the school’s third all-time leading scorer.

The graduating seniors on the team have lost only one conference soccer match in their four years of varsity competition.

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