BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

SchoolPower raises more than $300,000

SchoolPower’s April 28 annual dinner dance and auction at the Montage Resort & Spa raised more than $300,000 for Laguna public schools.

The non-profit organization raises funds for the Laguna Beach Unified School District, which are then distributed based on the recommendations of principals, teachers and the superintendent.

It was the first public education foundation in Orange County when it was established in 1981.

The Hearts of Montage charitable group, comprised of Montage employees, provided a $45,000 donation to the organization.

With the funds, the organization plans to continue its 2007 Fund-A-Need program, which supports foreign language programs at the elementary school level.

It is also on track to have received $1 million in donations during its 25th fiscal year, an organizational goal.

The annual event features silent and live auctions, food and live entertainment.

Among the attendees was incoming district superintendent Robert Fraisse.

For more information, call (949) 494-6811 or e-mail info@lbschoolpower.com.

Nature camp to be held in June

Orange County Wild is sponsoring a weeklong program for children ages 7 to 10, Camp Wild 2007, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 to 29.

The program will allow children to visit the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, the Santa Ana Zoo, Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Upper Newport Bay.

Topics will include wetland wildlife, tidepool creatures, coastal sage scrub animals and marine mammals.

The cost is $75 per child; reservations are required by June 10.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

Speed reading class to be held May 22

Local students are invited to attend a speed reading course on May 22.

Presented by the Laguna Beach Unified School District’s Quest4Excellence Child Capacity Development Committee, the 5 p.m. class at the Artists’ Theatre will be facilitated by Howard Berg, “The World’s Fastest Reader.”

Berg will offer strategies on how to read faster, comprehend more, develop increased memory, know what to study for tests, and focus under pressure.

For more information, call the district at (949) 497-7701.

Kiraly awarded scholarship

Laguna Beach High School senior Emily “Katie” Kiraly was awarded a $15,000-per-year John Dickinson Scholarship from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.

She is the daughter of Coastline Pilot columnist Sherwood Kiraly and his wife Patti Jo, who is a Sawdust Art Festival jewelry artist and heads the high school PTA.

The scholarship recognizes superior academic achievement, community activities and leadership.

Chabad accepting applications

Chabad Jewish Center Preschool, 30804 So. Coast Highway, is now accepting fall registration applications.

Activities for the fall include the creation of a “town,” with monthly mayors, a town newspaper and map, a post office and a café.

For more information on the state-licensed school, call (949) 499-0770.

St. Catherine’s holds Masters Pageant

Students of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish School, 3090 So. Coast Highway, held their fourth annual Masters Pageant Thursday in the Parish Hall.

The event originated as an art gallery, but evolved into a Pageant of the Masters-style show when two parents visited backstage at the Festival of Arts production.

The show now includes children posing as art, and singing and dancing between sets. Each show closes with Da Vinci’s “Last Supper.”

For more information, visit www.stcatherinelaguna.com.

Student wins Chuck Jones award

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity presented the Chuck Jones Student Achievement Award for Excellence in Animation to Laguna College of Art & Design student Khoa Le during the college’s third annual Industry Open House on May 9.

The award, the first ever bestowed on a Laguna College student, recognizes the graduating senior in the Feature Animation program who best exemplifies Chuck Jones’ attitude and approach to classical animation.

It was presented by Todd Kausen, Chuck Jones Center for Creativity Trustee and Jones’ grandson.