Americana Awards Program 2026

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

The Westin Anaheim Resort

AWARDS

st Americana Awards Gala

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

The Westin Anaheim Resort

Silent Auction & Reception

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

AWARDS

2026 SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Total Environmental Management

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Bobbie Stovall

George Orff

GOLD SPONSOR

Catherine Sorensen

FLORAL SPONSOR

Petal and Leaf (formerly Conroy’s Flowers of Cypress)

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE SPONSORS

ENO Brands, Forest Lawn Memorial – Parks & Mortuaries

PATRIOT SPONSOR EMCOR

FOUNDER SPONSORS

Cathay Bank, Golden State Water Company, Les Lewis

BENEFACTOR SPONSORS

Applied Air, ARCA-MCA, Boys & Girls Club of Stanton, City of Buena Park, City of Cypress, City of La Palma, City of Stanton, Cypress College Associated Students, Gay Hannah, Dr. Margie Lewis, Paul Lussman, North Orange County Community College District, Seal Beach Lions, SMACNA Southern California, Southern California Edison, Stanton Lions Club, Tuesday Evening Publications, The Westin Anaheim Resort

OPPORTUNITY DRAWING SPONSORS

REMAX Tiffany - Delight & Nicole, Happy Jewelers

SPIRIT SPONSORS

Cypress College Swap Meet, Joanna and Steve Schilling, Ken & Robin Vecchiarelli, MAAS, Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, Payden & Rygel, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, SoCalGas

PATRON SPONSORS

Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, Dr. Barbara Dunsheath & James Finn, DMG, Kevin Jones, Paulette Chaffee, Piper Sandler & Co., Rodeo 39 Public Market

STAR SPONSORS

Boydstun Realty & Property Management, Inc., Bryan & Maura Ventura, Cliff Ishii, Clifford Lester, Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Swift, Evergreen Alliance, Paul & Carol Bostwick, Phil & Barbie Wendel, Sandie & Dr. Terry McCarthy, Drs. Scott W. & Maria Thayer, Stephen and Susan Faessel, The Westin Anaheim Resort

*as of 3/17/26

AWARDS

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

PROGRAM

PRESENTATION OF COLORS...................................................... Anaheim Police Department Honor Guard

NATIONAL ANTHEM........................................................................................................................... Kaleigh Longmeyer

Cypress College Student

INVOCATION..............................................................................................................................................Invocation Speaker

AMERICANA MASTER OF CEREMONIES....................................................................................... Jim Vanderpool

Retired City Manager, Buena Park and Anaheim

AMERICANA CO-CHAIRS WELCOME..........................................................................Carmen Koo & Kevin Tsao Americana Committee Co-Chairs

PRESENTING SPONSOR .Jim Hindman

CEO, Total Environmental Management

AMERICANA WELCOME.............................................................................................................................. Curtis Scheetz

President, Cypress College Foundation Board of Directors Howard Kummerman

Executive Director, Cypress College Foundation

STUDENT SPEAKER.............................................................................................................................Kaili Quynh Nguyen

Cypress College Student

LIVE AUCTION AND FUND-A-NEED...........................................................................................................Zack Krone Auctioneer

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS................................................................................................................... Dr. Scott W. Thayer

President, Cypress College

OPPORTUNITY DRAWINGS............................................................................................................Kaili Quynh Nguyen

Cypress College Student

PERSON OF THE YEAR........................................................................................................................................George Orff

PRESENTATION OF THE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR ...................................................................Jim Vanderpool

GOD BLESS AMERICANA ............................................................................................................... Kaleigh Longmeyer

Cypress College Student

Thanks to Americana All-Stars members: Gary Gopar – Director, Yayo Morales – Drums, Will Brahm – Guitar, Dominic Almazan – Keyboard, Darian Serratos – Bass

Foundation Establishes Legacy Society

You Can Impact Students’ Lives Forever!

Leaving a lasting legacy by establishing an endowment does just that, and you can specify how you want your gift used.

You can fund the endowment now, over time, or through a bequest in your will or trust. Talk to our planned giving expert to learn about various options.

The following people have committed to creating their legacy. Can we add your name to this list?

Legacy Society Members (in order of signing)

CHARTER MEMBERS

Sandie & Dr. Terry McCarthy

Beth Piburn

Margie Lewis

Gail Taylor

Bill Garcia

Kay and Mal Bruce

David Shawver

Mariellen Yarc Lussman and Paul Lussman

Pat Ganer

James and Cathy Phillips

Cheryl Marshall

Curtis and Jill Scheetz

Donna Friess

Diane Henry

Raul Alvarez and Nan

Alvarez-Gray

Barbara Dunsheath and James Finn

Walt and Ethel Bowman

Phil Dykstra and Lisa Gaetje

Pat and Marilyn O’Brien

Brent and Sherry Hunter

Karen Cant

Joel Gober

Michael and Jana Kasler

Robert and Denise Simpson

Joyce Ricci and Mike Donnelly

Nancy Byrnes

JoAnna and Steven Schilling

Lydia and Jay Sondhi

Delight and Robert Sittman

Lynette Young

Michael Frey

Rebecca Gomez

Pamela Kahn

Irma Ramos

Cliff and Sharon Lester

Kathleen Reiland

Cherie Dickey

MEMBERS

Regina Rhymes

Jack and Lacreta Scott

Donald R. Brand

Ilma Cunningham

Howard and Deborah Kummerman

Paul de Dios

Ron Armale

Paulo Morales

Beth Nielsen

Rachel Ghatikar

Bonna Campellone

Deanne Bloomquist

Brinda Subramaniam

Richard Hock

Barry Siegel

Shivon Ozinga

Brenda Vosbein in memory of Diana Olson

Mike Sellers

Kevin Tsao

Eldon Young

Kevin Jones

Don Hudson

Michael Klyde

If you have already included Cypress College in your will or trust, thank you! Please let the Foundation Of�ice know so that we can recognize you for your generosity.

To join the Legacy Society or for more information contact: Howard Kummerman, Executive Director

Or Rachel Ghatikar, Director of Development

Cypress College Foundation 714.484.7128

Focusing on Student Impact

Maximizing impact through a gift funding the Greatest Need

Students at Cypress College experience various challenges affecting their academic success. They often suffer from food insecurity, unexpected unemployment, child care and elder care hardships, homelessness, mental health issues, and many other barriers to their success. Sometimes students simply need funds to purchase a book or even diapers. Oftentimes our most successful students need a little help just to stay in school and remove the everyday stressors that prevent them from continuing their college journey.

A gift to the Foundation’s Greatest Need Program is the most impactful way to provide �lexibility when supporting students’ everyday necessities. Funds often offer Emergency Assistance in the form of grants or loans and �ill the gap for student scholarships helping students who might not otherwise receive an award.

Making a lifetime impact through a Cypress College Foundation Legacy Society Endowment

Your gift will ensure that students will receive scholarship awards in perpetuity, recognizing your commitment to the college beyond your lifetime.

Your Legacy Society Endowment will grow through the Foundation investment portfolio with earnings used to support students through scholarships or any other pre-determined programmatic purpose. You can add to the endowment each year, further growing its impact on students. When you provide scholarships for students, they not only receive the monetary support, but also are further encouraged through the knowledge that someone believes in them and their success. Donors and scholarship recipients also bene�it from the Scholarship Awards Ceremony. You and your student recipient will both be recognized and have the opportunity to meet and discuss the impact of the scholarship.

SINCE OPENING IN 1966 CYPRESS COLLEGE HAS BEEN

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

CYPRESS

Cypress College – the beautiful, thriving campus that you see today – has modest beginnings in 1966. On September 12, most of the initial student body of 1,200 stood around the �lagpole with a barely dry concrete footing for the �irst �lag raising, complete with a Marine color guard and several dignitaries present.

The new community college campus was dubbed the “Instant Campus” by Newsweek Magazine because of the mere 74 days that intervened between the digging of the �irst shovelful of dirt and the beginning of classes. Indeed, the main electrical transformer for the classrooms was turned on just hours before the �irst class sessions began. The buildings were all temporary modular constructions, though some of these “temporary” buildings continued in service for over 40 years!

The �irst students to apply at Cypress College were indeed an intrepid, pioneering group, for when they applied, there was no campus, only a few apartments and houses converted to administrative of�ices, and a place to register students. But register they did, and the college’s �irst semester started on schedule with students taking classes with a bare-bones curriculum. After the �irst year, 25 transfers to the college became its �irst graduates.

Cypress College has since grown into the beautiful 112-acre campus that it is today, one of the most attractive campuses in the state and nation. It was ranked the #1 community college in California by Niche.com, a well-respected school search platform, in both 2018 and 2020. For two years in a row in 2021 and 2022, Cypress College has been named an Equity Champion of Higher Education for Latinx Students. Cypress College was also honored as a 2023 Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College. In 2025, Cypress College was recognized as a top 100 community college in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Raise the Bar Initiative.

Today, approximately 16,000 students attend Cypress College each semester, taking courses that range from advanced calculus to business management, dental assisting and hygiene, air conditioning and refrigeration, kinesiology, and human services. The college now offers 166 career-certi�icate programs, associate degrees in 102 areas of study, and 39 transfer degrees. Since 2017, Cypress College has also offered a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service on campus, one of the 15 founding bachelor’s degree programs in any �ield offered at a California community college. Starting fall 2026, Cypress College will also offer a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, kicking off with an initial cohort of students who have already earned their associate degree in dental hygiene.

Cypress College students have access to wraparound academic and support services and programs, and many have gone on to succeed at four-year institutions across the nation. Cypress College transfers consistently do as well, or better, academically as their peers who began their education at the four-year school. The college’s Career Technical Education programs are also premier, with several ranked among the best in the nation. The preponderance of respondents to a 2020 survey of Cypress College CTE students reported improved employment success because of their education at the college. They noted a 61 percent increase in hourly wages after completing their coursework — exceeding the 56 percent average statewide increase — and 93 percent of them voiced satisfaction with their Cypress College experience.

At Cypress College we invest in the success of our students. Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together.

AMERICANA AWARDS: A BRIEF HISTORY

Americana’s Origin

A letter sent 50 years ago to Cypress College from then-president Gerald Ford encouraging organizations to pay tribute to the upcoming 1976 Bicentennial was the impetus for what has become the college’s signature event as well as an Orange County tradition. Based on this letter, Marion “Stoney” Stoneking, then community services director, along with associates Kaleta Brown, theater instructor, and Don Cantrell, public information of�icer, conceived of a “Community and Americana Awards night,” the purpose of which would be to recognize people, “the sum and substance of America.”

Honorees

Stoney met with the mayors of each of the college’s seven (now eight) service cities and asked each to identify someone who had made “contributions of service” to their city. The people the mayors selected became the Citizens of the Year. (Today, each of the eight cities has a designated committee that selects an honoree from nominations received from the entire community.)

For the �irst nine years, seven well-known people in various categories (entertainment, business, sports, the arts, the media, etc.) were given the Americana Award. One of these seven honorees also provided the evening’s entertainment. These honorees included Ray Bolger, Edgar Bergen and Ella Mae Morse. Other well-known honorees with a more local connection were: Marion Knott, Mickey Mouse, Carl Karcher, Buddy Ebsen, Dr. Sammy Lee, Cypress alumna Geri Jewell, Florence Arnold, and the Sons of the Pioneers. Since 1985 a Man and/or Woman of the Year has been chosen from numerous nominations. Among those honored have been: Tommy Lasorda, Irv Pickler, Frank Garcia, Bill Medley, Bruno Serato, and Trevor Hoffman, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

The Evening

From 1976-1984, the event was held on campus. The �irst Americana evening started with a dinner prepared by the faculty and students in the Culinary Arts program. The dinner was held in the Band Room although in subsequent years it moved to the Culinary Arts Dining Room, which is now the Art Gallery.

Following dinner, the awards ceremony and entertainment were scheduled. Since the theater had not yet been completed, the show that �irst night, with Ray Bolger performing, was held in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. A year later, the program moved to the theater and was held there every year until it was moved off campus. The event was well received by the community, and the theater was generally full. The awards were given out by Stoney and the college president. At one point, the mayors asked if they could give out the awards, but Stoney said no because he didn’t want the event to become political.

The expenses for the program were paid by the community service tax that colleges were allowed to collect at the time. However, when Prop. 13 was passed, that money was no longer available, which is why Jack Scott, then president, saw the opportunity to raise funds, and the current format was established. The event was moved off campus and was held at the Disneyland Resort from 1985-2023.

In 2005, as the 30th anniversary of the Americana Awards was being celebrated, an Emeritus program was implemented, as over 200 past honorees were recognized and presented with bronze medallions attached to red, white and blue ribbons. Since then, each year’s honorees receive their own medallions.

The on-campus event drew more than 600 attendees to the campus theater. The 200 who attended the dinner prior to the awards and entertainment paid $10 for a dinner of beef stroganoff served over noodles. Of course, today’s event brings 600 together for slightly more than $10 for a four-course dinner in a spectacular setting, the proceeds of which support the work of the Cypress College Foundation. Each year the Foundation provides student scholarships, student emergency assistance, student book loans, and faculty grants among other programs.

The Closing

Stoney had seen a video of Frank Sinatra singing “The House I Live In (That’s America to Me),” and he thought the ideas expressed in the lyrics �it the theme of Americana perfectly, so each year he ended the program by reading the lyrics of that song.

He particularly emphasized the last two lines—“But especially the people/That’s America to me”—because in his mind, that’s what Americana was all about: the importance of people doing their best, serving their communities, and sharing their talents with others.

For 50 years, since that �irst Americana in 1976, Cypress College has continued to recognize outstanding community volunteers. We sincerely thank you for helping us celebrate these citizens and for assisting us in raising millions of dollars in support of Cypress College students.

In spring 2019, Cypress College selected its first cohort of Presidential Scholars of Distinction, a scholarship intended to recognize nine students — one from each college pathway — who exemplify what it means to be a Cypress College student. We’re pleased to introduce our 2025 cohort of Presidential Scholars of Distinction!

The 2025 scholars are (L-R): Bryan Pham, Business/CIS; Esmeralda Alba, Career Technical Education; Natalia Mindru, Health Science; Benjamin Alarcon, Kinesiology; Christina Guadarrama, Language Arts; Dominique Waddell, Science, Engineering, Mathematics; Chase Curnow, Social Sciences; Fernando Lizarraga, Visual & Performing Arts; and Candyce Young, We Journey Together.

Message from the Executive Director

Welcome to the 51st Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards Gala!

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate our Citizens of the Year and Person of the Year, George Orff, whose community spirit inspires us all.

Cypress College students pursue their dreams while overcoming tremendous challenges—from food and housing insecurity to caring for their families. Yet they continue to persevere with courage, resilience, and hope.

Your generosity makes it possible for the Cypress College Foundation to provide scholarships, critical resources, and opportunities that help our students succeed.

Tonight we celebrate remarkable honorees, inspiring students, and the power of a community to transform lives.

Thank you for joining us this evening and making a lasting difference in the lives of Cypress College students.

Enjoy the celebration!

Howard Kummerman Executive Director, Cypress College Foundation

Message From the Cypress College President

Thank you for joining us for this special evening of celebration and community. Your participation supports the vital work of Cypress College and the Cypress College Foundation, helping provide scholarships, emergency assistance, and essential resources that allow our students to continue their educational journeys.

Community colleges exist to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all who seek it. Because of your generosity, our students can overcome obstacles, pursue their goals, and transform their lives through education.

Tonight we also celebrate the remarkable individuals being honored for their leadership, generosity, and commitment to strengthening our communities. Their contributions remind us of the power of service and the lasting impact of those who work to make the world better for others.

Thank you for being part of this meaningful evening and for supporting Cypress College students.

George Orff

For George Orff, a lifetime of achievement can be traced back to a single, de�ining trait: he loves to build things—relationships, businesses, programs, and opportunities. Whether restoring World War II aircraft, mentoring students, launching companies, or strengthening community partnerships, George believes in working hard, staying curious, giving back, and honoring the people who shaped his life. These beliefs have guided his remarkable journey from a young boy with a toolbox to a community leader whose impact spans generations.

Born in 1944 and raised in Westbury, New York, George was curious, industrious, and happiest when working with his hands. Childhood memories include soapbox racing, �ixing things, and learning how to use tools under the guidance of a neighbor who became an early mentor. That experience taught George the importance of relationships, leading him to other mentors throughout

In high school, George attended a trade school in refrigeration and air conditioning, an experience that ignited what would become a lifelong career in the HVAC industry. Encouraged by a teacher who saw his potential, George continued his technical education at SUNY Farmingdale, earning an AAS degree in HVAC. He then headed west to the University of North Dakota, completing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Earnings as an air conditioning mechanic during summers allowed George to complete �ive years of college debt free.

His time at UND shaped both his professional and personal life. At UND he met his future wife, Sharon, the daughter of an Air Force �ighter pilot. The two married in 1967 at Grand Forks Air Force Base and moved to California, beginning a partnership of love, commitment, and shared values.

George worked summers in the HVAC �ield while still in school and accepted his �irst full-time position with Carrier Air Conditioning Company in Los Angeles immediately after graduating. His early career was busy and satisfying, with one special memory—selling refrigeration water chillers to a brand-new institution called Cypress College.

His HVAC career was going well, but, driven by curiosity, George did something few young parents and full-time professionals would attempt: he enrolled in the night program at Pepperdine University School of Law, earning his J.D. and passing the California and Arizona Bar Exams. Though he loved the intellectual rigor of law school, he disliked the “nitty gritty” of practicing law, so George returned to the HVAC �ield with a manufacturers rep. �irm (DMG).

What followed was a distinguished 30-year career in HVAC, engineering, and business innovation. George held leadership roles with various local �irms, including air conditioning equipment representative DMG Corporation, where he spent three decades as a salesman, sales manager, and eventually president. He later worked as a partner/owner with air handler manufacturer Energy Labs Tijuana operations from 1989 to 2018.

Even after “retirement,” George is involved in multiple ventures, including Culinary Innovation, a food manufacturer, and Building Response Platform, which provides real-time commercial HVAC equipment monitoring. He also built a restaurant. In total, he has helped build or manage seven companies, his proudest accomplishment. As he says, “I learned a lot. Eventually, I only did business with my friends.”

Yet George’s professional success is only part of his story. His primary focus now is to ensure that today’s students receive the same encouragement and opportunity that propelled him forward. As a result of this commitment, he has devoted signi�icant time, money, and expertise to mentorship and other forms of student support. For example, he has focused on students in Cypress College’s HVAC and Aviation programs, serving as a donor, advisor, and advocate, helping to strengthen faculty-student relationships, expand industry partnerships, and champion hands-on learning opportunities. He is now working with faculty, friends, and industry partners to establish a summer HVAC internship program designed to give students real-world experience and reduce attrition in the program.

In honor of the mentors who shaped him—teachers at Farmingdale, UND, and beyond—George has created scholarships in their names. He also donates regularly to educational programs at Cypress College, SUNY Farmingdale, and Cal Aerofab Flight Academy, a nonpro�it that inspires young people to pursue aviation careers as pilots and airframe and powerplant mechanics.

George’s passion for aviation runs deep. For more than 20 years, he volunteered and contributed to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, working on historic aircraft restorations, including a World War II-era Messerschmitt 109G. Through this organization, he shares his love of engineering and hands-on work with the next generation of pilots and mechanics.

George has spent years volunteering in various ways in his communities and his profession but is not the only volunteer in the family. For 12 years Sharon volunteered and was a paid community educator with a sexual assault nonpro�it, and both of her parents were noted for their service in schools, hospitals and community groups.

George’s greatest pride comes from setting goals and then meeting them, no matter how dif�icult, such as when he mastered calculus while in engineering school. He had to learn solid geometry, trigonometry, and advanced algebra all at once as he had not taken these courses beforehand. Another example is when he completed law school while ful�illing his work responsibilities and raising a family.

PERSON OF THE YEAR

George Orff

George can be described as intellectual, committed, curious, open-minded, someone who cares deeply, listens thoughtfully, and still enjoys building organizations and �ixing things. He is very interested in constitutional law and democracy, particularly now.

Family is very important to George. He and Sharon have two daughters—Stephanie Kirchen (married to Patrick) and Jennifer Orff—and a grandson, Kyle, who at 17 already holds a pilot’s license. George is happy that Kyle succeeded in earning a pilot’s license at such a young age, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather.

For the future, George intends to keep doing exactly what he has always done: helping students, advising nonpro�its, supporting aviation and HVAC programs, raising money, managing companies, and nurturing relationships—“relationships, relationships, relationships,” as he likes to say. If he ever won the lottery, he insists he would give most of it away: “Life is not about money. Money buys stuff but not life experiences.”

As he is honored as Person of the Year, George Orff is the embodiment of commitment, curiosity, and generosity. His legacy is a powerful example of how important it is to never stop building—programs, partnerships, possibilities, and hope. “Besides,” George adds, “it’s fun and I love to learn new things.”

Alden and Linda Esping

“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”—a motto that Alden and Linda Esping have lived by for the past six decades, as together they have “cared enough” to improve Anaheim through a shared commitment to teaching, youth development, and community service. Their impact can be seen in classrooms, summer camps, community organizations, and in the lives of the many young people they have mentored and inspired.

Alden knew he wanted to teach while he was still in junior high. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he began teaching sixth grade, but in 1963 he and a fellow teacher drove a VW bus from Washington to Anaheim in search of new opportunities. He started teaching at Ball Junior High, launching a 33-year career in the Anaheim Union High School District. At Ball and later Loara High School, Alden served as activities director, special education department chair, health department chair, and advisor for speech, the school newspaper, yearbook, and student store. For generations of Anaheim students, “Mr. Esping” became synonymous with involvement, pride, and school spirit.

Linda graduated from Washington State University and then went on to a distinguished 47-year career in education. She taught English at Loara High School, South Junior High, La Palma Junior High, and Orangeview Junior High. She chaired English departments at multiple schools and later served 13 years as a consultant for AUHSD’s Beginning Teacher Support & Assessment program. Her guidance shaped hundreds of new teachers entering the profession, enriching classrooms throughout the district.

The Esping’s partnership—both in life and in service—grew even stronger through their decades-long work with the Anaheim Family YMCA. They directed summer camps for more than 25 years, in�luencing thousands of young people through programs built on character, teamwork, and personal growth. They especially value the Y’s Raggers Program, which fosters courage, truthfulness, and service. Determined to ensure that camps would remain affordable, they established the Alden Esping Putting Classic to raise funds. Later, an endowment fund was created in their name to guarantee camperships for future generations.

Alden’s leadership extended far beyond the classroom. He chaired the AUHSD Foundation, co-chaired the District’s Centennial Celebration, and served on the Anaheim Planning Commission, Convention Center Board, and Senior Citizen Commission. As an Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, he earned both the Spirit Award and the Ambassador of the Year Award.

Linda’s community work has been equally far-reaching. She served on the Anaheim Library Board, advised the Kiwanis Bowl, and contributed time and resources to organizations such as Cops 4 Kids, Caterina’s Club, Tiger Woods Foundation, and the Anaheim Community Foundation—programs that enrich the lives of Anaheim’s children and families.

The Espings are also recognized for their involvement with the California Association of Directors of Activities. Alden served as state president, expanded leadership programs statewide, developed conventions and workshops, and ultimately received the Warren Shull National Activity Director of the Year Award, honoring the top student activities director in the United States. Both Alden and Linda were inducted into the CADA Hall of Fame.

In addition, Alden was named Orange County Teacher of the Year (1980) and an AUHSD Friend of Education (2005). Linda was honored as Kiwanis Bowl Coach of the Year (1989) and South Junior High Teacher of the Year (1982). They both received PTSA Life and Continuing Service Awards and were recognized by U.S. Representative Lou Correa for “Seniors Making a Difference.”

Despite all their achievements, Alden and Linda remain humble. They cherish their tradition of dinners at the Anaheim White House, where they are greeted by owner Bruno Serato, Americana’s Man of the Year in 2012. They also enjoy Wine Wednesdays at Mama Cozza’s—Alden and Linda taught all the children of the restaurant’s proprietors. They remain in touch with former campers, students, and colleagues, many of whom credit the Espings with changing their lives.

Recently, Ball Junior High honored Alden by naming their Quad Amphitheater after him, a tribute that stands as a permanent reminder of his profound impact on generations of students. It is an honor that �ills the Espings with gratitude and pride.

For 63 years, Alden and Linda Esping have given Anaheim a gift that cannot be measured: a stronger, more compassionate community shaped by their leadership, their generosity, and their unwavering belief in young people. Their lives re�lect a simple truth: “Involvement together is the key to success.”

Mariellen Yarc

Elephants. Mariellen Yarc is obsessed with elephants. More than 4000 pieces of elephant art are displayed in her home, a collection that started when she was a child and continues to this day. Her love for this special animal has led Mariellen to visit Africa four times and to support the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, which helps to protect elephants throughout the world.

In addition to her passion for elephants, Mariellen is committed to advocating for those who don’t have a voice. Throughout her career and her civic involvement, she has demonstrated a willingness to stand up for people and groups who were not being well served by the “powers that be.”

Raised in Southern California, Mariellen grew up in a working-class household, becoming the �irst in her family to attend college. She enrolled at UCLA, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in political science while working multiple jobs and carrying a full academic load. She later earned a paralegal certi�icate and, determined to be “persuasive rather than informative” (she had once thought she would be a teacher), she decided to enroll in Southwestern School of Law at night while working full-time. She passed the California Bar on her �irst attempt and went on to become a certi�ied Family Law Specialist.

Mariellen practiced family law for more than three decades, eventually becoming a partner and later opening her own �irm. Throughout her legal career, she was especially affected by domestic violence cases and the lack of understanding surrounding them. Long before the O.J. Simpson case, which brought the issue into the national spotlight, Mariellen educated herself on the cycle of domestic abuse and became a tireless advocate within the court system. Describing herself as “a pushy broad,” she led an effort to require judicial training on domestic violence—an enduring legacy that continues to protect vulnerable families today. She also served for many years as a Judge Pro Tem in Los Angeles Superior Courts and taught law at Long Beach City College and the American College of Law in Anaheim.

In 1989, Mariellen and her husband, Paul Lussman, made Cypress their home, a city she would grow to love deeply. What began as an interest in knowing her neighbors led to a lifetime of civic engagement. She became active in the Woman’s Club of Cypress, where she has served in numerous leadership roles, including two terms as president and her current role as co-president. Through the California Federation of Women’s Clubs, she rose to district president and was selected as California’s representative to a national leadership conference.

Mariellen’s public service includes roles on the Cypress Parks and Recreation Commission, the Cypress Senior Citizen Commission, and the board of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce. She served on the Cypress City Council from 2012 to 2020, including terms as Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor. During her time on the council, she launched the

Cypress Women’s Conference and the City of Cypress Veterans’ Recognition Program—both initiatives that continue to thrive today and, again, provide examples of her advocacy for those whose voices may not always be heard.

Her dedication has been recognized many times, including being named Cypress Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and twice being selected as Woman of the Year for California’s 65th Assembly District—by representatives from two different political parties! She has also received humanitarian awards for her legal advocacy and served as a legal commentator for high-pro�ile cases.

Beyond titles and honors, Mariellen is known for her humor, adventurous spirit, and her constant search for something new to see and do. She is an avid traveler, pickleball player, and devoted animal lover. She and Paul are also known for transforming their home each holiday season into the “Cypress Santa Center,” hosting block parties and spreading the holiday spirit throughout the neighborhood.

Mariellen considers Cypress a place �illed with “real people,” and she feels profoundly grateful to call it home. Being honored in this way, she says, is deeply meaningful—an af�irmation of a life dedicated to service, connection, and

Maria Stipe

Maria Stipe is deeply grateful for the recognition she is receiving, although she stresses that all the work she is recognized for is “shared work.” She sees herself as very fortunate for having been “surrounded by talented people who care deeply about [their] community.”

However, whether serving the City of Garden Grove, collaborating with fellow Rotary members, or supporting her family and community, it is Maria who has consistently brought together people, ideas, and resources to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Maria’s 26-year career with Garden Grove began when she accepted a position as an analyst in the Public Works Department. This work enabled her to participate in community programs and develop positive relationships with many community partners. She was inspired by people she saw who modeled generosity and leadership.

In 2012 she found her “special home” with the Garden Grove Rotary Club, which has allowed her to work with other Rotarians to implement many impactful projects and events, such as scholarship programs, placement of life-saving cardiac de�ibrillators in public places, and Christmas toy drives for disadvantaged children. She values Rotary for its focus on bringing people together and creating positive change that can be seen and felt.

While serving as Assistant City Manager, Maria played a key role in shaping the city’s operations and future. Her responsibilities included extensive writing, legislative advocacy, and oversight of the city budget—work that required both technical expertise and a deep understanding of how policy decisions affect people’s daily lives. In this role Maria earned a reputation as a collaborator who helped each individual contribute their unique skills and gifts toward a shared goal.

Maria is familiar with community colleges, having earned an associate of arts degree in general education from Riverside City College. She went on to CSU Fullerton, where she was awarded a bachelor of arts, with a major in psychology.

Maria began her career in the aerospace industry, the �ield her father had worked in. However, after several years, she became interested in other possible careers, returning to Cal-State Fullerton to earn a master’s degree in public administration with the idea that she could work in city government. Such a position would enable her to have a positive impact on her community while providing reliable employment that her father did not have, given that he experienced multiple layoffs.

One of those dif�icult periods left a lasting impression on Maria. During a particularly challenging layoff, her large family (she is one of seven children) struggled �inancially, and without hesitation members of their church stepped

forward to help. That generosity profoundly in�luenced her outlook, reinforcing the importance of compassion, service, and mutual support. It was an experience that helped shape her lifelong commitment to helping others and giving back whenever possible.

Maria’s many years of service to the city have not gone unrecognized as she was named the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2025.

Now retired, Maria remains as active and engaged as ever. She enjoys the freedom to stay busy on her own terms, still volunteering with Rotary while also arranging pickleball games with friends, walking her three “crazy but sweet” dogs around the park every day, and savoring time with her husband and children, who are a constant source of pride and joy. Son Cole is a software engineer, and daughter Karena is a registered nurse. Maria and her husband, Dan, recently experienced the joy of welcoming their �irst grandchild to the close-knit family.

At her core, Maria is a spiritual person with a strong sense of optimism. She believes that things tend to work out as they are meant to, and she approaches life as a “cup-half-full” person. That outlook has guided her through both challenges and successes, and it continues to shape the way she engages with the world.

Through Maria’s professional leadership, civic involvement, and personal example, she has helped strengthen the fabric of Garden Grove and inspired those around her to do the same. To her, this recognition feels like “the cherry on top” of an active and ful�illing career.

Jan Jensen

“You will be awarded a great honor,” the fortune cookie revealed when Jan Jensen recently had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. And it was true--Jan Jensen is the 2026 Americana Citizen of the Year for La Palma!

Seldom are predictions like this accurate, but, given Jan’s decades of service as an educator, mentor, volunteer, and community leader, it is not surprising that she would receive this award.

Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Jan grew up in Cedar Rapids, where athletics played an early and important role in her life. As a young teen she became an Iowa State speed-skating champion and later ranked number one in the state in girls tennis for her age group. From Iowa she moved to Boston, where she was ranked number two in 16 and under girls tennis in New England. Another move brought her to Southern California, where she continued to excel in sports, competing in tennis, �ield hockey, basketball, and skiing, and receiving tennis coaching from Billie Jean King while in high school. These experiences instilled a lifelong belief that sports are “an important part of education . . . . Sports are social and develop skills for a lifetime.”

Unsure of a career to choose, Jan enrolled in Whittier College. While there, she tutored a second-grade student who did not know the alphabet. In that moment, she knew she wanted to become a teacher serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. She transferred to San Diego State University, graduating in three and a half years, and later completed additional teaching and administrative credentials while working full time. She actually took two tap dance classes at Cypress College as part of the coursework for her physical education teaching credential.

Jan began her career teaching elementary students in Hawaiian Gardens, where she quickly became known for innovation and commitment. She pioneered a Mentally Gifted Minor classroom, which challenged her students to work hard, and volunteered after school to teach square dancing, which gave them an opportunity to have fun.

In 1976, she joined the faculty of the newly opened Whitney Community Learning Center, later Whitney High School, where she spent more than 25 years as math department chair. Over her long career, she also served three times as athletic director, coached varsity sports, and played a key role in securing Whitney’s admission to the CIF Southern Section. She retired in 2011 but continued substituting and later worked in a program that helped students involved in �ighting or bullying to learn healthier behaviors to avoid being suspended.

Perhaps Jan’s most far-reaching impact has been her work mentoring young people, teaching them the value of helping others. For many years she served as a Key Club advisor, guiding hundreds of students in projects that bene�ited families, seniors, and vulnerable populations. Under her leadership, students organized food drives, Christmas family adoptions, backpack programs, and service projects locally and across the border in Tijuana. Her

dedication earned her induction into the Jack Luther Advisor Hall of Fame for the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Key Club International.

Her civic involvement includes volunteering with the Kiwanis Club for more than three decades, delivering Meals on Wheels, serving seven years as a long-term care ombudsman, and dedicating over 30 years to Neighborhood Watch—�ive of them as president and many more as district coordinator and block captain. She has also served on the City of La Palma’s Traf�ic and Safety (later Development and Circulation) Commission and participated in the city’s Sustainability and Accountability Review Committee.

In recognition of her extraordinary service, Jan was named La Palma Woman of the Year in 2017 and received the La Palma Senior of Distinction Award in 2024, personally presented by U.S. Representative Michelle Steel.

Family remains Jan’s greatest joy. She raised her two children, Nick and Brittany, in La Palma and now delights in supporting her four grandchildren. Whether cheering at games, traveling with her extended family, or giving back to the community, Jan follows this credo: “I live my life guided by faith, grounded in family, committed to

Debbie Kent CITY

Debbie Kent attended her �irst baseball game when she was one week old, not particularly surprising given that her father played baseball with the Milwaukee Braves organization and later served as a scout for the Braves and the New York Mets. “Baseball was a way of life in our family,” she says, but so was volunteering to help others.

Debbie grew up in Long Beach, but summers meant traveling to wherever her father was playing, swimming at a motel pool by day and cheering at a minor league game by night. One of her favorite sports memories is attending all seven games of the famous 1986 New York-Boston World Series. The New York Mets won.

At home, Debbie’s mother, a highly respected and active volunteer honored as both Long Beach Woman of the Year and Soroptimist Woman of the Year, instilled in Debbie the belief that serving one’s community is both a privilege and a personal responsibility. Debbie embraced that philosophy wholeheartedly and has lived it all her adult life.

Her father also worked to help others. He was a founding member of the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, which raises funds to help scouts who suddenly lose their jobs at the end of baseball season. A proud alumna of Long Beach City College—where she excelled in basketball, volleyball, and softball, earning MVP honors in basketball and softball, and earned an associate of arts degree with honors—Debbie has always championed community colleges. She later attended CSU Long Beach, earning her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential, and even took a few classes at Cypress College as part of her required courses. Her own daughter, Aina Marie, would later attend Cypress as well.

Debbie’s remarkable 29-year career with the Los Alamitos Uni�ied School District made a lasting impact on countless students. At McAuliffe Middle School, she taught everything from physical education and math to ESL (English as a Second Language), science, and drama while also serving as yearbook advisor. However, her leadership extended beyond the classroom—she coached girls basketball, volleyball, and softball, encouraging young athletes to play with con�idence and to have fun. She was president of the McAuliffe Faculty Club for 20 years and continues to organize regular gatherings with her former colleagues. Teaching, she often says, was “the best job,” and her students remain one of her greatest sources of pride.

Debbie’s passion for service stretches across 45 years of volunteer work in Los Alamitos. Her hand is famously the �irst to go up when help is needed. She has served for 35 years on the Los Alamitos Youth Center Board of Directors—holding roles including president, secretary, and program chair—and has become one of the Center’s most trusted and dedicated volunteers, helping with bingo, the �ireworks stand, events, and anything else the organization needs. She was introduced to the Youth Center by longtime friend Marilynn Poe, the 2007 Los Alamitos

Americana Citizen of the Year. Marilynn’s encouragement sparked what has become one of Debbie’s most meaningful areas of service.

At the Los Alamitos Museum, Debbie has been equally in�luential. She currently serves as president of the Board of Directors and as a docent, sharing the history of the community she loves. She also held leadership roles with the Girl Scouts and volunteered with the Los Alamitos Foundation. Her contributions to Los Alamitos have earned numerous honors, including the Seal Beach Lions Club Teacher of the Year award, the Los Alamitos Museum Honored Citizen award, and the Youth Center’s Hero of the Heart award.

Despite her many commitments, Debbie treasures simple joys: mornings with coffee and the newspaper, gardening, reading, walks with her dog, Penny, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and spending time with her 17 great-nieces and nephews.

For more than four decades, Debbie Kent has been a steadfast presence in the Los Alamitos community—an educator, volunteer, mentor, and civic leader whose life re�lects a deep commitment to service. She is proud to call Los Alamitos home, and Los Alamitos is equally proud to honor her dedication, leadership, and enduring generosity.

Ray Longoria CITY

More than four decades ago, Ray Longoria moved from Oxnard to Seal Beach because he loved the idea of living by the ocean—ideally, as he puts it, “right on the sand.” However, what he found was more than a beautiful place to live. He found a community where neighbors showed up for one another, and that spirit of shared responsibility has shaped his life ever since.

Ray’s �irst glimpse of Seal Beach’s civic character came during a major �lood that damaged the pier, a treasured landmark in the city. Watching residents rally together to raise funds for pier restoration sparked what would become more than 40 years of continuous volunteer service. Today, Ray is widely known as someone who not only answers the call to help, but who also takes the lead—tenaciously, persistently, and with what he describes as a “bulldog grip” on every project he undertakes.

The centerpiece of Ray’s civic life has been his 35-year involvement with the Seal Beach Lions Club, an organization he joined at the invitation of his mentor, 2004 Seal Beach Americana Citizen of the Year, Jim Klisanin. Ray has served the Lions Club in nearly every capacity, including two terms as president, treasurer, and longtime board member. He has chaired or co-chaired most of the club’s major projects and has been largely responsible for ensuring the success of its annual opportunity drawing, which raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for charitable and community causes.

Among Ray’s most meaningful contributions is his leadership of the Lions KidsSight Program, which provides free vision screening for preschool and �irst-grade children, many of whom are enrolled in Head Start programs. Each year, the program screens thousands of children throughout local communities, identifying vision issues early and connecting families with follow-up care. Ray, along with his wife, Marilyn, takes great pride in having established this program, overseeing it for the �irst four years.

Ray is also the driving force behind the Lions’ long-running graf�iti removal program, which he co-founded more than 15 years ago and still leads today. Working alongside fellow Lions and community volunteers, Ray responds personally when graf�iti is reported in Old Town and other high-traf�ic areas. His work has removed thousands of graf�iti tags, improved public safety, and helped preserve the character of the city. The program has been recognized as a California Lions Club Project of the Year and earned Ray commendations from the Seal Beach City Council.

In addition to his Lions service, Ray has spent the past several years as a board member—and currently vice president—of Friends of the Library, which raises funds to support literacy and other library services. He has also volunteered with numerous local causes, including youth organizations in neighboring communities. In recognition of all his contributions, Ray was selected as the 2024 Seal Beach Christmas Parade Grand Marshal.

Ray’s professional life re�lects the same work ethic and adaptability that de�ine his civic involvement. After service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ray built a long career in the cable and communications industry, holding technical and leadership roles with several companies before serving as president of Data Link, Inc. Even in retirement, Ray remains active, working part-time as a bartender at Clancy’s, a popular local establishment, where he is known as much for conversation as for cocktails.

Ray and his wife, Marilyn, have been married for 37 years. A proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ray treasures family traditions—especially the annual pre-Christmas tamale-making gatherings of his youth. An avid reader, traveler, and devoted Las Vegas Raiders fan, he also happens to be an ordained minister who has of�iciated at more than ten weddings.

Ray often says he gives back simply because he loves Seal Beach. In return, Seal Beach has been made stronger, cleaner, and more compassionate through his decades of service. His �inal comment is, “Much to my surprise, I’m older than I ever thought I would be and I am thankful for that every day. I will continue my community service for

Linda Gallagher CITY OF STANTON

A proud alumna of Cypress College, Linda Gallagher earned her associate of arts in accounting in 1984, after having spent more than 20 years in the business world. Her daughter, Melissa, was a Cypress student at the same time, and they once ended up in the same class where Linda’s enthusiastic hand-raising often led to shared laughter and perhaps slight embarrassment on Melissa’s part.

Linda’s enthusiasm is not con�ined to the classroom. It is infused in everything she does. For more than three decades, Linda has been a vibrant force for good in the Stanton community—a woman whose unwavering dedication to children, families, and service has shaped countless lives. Known for her contagious energy, Linda embodies what it means to serve with kindness and purpose.

Born and raised in Oceanside, California, Linda grew up deeply in�luenced by the compassion of her mother, whose example of service left a lifelong imprint on Linda. Her mother was always helping others, especially through the church, providing a model of generosity and community engagement that became the foundation of the values

Linda’s professional path began with positions at Oots Accounting Service, Oceanside Sport�ishing, Rancho La Costa, and Sanger Arms Guest Homes. But she found her true calling at the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton, where she began as a volunteer and soon transitioned into the role she still holds today—Of�ice Manager. Since 1992, Linda has been the heart of the Club, greeting every child with warmth and supporting families with compassion. She has created a welcoming space for the Club’s 150+ youth in after-school and summer programs. She knows them personally and supports them in ways that extend far beyond her job description.

For example, Linda devoted over 30 years to assisting with the Boys & Girls Club Youth Choir, and she is also a cornerstone of the Club’s fundraising efforts, each year donating nearly 75% of the items featured in the fall silent auction. Her �inancial stewardship extended regionally through more than two decades of service as Treasurer for the Association of Boys & Girls Club Professionals in Orange County.

Linda’s civic service is equally remarkable. She has long served as the Treasury Advisor of the Stanton Lions Club and has been a dedicated member of the Stanton Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division. Her leadership, reliability, and generosity have been recognized with numerous honors, including a 2006 Orange County Bar Foundation Certi�icate of Appreciation, 2019 Women of Distinction Award from the City of Stanton, and the 2025 Stanton Lions Club Treasury Advisor of the Year. In 2017-2018 she was named the “Dos Manos Program Professional of the Year,” a prestigious award from the “Big Orange” Chapter of the Association of Boys & Girls Clubs Professionals.

Charitable giving is another of Linda’s quiet but powerful strengths. She supports the Salvation Army, Working Wardrobes, and each year sponsors teens at Orangewood Children’s Home during the holidays. These acts re�lect her lifelong commitment to lifting others up.

At the center of Linda’s world is her family. She and her husband Jerry—her beloved “Papa”—have been married since 1988 and share a life �illed with laughter, dedication, and community. She treasures her daughter, Melissa, son-in-law Alex, grandson Anthony, and extended family, along with the memory of her parents, Al and Vy, whose love continues to guide her. Her favorite family tradition is celebrating birthdays by taking her family out to dinner with friends.

Whether chatting with strangers in the grocery store, making friends on her daily walks, or lighting up a room with her youthful spirit, Linda brings joy wherever she goes. She loves shopping and traveling, especially Disney cruises. She also enjoys country music and good traditional Mexican food. Her perfect day would be “balancing books” in the morning (her accounting training at Cypress College has stayed with her), then spending time with family and ending the day by strolling through Disneyland with her daughter.

Linda Gallagher is truly the sunshine in her community’s day. Her legacy of compassion, generosity, and wholehearted service continues to brighten the lives of all who know her. As she says, “I LOVE making people happy!”

ANAHEIM Citizens of the Year

Citizens of the Year

Shaping Anaheim’s youth for over 60 years

BUENA PARK Citizens of the Year

Citizens

of the Year

BUENA PARK

CYPRESS

Citizens of the Year

MARIELLEN YARC

Citizen of the Year

Mariellen’s legacy of service spans decades — from her leadership on the Cypress City Council to her impactful work with the Woman’s Club of Cypress.

As the founder of the Cypress Women’s Conference and a dedicated advocate for domestic violence awareness and prevention, she has consistently championed causes that uplift and empower others in Cypress.

Thank you, Mariellen, for your leadership and heart for service.

CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the City of Cypress, celebrating seven decades of progress, partnership and public service.

GARDEN GROVE Citizens of the Year

GARDEN GROVE Citizens of the Year

GARDEN GROVE

Graduating from a college or university this year? Celebrate your achievement in higher education, with a chance to win cash and prizes!

BEFORE MONDAY, MAY 18, AT

THE CITY OF GARDEN GROVE

MARIA STIPE CONGRATULATES

GARDEN GROVE

LA PALMA Citizens of the Year

LA PALMA Citizens of the Year

LOS ALAMITOS / ROOSMOOR Citizens of the Year

Citizens of the Year

LOS ALAMITOS / ROOSMOOR

Debbie Kent

For nearly ve decades, Debbie Kent has been a cornerstone of the Los Alamitos community, dedicating her life to education, volunteerism, and civic engagement.

A retired teacher in the Los Alamitos School District, Kent has lived in the City for 47 years and spent 45 of those years volunteering for various local non-pro t organizations. Kent’s impact on the community reaches far beyond the classroom. Her leadership and dedication have shaped countless programs and organizations over the years. As president of the Los Alamitos Museum Board of Directors, she played a pivotal role in preserving the City’s rich history, ensuring that future generations can appreciate its cultural heritage. For 35 years, Kent served as Program Chairman for the Youth Center Board of Directors, where she also held positions as President and Secretary. Her in uence extended into education as well. Beyond her professional commitments, Kent devoted time to youth development as a Girl Scout assistant leader and through active involvement with the Los Alamitos Community Foundation. These e orts re ect her unwavering passion for empowering children and strengthening families within the community. Kent’s lifelong commitment to service is a testament to her belief in the power of education, leadership, and community engagement.

Kent’s remarkable achievements have earned her widespread recognition and numerous honors throughout her life. She received the McAuli e Honorary Service Award for her outstanding contributions to education and was named Teacher of the Year by the Seal Beach Lions Club in 2017. That same year, the Los Alamitos Museum recognized her as an Honored Citizen, celebrating decades of volunteer service that enriched the local community. Most recently, in 2024, Kent was celebrated as the Youth Center’s “Hero of the Heart,” a distinction that underscores her unwavering dedication to youth programs and her profound impact on generations of young people. Kent’s story is one of perseverance and passion. Whether organizing programs for the Youth Center, leading faculty initiatives, or preserving local history, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to making Los Alamitos a better place for future generations.

Dedicated to Providing Service to the Community

SEAL BEACH

From the first Americana Awards in 1976, Seal Beach was included with the neighboring areas of Los Alamitos and Rossmoor. In 2004, it was determined that residents of Seal Beach should be recognized separately. Since that time, there have been 25 Citizens of the Year from Seal Beach who were chosen by a committee of that city’s residents and honored at the Americana Awards

Citizens of the Year

SEAL BEACH

City of Seal Beach City of Seal Beach

Ray Longoria Ray Longoria

Ray has lived in Seal Beach for 44 years, starting his involvement after the 1983 storm and flooding. He supported Pier

restoration efforts, joined the Seal Beach Lions Club in 1989, and volunteered at McGaugh Elementary, wiring their first computer lab and tutoring students. Named Volunteer of the Year by the PTA, Ray started and led graffiti removal initiatives for 16 years in Seal Beach. In 2021, Ray received the prestigious US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his unwavering commitment to volunteer service.

Ray served as president and treasurer of the Lions Club twice, has been on multiple boards including Mary Wilson Friends of the Library for 12 years, and, with his wife Marilyn, started the Lions Kidsight program in the area, screening 6,000–7,000 preschool and headstart children annually for eye health. Ray has been in charge of the Lions car drawing for the past 6 years. This project raises nearly $50,000 yearly, which goes back into the community as well as vision and disaster relief worldwide. Ray has cooked pancakes, hot dogs and burgers for various events around town - kids baseball opening/closing, lifeguard fundraisers, community picnics, etc.

Thank you! Thank you!

STANTON Citizens of the Year

Citizens of the Year

STANTON

AMERICANA Men & Women of the Year

Men & Women of the Year

AMERICANA

Men & Women of the Year

Men & Women of the Year

Americana Committee

Carmen Koo, CC ‘02 Owner/Partner Applied Air Conditioning 2026 Americana Co-Chair

Howard Kummerman Executive Director Cypress College Foundation

City Committees

Anaheim Lori Dinwiddie, Chair

Carol Bostwick, Reon Boydstun-Howard, Stephen Faessel, Susan Faessel, Sally Feldhaus, Cathy Dutton-Meyers, Stephen Sain

Buena Park Art Brown, Chair

Alice Burnett , Sue Johnson, Mary McCasland, Fred Smith

Cypress

Phil Wendel, Chair

Sandra McCarthy, Paulo Morales, George O’Hara, Rob Johnson, Delight Sittman

Garden Grove

Damien Lorton, Chair

Dr. Paul de Dios, Sue Catlin, Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein, Stephanie Yu

La Palma Noella Lew, Chair

Chris Barnes, Alta Duke, Marshall Goodman, Cliff Ishii, Steve Shanahan, Council Member Mark I. Waldman, Mayor Nitesh Patel

Sandra K. McCarthy Community Volunteer 2004, 2006

Development

Kevin Tsao CEO ENO

Los Alamitos

Seal Beach

Stanton

Americana Committee

Manager

City Committees

Marilynn Poe, Co-Chair

Johnnie Strohmyer, Co-Chair

Dave Boyer, Mark A. Chirco, Council Member Shelley Hasselbrink, Emil Jorge

Scott Newton, Chair

Kori DeLeon, Vice-Chair

Barbara Barton, Council Member Lisa Landau, Deb Machen, Steve Masoner

Joanna Succar, Chair

Mavis Ethans, Co-Chair

Jhovana Ramirez, David Ronnenberg, Mayor Dave Shawver, Carol Warren, John Warren

Cypress College Foundation Board of Directors

President Curtis Scheetz, CC `76

Total Environment Management, Retired

President-Elect

Dr. Barbara Dunsheath NOCCCD Board of Trustees

Vice President

Dr. Damon de la Cruz Cypress College, Mortuary Science

Treasurer

Bryan A. Bentson Bentson, Vuona & Westersten, LLP

Secretary Carmen Koo, CC ‘02 Applied Air Conditioning

Past President

Ken Vecchiarelli Golden State Water Company

Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer

Stephen T. Blount NOCCCD Board of Trustees

Tony Cardenas Southern California Edison

Rick Darnell, CC ‘72 Retired Professional Basketball Player

Shawna de la Cruz Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries

Pamela Kahn Orange County Department of Education, Retired

John Kelly TNT Fireworks

Chief Mark Lauderback City of Cypress Police Department

Les Lewis ACCO Engineered Systems, Retired

Dr. Margie Lewis Cypress College President Emeritus

Sandra K. McCarthy Community Volunteer

Shivon Ozinga, CC ‘11 Cypress College Mortuary Science

Nitesh Patel Mayor, City of La Palma

Blake Perez SoCalGas

Beth Piburn, CC ‘76

Los Alamitos Medical Center Cypress College, Retired

David Shawver City of Stanton

Delight Sittman RE/MAX Tiffany Real Estate

Kevin Tsao ENO Brands, Inc.

Phil Wendel Yamaha Motors, Retired

Lynette Young, CC ‘98 Cypress College, Fine Arts

Howard Kummerman Executive Director

Rachel Ghatikar Director of Development

Elizabeth Lavezzari Development Associate

Lesley-Anne Loon Administrative Assistant III

Victor Jimenez Advancement Services Manager

North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees

Barbara Dunsheath, Ed.D., President

Ed Lopez, J.D., Vice President

Mark Lopez, Secretary

Ryan Bent, Ed.D.

Stephen T. Blount

Jeffrey P. Brown

Evangelina Rosales

Zachary Colinco, Student Trustee, Cypress College

Samiy Castillo Bolivar, Student Trustee, Fullerton College

Kristine Nacu, Student Trustee

Byron D. Clift Breland, Ph.D., Chancellor

Scott W. Thayer, Ed.D., President, Cypress College

Cypress College Foundation

The Cypress College Foundation recognizes more than 300 exceptional students each year with scholarships totaling more than $500,000.

The Cypress College Foundation advances student success by cultivating donor relationships, developing community partnerships, and securing resources for scholarships, emergency assistance, and college programs.

CYPRESS

Lobato Court Reporting, 2023

Cypress + You

BUSINESS/CIS

Valerie Lobato Court Reporting, 2023

Looking for flexibility in her professional life to allow ample time for family life, Valerie Lobato decided to pursue stenography in Cypress College’s Court Reporting program. A difficult skill to learn to meet various speed requirements, Valerie at one point considered quitting, but persevered with the support of her family and her own determination to push herself to reach her highest potential.

Valerie will graduate from Cypress College in spring 2023 with a certificate in court reporting. Now a CART captioner, Valerie strives to pass state exams so she can become an official court reporter.

AMERICANA

Alumnus of the Year

In 1996, the Cypress College Foundation initiated the “Alumnus of the Year” Award in celebration of the college’s 30th anniversary. Every year since, the Alumnus of the Year has been honored at graduation. The award serves as recognition for the personal/professional achievements of our alumni and their contributions to the community and to society. Past recipients, with their position at the time, include:

1996 - Stan Oftelie, CEO, Orange County Business Council

1997 - Dwayne Washington, M.D., Emergency Care Physician

1998 - David Holmquist, Athletic Director, Biola University

1999 - Robin Yaffe Tschumper, Executive Director, LaCrescent-Hokah School District 300 Foundation

2000 - Tom Stretz, Executive Director, Los Alamitos Youth Center

2001 - Nancy K. Smith, Registered Nurse, Los Alamitos Medical Center

2002 - Mike Sellers, Chief of Police, City of Fullerton

2003 - Andy Fu, Service Manager, Irvine Toyota

2004 - Mark Eaton, Retired NBA Basketball Player

2005 - Geri Jewell, Actress, Comedienne, and Advocate for the Disabled

2006 - Walter K. Bowman, Owner, Bowman Real Estate

2007 - Mark Feitelson, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Biotechnology Center, Temple University

2008 - Sheila Carlon, Ph.D., Program Director & Associate Professor, Regis College Health Services Administration and Management

2009 - Danielle Nava, Director, Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Orange and San Bernardino Counties

2010 - James Savage, Ph.D., Professor of Politics, University of Virginia

2011 - John Moore, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Westmont College

2012 - Pierre Habis, Senior Executive Vice President, Union Bank

2013 - Pamela Kahn, Coordinator, Health and Wellness, Orange County Department of Education

2014 - Reyna G. Rosas, Teacher, Long Beach Uni�ied School District

2015 - Captain Russ Bird, U.S. Navy, Retired

2016 - Wayne T. Kistner, Attorney at Law

2017 - Swen Nater, Retired ABA and NBA Basketball Player

2018 - Curtis Scheetz, Owner, Total Environmental Management, Inc.

2019 - Catherine Sorensen, Philanthropist

2021 - Nancy Matsui, Retired, American Airlines

2022 - Bonnie Peat, Council Member, City of Cypress; Women’s Club of Cypress

2023 - Betty Sarkis, Educator Garden Grove Uni�ied School District

2024 - Rick Darnell, Retired Professional Basketball Player

2025 - Aaron France, Buena Park City Manager

2025 Alumnus of the Year

Aaron France, City Manager of Buena Park and 1994 Cypress College graduate, is the 2025 Cypress College Alumnus of the Year. Aaron’s journey from standout student-athlete to public servant exempli�ies the values of leadership, service, and resilience fostered at Cypress College.

A star pitcher for the Cypress Chargers, Aaron was drafted three times by Major League Baseball and played professionally until 2001. After his athletic career, he returned to complete his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership.

Since joining the City of Buena Park in 2003, Aaron has served in various leadership roles before being appointed City Manager in 2021. He has guided the city through major challenges, including pandemic recovery, regional homelessness initiatives, and vital infrastructure development. His work has strengthened community partnerships across education, nonpro�it, and civic sectors. Aaron is a staunch supporter of the Cypress College Foundation, giving back to bene�it students through the Americana Awards Gala and other events.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron is a dedicated advocate for youth, education, and inclusive programs. As the father of a child with special needs, he actively coaches youth with disabilities and supports efforts to expand access for all families.

Aaron France’s distinguished public service and community impact re�lect the spirit and excellence of Cypress College alumni.

Nominate someone for the 2026 Cypress College Alumnus of the Year

FORMER CYPRESS COLLEGE

Inan important step to establish a lasting legacy for Cypress College students, the Foundation established the Legacy Society. Donors who commit to an endowment of $10,000 or more through a will, trust, annuity, insurance policy or outright cash, are inducted into the Legacy Society. The Foundation inducted 36 Charter Member families into the Legacy Society in 2017. Legacy Society donors include members of the community, Cypress College faculty, managers, staff, and retirees as well as Foundation Board members. Of particular interest is that five former college presidents have all committed their support to Cypress College through the Legacy Society.

I am participating in the Cypress Legacy Society because of the transforming impact that it will have on students. Particularly important is the education this will provide for first-generation students, students from low-income families, and students deserving a second chance. My contribution and the contributions from others to the Cypress Legacy Society will provide scholarships to deserving students for many years to come.

Jack Scott

PRESIDENTS SUPPORT LEGACY SOCIETY

Bob Simpson

Cypress College is a special place doing amazing things for students. Having been a member of the Charger family, I know the value of our mission in transforming the lives of our students. Being a Legacy donor provides the opportunity to support that mission now and into the future.

JoAnna Schilling

As President of Cypress College, it was my honor to contribute to, and support, the Legacy Society at Cypress College. When a donor gives to the Legacy Society they are making a life-changing difference in the lives of students who are beating the odds of economic, racial, and cultural barriers. While our students possess a resilience born of courage, grit, and enormous potential, the Legacy Society ensures they also have the financial support to achieve their dreams. I am proud to commit to an endowment that ensures the economic future of these amazing students, and the communities in which they live.

Margie Lewis

I’m a member of the Cypress College Legacy Society because I want to do all I can to ensure that future students will have the financial support they need to complete their degrees and certificates. By setting up an endowment through the Foundation, I know my gift will be used effectively to help students for many years to come. It’s my way of following Nelson Henderson’s quotation: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Mike Kasler

Having immigrated to the United States with my family, my parents ingrained in me the importance of education. They believed education was the “equalizer” in terms of achieving one’s goals. As a youngster I didn’t always understand that, but as I grew older I did and instilled the same in my children. There is no better return on investment for our country than investing in a student’s education---the Legacy Society does that! You can become part of that investment.

In Memoriam

Through the years we have seen the passing of these friends, former “Men and Women of the Year” and “Citizens of the Year,” who devoted much of their lives to helping others.

Anaheim

Eleanor Bay

Angeline Bevins

Mary Bouas

Dr. Cynthia Coad

Dr. Thomas Coad

Arthur Gray Jr.

Frank Feldhaus

Margie Field

Katheleen Florence

Allan Hughes

Miriam Kaywood

Herb Leo

Bill O’Connell

Stan Pawlowski

Theresa Pawlowski

Sarah Fay Pearson

Irv Pickler

Patricia “Pat” Piña

Elsie Reed

Martin Sklar

Dorothea Stephenson

Jacqueline Terrell

Violet Wheeler

Buena Park

Stan Ault

Donna Bagley

Jesse Davis

Michael Davis

James Jarrell

Kenneth Jones

Elva Liesch Hughes

Buck Levine

Bob Lindsay

Mel Miller

Edith Rehnborg

Dennis Salts

Jerry Sigler

Sharon Smith

Ben Sportsman

Ruth Walp

Citizens of the Year

Cypress

Richard Anderson

Walt Bowman

Nick Eighmy

Bill Hannah

Jeanne Hawkins

Darrell Essex

John Kanel

George Hallak

Andrew Lachina

Grace Lachina

John Lawler

Gloria Livingston

Tony Nieto

Jim O’Hara

Roberta O’Toole

Chris Sherrin

Frann Shermet

Brian Sunley

Christine Swain

Hillard Warren

Alvin Weinberg

Garden Grove

Barbara Burby

Bill Catlin

William Dalton

Walter Donovan

Jan Dunn

Richard Hain

Don Jordan

Frank Kellogg

Harry Krebs

Steve LaFond

Ric Lerma

Bob Main

Connie Margolin

Jerry Margolin

Jay Mastroianni

Sheldon Singer, M.D.

Ken Slimmer

Barbara Sulzbach

Marge Swenson

Harold Wall

Gwen Weisner

Jack Wallin

James Whiteside

Leo Zlaket

La Palma

John Alvis

Ron Burford

John Burns

Dan Collins

Ron Dallas

Larry Herman

Dale Hedtke

Bill Holman

Becky Ishii

Frances Klepl

Elfriede Maciver

Ron Maciver

Kitty Mallet

Barbara Mast

William “Bill” Meil

Chris O’Neal

Bert Poan

Gloria Scanlon

Rosemary Scichilone

Duane Schuster

Burton Wesenberg

Tom Wright

Los Alamitos/Rossmoor

Charles Allen

David Appling

James Bailey

Shirley Bailey

Don Bedard

Stella Castillo

Germaine Erskine

Mickie Foster

Leo Greene

Alice Jempsa

Myldred Jones

Margaret “Peggy” Reep

Anthony Selvaggi

John Spinell

Ray Sutton

Charles Sylvia

Lew Webb

Johanna Zinter

Kenneth Zommick

Seal Beach

William “Bill” Ayres

Barbara Blackman

Bob Eagle

Seth Eaker

Jim Klisanin

Stanton

Edward Allen

Sharon Borden

Robert Brown

Boyd Coddington

Frances Daigle

Bea De Armond

Harry Dotson

Vance Durnil

Paul Harrison

Neal Hopkins

Richard Juline

Mary Lara

Alicita Lewis-Yonker

Manuel Marquez

Frank Marshott

Peter Muth

Mary Navarette

Jim Nelson

Alan Perry

Robert Pralle

Charles Rell

Norman Ross

Irene Shone

Joan Thomas

Martha Weishaupt

Joan Thomas

Martha Weishaupt

In Memoriam

Men and Women of the Year

Ralph Clark

Donna Crean

John Crean

Jan Harp Domene

Ron Dominguez

Mark Eaton

Sandra Hutchens

Mary B. Jones

Myldred Jones

Carl Karcher

Don Karcher

Marion Knott

Tommy Lasorda

Mary Muth

Peter Muth

Betty Belden Palmer

Stan Pawlowski

Irv Pickler

Louise Pomeroy

Judith Swayne

Lew Webb

In Memoriam 2025-2026

ESL

BUSINESS/CIS

Cypress + You Vy Vu

Business Administration, 2019

Vy Vu grew up and worked as a travel agent in Vietnam before coming to the United States. Intent on finding success in the U.S., she chose to pursue an education at Cypress College, not imagining that she would be in a position to transfer to a four-year university after just two years. Having started at Cypress College in ESL classes, Vy now aspires to open her own travel agency to promote cultural tourism between Vietnam and the United States. She transferred to University of California, Irvine in 2019 to earn her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a combined master’s degree in finance.

Cypress College Foundation thanks Total Environmental Management for their tireless support to ensure our students reach their full potential!

CYPRESS COLLEGE CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY THIS FALL!

Are you interested in joining the festivities? Do you have memorabilia, photos, or memories to share? Scan this QR Code to get involved!

I am deeply honored that the Cypress College Foundation has chosen me as the Person of the Year for this year’s Americana Awards Gala.

Throughout my life, I have been very fortunate. The opportunities I have had, and the people who supported me along the way, made a lasting difference. Because of that, I strongly believe in giving back and helping create those same opportunities for others.

Today, many students face significant challenges while pursuing their education such as rising housing costs, poverty, reductions in financial aid, and the many pressures that students and their families experience. Despite these obstacles, the students at Cypress College continue to show determination, resilience, and hope for a better future.

Any additional support you can provide to our students through the Foundation will make a meaningful difference.

George Orff

Congratulations on a well deserved recognition to each of the honorees!

Your Friend,

With more than $167 billion in assets under management, Payden & Rygel is one of the largest privately owned investment managers in the United States. Founded in 1983, the firm is a leader in the active management of fixed-income and equity portfolios for a diversified client base. The firm advises foundations and endowments, pension plans, corporate operating funds and individuals on their overall investment strategies. Payden & Rygel is committed to cultivating a partnership where the client’s needs are the bottom line.

THE Cypress College Foundation Thanks

Ken & Robin Vecchiarelli

for their sponsorship to

Cypress + You

BUSINESS/CIS

John Tran

Accounting, 2018

John Tran emigrated from Vietnam with his parents when he was 21. He decided to pursue a career in public accounting and found great guidance from faculty and staff in the Cypress College Accounting program, as well as many professional networking opportunities.

In 2018, John graduated from Cypress College with an associate degree in accounting and transferred to Cal State Fullerton, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting. While at CSUF, he started an internship with BDO and was recently promoted to senior auditor in 2022.

Read the full story:

LES LEWIS TRUST

Congratulations to this year’s Americana Honorees

Cathay Bank joins the Americana Awards 51th Anniversary Gala in furthering the Cypress College Foundation’s mission to transform lives through lifelong learning and expand academic and career pathways.

Visit cathaybank.com or scan the QR code to learn more

Congratulations

MARIELLEN YARC

Cypress Citizen of the Year

For your decades of service and contributions to the City and our wider community

A special congratulations to all honorees!

CAL-AEROFAB FLIGHT ACADEMY

A 501(c)3 public, nonprofit organization based out of Chino Airport developed for dedicated individuals with the desire to learn how to restore, fly, and maintain airplanes.

George and Sharon Orff in partnership with Matt and Tanya Nightingale of Cal-Aerofab Flight Academy, congratulate the 2026 Cypress College Foundation Americana Honorees

The Cypress College Foundation thanks the friends and family of George Orff for their support in honor of his lifetime of extraordinary service to others.

Ward and Cindy Hotze

Elizabeth Demeo

Ron and Leslie Sweet

Bob Lake

Richard Sanders

Susan and Gary Chan

Bill Cullinane

James Orff

Stephanie and Patrick Kirchen

+ DENTAL HYGIENE

ESL

CYPRESS

Cypress + You

HEALTH SCIENCE

Jennifer Palacios

Dental Hygiene, 2020

A native Spanish speaker from Ecuador, Jennifer Palacios worked hard to incorporate English into her life in the U.S. Her pathway to the Cypress College Dental Hygiene Program started with advanced ESL classes.

In 2019, the college’s ESL Program was the first in California to create and be approved to award Guided Pathways ESL Milestone Certificates. One of the first students to receive such a certificate, Jennifer reflected, “Today, many of these students receive their awards as a symbol of great respect for their multicultural backgrounds and their intercultural communication. I feel grateful for the acceptance and kindness provided by Cypress College professors toward their foreign students.”

Read the full story:

PLANNED GIVING BRIEF

Howard Kummerman, Executive Director 9200 Valley View Street Cypress, CA 90630

714-484-7126

hkummerman@cypresscollege.edu

cypresscollegelegacy.org

ENDOWMENT GIFT OPTIONS

An endowment gift may be designated for a specific purpose. Please let us know if you wish to restrict the use of income from your gift for a specific program or purpose. You may wish to make the endowment gift in your honor, or in memory of another person. We can help you make a gift that creates a legacy of remembrance for you and your loved ones.

For additional information on endowment giving or to review information about our endowment plan, please contact us. We look forward to helping you create your legacy!

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Did you know that by making a gift to our endowment, you can create a permanent source of income that will ensure the continuation of our programs far into the future? This type of meaningful gift can create a legacy for you while providing lasting support for our mission.

CREATE YOUR LEGACY WITH AN ENDOWMENT GIFT

YOUR LEGACY SOCIETY ENDOWMENT GIFT WILL GROW TO BECOME A PERMANENT LEGACY OF SUPPORT FOR OUR GOOD WORK!

WHY MAKE A LEGACY SOCIETY ENDOWMENT GIFT?

An endowment gift is a gift to an established fund that is permanently invested.

When you make an endowment gift, you create a steady stream of annual income to support our good work.

Your gift will be maintained in perpetuity and make a lasting, meaningful difference.

There are several ways in which you can make an endowment gift either today or as part of your estate plan.

WAYS TO MAKE AN ENDOWMENT GIFT

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

When you transfer your cash or appreciated property (stock, CDs or real estate) to our endowment, we will agree to pay you fixed-income for life at a rate based on your age. You may benefit from a charitable deduction and a portion of your income may even be tax free.

GIFT OF CASH

You can start an endowment with a single gift of cash paid today or over time. Your Legacy Society gift will grow over time, ensuring future success for Cypress College students.

BEQUEST

A gift to our endowment made through your will or trust, may provide your estate with valuable tax savings. Your endowment bequest can be a gift of a specific asset, percentage of your estate or the residue (what's left after specific bequests are made to your family). Your endowment gift will create a permanent legacy of lasting support for our work!

Your herd is very proud of you!

Cypress College Foundation

9200 Valley View Street Cypress, CA 90630

714-484-7126

foundation@cypresscollege.edu cypresscollegelegacy.org

When you know the secret of throwing one, a boomerang always comes back to you. In the same way, our organization has a secret you may not know. It's a charitable gift annuity.

When you fund a charitable gift annuity with us, you get cash back at high, fixed annual rates that never change.

BUILD YOUR LEGACY WITH MANY HAPPY RETURNS

OUR CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY GIVES YOU PAYMENTS EVERY YEAR FOR AS LONG AS YOU LIVE

When you fund a charitable gift annuity, we agree to send you a check each year for as long as you live, based on your funding amount and your age at the time of funding. The payment amount never changes. In addition, you may also receive:

An income tax deduction this year for part of the funding amount.

● If you fund it by transferring stock, some of your capital gains are eliminated, some spread over a number of years.

●

● After a lifetime of payments to you, any remaining funds automatically support our mission in your name.

Call or email us to learn what your payment rate and tax benefits will be. When you do, ask about deferred charitable gift annuities and other options that may give you greater payments and tax benefits.

The names and images shown here are representative of typical donors and may or may not be actual donors to the organization. Under federal rules your benefits may be different from this example. Please contact us for your specific benefits.

Copyright © 2023 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission.

NEXT TO THE DISNEYLAND®RESORT

Congratulations and continued success with this 51st year of the Americana Awards Gala.

“Congratulations and continued success with this 51st year of the American Awards Gala.”

- Bobbie Stovall (Co-Owner) and Family.

Recipient of the 2024 Americana Awards Gala “Person of the Year”

Congratulations

Linda C. Gallagher!

We are so proud of you.

Thank you for your 30+ years of service to our Club kids.

Biology & Chemistry, 2021

SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, MATH

Cypress + You Lia Thompson

Biology & Chemistry, 2021

Knowing she'd need to support herself to afford college, Lia took a semester off and went to work directly out of high school, then transitioned to taking classes while working part-time. After being promoted to a full-time position, Lia found she had much less time for classes and decided something had to give. She quit that job to prioritize her education and became a part-time tutor instead, eventually working in the college's L/LRC as a tutor and Supplemental Instruction leader.

Lia's scholarly passion is genetics. She transferred to UCI in fall 2021 to study biochemistry and one day hopes to earn a doctorate and work in genetics research to help prevent the suffering caused by genetic diseases.

Read the full story:

Abel Education Fund

Kevin M. Jones

Congratulations to all the 2026 Citizens of the Year and to George Orff, Person of the Year!

Margie Lewis and the Lewis Family

In Loving Memory of Bill Hannah

The Hannah Family and the Woman’s Club of

all the Americana

In Loving Memory of Bill Hannah

Americana Honorees

1999

The Hannah Family and the Woman’s Club of Cypress Congratulates all the Americana Honorees

In Loving Memory of Bill Hannah

2025 133

Americana Cypress Citizen of the Year 1999 Cypress College Foundation Board Member

The Hannah Family and the Woman’s Club of Cypress Congratulates all the Americana Honorees

CONGRATULATIONS

LINDA GALLAGHER

“STANTON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR”

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATION AND SERVICES TO THE STANTON LIONS CLUB AND OUR COMMUNITY.

Together

We Have the Power to Build a Clean Energy Future

We are proud to sponsor C Cypress College Foundation's 51st Americana Awards Gala

Congratulations to tonight's honorees.

THANK YOU

to Happy Jewelers for supporting

Cypress College Students

Cypress

College Associated Students

Associated Students (A.S.), the student government of Cypress College, provides learning, leadership, and service opportunities outside the classroom. A.S. is responsible for organizing many events and activities on campus throughout the academic year, pushing forward student-oriented initiatives, and representing all Cypress students in the shared governance process on campus by their service on campus committees.

Our Donors

Platinum

Gifts of $100,000+

Anonymous Aviation Donor

Catherine A. Sorensen

Edison International Foundation

Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries

Foundation for California Community Colleges

George & Sharon Orff

Golden State Water Company

Kaiser Permanente

Mal & Kay Bruce

Robert Friedman

Total Environmental Management Inc.

Union Bank

Gold

Gifts of $25,000+

Air Treatment Corporation

Anonymous Gifts

Barbara Dunsheath

Bill & Gay Hannah

Bonna Campellone

City of Buena Park

City of Stanton

Curtis and Jill Scheetz

Damon N. de la Cruz

Diane Henry

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc

Donald A Hudson

ENO Brands

James P. Brugger & Margaret Bell

JH Real Estate Operating Partners, LLC

JoAnna & Steven Schilling

Kenneth & Robin Vecchiarelli

La Habra Community Support

Landmark Certified Development Corp.

MAAS Companies Inc.

Marjorie Lewis

Mark Chatinsky

Newport Diversified

NOCCCD

NOCCCD Foundation

Regina Rhymes

Ron Godshalk

Sandie & Terry McCarthy

School’s First Credit Union

Shivon V. Ozinga

So Cal Gas

State of California

Sundt Construction Inc.

The Boeing Company

The Hilgenfeld Foundation for Mortuary Education

TMS Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Troy & Betty Edgar

U.S. Bank

U.S. Department Of Treasury

Waltmar Foundation

Woman’s Club of Cypress

Silver Gifts of $10,000+

ACCO Engineered Systems

ALMQUIST

Anaheim/Orange County Hotel & Lodging Association

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Beth Piburn

Bharat Patel

Bobbie N. Stovall

Brenda Vosbein

Brinda Subramaniam

Bryan Ventura

Care Ambulance Service

Carol Harvey

Carolyn Croom

CDA Slammers FC

Cheryl A Marshall

Chuck & Erzsebet Dunster

City of Anaheim

City of Cypress

City of La Palma

City of Los Alamitos

Clean City, Inc., Bill Taormina

Cliff Ishii

Clifford E Lester

Colin P. Preston

Dan Almquist

David & Lou Wassenaar

David and Diane Toole Foundation

David W. Wilson

Delight Sittman

Elizabeth Nielsen

Elizabeth Swift

EMCOR Services / Mesa Energy Systems Inc.

German Auto Body

Golden Touch Auto

Harry’s Heroes

Hazelrigg Claims Management Services

Helaine Wesley

Hillside Memorial Park & Mortuary

Irma Ramos

James & Catherine Phillips

Jefferson Leeper

Jesse Wobrock

Jewish Long Beach

Joel R. Gober

Jolena M. Grande

Jon & Bonnie Peat

Josh Newman

KNN Public Finance

Knott’s Berry Farm

Lamont Miya

Les Fujimoto

Les H. Lewis

Liana B Koeppel

McAuley LCX Corporation

Morgan Stanley

O’Conner / McMullan Family Fund

Orange County Professional Firefighters Association

P2S Engineering, Inc

Paul R. De Dios

Paulo Morales

Payden & Rygel

Petersen Automotive Museum

Philip A. Dykstra

Richard A. Hock

Richard S. Fee

Robert & Denise Simpson

Ron Armale

Sanjuana De La Torre

Scott Thayer

Seal Beach Lions Club

Sheron R. Huston

SMACNA SoCal

Stephen & Susan Faessel

The Grateful Foundation, Inc.

Vertical Systems

Wesley J. McCurtis

Westberg White Educational Foundation, Inc.

William O’Connell

Bronze

Gifts of $2,000+

A. O. Reed & Co.

Aaron France

Abel Vicuna

Adria Jimenez-Vicuna

Adriana Mariah Duran

Adventure City Inc.

Air Handlers Supply Inc.

Alan & Anne Drobka

Alba C. Recinos

Alice Burnett

Alicia Flores

Alison Hicks

Alta Duke

American Legion Auxiliary - Unit 327

America’s Warrior Partnership

Anaheim Community Foundation

Anaheim Family YMCA

Andrea Hannon

Angi Enriquez

Our Donors

Applied Air Conditioning

ARCA/MCA

Arctic Cooling Systems

Arlene D. Parker

Arthur & Chris Brown

Assistance League of Garden Grove

Associated Students Cypress College

Association of Business Trial Lawyers - LA

Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs

AssuredPartners

AT&T

Bank of America

Barry Siegel

Belinda E. Allan

Bentson, Vuona & Westersten, LLP

Bernard and Nina DeMarkey

Bill O’Connell

Bill Taormina

Bob Babajian

Brenda K Wilson-Codispoti

Brent & Laurie Little

Brian & Hedy Donahue

Brian Fennessy

Brittany M. Hamer

Bryan Seiling

Buena Park Noon Lions Club

Buena Park Police Association, Inc.

Byron Breland

Cambridge West Partnership, LLC

Card Integrators

Carmen Koo

Carol Williams

Casa Youth Center

Cathay Bank

Catherine Youngerman

Cathy Dutton

Chris Barnes

Chris Stehman

Christane Salts

Chuck Feenstra

City of Seal Beach

Control Air Enterprises LLC

Corporate Business Interiors (CBI)

Couts Heating and Cooling, Inc.

CR&R Incorporated

Craig Tomooka

Creative Air Mechanical Services, LLC

Crystal Cook

Crystal Neer

Cypress Chamber of Commerce

Cypress Funeral Services Inc.

Cypress Police Department

Dan Davitt

Dantonio Alvarez

Darin Drabing

Darrell Essex

Dave & Janice Skelton

David & Jennifer J. Shawver

David & Michele Zenk

David Barnes

David M. Booze

Dawn Griffin

Day Construction Inspections

Dean & Wendy Grose

Debra & Richard Rodriguez

Diane Stovall

Dirk O’Dette

DLR Group

Don & Shelli Appling

Don Nielsen

Donna Friess

Doug & Shelly Bailey

Dylan McDanniel

ECOS

Ed Bonanni

Eldon A. Young

Emil Jorge

Emily France

Eric Lester

Erin Lacorte

Ethel Bowman

Evangelina Rosales

Everett Dorey, LLP

Evie Palicz

Fast 5 Xpress Holding IV, LLC

FJS, Inc.

Foundation Pile Inc.

Frances Krum

Frank & Ruth Bila

Frank Villarruel

Fredrick G. Williams

Fullerton College

Gabrielle Shaw

Garden Grove B.P.O.E. 1952

Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center

Gary Gopar

Geoffrey & Tina Luis

Geoffrey Fearns

George & Maria Lazaruk

George and Karen Mast

George Mulcaire

George O’Hara

Gerda Vandergrift

Giovanni & Jaclyn Magginetti

Giuliano Family Trust

GLC Cypress

Global Conductor

Gloria C. Badal

Good Hope International Inc DBA

Anaheim Plaza Hotel

Grace Nakayama

Greg & Kathy Fellers

Greg & Stephanie Rosati

Greg Goodyear

Hank Wesseln

Harlene Goodrich

Irvin Howard Enterprises for Reon

Howard

Ivory Li

J&N Machining

Jacqueline Rodarte

James & Lori Dinwiddie

James Kelly

James R. Watson

Jaunetta Strohmyer

JCI Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP

Jean & Richard Daum

Jeanette James

Jerice Walker

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jill R. Ingram

Jim Hindman

Joanne Wilkerson

John & Diane Kelly

John Jaeger

Johnson Consulting Group

Josiah & Tanya Doby

Juan Garcia

Juan Gonzalez

Judith Klabouch

Karen Cant

Kathleen E. Reiland

Kathryn L. Sonne

Katie Michele Glaue

Kaveh Motadi

Kay L. Barr

Kenneth Siegel

Kenny Brandyberry

Kevin Jones

Kevin Smith

Kimberley Pawlik

Kinetic Mortgage

Kiwanis Club of Cypress

Kristen Oliver

La Casa Garcia

Larry Verne

Laurie Murray

Leonard & Janet Lahtinen

Lisa Brandon

Los Alamitos Medical Center

LPA Architecture, Inc.

Maha Afra

Manhattan Beach Toyota

Marah Fineberg-Kuck

Margaret M. Mohr

Marianna Mcclanahan

Our Donors

Maribel Denner

Marie J. Hammer

Marilyn McCorkle

Mario Villafan

Mark Bradley

Mark Lauderback

Marla H. McBride

Mary “Fola” F. Odebunmi

Mary McCasland

Matt Jagerman

Matthew Bullock

Matthew Davies

McCarthy Builders

Megan Martinez-King

Mic & Dee Vincenti

Michael Dix

Michael L. Klyde

Michael McClean

Mick and Terry Woodbury

Mike & Joyce Tsao

Mike Haley

Nancy Byrnes

Ned Snyder

Nesi Stewart

Newport Lexus

Next Level Energy Management & Automation

Nicole Cassesso

Noella & Dickson Lew

NSWC

O.C. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation

O’Conner Laguna Hills Mortuary

Operation Helping Hands

Oscar A Delcid

P2S Engineering

Pacific Western Bank

Pat Ganer

Pat Kent

Patrick Gibbs

Patrick O’Brien

Paul & Carol Bostwick

Paul & Mariellen Yarc Lussman

Paul Sanford

Pearson Education

Peggy & Eric Wilson

Peter Grant

Phil & Barbie Wendel

Pick Your Part Auto Wrecking

Piper Jaffray

Piping Industry Progress and Education Labor P.I.P.E.

Pradip Brahmbhatt

Precoa

Rachel A Ghatikar

Ramona Vosburg

Rancho Mission Viejo

Rancho Santiago Community College District

RBC Capital Markets

Reon Boydstun-Howard

Ric Lerma

Richard & Crystal Lufkin

Richard & Pat McAuley

Richard Cooper & Mike Belknap

Richard Hannon

Rick Alonzo

Rick Darnell

Rick McAuley

Rigoberto & Jhovana Ramirez

Robert & Nancy Johnson

Robert Laurens

Robert W. Hernandez

Robert W. Sittman

Roger & Holly Iris

Ronnie Collins

Ross Smith

Rotary Club of Anaheim

Rotary Club of Cypress

RunSignup

Ryan Heflin

Ryan Vecchiarelli

Sandra & Anthony Ceron

Sandy McElroy

Sarah A. Jones

Savannah School District

Scott & Cathy Newton

Scott Minikus

Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce

Shailesh & Jayshree Bhakta

Shannon De La Rosa

Soroptimist International of Garden Grove

South Coast Controls

Southern California Edison

Southland Industries

Stanton Lions Club

Stephen H. Sain

Stephen Schoonmaker

Steve Masoner

Superior Foods Sales

Sylvano Ibay

Teri “Lynn” L. Mitts

Theresa Harvey

Therese Mosqueda-Ponce

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing

Tiffanie Ward

Timothy “Tim” Verne

TNT Fireworks American Promotional Events, Inc. - West

Tom & Crystal Cook

Toyota Place

Treisa S. Cassens

Troy Wilson

UA Journeymen & Apprentices Local #250

Victor & Erlinda Villegas

Victor Hernandez

Vince Taormina

Virgil Adams

Visiting Angels

Warland Investments Company

William & Gunilla Svendsen

William C. & Marilynn M. Poe

William Poe V

William Taormina

Wincome Management & Development Inc

World Trade Printing

Yamaha Motor Corp, USA

Yong M Han

Charger

Gifts of $1,000+

A.G. and Kelly Anvari

ACCO

Adel Rajab

Akiko “Allison” Gotoh

Albert Miranda

Alchymia

Alison M. Robertson

Allan Ansdell

Allen & Carola Bundy

Amber & Bobby Enriquez

American Federation of Teachers (ADFAC)

Anaheim Ducks

Andrew C. Lachina

Andrew Yu

Angie & Erik Ray

Ann Marie Ruelas

Anna for Steven Poynter Poynter

Anna Herzog

Anna M. Spencer-Lonetti

Ann-Marie Beck

Anthony Taormina

Anthony Taylor

Ashleigh Aitken

Barbara A. Woolner

Batesville Casket

Becky Areias

Bijan Motadi

Bill & Debra Frederickson

Bill and Martha Garcia

BJ Delzer

Blake Boehm

Bonanni Development

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater

Our Donors

Anaheim-Cypress

Bradley Horner

Brian Bentson

Brian Gray

Brian O’Neal

Brookfield Los Angeles Builders Inc

Bruce Hinkle

C33, LLC

Candace Dewitt & Marc Drucker

Carmen Davis

Celeste M. Phelps

Charles N. Allen

Charmain Ronnenberg

Chet Simmons

Christie Digital Systems

Christina Dawson

Corey Sianez

Craig Lee

Cynthia Coad

Cypress Gardens

Cypress Land Company

Cypress Lawn Cemetary Association

Dan Fukushima

Daniel Fierro

Danielle Guthrie

Danielle Nelson

Dasha Smith

David & Charmaine Ronnenberg

David Godoy

David S. Okawa

Dawn Decker

Deann Burch

Deborah Michelle

Dennis & Cristina Canning

Devlon Hoff

Diana Kotler

Diane Appling

Donald R Brand

Donna for Ford John Opkins

Doug Pak

DWWTL INC. DBA NEWPORT LEXUS

Elaine M. Lipiz Gonzalez

Elmer Bugg & Cherry Li-Bugg

Emma Anton

Emmanuel Torres

Eric Lester and Rebecca Hart

Eric Nunez

Erik Rios

Ernest & Thelma Machado

Ernie & Vivian Villarreal

Evangelina Estrada

First Class Vending, Inc.

Fullerton Elks Lodge 1993

Gabriel Enriquez

Gail A Taylor

Gary & Jessica Holder

Gary & Sharon Gutjahr

George Callison

Geotechnical Solutions

Ginger Osman

Glenn McElroy

Golden Star Technology, Inc.

Graham Siderius

Green Hills Memorial Park

Greg & Gina Phillips

Guaranty Chevrolet

Guillermo & Mary-Anne Ortega

Harry’s Cafe

Helix Electric

Henry Veirregger

Inner Circle For Tom Carpenter

Insight Investments

Interval House

James Davis

Jane A. Walker

Jane C. Jepson

Jay Di Silvestri

Jeff & Allison Coburn

Jeffrey Diehl

Jeffrey P. Brown

Jenna De Long

Jerry & Janice Roodzant

Jesse Urquidi

Jesus Silva & Sharon Quirk-Silva

Jill E. Bauer

Jim & Dawn Carter

Jim & Karen Sullivan

Jim DeMaio

Jim Klisanin

Jim Murphy

Joe & Valentina Purtell

Joel Greer

John D. Payne Jr.

John Dupuy

John for Mary Bouas Bouas

John Sciacca

John Wagner

Jon Miller

Jose E Rubalcava

Joshua L. House

Joyce Carrigan

Joyce Ricci

JP Wang

Julie Jevremov

Karl & Penny Dash

Karma Pemba

Karol Hatch

Kathleen Llanos

Katie Wong

Katrin Hanley

Kay Carpenter

Keith & Sue Johnson

Keith Vescial

Ken Babb

Ken Zapanta

Kennedy Court Reporters Inc.

Kevin Peterson

Kevin Tsao

Key Air Conditioning

Kim Megyesi

La Palma Intercommunity Hospital

Larry Herman

Lenore A. Landis

Leroy Mills

Lesley Loon

Lilia Xu

Lillian “Penny” H. Gabourie

Linda McCoy

Lionel & Fay Ng

Lisa Fujimoto

Lisa Landau

LKQ Corporation

Lori Lynn

Los Alamitos Race Course

Louise Bierei

Lyn Vernazza

Lynette S. Young

Lynn Groff

Majeda Geramy

Marc C Posner

Maria Rowena Lazo

Mariellen Yarc

Mark Burnside

Mark Pickering

Mary Bouas

Mary Lambert

Mason West, Inc

Michael Bedard

Michael Cooper

Michael Frey

Michael Gilmore

Michele Steggell

Mike & Lisa Lee

Miller Toyota & Miller Honda

Mirvette Judeh

Mitch & Julia Felde

Mitchell Caldwell

Monica M. Doman

Moore Ruble Yudell

Murray Company

Nancy A Deutsch

Nicholas Hamer

Norm Lussier

Norma E. Martinez

Northern Trust

Orange County Automobile Dealers Association (OCADA)

Orange County’s United Way for ATT

Our Donors

Pam Schoonover

Pat O’Toole

Patrick Rochon

Patron Property Management, Inc.

Paul Andresen

Paul Kott Realtors, Inc.

Paul T. Paiement

PayPal Giving Fund

Penn Air Group

Phillip Pope

Piper Jaffrey

Piper Sandler & Co.

PPC Plumbing Piping & Construction, Inc.

Prime Healthcare for La Palma Hospital

Ralph Webb

Randal S. Bessolo

Randy & Diana Hill

Rangers FC

Raul Alvarez

Ray Fuentes

RETA CA

Richard F. Rams

Rick & Dana Martens

Rick Hodge

Rigo Carrillo

Robbin Narike Preciado

Robert & Rachel Alanis

Robert Jahncke

Roberta G. Lawrence

Robyn Alhadeff

Rod Garcia

Ron & Judy Carter-Johnson

Ron Beeler

Ron Hoshi

Ronald Dominguez

Ronnie Cheung

Rosanna Inc DBA Avenue of the Arts Hotel

Rose Hills Mortuary

Russell A. Bacarella

S Planner USA, Inc.

Sally Feldhaus

Samantha M. Simmons

Santanu Bandyopadhyay

Scot Payne

Scott & Sharon Pickler

Scott Drolet

Scott Weir

Service Corporation International (SCI)

Sharon Moore

Shawna De la Cruz

Shelley Hasselbrink

Stacey Bergman

Stanley Beamish

Stanley Tutton

Steinberg Architects

Steve Arnold

Steve Blount

Steve Donley

Steve Villanueva

Steven Hollins

Steven R Banneck

Sue Fardette

Susan Lerma

Tara Hubsch

Temperence L Dowdle

Teresa Santana

Terry and Barbara Barton

Thank a Vet

Thomas & Sharon Moore

Thomas E. Blackman

Tia Wildermuth

Tiffany Hamp

Tina Stovall Luis

Toyota of Huntington Beach

Tustin Toyota

Tuyen Pham

Vince Marchetti

Virginia “Ginny” P. Moore

Warren Berzack

West Anaheim Medical Center

West Anaheim Medical for Fishman, D

Westmont of Cypress

William Ayres

Xerox

College Gifts of $500+

Aaron Steger

Adam T. Eckenrode

Adrienne Poan

Al Ethans

Alan George

Alan M. Reza

Alejandra Ramirez

Alex & Le Ng

Alex Camargo

Alex Keller

Alexander Porter

Alexander Yang

Alice M Palicz

Alma Castro

Alyce Van

Amber Craig Fdn for Craig Annette

Amelia Marques

Amie Poole

Amy Alikhani

Amylou & Anthony Law

Andreas Pasaras

Andreas Psaras

Andrew Heckel

Andrew Hermann

Andrew Jewell

Angela D. Ellison

Angela deDios

Angella Kissoon

Angels Baseball

Ann Marie Jennison

Anna F Lagrimas

Anne Mallari

Anne Nieto

Annie Wang

Anthony Damato

Anthony D’amato

Anthony J. Maher

Anthony Law

Apple Photography Inc.

Athena Ledbetter

Austin Hill

Avelino Valencia

Aydinaneth Ortiz

Barbara Thompson

Becky D. Floyd

Behzad “Ben” Izadi

Bo Ralston

Bob Salcedo

Brendan McCarthy

Brian Faul

Brian Pickler

Brian Travis

C33 for Barton Place

Canyon Composites

Carl David

Carlos Miguel III Martinez

Carlos Sandoval

Carol Holmes

Carole Stone

Carole Tucker

Carolyn Carpenter

Carrie Imoto

Catherine Davis

Catherine San Roman

Cecilia Aguayo

Charitable Adult Rides & services, Inc.

Charles & Joann Mizutani

Charles Griffith

Chelsi Wilson

Cherry & Elmer Li-Bugg

Christiana Finn

Christina Pluhar

Christopher Fore

Christopher West

Christy Montenegro

Christy Schopp

Christy Wylde

Claudia Mitchell

Cornelius & Cynthia Van Loon

Our Donors

Cottons Point Design Inc.

Craig Goralski

Crean Foundation

Cristian Delgado

Cristina Sims

Crystal Miles

Cypress College_

Dan & Anita Pittman

Daniel Frank

Daniel J. Snook

Daniel Sherrin

Daniel Villa

Dao T. Do

Daren & Kori DeLeon

Darian Royse

Dave Grace

Dave McCament

David Kangad

David Moeser

David S. Nusbaum

David Shutts

David Skorupinski

David Toigo

Deborah & Greg Magnuson

Deidre M Porter

Diane L Schmitz

District Managers Association (NOCCCD)

Don Ward

Donald A. Pickler

Donation

Donna Miller

Donna Purzycki

Eduardo Escobedo

Edward & Dawndra Ahart

Edward S. Fenton

Efrain Ramirez

Eileen Soskin

El Monte Rebekah Lodge #338

El Zarape

Elena Helme

Elizabeth A. Pacheco

Elizabeth Preger

Elizabeth Tenorio

Elyse Gomez

Eric Choi

Erica Sturges

Ernesto Martinez

Falck Mobile Health Corp. (dba Care Ambulance)

Fawn Imboden

Field Time Target and Training, LLC (FT3)

Franck Khalifa

Frida Cadena

Fullerton College Foundation, inc.

G&M Maintenance and Management

Gabriel & Gloria Chua & Su

Gabriel Pallares

Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce

Garden Grove Community Foundation

Garet R. Hill

Gary & Arlene Kimata

Gary Shin

German Guevara

Gilbert Youdeem

Gina Elefante

Glenda Harris

Gordon Hatcher

Gordon Preston

Greg Perez

Ha & Seon Lee

Hector Romero

Hector Uriarte

Heulises Ramirez

Hoa T. Tran

Howard Harris

International Cargo Equipment

Jaime M. Ramos

James & Carol Fenlon

James Stovall

Jamie Leigh LaPera

Jane E. Troop

Jane Tucker

Janet Vera

Jason Lawson

Jason Merchey

Jason Oja

Javier Peralta

Jean Kim

Jeannie Mitsch

Jeff Burnett

Jeff Chang

Jeffrey & Patricia Weaver

Jenae Sexton

Jennifer Frew

Jennifer Page

Jennifer Sasai

Jerry Ristrom

Jhovana & Rigo Ramirez

Jill & Mark Bolton

Jill Salber

Jim Coombs

Jim Householder

Jim Lowman

Joanna Lin

Joanne Flory

Joe Carter

Joe Hammer

Joel Prado

John and Helen Finneran

John Guastaferro

John H. Grace Foundation

John O`Neill

John Raggett

John Tran

Johnnie Strohmyer

Johrita Solari

Jonathan Lin

Jorge Cisneros

Joseph G. Cvetas

Judy Lee

Julie & Max Vorathavorn

June Glenn

Karne Somers

Katherine Jacullo

Kathryn Wada

Kathy Bell

Katy Realista

Ken Mitchell

Kenneth Blake

Kenny Liu

Kevin Bundy

Kevin Nowak

Kevin Young

Kiwanis of Greater Stanton

Kuniyuki Fushimi

Kyung & Grace Suh

Larry Boberg

Larry Zucker

Laurel Best-Linton

League of Women Voters of North Orange County

Lee Bucsko

Leonard & Carol Lavache

Les Malo

Lina Lumme

Ling Ling Chang

Lisa Gaetje

Loree Erpelding

Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.

Louis C. Krebs

Lupe Fonseca

Lynn Willis

Mac Nguyen

Mandy Rockwell

Marbelly & Arvish Jairam

Marcia Jeffredo

Maria Sterk

Maria Tarango

Marilyn Chad

Maritza Rudisill

Mark and Linda I. Waldman

Mark Marth

Mark Rodden

Marquis Escrow

Martha Rosmus

Our Donors

Mathison Moreto

Matthew & Megan Ceppi

Matthew Randolph

Medina La Rosa Jorge

Megan Coats

Michael Gould

Michael Henderson

Michael Kasler

Michael Prencavage

Michele Stewart

Michelle & Eric Ito

Michelle Ankele-Yamashita

Miguel & Selina Toloza

Mijeong Kim

Mike & Christine Lee

Mike Ambrosi

Mike Jacobs

Milan & Linda Cornett

Monica A Farias

Monica Velarde

Murray Palitz

Myles Bailey

Nam Bartash

Nancy Miller

Nat & Renee Ferguson

Natan Bershtel

National Automobile Dealers Association NADA Foundation

Nerissa Fleming

Nicole A. Ledesma

Nicole Mirante-Matthews

Nikki Muller

Nina Lao

Nitroactive.net Licata

Nolan Scheetz

Norma Campos-Kurtz

Pam (Heartland) Haddad

Pamela Ball

Parwinder K. Sidhu

Patricia Bohe

Patricia Smith

Patrick Scanlon

Paul Rowley

Paul Schubert

Paul Sherrin

Penny Dash

Philip Fleming

PMI Patron

Precious Life Shelter, Inc.

Printmasters, Inc.

R2A Architecture

Rachel George

Rachel Hrncir

Rachel Strong

Raed Dakaak

Raymond & Elizabeth Ward

RE/MAX Tiffany Real Estate

Regina Russell

Richard & Nicole Parmenter

Richard Bernstein

Richard Darnell

Richard E Charbeneau

Richard Hodge

Richard Lighstone

Richard Rodriguez

Rick Beall

Rick Purvis

Ricky Fobear

Robert Collacott

Robert J Peterson

Robert Palumbo

Robert Robinson

Rod Cox

Rose Ablao

Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Cypress/ Seal Beach

Ruth A. Gutierrez

Ryan Bent

Ryan Ziegenbusch

Sal Martin

Sandra Blumenthal

Sandra Dilores

Sandy & Phil McElroy

Sandy Thomas

Sara Cole

Sarbelia D. Wynia

Sarkis Tatarian

Schenelle Villacorta

Scott C. Stiles

Sebastian Reed

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Sergio Pina

Shari Cipolla

Sharon Cacayan

Shawn Ellis

Sheri Radaszewski

Sheryl Casas

Shiela Dudley

Shirley Dinwiddie

Shirley Mccracken

Soroptimist International Cypress

Sothara So

Sridhar Sundaram

St. Irenaeus

Stephanie Klopfenstein

Stephanie Nguyen-Yu

Stephen & Stephanie Yu

Steven Fish

Steven Flanagan

Student Insurance

Sue Shimrock

Susan Clark

Swen Nater

Sydney McCollum

Sylvia Bunette

Sylvia S. Paek

Takashi Yamauchi

Tao Rossini APC

Thomas & Annie Dohner

Thomas Ross

Thomas Yolas

Tim Karp

Tim Rasmussen

Tina Duarte

Todd Fitschen

Todd Priest

Tom Barclay

Tom Carpenter

Tony Vo

Travis Hudson

Treana Allen

Ulla Herman

Val Mallari

Vanessa Widener

Vannarith & Sothara So

Veletta Crawford

Veronica Carpenter

Victoria & Chad Smith

Wendy Hansen

Whitney High School Associated Student Body

William Chamberlin

William Gedney

William Wynder

Wilson Figueroa

Xavier Group

Yolanda Duenas

Young (Heartland) Min

Yvette Rodriguez

2026 Auction Donors

A & S Matic Auto Repair

Adventure City

Anaheim YMCA

Angels Baseball

Aquarium of the Pacific

Artistic Nails

Ayres Hotels of Southern California

Barbara Dunsheath

Barbara Dunsheath’s Book Club

Beth Piburn

Bonnie and Jon Peat

Bowers Museum

Bradford Renaissance Portraits

Brewery X

Britto Art

Byington Winery & Vineyard

Cal-Aerofab

Camp James

Carmen Koo

Chance Theater

Chef JJ Burton and his team of alumni chefs, and The Westin Anaheim Resort

City Cruises

City Lights Theater Company

City National Grove of Anaheim

City of Anaheim

City of Anaheim Office of the Mayor and City Council

City of Buena Park

City of Cypress

City of Garden Grove

City of Los Alamitos

City of Seal Beach

CSUF College of the Arts

Curtis Scheetz

Cypress College Business and Computer

Cypress College Foundation Board of Directors

Cypress College Library Learning Resource Center

Cypress College Social Sciences Division

Cypress College Student Support Services Division

Dave Shawver

Dee and Mic Vincenti

Dianne Van Hook

Dominic’s Ristorante Italiano

Dr. Elizabeth Swift

ECOS

Elite Island Resorts - Galley Bay Resort & Spa

Elite Island Resorts – Hammock Cove Resort & Spa Antigua

Elite Island Resorts - Los Establos Boutique Inn

Elite Island Resorts - Pineapple Beach

Club Antigua

Elite Island Resorts - St. James Club Antigua

Elite Island Resorts - The Club, Barbados Resort & Spa

Elite Island Resorts - The Verandah Resort & Spa

ENO Brands

Fogo de Chao

Frances W. Greenspan

Friends of Cypress College Foundation

FT3 Tactical

Gail Taylor and Richard Rodriguez

George Orff

Gorjana & Griffin Inc.

Great Wolf Lodge

Harry’s Cafe Stanton

Haus of Portraiture

Hollywood Wax Museum

Home Depot

“Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens”

Irvine Barclay Theatre

J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines

JoAnna Schilling

Joey Quenga

John Dupuy

JW Marriott Anaheim Resort

Kate Spade

Ken & Robin Vecchiarelli

La Mirada Theatre

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

Le Creuset

Liz Dunster

Los Angeles Rams

Mama’s Hospitality Group

Margie Lewis

Mark Pomerantz

Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe

Melissa Park

Michael Espinoza

Monte De Oro Winery

Movement Fountain Valley

Musical Theatre West

Naples Rib Company / Newport Rib Company

Noella Lew

Orange County Fire Authority

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Paint My Buddy, Sarah Lew

Park West Gallery

Paul and Carol Bostwick

Paul Chi

Pier 39

Planes of Fame Air Museum

PREP Cooking Classes & Kitchen Essentials

Pretend City Children’s Museum

Pristine Auction

Rainbow Cone

Roblar Winery & Vineyards

Roclord Studio Photography

Salt Me Halotherapy

Santa Anita Park

Sender One Climbing

Shivon and Brian Ozinga

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation

South Coast Repertory

Sports Basement

Sprouts Farmers Market

Stanton City Manager Hannah Shin-Heydorn

Tanaka Farms

Target

The Broad Museum

The GEM Theatre

The Modern Cellar

The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot

The Road Theatre Company

TNT Fireworks

UA Local 250

Victor Barrios

Waterworks Aquatics

Wigwam Resort

Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards

Xperience Restaurant Group

Cypress College Foundation thanks Total Environmental Management for their tireless support to ensure our students reach their full potential!

Americana Awards

Outstanding Community Leader Scholarship

A tribute to all Americana Honorees

Awarded to a Cypress College student who demonstrates extraordinary service to the community

Please help Cypress College students by contributing to the Americana Community Service Scholarship Fund. Scan the QR Code or visit our website at www.CypressCollegeFoundation.org to make your donation.