BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

AAUW will sponsor seven Thurston girls

The American Assn. of University Women of Laguna Beach has chosen seven recipients from Thurston Middle School for its 2009 scholarships for Tech Trek, the association’s science program that encourages girls entering eighth grade to pursue careers in technology, science and math.

Kayla Bernard, Gabrielle Crivello, Jessica Day, Nicole Doiron, Leah Pakpour, Sarina Strickland and Stephannie Zarate will attend a weeklong residential science program this summer on the campus of Cal State Fresno or UC San Diego.

The Tech Trek experience exposes the campers to math and science at a critical time in their lives when they are making important decisions about their future career paths.

The program provides a supportive environment for girls to explore and expand their interests in these subjects with hands-on activities and projects led by experienced teachers that make math and science not only educational, but fun.

The girls also have the opportunity to interact with female role models who work in science, mathematics, computers and other exciting technical professions.

The association’s Laguna Beach chapter works with Thurston teachers to identify students who would benefit most from the Tech Trek experience. Winners of the 2009 scholarships were chosen on the basis of their written essay on “What do you imagine yourself doing after you’ve completed your college degree?,” a completed application and personal interview.

This year, scholarships were also donated by Beach Cities Le Tip, a group of professional men and women who donated two scholarships, the Laguna Beach branch of Morgan Stanley, UBS Foundation USA, the ADVANCE program at UC Irvine and Barbara Hamkalo, a member of the American Assn. of University Women’s Laguna Beach chapter.

Additional funds were received from Bob Heineman, a San Juan Capistrano Farmers Insurance Group agent.

To support Tech Trek or learn more about it and other programs of the Laguna Beach branch, go to www.aauw-lagunabeach.org.

El Morro Elementary to host carnival May 31

The Laguna Beach Parents Club will host its annual Kids Celebration at 2 p.m. May 31 at El Morro Elementary School.

The Justin Roberts Trio, an “all-star” family band labeled by People Magazine as “on-your-feet fun and laugh-out-loud funny,” will perform.

Roberts and his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, who perform kid-friendly rock music, have received multiple national awards, including a five-time Parent’s Choice Gold Award.

The carnival will also feature traditional carnival games with prizes, face-painting, Zoomar’s petting farm, fire truck rides, Surfrider Foundation’s interactive watershed booth and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, and can be purchased at www.lagunabeachparents.com. Kids 2 and younger get in free. All proceeds benefit the Laguna Beach PTA.

The Laguna Beach Parents Club is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to providing activities and resources that create supportive environments for the families of Laguna Beach. For more or to become a member, contact Jill at (949) 497-3203 or visit www.lagunabeachparents.com.