Junior Kahunas

It’s that time of year again -- time to celebrate the honors and

accomplishments of our talented and gifted youth. Every year we note the

influential people among us -- the Big Kahunas -- and now we look to the

younger generation. With the help of schools, places of worship and

community programs, we’ve selected 95 of the area’s top youth:

volunteers, scholars, performers, athletes and just all-around good kids.

Many of them excel in the classroom, but not all. Some are good at

sports, others have artistic abilities. Most give their time to the

community, doing everything from helping with Special Olympics to candy

striping at a local hospital. But what really sets them apart is their

attitude, their willingness to go the extra mile and their desire to help

others.

Congratulations to 2000’s Junior Kahunas.

AUBREY ACOSTA

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Member of Sts. Simon and Jude

Church ... Nominated Golden Key for Performing Arts ... Honors algebra

achievement ... Won the John Philip Sousa Award and Band Service Award...

District Honor Band ... Member of the Orange County Youth Symphony

Orchestra ... Wind ensemble ... Concert/Marching band ... French horn

teacher ... Received a horn talent scholarship that will enable her to

attend the college of her choice ... Involved in peer mediation at school

... Plays baseball and basketball ... As a member of the school band,

plays music for needy children at Christmas, for senior citizens, and

performs free public concerts ... Member of the church choir ... Will

attend Chapman University in the fall to study music performance and

education ... Will work as a teacher’s assistant at a children’s summer

camp at Cal State Fullerton

THOMAS ALBRECHT

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Varsity tennis team ... In top 3%

of his class ... Volunteers time as a tutor at Shalimar Teen Center in

Costa Mesa ... Active in church youth group ... Tutors chemistry students

... Character Coalition ... Key Club ... Science Honors Society ...

Golden Key plaque in mathematics ... Golden Key medallions in science and

social studies ... Golden Key Medallion Principal’s Award ... California

Scholarship Federation ... Fellowship of Christian Athletes ...

Parent-Teacher-Student Assn. member ... Pomona-Wisconsin Math League ...

California Math League ... Races sailboats

SALMAN ALAM

18, a senior Marina High School... Salutatorian ... Varsity basketball

... Editor-in-chief of the school newspaper ... President of Kiwins ...

National Honor Society ... Former president and secretary of youth group

at local mosque ... Project CHERISH, which helps elderly members of the

community ... Plans to major in history at UC Berkeley

KRISTEN ALEXANDER

14, an eighth-grader at Spring View Middle School ... Serves as the

eighth-grade class president, school dance commissioner and ASB officer

... Has made the honor roll and principal’s list ... Selected as the Most

Motivated Student in 1999 ... Student of the Month and Spartan of the

Month on multiple occasions ... Has performed 10 years of service for the

Sunshine Group to help people living in retirement homes ... Described as

an outstanding student who receives services for learning disabilities,

including auditory memory and vocabulary difficulties ... Has missed

little school despite having to deal with these challenges, as well as a

brain tumor that affected her memory ... A positive role model for other

students with obstacles, according to school officials

JEANETTE ANTOLIN

18, a senior at Marina High School ... No. 5 ranked gymnast in the U.S.

... 1999 World Championship team ... 1999 Pan American team and 1997

World Championship team alternate ... Five years on national team...

Favorite event is parallel bars ... Various gymnastics awards ... Athlete

of the Year at SCATS Gymnastics ... Member of Coastview Christian

Fellowship ... Likes to dance ... Enjoys camping ... Likes going to the

beach ... Collects turtles ... Likes to go shopping ... Will attend UCLA

... Training to go to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia ... Will

train and go to gymnastics camp in Texas

MATT BASTIEN

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Member of Grace

Lutheran Church ... Along with five classmates, talked to the 850

students at Harbour View about children who were less fortunate and

collected more than 90 boxes of food and new school supplies for the

Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of this project have inspired

other schoolmates to plan similar projects ... Principal’s Award for

Excellence for Humanitarianism ... Certificate of Appreciation from Ocean

View School District for reading ... Plays hockey ... Enjoys riding his

Razor scooter ... Like surfing, snorkeling and water sports ... Junior

lifeguard ... Member of Golden West Swim Club ... Favorite subject is

science ... Reads to first- and second-grade students... Going on a

cruise to the Western Caribbean with his family this summer ... Described

as caring and patient with other children

JON BLUNDA

13, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Working toward

becoming an Eagle Scout ... Goalie for local roller hockey team ... Has

worked hard to overcame difficulties with reading ... Belongs to the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth group

CRYSTAL BOOHER

16, a junior at Edison High School ... Member of the All-Southern

California and the California All-State Honor Band ... Southern

California Schools Band Orchestra Assn. Solo Festival, superior ratings

... Academic achievement awards for chemistry, geometry, biology ...

Principal trombone for Huntington Beach Union High School District Honor

Band ... Member of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra ...

Marching/Concert/Jazz Band ... Teacher says she’s the best high school

trombone student in the state ... Volunteers to play at the Saturday

Orchestra performances ... Assists peers with music ... Teaches the

trombone ... Plays piano ... As a member of the Edison High School Band,

plays music for needy children at Christmas, for senior citizens, and

performs free public concerts ... Swims ... Will go to Wildwood Music

Camp in Big Bear this summer ... Will attend the College Audition

Preparation at Indiana University

JASON BOYER

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Golden Key in fine arts for

ceramics ... CIF varsity soccer player ... Varsity volleyball player ...

Nominated by his school because “he has a will to learn and he always

wants the best out of life”

JOEL BUFFA

11, a sixth-grader at Sts. Simon and Jude School ... Possibly the

youngest skipper to compete in the Newport to Ensenada International

Yacht Race ... Races Sabots with the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club juniors

... Won the Sabot nationals last year ... Has been building boats out of

various materials for years ... principal’s list ... honor roll ... Had

the most contributions for the Leukemia Cup ... Best Citizen of the

Corsair Yacht Club ... Plays piano and clarinet ... Received the Arrow of

Light Award as a Cub Scout ... Member of the Boy Scouts ... Does

community service through church and Scouts ... Likes fishing, biking,

and in-line skating ... Collects coins ... Oil painter ... Won second

place in the California Nationals for figure skating ... Wants to be a

naval architect when he grows up

DUYEN AMY BUI

18, a senior at Los Amigos High School ... Salutatorian ... National

Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in 1999 ... Food Club ... Red Cross

club ... Math tutor ... Plans to major in biological science at Cal State

Long Beach

MICHELLE BUMATAY

17, a senior at Los Alamitos High School and the Orange County High

School of the Arts ... Plays the bassoon ...Director’s Award for

Instrumental Music ... Danny Charles Memorial Scholarship recipient ...

Capistrano Unified Education Assn. Scholarship recipient ... Garden Grove

Education Assn. Scholarship recipient ... Graduating with academic honors

and a gold seal ... Member of the Pacific Youth Orchestra ... French Club

... Assistant editor for school’s literary magazine ... Writes poetry ...

Avid in-line skater ... Will study biochemistry and bassoon at the UC San

Diego in the fall

JOSH CABLE

18, a senior at Ocean View High School ... International Baccalaureate

Program ... ASB president ... President of the Key Club ... Member of

Model United Nations ... Peer assistance leader ... Conflict manager ...

Co-Chairman of Huntington Beach Youth Sports ... Vice--president of the

Junior Philharmonic Society ... Member of the Entre Amigos Club ...

California Scholarship Foundation ... Varsity water polo team ... Teaches

class at Hebrew school ... Student of the Year ... Regional winner of

Coca-Cola scholarship ... Likes reading and computers ... Will attend

Harvard University to study economics or government ... Summer plans

include work at the city pools and taking a class at Orange Coast College

JENNY CASARES

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Plays field hockey ... Member of

Seaside Community Church ... Plays the guitar ... Orange Coast College

... Interested in sonography, the study of reading sonograms ... Enjoys

photography ... Works part time to support herself

ANNIA CASTANO

17, senior at Coast High School ... Valedictorian ... Coast High School

Student Achievement Award ... Plans to continue cosmetology classes this

summer and work part time ... Will graduate from cosmetology school and

pursue a career in the field

WILLIAM CHAN

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Valedictorian ... Quiz bowl in the

academic decathlon ... Character Coalition ... Varsity tennis ...

National Merit Scholarship finalist ... Hopes to go back to visit China

this summer and take a two-week trip to Europe ... Planning to major in

computer science at Stanford

CHRISTINE CHEN

18, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Valedictorian ... Yearbook

...California Scholarship Federation seal bearer ... Medical Academy

treasurer ... 1999 Golden West League tennis champion ... Student of the

Year ... Bank of America plaque in liberal arts ... Elks and Emblem Club

scholarship recipient ... AP Scholar with distinction ... President’s

Award for Educational Excellence ... International Baccalaureate diploma

candidate ... Vacation Bible School teacher’s assistant ... Key Club ...

Research assistant for a graduate student at Stanford University

...Played for Mile Square Park’s USA Junior Team tennis team ... Plans to

double major in psychology and molecular biology at Stanford ... Hopes to

become a researcher in the field of genetics

ALAN CHIN

18, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Salutatorian ...

Marching Band ... Drum line ... Jazz Band ... Academy for the Performing

Arts Orchestra ... John Philip Sousa Award ... Bank of America

Certificate in music ... AP Scholar with distinction ... UCLA Regents

Scholar ... National Merit Scholarship winner ... Robert C. Byrd

Scholarship ... Orange County Chinese American Chamber of Commerce

Scholarship ... Irvine Chinese School ... Plans to major in biology at

UCLA ... Wants to become a surgeon

CHRISTINE CHO

17, a senior at Liberty Christian High School ... Valedictorian ... Plays

flute ... Band member ... Key Club ... Plans to attend UC San Diego

REGAN CLARK

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Attends Christ Presbyterian and

Calvary Church ... Works 35 hours a week while maintaining a 4.2

grade-point average ... Volunteers every Monday night for Hotline Help

Center ... Shift leader and Counselor of the Month at Hotline Help Center

... Golden Key in social studies ... Model United Nations senior teacher

... Model United Nations Outstanding Senior, and also earned honor as a

sophomore and freshman ... ABC Award for Academic Excellence ...

Character Coalition Awards for responsibility, caring, citizenship and

honesty ... Cross-country and tennis ... Involved in Kiwins and Multiple

Sclerosis Society ... Tutors peers and children ... Plans to attend UC

Davis

TRACY COLEMAN

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made the principal’s

list ... Plays volleyball and soccer ... Member of the National Charity

League ... Voted best dressed at Mesa View ... Merit Award for Scholastic

Achievement ... California Scholarship Federation Award ... Recipient of

the Hundred Hour award for Community Service

HUY DANG

18, a senior at Marina High School ... Valedictorian ... President of Key

Club ... Academic Decathlon team captain ... Newspaper front-page editor

... National Merit Scholar ... AP Scholar ... Golden Shield Plaque in

science and medallions in English, math and social science ... More than

300 hours of community service through the Key Club ... Community

Development Council food packaging coordinator ... Project CHERISH

volunteer at Rodgers Seniors’ Center ... March of Dimes Leadership

Council ... Plans to major in computer science at Stanford University

SHEILA DOSHI

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made honor roll and

principal’s list ... Member of the National Charity League ... Plays

soccer and tennis ... Recipient of the Hundred Hour Award for community

service

JERRY EMERY

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made the honor roll

... Member of the Boy Scouts ... Member of the Order of the Arrow ...

Enjoys helping schoolmates with computer problems ... Working toward

becoming an Eagle Scout ... Just volunteered as a Cub Scout den chief ...

Will participate in the Fourth of July parade

DAPHNE FOWLER

9, a third-grader at Lake View Elementary School ... Volunteers at the

Huntington Beach Central Library to help with a summer reading programs

for children, and with straightening shelves and books ... Her hobbies

includes reading, meeting other people and helping others ... Her

favorite book is “Stuart Little” ... Her favorite subject is math ... She

is reserved, polite and quite, according to Barbara Richardson, a

children’s librarian at the city library

BEN FREIBORG

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Along with five

classmates, talked to 850 students at Harbour View about children who

were less fortunate and collected more than 90 boxes of food and new

school supplies for the Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of this

project have inspired other schoolmates to plan similar projects ...

Gifted and Talented Education student ... Member of the

conflict-management group ... Student Council member ... Pelican Pride

Award ... Principal’s Award for Excellence for humanitarianism ... Plays

soccer ... Junior lifeguard ... Surfs and skateboards ... Described as

thoughtful and having a good sense of humor ... Loves animals, especially

dogs ... Enjoys water sports and the beach ... Loves his family ... Likes

helping people ... Favorite subject is math ... Likes fishing

ANNE FRIEDMAN

18, a senior at Brethren Christian High School ... Salutatorian ... High

school newspaper editor ... National Merit Commendation ... Student

council ... Leader of girls’ Bible study ... Associated Christian Schools

International Distinguished Student in academics, music and Christian

service ... Bank of America Award for vocal music ... Praise band ... A

Capella choir ... Plans to be a psychology major with a communication

minor at Azusa Pacific University ... Plans to be a journalist and

eventually a doctor, opening a free clinic somewhere for the unfortunate

ALYSSA GUZMAN

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made the honor roll

... Member of the National Charity League ... Plays volleyball and

basketball ... Cross-country winner in her school district for three

consecutive years ... Volunteers time to deliver meals to homebound

residents

COLIN HARRIS

18, a senior at Marina High School ... First place in the county for

automotive competition ... Made it to the National Automotive

Competition, where he and his partner won 14th place out of 38 entrants

... Bill Stroppe Memorial Scholarship Award recipient ... BMW Technician

Recognition Award ... Golden Shield Medallion for industrial technology

... Academy Chief for the Orange County Fire Authority Explorer Academy

... Received Scholarship from Mitsubishi ... Independent contractor ...

Started CJH Services, a construction company when he was 16 ... Rides

dirt bikes ... Wakeboarder ... Likes to restore cars ... Will attend

Rancho Santiago for fire technician classes and will transfer to Cal

State Long Beach for a bachelor’s degree ... Summer plans include time in

Lake Havasu, restoring his 1968 Chevy pickup and getting his contractor’s

license

PRESTON HARPER

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Member of St.

Bonaventure Catholic Church ... Along with five classmates, talked to 850

students at Harbour View about children who were less fortunate and

collected more than 90 boxes of food and new school supplies for the

Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of this project have inspired

other schoolmates to plan similar projects ... Pelican Pride Award ...

Principal’s Award for Excellence for humanitarianism ... Plays hockey,

baseball and football ... Junior lifeguard ... Likes to run, skateboard,

surf and snowboard ... Enjoys physical education and math ... Will be

heading to Florida this summer to visit family

KELLY HATADA

17, a senior at Marina High School ... First girl in Orange County and

second girl overall to make it to the National Automotive Competition,

where she and her partner won 14th place ... Betty Webb Scholarship

recipient ... Bill Strope Scholarship recipient ... Bank of America Award

in automotive ... Won BMW Award for Technical and Academic Excellence ...

Golden Shield Award for industrial technology department ... Medallion

Award for industrial technology department ... Ran track, field,

cross-country and pole vaulting ... Student Alliance ... Yearbook ...

Likes to fish and work on cars ... Published poet ... Writing novels

right now

JOSH HERRERA

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Member of

Seaside Christian Church ... Along with five classmates, talked to 850

students at Harbour View about children who were less fortunate and

collected more than 90 boxes of food and new school supplies for the

Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of his project have inspired

other schoolmates to plan similar projects .... Principal’s Award for

Excellence for humanitarianism .... Running Award ... Runs track ...

Fourth place in the Southern California Municipal Meet ... Enjoys

skateboarding ... Plays Pop Warner football ... Plays baseball ...

Described as conscientious of others’ feelings

MICHAEL HILL

18, a senior at Edison High School ... ASB president ... Member of

student government for four years ... Youth president of National Eagle

Scout Assn. ... Eagle Scout ... Black belt in karate ... Plays basketball

... Coaches girls’ basketball ... Referees girls’ basketball ... Student

of the Month ... Golden Key Award ... Academic Booster Club awards ...

Plays the guitar ... Loves movies, especially war and history films ...

Will attend UCI to study history or film ... Plans to work as a day camp

counselor for the city’s day camp programs during the summer

MICHAEL HIPOLITO

17, a senior at Edison High School ... National Merit Scholarship winner

... Golden Key in community service ... AP Scholar ... UCLA Outstanding

Delegate for Model United Nations ... National English Merit Award ...

Ranked fourth in his class at Edison ... California Scholastic Federation

... Key Club past president; was Edison’s Key Clubber of the Year for

1998-1999 ... Student of the Month ... National Leadership and Service

Award ... Yearbook ... Scholar Bowl ... Science Honors Society ...

Contributed 200 hours at a local hospital

TIM HSU

17, a junior at Edison High School ... Best delegate for the school’s

Model United Nations Conference ... Best delegate for the Mission Viejo

Model United Nations Conference ... Nominated for the Golden Key in

performing arts ... Reaches 24,000 fifth-graders through performances

with the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra ... Marching/Concert/Jazz

Band ... President of the Chinese Club ... Recently moved to the United

States ... Learned English as a second language, but now excels in

English ... Plays the French horn, trumpet and keyboard ... Exhibits

excellent leadership in the Edison High School Band ... As a member of

the band, plays music for needy children at Christmas, senior citizens

and performs free public concerts ... Studies in the AP program ...

Science Honors Society ... Loves to read, especially classic novels ...

Plans to get ready for college by visiting some of the UC campuses this

summer

MICHAEL IACONO

12, a seventh-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Has made the

principal’s list and the honor roll ... Plays youth soccer ... His

hobbies are remote-control cars, watching monster truck events, wake

boarding, knee boarding and snowboarding ... His favorite subject is math

... Described as a pleasant person who is always willing to assist his

teachers and peers

TRACY JESSNER

18, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Salutatorian ... Varsity

song-leading co-captain ... International Baccalaureate ... California

Scholarship Federation ... Spirit Club ... Art & Literary Club/Magazine

... Scholar with distinction ... Golden State Exam diploma ... Golden

Hawk Award in world studies ... AP Scholar with honors ... ACT

Recognition Award ... Student of the Month ... Scholar Athlete ...

Presidential Education Award ... Bank of America Achievement Award in

science ... National Merit Corporate Scholarship ... USC Presidential

Scholarship ... Scions Scholarship ... USC Huntington Beach Alumni

Scholarship ... Parent-Teacher-Student Assn. Scholarship ... Newport

Harbor Panhellenic Scholarship ... Doyle Scholarship ... Huntington

Harbour Philharmonic Society Juniors treasurer ... Huntington Beach

Sister City Exchange Program ... Youth ambassador to Anjo, Japan ...

Huntington Beach’s Friends of the Children’s Library ... Key Club ...

Plans to attend USC and major in political science

MAGALI JIMENEZ-MENDEZ

12, a seventh-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Has made the

principal’s list ...Member of the school’s Peer Assistance Leadership

program...Serves as a student conflict mediator...Described as a student

who strives for excellence in academics and is always willing to assist

her teachers and peers...

DIANA JOHNSON

13, an eighth-grader at Marina View Middle School ... Enrolled in the

school’s honor’s program ... Volunteers to help special education

students at the school ... Chosen as a recipient of the Golden Sail Award

... Member of the California Junior Scholarship Federation ... Has made

the principal’s list and honor roll ...Member of the Beach Soccer Club

and Shorelife Church ... Her hobby is spending time with her family ...

Her favorite subject is math ... Described as a person who is

warmhearted, kind, generous, respectful and responsible

LINDSAY JOHNSON

16, a junior at Edison High School ... Academic letter and pin ... Band

letter ... Huntington Beach Union High School District Honor Band ...

Reaches 24,000 fifth-graders through her performances with the Orange

County Youth Symphony Orchestra ... Marching/Concert/Jazz Band ...

Teaches a band leadership class ... Works at a local dry cleaners ...

Plays the trombone ... As a member of the Edison High School Band, plays

music for needy children at Christmas, for senior citizens, and performs

free public concerts ... Shows excellent leadership qualities as

lieutenant in band ... She is tolerant and positive ... She tutors

students on academic subjects and music

KATHRYN JONES

18, a senior at Marina High School ... Valedictorian ... ASB commissioner

of education ... Junior class vice president ... Varsity field hockey

most valuable player ... First team all-league ... Varsity soccer ...

Golden Shields in science and history ... Top first-year chemistry

student ... American Chemical Society ... National Charity League ...

Club Soccer for Wolfpack Soccer Club ... Plans to take the month of July

off to travel with friends in Europe

SARA KANOUSE

18, a senior at Brethren Christian High School ... Valedictorian ...

Band, wind ensemble and marching ... Softball ... Tennis, track, soccer

and volleyball ... Outstanding achievement in the fields of English,

science and social studies ... Brethren Christian High School Memorial

Athlete of the Year 2000 ... Bank of America Achievement Award for the

liberal arts, outstanding performance for athletics award ... CIF

academics award for softball ... Distinguished Christian Award in

athletics, academics and music ... Spanish ministry and high school youth

group at Long Beach Brethren ... Plans to major in biology at UCI and

enter the field of medicine

AMBER KEHR

17, a senior at Ocean View High School ... nominated for a Golden Hawk

Award for French ... Sang at the Golden Hawk Awards ceremony ... Sings at

Central Baptist Church ... Member of the Christian Club and the French

Club ... Sings in the school choir ... Volunteers at a retirement home

... Has been on the swim team and a varsity cheerleader ... Volunteers at

Los Caballeros Sport and Racquet Club as a counselor in training ... Will

spend two weeks in France and Italy during the summer ... Already has a

talent agent interested in her work ... Involved with the Musical Youth

Artists’ Repertory Theater ... Loves to sing, dance and act ... Will

attend Orange Coast College in the fall and transfer later to a

university ... Wants to become a performing arts teacher

MATT KRIDEL

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Member of

Pacific Coast Calvary Church ... Along with five classmates, talked to

850 students at Harbour View about children who were less fortunate and

collected more than 90 boxes of food and new school supplies for the

Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of this project have inspired

other schoolmates to plan similar projects ... Pelican Pride Award two

years in a row ... Plays baseball and soccer ... Junior lifeguard ...

Student Council member ... Boy Scout for five years ... Math is his

favorite subject ... Likes to fish

NATALIE KUMARATNE

10, a fifth-grader at Smith Elementary School ... Won award in

photography at the Parent-Teacher-Student Assn. Reflections competition

... Student of the Month ... Active in Girl Scouts ... Plays piano ...

Likes in-line skating ... Learning how to skateboard by borrowing her

brother’s board ... Learning to play field hockey

JEFF KUNZE

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Attends Sts. Simon and Jude

Catholic Church and St. Vincent DePaul ... Plays soccer, volleyball and

water polo ... CIF Division II Southern Section Defensive Player of the

Year in soccer ... Three-time defensive most valuable player of varsity

soccer team ... Two-time most valuable player of Sunset League for soccer

... Two-time first team All-Sunset League and All-County for soccer ...

Senior all-star team ... Coach’s Award in water polo ... Character

Coalition Honesty Award ... Scholar Athlete ... Says he is inspired by

Glenn Strachan, soccer coach ... Plans to attend Cal State Fullerton, for

which he will play Division I soccer ... Plans to transfer to UCLA to

study astrophysics ... Wants to be an astronomer

ANDY KUTAS

18, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Salutatorian ...

National Merit Scholar ... Bank of America Plaque for liberal arts ...

Tower Award Plaque for Spanish Language ... Tower Award Medallions for

English composition, math, physical science ... Robert Byr Scholarship

... Plans to study aerospace engineering/astronautics to become the first

man on Mars ... Accepted into MIT

STEPHEN LADSOUS

10, a fifth-grader at Smith Elementary School ... Received Golden West

College certificate of merit for piano playing for two years in a row ...

All Star for Region 117 AYSO league ... Won Student of the Month awards

for the past five years ... Fountain Valley youth basketball ... Received

straight-A’s for the past two years ... Record was broken this year by

one B ... Is a world traveler, having been to France, Italy, Columbia,

Costa Rica and Aruba ... Has cruised down the Panama Canal before it was

given back

ALEX LEO

11, a fifth-grader at Smith Elementary School ... Boy Scout in Troop 1

... Received Arrow of Light Award, the highest award for Cub Scouts ...

Led the Pledge of Allegiance at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting

... Is one of four boys to recite his DARE essay during graduation ...

Member of the Smith-Dwyer Band, in which he plays trombone ... Took third

place in the 100-meter race in his age category at the Huntington Beach

City Track Meet

ALEX LIANG

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Graduating with honors ...

National Merit Scholar ... Cultural Diversity School Site Council ...

Philharmonic Society ... Has done guest piano performances at the

Huntington Library ... Created and designed a fund-raiser benefit fashion

show for the Philharmonic Society ... Costume, production and scenic

design for Costa Mesa Playhouse ... Has taught music appreciation for Boy

Scouts ... Golden Key Medallion ... Bank of America Award ... ABC Award

... Character Coalition ... Student of the Month

CAROL LOUGHERY

16, a junior at Edison High School ... Worked with handicapped kids at

Edison ... Volunteers for the Special Olympics ... Is a good student ...

Just finished reading “She Said Yes” ... Works at a tanning salon part

time ... Is a terrific cook... Draws freehand... Plans to go to Catalina

this summer to visit family

JERRY P. LU

17, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Valedictorian ... Vice

president of the Key Club ... Treasurer of California Scholarship

Federation ... Vice president of the Science Club ... Editor of the

school newspaper ... Tennis ... Piano ... Model United Nations ...

National Merit Scholar ... Presidential Scholar ... This summer will

travel either to Asia or to the Mediterranean ... Plans to attend

Stanford University to major in biological sciences or other natural

science

ROBERT MACK

17, a senior at Liberty Christian High School ... Salutatorian ... Karate

... Varsity baseball ... Volunteer at Acacia Adult Day Services ...

Volunteer at Boeing Summer Science Camp ... Summer plans include working

at Boeing Reusable Space Systems in the Community Relations Department

... Reports to the Air Force Academy for basic training June 29 ... Will

major in astronautical engineering ... Plans to become an astronaut

JEFFREY MALAWY

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Sts. Simon and Jude Church ...

Captain of the varsity tennis team ... Volunteers at the Environmental

Nature Center ... Science Honor Society ... Golden Key in foreign

language ... Selected by teachers for USA Today American All-Academic

Team ... U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad ... Won Character Coalition

awards in 10th and 12th grades

COURTNEY MCLAUGHLAN

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Winner of the Ocean

View Teachers Assn.’s Award of Merit ... Made the honor roll ... Plays

softball and soccer ... Member of the National Charity League ... Member

of the yearbook committee

NICOLE MEYERS

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Central Baptist Church ...

Academic Booster Club recognition in health, history and economics ...

Golden State Recognition in science and English ... Fellowship of

Christian Athletes ... Christian Club president ... Yearbook ...

Newspaper ... Volunteers at Manor Care and at the Huntington Beach Public

Library ... Described as highly motivated, mature and passionate about

serving others

KHOADANG NGO

18, a senior at Los Amigos High School ... Salutatorian ... AP Scholar

... Lion’s Club Teen Award ... Bank of America Liberal Arts Award ...

Golden State Diploma gold seal bearer ... Prudential Spirit of Community

honoree ... California Scholarship Federation ... Student of the Month

... Science Olympiad medals ... Community service commissioner in

leadership ... Community service vice-chair for Orange County March of

Dimes ... AIDS Walk captain ... Walk America ... CHOC Walk ... Plans to

major in computer science at UC Berkeley ... Wants to make video games

someday

JULIE NGUYEN

17, a senior at Los Amigos High School ... Salutatorian ... ASB president

... Mock trial -- received CRF Outstanding Attorney Award and the Orange

County Trial Lawyers Assn. Outstanding Oral Advocate Award ... Science

Olympiad ... Knowledge Bowl ... Principal’s Leadership Award ... Garden

Grove Elk’s Lodge Student of the Month ... Xerox Award in humanities ...

Red Cross club historian ... Plans to work at Disneyland this summer ...

Will attend Stanford University

TANA NGUYEN

17, a senior at Edison High School ... Costa Mesa Church of Christ ...

French Honors Society president ... Black stripe in martial arts ...

Golden Key ... Model United Nations Outstanding Delegate ... Student of

the Month ... ASB ... Senator of the Month ... Tennis ... Track and Field

... Attended National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.

BRIAN NICALEK

14, an eighth-grader at St. Bonaventure School ... Is surviving a brain

tumor ... Honor roll student every semester for five years ... Made

all-stars for Westminster Little League ... Most Inspirational Player for

school football team ... Honorable mention for service ... Plays

basketball ... Computer Tech Team ... Volunteers at summer school

sessions ... Will be in MERITS Program at Westminster High School in the

fall ... Likes to skateboard ... Wants to be an architect or design

computer games when he grows up ... Has a positive attitude ... Always

tries hard to be the best he can

ZASHYA NITZKOWSKI

11, a fifth-grader at Smith Elementary School ... Attends First Christian

Church ... Active in the community through the Girl Scouts ...

Participates in beach cleanup days ... Visits the elderly in a

convalescent hospital ... Family has lived in Huntington Beach since the

1930s ... Plays club soccer as midfield with NHB Black team ... gets

great grades

KRISTEN ORNELAS

14, attends Mesa View Middle School ... A hard worker who made the honor

roll ... Volunteers in the community ... Member of the National Charity

League ... Member of the national award-winning Academy of Dance tap team

... Winner of the Spirit Award 2000 ... Recipient of the California

Scholarship Federation Award

JACKEE OSHANN

17, a junior at Edison High School ... Serves as a key leader in church

activities at Lutheran Church of Resurrection ... Member of varsity water

polo and swimming teams ... Selected as Swimmer of the Year at Edison

High School and most valuable player for water polo ... Has made the

honor roll ... Enrolled at the Center for International Business Studies

... Serves as youth Bible study leader ... Her hobbies are music,

dancing, softball and water sports ... She has remained committed to her

leadership responsibilities at church and school despite having to cope

with her father’s death last year ... Described as an inspiration to

others for her positiveattitude

BRYCE OVEREND

11, a fifth-grader at Harbour View Elementary School ... Member of St.

Bonaventure Catholic Church ... Spearheaded the the project to talk to

850 students at Harbour View about children who were less fortunate and

collected more than 90 boxes of food and new school supplies for the

Orange County Rescue Mission ... Efforts of this project have inspired

other schoolmates to plan similar projects ... Pelican Pride Award ...

Principal’s Award for Excellence for humanitarianism ... Plays baseball,

basketball, soccer, volleyball, surfing and skateboards ... Math Award

... Writing Award ... Member of Student Council ... Junior lifeguard ...

Indian guide with his dad for a year ... Enjoys running ... Favorite

subject is social studies ... Plans to do a lot of wakeboarding during

the summer ... Enjoys helping other people

LAUREN PELLMAN

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Member of the

California Junior Scholastic Federation ... Soccer team placed third in

the county ... Member of the Gifted and Talented Education program ...

Member of the National Charity League ... Volunteer for Huntington Beach

Art Center ... California Junior Scholastic Federation

JOSHUA PENNEY

18, a senior at Edison High School ... .Golden Key Award ... Honorable

mention for Spotlight Award in photography ... Honorable mention for Main

Photo Service Award ... Three academic achievement awards ... Played

baseball, football, soccer and wrestled ... Helped win four soccer

tournament championships ... Took third place in his first wrestling

tournament ... Plans to attend Orange Coast College and then photography

school ... Plans to pursue photography as a career

CATHRYN PERKINS

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Has balanced three varsity sports

-- field hockey, soccer and track and field -- with her academic load ...

Won Scholar Athlete award ... Was named best offense for field hockey ...

Captain of soccer team ... Won honors in geometry, biology and chemistry

... Holds girls’ record at Edison for pole vaulting ... Plans to attend

University of the Pacific in Stockton, where she will play field hockey

and study physical therapy ... Inspired by her older sister, Justine

KATIE PLUMMER

18, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... Member of the First

Baptist Church in Huntington Beach-Fountain Valley ... Water polo team

... Swim team ... Red Cross Club ... Peer Assistant Leadership Club ...

Plays piano ... Student Leadership team at church ... Principal’s Award

for water polo ... Most valuable player for swimming ... Distinguished

Oilers Award ... Helps build homes for the homeless in Mexico through

church ... Stays after church meetings to clean up ... Makes peers aware

of how to connect with senior citizens ... Miss Huntington Beach 2000 ...

Enjoys doing crafts ... Going to Miss California pageant at the end of

June in Fresno ... Will be a nanny on her grandparents’ farm in New

Hampshire during the summer ... Going to Italy with her her mom and her

best friend ... Will attend Pepperdine University in the fall ...

interested in business or education

SARAH REINHART

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made the honor roll

... Member of the California Junior Scholastic Federation ... Girl Scout

Silver Award winner ... Member of the National Charity League ... Self

motivated ... Studies French

AMANDA RICHARDSON

17, a junior at Edison High School ... Shoreline Baptist ... Model United

Nations Gavel Recipient for outstanding delegate award ... Pop Warner

National Scholar Award ... Huntington Beach delegate to Miss Teen

All-America California Pageant ... Involved in student government ...

Yearbook staff ... Peer mediation ... Volleyball ... Cheerleader ...

School site council representative ... Fellowship of Christian Athletes

... Link crew leader for freshman ... Volunteer youth cheerleading coach

... Fellowship leader at church ... Pop Warner cheerleading coach... Will

take classes at Coastline Community College ... Interested in politics

... Plays the guitar

KIRA RIGDON

13, a seventh-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Selected as a

recipient of the most valuable player award for her youth soccer team ...

Plays tennis and volleyball ... Member of a church youth group ... Has

been on the principal’s list ... Her hobbies are going to the beach,

listening to music and watching movies ... Described as a person who is

outgoing and social ... She enjoys the company of toddlers and helping

others

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” RHODES

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Winner of the Award

of Merit for three consecutive years ... Made the honor roll ... Girl

Scout Silver Award winner last month ... Chosen to represent Huntington

Beach in the Tech Trek Science Camp ... Plays piano and sings

RYAN ROSS VALENCIA

11, a fifth-grader at Courreges Elementary School ... Won the Mimi’s Cafe

essay contest ... His Thanksgiving wish to feed the less fortunate was

granted by Mimi’s ... Served a turkey dinner to about 20 men at the

Joseph House in Santa Ana ... Straight-A student since kindergarten ...

Mimi’s Cafe Academic Award ... Plays football and baseball ... Georgia

State Winning Team for Odyssey of the Mind in 1998 ... Was a Boy Scout

for four years ... Collects major league baseball Showdown Baseball Cards

... Enjoys reading ... Fan of professional wrestling ... Likes to swim,

camp and fish ... Favorite sport is handball ... Interested in politics

... Generous and anxious to give back to others .... Concerned about his

community ... DARE program graduate ... Spelling Bee runner up as a

fourth-grader

KATELYN SELLERS

15, a sophomore at Edison High School ... One of the youngest Senior Girl

Scouts in Orange County to receive the Girl Scout Gold Award ...

Organized her local Girl Scout troop to help collect toys and food for

needy families in Orange County ... Member of the junior varsity field

hockey team ... Selected as the most inspiration player on several

occasions ... Serves as Edison High senate commissioner of activities and

member of the school’s Center for International Business Communication’s

Special Presentation Committee ... Her hobbies include shopping, movies,

running, spending time with the family and watching the Denver Broncos

play ... Her favorite subject is history ... Described as a person with a

spirit to give and help others, who is enthusiastic about life

SEAN SHA

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Salutatorian ... Church fellowship

group ... Science Honors Society ... Math Club ... Quiz Bowl ... Academic

Decathlon ... National Merit Scholarship; Chancellor’s Scholarship for UC

Berkeley ... Golden Key in science and social studies ... First Baptist

Church ... Plans to go to UC Berkeley to major in electrical engineering

and computer science ... Wants to become the chief executive officer of

IBM

ALLISON SHEEHAN

14, an eighth-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Made the principal’s

list ... Winner of her school’s best actress achievement award ... Enjoys

sports ... Recipient of the Performing Arts award ... Ocean View School

District outstanding participation award ... Member of the National

Charity League

ADAM SHELDON

13, a seventh-grader at Mesa View Middle School ... Selected the most

valuable goalie for a local youth roller hockey team that has won two

national championship ... Selected as a recipient of the Outstanding

Efforts Award in social studies, math and science, the Academic

Excellence Award, the Scholarship Award for maintaining a 4.0 grade-point

award and the Merit Award ... Volunteers at the Huntington Beach Central

Library ... His hobbies are skateboarding, surfing, video games, golf and

reading ... His favorite subjects are science, math and social studies

... Described as person who is humble, polite, has a good sense of humor

and a desire to assist others ... He is motivated to excel

CHRISTY SLANAKER

15, a sophomore at Edison High School ... Girl Scout Silver Award ...

Girl Scout 10-year pin ... Academic Excellence Award ... Ranked 12 out of

100 for Model United Nations ... On Girl Scout National Council Patrol

for Girl Scout National Council meeting in Kansas City, Mo. ... Track and

field ... Candy striper at Hoag Hospital ... Member of Club BASIC ...

AYSO referee ... Life Teen at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church ...

Works for a wedding florist ... Girl Scout secretary and vice president

of troop

JANA SMITH

18, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Member of the First

Baptist Church in Huntington Beach-Fountain Valley ... Student of the

Month ... Orange County Mock Trial Champion ... Parent, Teacher, Student

Assn. Mathematics Award ... Bible study club leader ... Student

leadership team at church ... Peer counselor for her friends ... Helps

build homes for the homeless in Mexico through church ... Raises money

for the homeless ... Coronet Award for history ... Runs track and

cross-country ... Member of the National Honors Society ... Plays piano

... Photographer for the school newspaper ... Will work at Los Caballeros

Sports Club as a camp counselor for the children’s sports camp ... Will

attend UCLA in the fall ... Described as a servant to others who looks

for ways to make others’ lives better

RONA SMITH

18, a senior at Huntington Beach High School ... ASB Student Advisory

Council representative ... Student representative for school board ...

Captain for varsity field hockey team ... Senior freshman Model United

Nations teacher ... Oiler of the Year ... Power Award Medal in leadership

and English ... Runner up for Youth of the Year for Huntington Beach ...

Voted most talkative by classmates ... Beach cleanup volunteer for

Adopt-A-Beach Program ... Born in Germany ... Loves to ski and draw ...

Senior section editor for yearbook ... Going to USC to major in

communication with a focus media or law

BRANDON STEWART

18, a senior at Fountain Valley High ... ASB president ... Senior of the

Year ... Received the Coronet Award for vocal music ... Received a

scholarship for the arts from Orange County Department of Education ...

Named Young Artist for California by the Young Artist Guild ... Student

director of the Troubadours and choir ... Eagle Scout ... Member of the

Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints ... Youth group member ...

Involved in church and school musical performances ... Played water polo

and swam ... Plays piano ... Went through Junior lifeguard program ...

Likes to snow ski ... Auditioned at The Juilliard School and The Eastman

School of Music ... Will attend Brigham Young University to major in

piano and voice ... Working and water skiing at the Colorado River

DANIEL SUMI

18, a senior at Marina High School ... Won the ESPN essay-writing contest

... Loves to play basketball ... Member of the band prop crew ... Section

leader of the marching band ... Key Club ... Human Relations Club ...

Enjoys music ... Member of the Orange Coast Free Methodist Church Youth

Group... Born 13 ounces and 9 inches tall ... Nicknamed the “Miracle

Baby” because doctors thought he wouldn’t live ... Now stands 4 foot 5

inches ... Won the Betty Webb Scholarship fund for people who beat the

odds ... Hobbies include Nintendo, PlayStation and watching television

... Will attend Orange Coast College in the fall ... Plans to get a job

and relax during the summer

DOREEN SZETO

17, a senior at Ocean View High School ... Valedictorian ...

International Baccalaureate ... Key Club ... Yearbook ... Badminton ...

Model United Nations ... California Scholarship Federation ... National

Merit Scholar ... Principal’s Award ... Student of the Month ... Student

of the Year ... UCLA Regents Scholar ... Played piano at state honors

recital ... AP Scholar with distinction ... Certificate of Merit for

piano ... Candy striper for Hoag Hospital Junior Auxiliary ... Vacation

Bible School teacher ... Bible drill assistant coach ... Unity vocal

octet director ... Hopes to become a missionary overseas or to do

intercity service in the United States

TRAN TANG

18, a senior at Los Amigos High School ... Valedictorian ... Bank of

America math and science plaque ... Student of the Month ... Robert C.

Byrd Honors Scholarship ... California Scholarship Federation ...

Teacher’s aide in religious classes ... March of Dimes ... CHOC walk ...

AIDS Walk ... Walk America ... Key Club ... International Club ... Plans

to attend Cal State Long Beach and earn a bachelor’s degree in aerospace

engineering, then attend Cal Tech to receive a master’s degree

LIAN TONGOY

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Helps to organize Riot Grrrl

Orange County ... Plays drums in the punk band Honeybunny ... Golden Key

nominee ... Won award in photography contest ... Honorable mention in art

contest ... Photo club and track in freshman year ... Likes bowling with

friends ... Also likes pirates, candy and tattoos ... Has weakness for

watching really bad soap operas ... Karate ... Plans to attend Orange

Coast College and then attend an art college for graphic design

ALEX TORRICO

17, a junior at Edison High School ... First place in classical voice for

the Performing Art Center of Los Angeles’ 12th annual Spotlight Awards

... Play basketball ... Races remote-control cars ... Sings at weddings

and special events ... Plays the piano ... Placed first and second in

several vocal competitions ... Received a scholarship to Aspen music

school for the summer

TIM TROUT

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Member of school varsity soccer

team that was the CIF co-champion ... Serves as youth preacher and Bible

study leader at the Lutheran Church of Resurrection ... Summer camp

counselor for four years at Camp Huawi in Texas ... Member of American

Culture Club ... Described as a leader who has demonstrated tremendous

biblical knowledge ... Plans to go to Texas Christian University in Fort

Worth

JENNIFER TSENG

18, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Salutatorian ... Yearbook

editor for seniors section ... National Honor Society Founding Board

publicist and representative chair ... California Scholarship Federation

secretary ... Sophomore and Junior Commission secretary ... Prom

Commission ... AP Scholar with Distinction ... Parent-Teacher-Student

Assn. Award for foreign language ... Coronet Award winner for mathematics

... Named most likely to succeed in the senior class ... Hospital

volunteer ... Tutor for grade school city library at Boys & Girls Club

... Reading program volunteer at the city library ... Community shelter

volunteer ... Page for California Music Teachers’ Assn. ... Plans to

attend UC Berkeley as a Regents Scholar and major in history with a

possible double major in business

LISA VANCE

18, a senior at Edison High School ... Attends Lighthouse Community

Church, where she teaches Sunday school ... Battling back from serious

injury and two knee surgeries, she now plays varsity tennis ... Was

recently added to the Edison tennis hall of fame ... Golden Key in

English ... Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Outstanding

Student Author award ... Orange County Register Scholar Athlete ...

National winner, National Council of Teachers of English award ... State

finalist, Bank of America award ... Model United Nations ... Volunteers

at Share Our Selves

STACY WALLACE

18, a senior at Marina High School ... ASB president ... Commissioner of

pep ... French Club ... Human Relations Club ... Key Club ... Cheerleader

... In top five for homecoming queen ... Homecoming Committee ...

Graduation Committee Co-chair ... Golden Shield plaque winner for English

... Voted most spirited ... Played volleyball and track ... Mentor for

freshmen ... Student of the Month ... Student of the Year ... HOBY Award

... principal’s honor roll ... Will graduate with honors ... Girl Scout

... Summer camp counselor ... Really likes children ... Wants to be an

elementary school teacher ... Big fan of country music ... Will attend

Cal State Long Beach ... Will be going to Las Vegas with her best friend,

Garrity Harris, during the summer ... Will be a camp counselor at ASB

camp in Santa Barbara ... Says her inspiration comes from her parents,

Terri and Jerry

PREVIN WARREN

18, a senior at Fountain Valley High School ... Valedictorian ... Editor

of school newspaper ... President of Philosophy Club .... Editor of

literary publication ... President of the school’s chapter of Amnesty

International ... Team captain of the junior varsity tennis team ...

Literary Society ... Gavel Club ... ASB senator ... Advanced-level

certificate in piano performance ... Bass guitarist in a rock band ...

National Merit Scholarship winner ... Orange County Centennial

Scholarship ... AP Scholar with distinction ... Telluride Scholarship

winner ... Bank of America Certificate winner in social sciences ...

Coronet Award winner in history and social studies ... Literacy volunteer

through the city library ... Orange County Young Democrat ... Volunteers

for Orange County Juvenile Peer Court ... Plans to major in social

studies at Harvard University

STEPHANIE WHITE

10, a fifth-grader at Smith Elementary School ... Active in Girl Scouts

... Helped plant several trees with her troop ... Likes to bike ride and

go places with her friends ... Favorite book is “Harry Potter and the

Chamber of Secrets” ... Recently went to an ‘N Sync concert with her mom,

Kim

STEPHANIE WU

18, a senior at Liberty Christian High School ... Salutatorian ...

Varsity basketball ... Varsity volleyball ... Student council ... Church

youth group ... Homecoming queen ... Athlete of God ... All Express

League for volleyball and basketball ... Most valuable player for

basketball ... All-CIF 2nd Team for basketball ... Key Club ... Will take

two classes at community college -- Chinese and graphic design -- this

summer ... Attending UC San Diego and majoring in media arts

DAISY YU

17, a senior at Edison High School ... First Christian Church

...Commissioner of Community Service and board representative for

Edison’s ASB ... Active in Newspaper Club, Spanish Club, Yearbook

Committee and California Scholarship Federation ... Writes a paid youth

column for the Los Angeles Times ... Met with anti-drug coalition leaders

in Washington, D.C., to discuss raves, teenage alcohol abuse and drug use

... Participated in Knowledge and Social Responsibility Conference ...

Bank of America plaque ... Golden Key Medallion in English ... Honored by

National Council of Teachers ... Plans to attend Boston University and

major in English ... Wants to become a fashion magazine editor

Who did we miss?

We know this is a good sample of the Junior Kahunas out there, but we

also know there are a lot of other outstanding young people in Huntington

Beach, Fountain Valley and Sunset Beach who aren’t mentioned here. We’re

sure you know of plenty of kids who deserve praise and recognition.

Let us know who they are, and we’ll run a follow-up list. All you have to

do is detail the youth’s accomplishments and include his or her name,

age, grade, school and a photo. And please be sure to also include your

contact information.

Mail your Junior Kahunas to the Independent, 18682 Beach Blvd., Suite

160, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.