Patricia Morgan
Spirits were high as the members of the Class of 2003 donned their
caps and gowns for the first time to attend Honors Convocation on
Wed., June 4. This ceremony marks the beginning of the "graduation
season" for seniors, which will culminate on June 19 when they
receive their diplomas. Students applied in January for myriad
scholarships offered through the Scholarship Foundation, a program
unique to Laguna Beach High in its scope and generosity. Anticipation
is intense, as recipients' names are "top secret." This year, a total
of 250 awards were given, with 104 presentations at Convocation, for
a total of $154,000.
Before the event, Lee Kucera, president of the Scholarship
Foundation for two years, presided over a reception honoring donors
and teacher Dee Brislin who, despite a medical leave, has continued
to work with dedication on this project, which she believes
"nourishes the souls of the students".
Top winners were Ashley Liddiard with $8,750 (including the Anna
Mary Beck Business Administration award in the amount of $6,750);
Nathan Greene $7,900; Geonelle Smith $6,300; Allie Phelps $5,600; and
Annie Cronin $5,300. The First Team Nolan Scholarship for $5,000 went
to Halley Fitzpatrick. There are many heart-warming stories behind
the scholarships. One of the earlier awards, the Fagan Memorial, came
about when a high school student selflessly helped an old widow over
the years. When she passed away, she left her cottage to the
Scholarship Fund, and those initial $150,000 have funded awards to
students planning to go into medical careers. The honorees were Annie
Cronin, Nathan Greene, Angelina Moore, Allie Phelps and Quinn
Johnson.
The Weaver Family decided a while back to give each other no more
presents at Christmas or birthdays, but rather to increment the
scholarship they offer our high school students. As Drew Weaver
presented, he exhorted students to give: "Give time, give ideas; if
you are a teenager and know it all, convey it all to a 12-year-old so
they will know it." Kelly Nicholas, planning to become an architect,
received $3,700 to make the world a more beautiful place. Co-editors
of the school newspaper, "The Brush & Palette," David Bean and
Geonelle Smith, received the Barbara Diamond Excellence in Journalism
distinction. The best Laguna Beach Lifeguard was Angelina Moore.
There were many athletic awards, with Chris Stansbury being named
Outstanding Athlete by the News-Post, but with the graduation of
