Jog A Thon

El Morro Elementary School's 600 students participated in the annual jog-a-thon, the school's largest fundraiser, on Friday. Students ran at staggered intervals based on their grade level. Organizers will know by the end of the month how much money the youngsters raised, event chairwoman Hilary Gilles said. "I could not be more proud of the kids; they brought it," Gilles said. If the school reaches its goal of $55,000, then students will enjoy an ice cream party April 11. —Bryce Alderton

Top of the World Elementary School students raced around the Laguna Beach field during the campus' annual jog-a-thon March 21. Students will turn in their donations by April 4 and hope to meet the school's $55,000 fundraising goal, event chairwoman Stephanie Rounaghi wrote in an email. Money raised will fund art, outdoor gardening and after-school programs. Other jog-a-thon committee members include Gorjana Griffin, Mele Brobeck, Patti Compton and Traci Duncan, Rounaghi said.

El Morro Elementary School students hit the ground running Wednesday for their annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the PTA. All grades participated, from kindergarten through fifth, excitedly running laps on the field and high-fiving teachers and parents. "It's the No. 1 fundraiser at the school," said PTA President Elaine Brashier. "As you can see, everybody gets involved. " Students had the option to ask sponsors for an amount per lap or a one-time pledge.

More than 550 students took to the field running in the El Morro Jog-a-thon March 20 in the school PTA?s largest annual fundraiser. Before the event, students went door to door, made phone calls, and sent e-mails collecting donations from family, friends, and neighbors. In addition to raising money to help pay for school programs, students learned about good health and exercise as they trained during gym classes and recess with staff coaches and school Principal Chris Duddy. The morning started in the balloon-filled field, with a DJ spinning rock tunes as the kids warmed up and stretched, led by parents.

Kerry Rubel On Friday, March 11, students at Top of the World School participated in their annual jog-a-thon. It was a festive morning as students ran, walked or jogged around our soccer field in their new TOW jog-a-thon T-shirts designed by fifth-grader Lucy Koch. The jog-a-thon committee, headed by Bettina Rey, did an awesome job organizing the fun-filled event. Proceeds from the jog-a-thon support TOW PTA programs such as Local Color, Class Act, after-school programs and technology support.

Next Coffee Break Wednesday The next Coffee Break is a special evening event from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Surf and Sand Hotel. The topic is "Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers" by Michael Riera, Ph.D. Cost is $5 and includes dessert. For information, call Judith Anderson at (949) 494-0447. Judges needed for speech contest St. Catherine's Catholic School is looking for a few judges for its annual speech contest on Nov. 26. Those interested in judging should call Doranne Lacayo at (949)

Boutique set for computer programs The Laguna Beach High School computer department will have its second annual boutique to raise money for the computer programs. The boutique will take place from 11 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the high school's main quad area. College Round-Up at high school Laguna Beach High School will hold its 30th annual College Round-Up from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday in the North Gym. There will be two information sessions prior to the event: College Information for junior parents from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 81, and a Financial Aid workshop for senior parents from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 65. The general public is welcome at all events.

Kerry Rubel 'Tis the season for giving. Students at Top of the World School have been busy collecting Toys for Tots and Teens to be donated to the Marine Corps Reserves for distribution this holiday season. In addition, the fifth-grade classes held their annual Charity Boutique on Wednesday to raise money to donate to charities. Fifth-graders used business models to manufacture goods and provide services for their boutique. Our community also gave generously to our school by donating to our annual Jog-A-Thon T-shirt sponsorship program called the Dolphin Club.

El Morro exceeds Jog-a-Thon goal On April 15, El Morro Elementary School students got to taste the fruit of their accomplishments with free ice cream in honor of raising $50,000 with their annual Jog-a-Thon. An ice cream truck came to the school offering ice cream, popsicles and alternatives for kids with food allergies. The Jog-a-Thon was March 30, organized by El Morro PTA, to raise funds for school programs. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year. The Laguna College of Art & Design is welcoming a new eco-friendly course, Project GREEN.

College students in cartoon challenge Laguna College of Art & Design students Karina Gazizova, Sierra Lewis, George Yang, Lee Tong and Krystina Haggerty have been selected to compete against students from nine other schools May 17-20 at the Kalamazoo Animation Festival International in Michigan. In January, LCAD students were given a topic "The Egg" — and asked by the school to create a story, design characters and storyboards, and fully animate and edit the 30-second film in 24 hours.

Top of the World Elementary School students raced around the Laguna Beach field during the campus' annual jog-a-thon March 21. Students will turn in their donations by April 4 and hope to meet the school's $55,000 fundraising goal, event chairwoman Stephanie Rounaghi wrote in an email. Money raised will fund art, outdoor gardening and after-school programs. Other jog-a-thon committee members include Gorjana Griffin, Mele Brobeck, Patti Compton and Traci Duncan, Rounaghi said.

El Morro Elementary School's 600 students participated in the annual jog-a-thon, the school's largest fundraiser, on Friday. Students ran at staggered intervals based on their grade level. Organizers will know by the end of the month how much money the youngsters raised, event chairwoman Hilary Gilles said. "I could not be more proud of the kids; they brought it," Gilles said. If the school reaches its goal of $55,000, then students will enjoy an ice cream party April 11. —Bryce Alderton

Last Friday was the day of jog-a-thons with both elementary schools jogging to raise money for educational programs. El Morro Elementary School students ran more than 14,000 laps at its annual jog-a-thon. The school received an anonymous pledge of $5,000 if they met that number, and 600 students (kindergarten through fifth grade) met the challenge, jog-a-thon committee member Ann Henry wrote in an email. The event is the PTA's largest annual fundraiser. Sponsors may contribute a flat amount or pledge an amount for each lap a student runs, Henry said.

El Morro exceeds Jog-a-Thon goal On April 15, El Morro Elementary School students got to taste the fruit of their accomplishments with free ice cream in honor of raising $50,000 with their annual Jog-a-Thon. An ice cream truck came to the school offering ice cream, popsicles and alternatives for kids with food allergies. The Jog-a-Thon was March 30, organized by El Morro PTA, to raise funds for school programs. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year. The Laguna College of Art & Design is welcoming a new eco-friendly course, Project GREEN.

El Morro Elementary School students hit the ground running Wednesday for their annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the PTA. All grades participated, from kindergarten through fifth, excitedly running laps on the field and high-fiving teachers and parents. "It's the No. 1 fundraiser at the school," said PTA President Elaine Brashier. "As you can see, everybody gets involved. " Students had the option to ask sponsors for an amount per lap or a one-time pledge.

More than 550 students took to the field running in the El Morro Jog-a-thon March 20 in the school PTA?s largest annual fundraiser. Before the event, students went door to door, made phone calls, and sent e-mails collecting donations from family, friends, and neighbors. In addition to raising money to help pay for school programs, students learned about good health and exercise as they trained during gym classes and recess with staff coaches and school Principal Chris Duddy. The morning started in the balloon-filled field, with a DJ spinning rock tunes as the kids warmed up and stretched, led by parents.

SchoolPower plans Dinner Dance Laguna Beach High School alumni and SchoolPower Vice-President Jeff Spurlock presented the school?s athletics department with more than $30,000 in funding at a Feb. 5 basketball game. Spurlock thanked parents in the crowd for supporting SchoolPower?s Community Campaign and attending its annual golf tournament, and congratulated the teams for their great seasons. The first check for $15,805 represented 20% of the golf tournament proceeds, which are earmarked annually for high school athletics.

El Morro and Top of the World Elementary Schools held their Jog-a-thon fundraisers last Friday under brilliant blue skies. The Jog-a-thons are some of the most important fundraising events for the schools' PTAs, which use the money raised for special programs, field trips and assemblies. Each student was asked to find sponsors who would pledge for every lap the child completed. Students with the highest number of laps will receive awards. "We're way ahead of last year's pace," El Morro Principal Chris Duddy said of the fundraising.

College students in cartoon challenge Laguna College of Art & Design students Karina Gazizova, Sierra Lewis, George Yang, Lee Tong and Krystina Haggerty have been selected to compete against students from nine other schools May 17-20 at the Kalamazoo Animation Festival International in Michigan. In January, LCAD students were given a topic "The Egg" — and asked by the school to create a story, design characters and storyboards, and fully animate and edit the 30-second film in 24 hours.