Schools / Education news : GARDEN GROVE : Johnson to Head District’s Board

Joyce Johnson has been elected 1996 president of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education, and Lynn Hamtil has been chosen as its vice president.

Johnson, 78, has served on the five-member board since 1979, the same year she retired after 28 years of teaching in district elementary schools. Hamtil, 57, also joined the board in 1979.

IRVINE: Woodbridge High Concert Is Tonight

Woodbridge High School will present its annual holiday concert tonight at 7 , featuring the school’s vocal and instrumental music departments.

The high school’s instrumental music department is led by Joslynne Blasdel and the vocal music department is directed by Susan Raskulinecz. They are credited with creating many of the performing arts opportunities at the school during the last six years.

The Woodbridge Entertainers vocal group, directed by Raskulinecz, is scheduled to perform at Disney World and aboard a cruise ship in the Bahamas. The 150-member Woodbridge High School Entertainment Corps, directed by Blasdel, won the sweepstakes trophy at a recent regional competition.

To accommodate the large number of students who will perform, the concert will be at the Tustin Salvation Army Church, 10200 Pioneer Road. Tickets are $5 at the door.

COSTA MESA: Estancia Football Volunteer Is Honored

If Estancia football Coach John Liebengood is the thread that keeps the team together, parent volunteer Robert Harrington makes sure the team doesn’t tear at the seams.

That’s why Estancia Principal Peggy Anatol nominated him to the county’s Outstanding Contributions to Education Award, which he won last month.

“He does a bit of everything for us,” said Liebengood, counting about a dozen behind-the-scenes activities Harrington is responsible for, including the Booster Club.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District recently joined in recognizing Harrington. The district also honored Mary Ann Ready for her volunteer work at the Alternative Education Center.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO: District’s Board Picks Top Officers

As part of its annual reorganization, the Capistrano Unified School District has elected Sheila J. Benecke as president of the Board of Trustees and Marlene Draper as vice president.

Benecke, formerly the vice president of the Board of Trustees, has served on the board since 1992. A former teacher, she is past president of the Orange County and Crown Valley parent-teacher associations.

Draper, who has been serving as president of the Board of Trustees, joined it in 1988.

-- BY SARAH KLEIN, ENRIQUE LAVIN, RUSS LOAR AND JULIE FATE SULLIVAN