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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 [...]
Fund-a-Need Update: Navigating the Information Age
This fall, LBUSD hired a Digital Media and Library Specialist and two part-time teacher coaches to improve digital literacy and bring coding and computer science to our classrooms. Teachers Brian Kull and Carrie Denton have been active in the elementary classrooms, exposing kids to the basics of coding through hands-on activities as well as a block-based language that teaches the logic and foundations of Python. In high school, Stephanie Gamache works with students to help them develop strong research skills, including keyword search logic and database navigation.The $185,500 raised by SchoolPower at our annual Dinner Dance made it possible for [...]
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 [...]
“Outside The Box” Is A Smash Success For Laguna Schools
SchoolPower, Laguna Beach’s Education Foundation, hosted its 34th Annual Dinner Dance Outside the Box on February 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Chaired by Gorjana Reidel and Gina Alshuler, the event grossed over $330,000 for Laguna Beach schools. SchoolPower President Mike Houlahan welcomed over 300 guests, and announced that SchoolPower recently achieved the $500,000 fundraising goal of the Wave of Giving campaign that began in the Fall. Both attendees and supporters from home bid furiously on silent auction items, including a week-long stay in Deer Valley, a tour experience with the Dave Matthews Band, VIP passes to the Magic [...]
Fund-a-Need: Building Your Future Self
One hundred percent of the $175,850 raised at Dinner Dance 2019 will go toward this initiative, which includes curriculum and online resources related to strengths finding and career exploration, new high school classes focused on advanced research and business entrepreneurship, and a mentor program that involves strengths coaching and industry visits to connect students with professionals in the Laguna Beach community and beyond.
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.
Building Your Future Self Fund-a-Need
Connecting students to their strengths, nurturing their interests and igniting their passions. One hundred percent of the $175,850 raised at Dinner Dance 2019 will go toward this initiative, which includes curriculum and online resources related to strengths finding and career exploration, new high school classes focused on advanced research and business entrepreneurship, and a mentor program that involves strengths coaching and industry visits to connect students with professionals in the Laguna Beach community and beyond. “We can't thank SchoolPower enough for providing Laguna Beach schools with the financial resources needed to provide our kids with an exceptional learning experience.” [...]
Dodgeball IX
Dodgeball IX proved to be wildly popular, fiercely competitive and FUN! Over 420 costumed players on 55 teams battled for glory Wednesday in the LBHS gyms. Each champion won $500 in prize money to designate to a teacher or school program of their choice. The event raised over $13,000 for SchoolPower! Special shout-out to event photographer Kristin Karkoska of Blue Sky's Studio who donated her time and captured some amazing shots of all the teams. [...]
