Three local high students were the guests of honor at the Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated Friendship and Flowers Scholarship Luncheon on June 7 at the Courtyard by Marriott.
The scholarship award winners who each received $1,000 were Ashley Giraud of Los Alamitos High School (Los Alamitos), Michael Parsons of John F. Kennedy High School (La Palma), and Rachel Wahhab of Oxford Academy High School (Cypress). Cypress Mayor Leroy Mills performed the invocation and awarded the scholarships.
Other guests at the event included Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who finished first in the primary for the 34th state Senate District, and Southern California Republican Women Federated President Christine Flynn.
“There was excitement throughout the event because everyone worked so hard to raise the funds to deliver these scholarships,” said President Margene Walz. “It was historic for the Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Club that we were able to distribute three scholarships at $1,000 each.”
Seniors at Los Alamitos High School, Cypress High School, Oxford High School, Kennedy High School and Garden Grove High School were invited to compete for the scholarships. Interested seniors provided information about their scholastic achievements and which college or university has accepted them. They also had to submit a 500-word essay answering the question, “How does the Constitution affect my life?”
According to Committee Chairwoman Nancy Hathcock, the club’s scholarship committee reviewed the applications and selected the three students whose essay and high school achievements best represented non-partisan American ideals. “This year was especially challenging because almost all of the entries were outstanding. We can be very proud of the three graduates who were selected to receive the scholarships.”
Entertainment was provided by Patrick Bell, baritone and magician who engaged the audience with his masterful tricks while singing opera and ballads.
“This is my third year in the club and I am having a lot of fun while working to advance Republican candidates,” said member Rosemary Trez, who worked with Susan Short in transforming the ballroom into a garden at the awards luncheon.
The Rossmoor-Los Alamitos RWF Club serves the areas of Rossmoor, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. For more information contact Margene Walz at wmargene@msn.com or 562-857-3962.
