THE CROWD:

On this national birthday weekend, permit me to remind you of an unusual fact concerning John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Adams and Jefferson, our nation’s second and third presidents, both passed away July 4, 1826.

How appropriate that these two remarkable lives would come to an end on the day that they were instrumental in creating and that will be remembered for all time.

David G. McCullough, author of the biography “John Adams,” which was recently translated into an epic television production on HBO, was also the subject of a documentary made by the producers in which McCu- llough was inter- viewed concern- ing his personal philo- sophy as it related to the character of the men he had chronicled.

To paraphrase McCullough, he stated that the greatness of Adams, Jefferson and many other Americans, was and is the noble pursuit of excellence.

In other words, the goal to exceed expectations, to excel as human beings in whatever the personal pursuit might happen to be. To extrapolate, a great part of the American experience as defined by so many men and women over more than four centuries since the first immigrants landed on the Eastern seaboard at the dawn of the 17th century is the spirit of noblesse oblige.

Not all people, including some of our leaders, embody the humanitarian selfless spirit of striving to do better to help the common good. However, then and now there are good people who continue to make a difference.

On this Fourth of July holiday weekend it is therefore appropriate to laud the excellence of some of the young people in our local society who have demonstrated outstanding achievement.

Last weekend on the lawn fronting the main channel of the Newport Harbor of The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, the annual “Opening of the Summer Season” ceremonies unfolded, noted by the state and Newport Beach as the official launch of summer on the Orange Coast.

A serious purpose captivated the crowd as more than $60,000 in scholarships was awarded to Newport-Mesa youth. Created some 15 years ago by a small cadre of dedicated women of The Balboa Bay Club, the scholarship fund has grown and to date has awarded more than $400,000 in grants, among the largest unrestricted scholarships in Newport Beach.

As the Harbor Patrol vessel blew large streams of water into the air over the bay, and a cannoneer sounded a large boom followed by Moonlight Express orchestra playing a rousing rendition of the national anthem, families, friends and even beachcombers attired in swimwear, gathered around to witness the presentation of two $20,000 first-place awards presented to Jameson W. Galey and Rachel Maher of Newport Harbor High. Galey will attend USC, entering with a 4.434 GPA. Maher has been admitted to UC San Diego with a 4.44 GPA and plans to study biology.

Receiving the second-place awards of $5,000 each were Stefan Kaluz Jr. from Corona Del Mar High School, and Chantel O’Toole from Estancia High School. Kaluz will attend Brown University in the fall. O’Toole is headed to UC Santa Barbara.

Also honored was Newport Harbor High School’s Ronnie D’Cruz, who received a $5,000 grant from the E. Morris Smith Governor’s Scholarship at The Balboa Bay Club.

This award each year goes to a student athlete and comes via the generosity of the Smith family of Lido Isle. D’Cruz graduates with a 3.96 GPA and will attend the University of San Diego where he will play baseball.

In addition, a number of $1,000 grants were awarded to deserving runners-up from all of the local Newport-Mesa high schools.

Presenting the awards were Dr. Norman Loats, former superintendent of schools, and distinguished community leaders Henry Schielein and John Wortmann.

Also on hand for the ceremonies were Catherine Thyen, Rita Sprinkel, Marilyn Wooten, Ramona Smith, Bob and Gini Robins and a host of local dignitaries including Bill Wheeler, commodore of the Huntington Harbor Yacht Club, Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich, council members Don Webb and Steve Rosanski, and City Manager Homer Bludau.

The message this Fourth of July weekend is taken from the great American writer and patriot David G. McCullough. Striving to excel at any endeavor is the real key to achieving the American dream.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

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