HEAD OF CLASS: John E. Stratman Jr....

HEAD OF CLASS: John E. Stratman Jr. had more responsibilities added to his busy schedule Friday when the 21-year-old was appointed to the California Postsecondary Education Commission by Gov. Pete Wilson. . . . Stratman will squeeze his duties in between political science studies at Chapman University and Orange Coast College, where he is also involved in student government. The commission provides policy analysis and recommendations to state lawmakers.

HAVING A BALL: It’s National Ballroom Dance Week and Cynthia and Robert Long of Lake Forest will mark the occasion by performing a tango and a waltz at a dinner-dance celebrating the occasion at San Juan Capistrano’s El Adobe Restaurant tonight. . . . The Longs, North American champions in 1992 and 1993, now only dance together for fun. “It’s a wonderful thing to share,” says Cynthia Long. “So few couples have hobbies in common.”

RISING STAR: NBC will unveil the new cast for “Saturday Night Live” on Wednesday--and one of the stars is Will Ferrell, a graduate of Irvine’s University High School. . . . The 28-year-old’s talent was apparent in school, where he entertained the campus each morning with impersonations of teachers over the public-address system. Says his mom, Kay: “Will has been putting on shows as early as I can remember. He’s just a neat, marvelous person.”

GIVING HOPE: Among the former patients leading the City of Hope’s 12th annual Walk ‘n Ride for Hope today in Irvine will be 41-year-old Christopher Colvin. . . . The Newport Beach architect, who was diagnosed with leukemia in the spring of 1980, says he wants to share his optimism with patients: “You’ve got to be hopeful and you’ve got to be positive.”

WEATHER: Mostly sunny today. Highs in the mid-80s; lows in the mid-60s. (B10)