Alexander DiFonzo of Newport Beach was recently...

Alexander DiFonzo of Newport Beach was recently promoted to the rank

of cadet sergeant at St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kan. His

parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ken DiFonzo of Newport Beach. St. John’s

provides an education for young men from around the world in grades

seven through 12. The Cadet Command, Army Junior Reserve Officers’

Training Corps, has designated St. John’s as an honor school with

distinction, which indicates the highest level of excellence in cadet

training and discipline.

On Jan. 29, St. Joachim Catholic School students raised more than

$1,000 to help tsunami victims. The students hosted a toy sale, and

all students were asked to contribute by donating toys they either

grew out of or no longer used. More than 500 toy items were donated,

bringing in $344. In addition to the toy sale, students Garrett Post

and Charlotte Gaitan canvassed their neighborhoods and hosted bake

sales, raising an additional $721. St. Joachim sent the $1,065 to the

Catholic Relief Fund for the benefit of the tsunami victims.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Andy D. Luu, a 2003 graduate of Costa Mesa

High School, recently completed the U.S. Navy basic training course

at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. He is the son of

Thu N. Tran and Nghi H. Luu of Costa Mesa. During the eight-week

program, Luu completed a variety of training, which included

classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first

aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and

aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

* NEIGHBORS spotlights achievements in the community. Please

direct noteworthy information to Lindsay Sandham by fax at (714)

966-4679, or send e-mail to lindsay.sandham @latimes.com.