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Hundreds Turn Out for SchoolPower’s Dodgeball X
More than 380 costumed players on 50 teams ducked, dived and dodged balls at LBHS on October 16 for SchoolPower’s 10th annual Dodgeball Tournament. Each champion team won $500 in prize money to designate to a teacher or school program of their choice. The event raised over $13,000 for SchoolPower! “The kids bring so much excitement and joy to the tournament,” explains Jeff Bhaedhayajibh, first-time coach of We Kick Balls. The popular event included students from all four local schools, teachers, PTA leaders and school staff, Laguna Beach firefighters, and local business supporters. Competition was fierce in all three [...]
Incredible Impact: Hexberg Family Foundation Over $330,000 to Athletics Funding in 9 Years
This year, funding from the Hexberg Family Foundation allowed LBHS Athletics to continue to provide and expand strength training for student athletes. Students flocked to the outdoor “muscle beach” weight stations, coached by a highly qualified staff. “The funded strength training staff has taken our strength program to the next level. Partnering with a trainer who thinks about our conditioning as their top priority has allowed us to run a much more detail-oriented program,” says Ethan Damato, Head Coach Boys & Girls Water Polo. Next year, the Hexberg Family Foundation will continue their support with a $50,000 grant, [...]
Hexberg Family Foundation Receives Hall of Fame Award
On Sunday, June 2, 2019, SchoolPower presented its top honor, “The Hall of Fame Award” (aka The Claes Award), to the Hexberg Family Foundation. The award was created in honor of Claes Andersen, owner of The Hotel Laguna and Claes Restaurant. Andersen opened his restaurant to SchoolPower back in 2001 and underwrote an annual dinner for seven consecutive years, in addition to other generous donations. The Andersen family contributions to SchoolPower totaled over $200,000. With the Andersens as the benchmark, this award is not given lightly. However, it would be hard to find a more deserving recipient than the Hexberg [...]
Inspired Teachers Awarded $111,450
Great teachers inspire their students, but many times, teachers find themselves inspired by their students. Thurston Middle School Health and PE teacher and Ecology Club mentor Penny Herrick-Dressler is one teacher who recognized a need amongst her students and was inspired to act upon it. “The Healthy Kids Survey shows us that our student body is experiencing stress,” she explains. “That stress is negatively impacting other areas of their lives.” Through a discussion with her Ecology Club students, Herrick-Dressler developed the idea to create the "Away Place," an outdoor space on the Thurston campus where students can sit by themselves [...]
3 Clubs Barefoot Golf Tournament Is a Hole-in-One for Laguna Schools
Monday, May 13, marked the fourth annual 3 Clubs Barefoot Canyon Classic at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, benefiting SchoolPower. With the theme of “Peace, Love, & BBQ,” this sold-out event entertained golfers and non-golfers alike. Generously underwritten by The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Hobie, 100% of the over $60,000 raised will benefit our local Laguna Beach schools through SchoolPower. Seventy-six barefoot golfers kicked off the afternoon’s festivities with a friendly nine-hole, four-person scramble competition. As in past years, players tackled some nontraditional shots, including teeing off with a softball bat, driving with opposite-handed clubs, and the replacement [...]
Lumberyard Chef Challenge Dishes Up a Decade of Support For SchoolPower
On April 1 at the Lumberyard restaurant, Laguna school principals dueled as guest “chefs,” serving up competing three-course meals to a sellout crowd of SchoolPower supporters. No, it wasn’t an April Fools joke; it was the 10th year of the Lumberyard Chef Challenge, a beloved event that this year raised over $10,000 for SchoolPower. The event was conceived by Lumberyard owners Cary and Suzanne Redfearn. “It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. Based loosely on reality cooking shows, it is a night of chef-inspired food along with the opportunity to mingle with the principals and other community [...]
Incredible Impact: Holly & Dave Wilson’s $1,000,000 to SchoolPower
During this year’s Dinner Dance, SchoolPower recognized the Wilson family for their unprecedented support over the past 38 years. Dave Wilson spoke about the importance of supporting all students in public schools and announced an additional gift to bring the Wilson’s lifetime support for SchoolPower to $1MM! The funds the Wilsons have infused into our schools will have an impact on students for years to come.
SchoolPower Executive Director Announces Departure
When her oldest son was in kindergarten, Robin Rounaghi started volunteering for SchoolPower, a foundation that has raised money for Laguna Beach public schools since 1981. Her son is now a college sophomore. After many years as a SchoolPower trustee, including two stints as president, and the last five years growing the organization as executive director, Rounaghi this week announced her exit from the organization this summer for family reasons. “It was beautiful to watch Robin be the caretaker and enabler of the goals and aspirations of the teachers, district leaders and parents. Robin has been a wonderful gift [...]
Special Parent Receives SchoolPower’s Top Award
The award was created in honor of the late Claes Andersen, owner of Hotel Laguna and Claes Restaurant. Andersen opened his restaurant to SchoolPower back in 2001 and underwrote an annual dinner for seven consecutive years, in addition to other generous donations. The Andersen family contributions totaled over $200,000 to SchoolPower… Read More
SchoolPower Endowment Gives $50,000 to LBUSD’s Rocket Ready Program
SchoolPower Endowment funded $50,000 towards LBUSD’s game-changing “Rocket Ready” program, which focuses on project-based learning and teacher development. The gift will fund the classroom projects portion of the pilot program. Chris Clark, Endowment’s president, says, “SchoolPower Endowment is excited to fund $50,000 for the Rocket Ready classroom projects. We want to congratulate Mike Morrison (LBUSD’s Chief Technology Officer) and the terrific team at LBUSD for making Rocket Ready a reality! We are all very proud to be a part of this ground-breaking effort.” The innovative program could have nationwide impact as other districts adopt LBUSD’s Rocket Ready model. “The [...]
