Category: our team

Dodgeball XII Is a Blast for Laguna Beach Schools

  More than 370 costumed players on 47 teams bounced, blasted, and bumped balls at Laguna Beach High School on October 10 for SchoolPower’s 12th annual Dodgeball Tournament. “The dodgeball tournament is the best! Seeing the boys and girls play together in a light-hearted and competitive sport with hilarious costumes is so much fun for the kids…and parents,” said Zane Sweet, whose son played for Da Evil Minions. This event “is the perfect opportunity for our community to come together,” added Craig Ballard, first-time coach of the Eminem’s. “It’s a great reminder of how lucky we are to live [...]

Dodgeball XI Includes More Students Than Ever Before

More than 370 costumed players on 48 teams ducked, dodged, and dived for balls at Laguna Beach High School on October 12 for SchoolPower’s 11th annual Dodgeball Tournament. This year’s event, returning for the first time since 2019, focused on connecting the community and included more students than ever before. “We’re thrilled to be a part of such a creative and exciting tradition,” explained Shannon Nash, first-time coach of the El Morro Maniacs. “The kids will always remember this epic event.” LBHS’s Dance Company kicked off the event with a choreographed routine. Adding to the energy were Dodgeball chairs [...]

Vigil for Principal Duddy – 5:30 p.m. LBHS Field

Dear SchoolPower community, Along with the entire LBUSD community, we are devastated by the loss of Chris Duddy, El Morro Elementary School principal. Tonight would have been his last Open House as he planned to retire at the end of this school year. Open House was one of his favorite nights and the community would like to honor his love of El Morro and its families. Parents and families -- past and present -- are invited to come together tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Laguna Beach High School’s Guyer Field to honor Mr. Duddy at a short candlelight vigil. Please [...]

Happy 40th Birthday, SchoolPower!

Thanks to our generous donors, we've supported over 10,000 students with over $13,000,000 since 1981. We are honored to be recognized by the District for 40 years of partnership and support.

Meital Taub Of Meital Taub Luxury Group Receives 2021 Hall Of Fame Award

On Sunday, June 6, 2021, SchoolPower presented its top honor, “The Hall of Fame Award,” to Meital Taub, leader of Meital Taub Luxury Group of First Team | Christie’s International. Taub has consistently supported SchoolPower since her oldest daughter started kindergarten in 2010, while growing her career in real estate to become one of the top 200 real estate agents out of 1.4 million in the US--a fact that places her among the top .01% of agents nationwide. “I have lived in Laguna for almost 20 years and have always been involved in my kids' activities through various organizations [...]

Allison And Tom Motherway Receive 2021 Bill Steel Award

On Sunday, June 6, 2021, SchoolPower presented “The Bill Steel Award,” its annual recognition of exceptional volunteerism, to Allison and Tom Motherway. The Motherways have been passionate, unwavering supporters of SchoolPower for over a decade. After hearing about SchoolPower through friends, they joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 when their daughters were students at Top of the World Elementary. “The more we learned, the more we got behind its mission,” says Allison. “We truly believe in the value of investing in public education, not just for our kids, but for every kid in the community. We are grateful [...]

The Power of Community

This week, we came together and raised over $175,000 to help over 300 families in our district who are facing financial hardship. I am proud to announce we have exceeded our goal. We are blown away by the generosity of this community and so thankful for all 176 donors who got us to this point. Yesterday, we reached the initial goal of $150,000 after a surprise $50,000 gift from the Wayne Peterson Fund of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation. Today, Carol and Dennis Berryman gave an additional $25,000 to enable us to do even more to help families! We [...]

A Note of Gratitude

We are thankful to you! This community's generous support of SchoolPower has strengthened our schools and directly benefitted students since 1981. This year, students need our support more than ever. We are grateful for the social emotional support team and programs that your donations helped put into place. Through grants made possible by your gifts, our teachers and coaches are well supported as they teach in new ways. We appreciate your support and the opportunity to continue to help Laguna students thrive. As you celebrate the holiday today, perhaps in a whole new way, I hope you are able to [...]

SchoolPower Sets Goal to Raise $150,000 for LBUSD Families on Giving Tuesday

This Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020, SchoolPower will launch an effort to raise $150,000 for its COVID Impact Fund to help Laguna Beach school district families in need. “Over 300 students in Laguna Beach schools are eligible for free and reduced-price meals--that’s 11% of the student body,” says SchoolPower Executive Director Sarah Durand. “Our goal is to provide real help for students and families in our small community, many of whom are experiencing major challenges due to the pandemic.” SchoolPower is partnering with LBUSD to amplify the district’s support of students and families in need and secure resources for [...]

SchoolPower Invites Community to Join Together in Supporting Students, Teachers & Families

SchoolPower kicked off its community campaign with a $10,000 gift to Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach from its newly formed COVID Impact Fund. SchoolPower’s community fundraising efforts this year will focus on immediate help for students, teachers, and school district families. “This year, more than ever, I think we all want to help. We want to ensure our educators have the resources to effectively deliver instruction within the constraints of the health authorities, and we also want to make sure we help district families who are struggling,” says SchoolPower Executive Director Sarah Durand. SchoolPower’s gift to the Boys [...]