Around Town: Golden West gets millions

Golden West College has been awarded a Title III grant that will give the Huntington Beach campus more than $2.23 million over a five-year period.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grant, known as Access 2 Success, according to a news release.

The money will help support counseling services, development of coursework and certifications that have been underway but have stalled without sufficient funding, according to the release. David Baird, the college’s dean of counseling, will take the lead as project director.

Some new projects are expected to begin in spring 2014 with the majority starting next summer.

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Notable

Distinguished department at APA

The Music Media Entertainment and Technology department at Huntington Beach High School has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2013-2015.

The department is part of the Academy for the Performing Arts and houses film and broadcast journalism as well as the rock music program.

To be considered for the award, programs must demonstrate that they are a center for innovation, according to a news release. In addition, programs must point to industry connections and master level leadership. The Apple guidelines state schools must “demonstrate an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.”

“To see high school students begin as fragile freshmen and then emerge as confident, competent performers and production crew is the greatest reward,” said department Director Jamie Knight. “This award from Apple comes a close second.”

Three hundred students are admitted, by audition, into the MMET department. Students conceptualize, produce, direct and perform multiple live rock music concerts throughout the year.

The department’s film and media team films live performances and holds a film festival each year. Many MMET film students have gone on to prestigious film schools and won short-film awards, according to the release.

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GIVING

Drop toy donations at NuVision

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys For Tots program has collection sites in the 14 branches of NuVision Federal Credit Union across Orange and Los Angeles counties.

The credit union will be collecting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 17.

In Huntington Beach, its branches are at 5912 Bolsa Ave., 7812 Edinger Ave. and 20100 Magnolia St.

This is the eighth year NuVision is participating in the Toys For Tots program. Through Toys For Tots, U.S. Marines have distributed more than 450 million toys to more than 200 million needy children over the past 65 years.

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Achievements

Graduating with skills

Air Force Airman Brandon T. Haynes and Air Force Airman 1st Class Timothy Dotson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Haynes is a 2012 graduate of Marina High School in Huntington Beach and the son of Angela Haynes of Midway.

Dotson is the son of Jacqueline and Jonathan Brown of Huntington Beach.

The men completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

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Army Pvt. Jesse L. Graham graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Graham’s training included instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading and field tactics.

The son of BoJesse Graham of Huntington Beach and Jaime Deveraux of Eureka is a 2011 graduate of Fortuna High School.

AROUND TOWN is a weekly column about people and events in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley compiled by city editor Alicia Lopez. Please submit information about your fundraiser, charity event or a person deserving attention to hbindependent@latimes.com or alicia.lopez@latimes.com.