Fall 2025 Newsletter

Dawn S. Reese Chief Executive Officer

The Future is Now

Last month, I attended a conference about the impact that artificial intelligence will have on all facets of business, technology and data, healthcare, and education in the not-so-distant future. When I think about our students of The Wooden Floor who are growing up in this rapidly changing and challenging time, I am heartened by you, our community of supporters and partners who share in our commitment to uphold one of our most precious Guiding Principles, “We provide the best for our students so they may rise to their best.” Together, we will prepare our students for today and for their bright futures ahead.

The results of your commitment to our students are striking. We have so much to be proud of, as we are seeing remarkable outcomes resulting from our community’s investment in our mission, including:

■ Our All-Campus GPA has increased since the pandemic to 3.3, and our students are exceeding state and county benchmarks for Math and English Language Arts.

■ 100% on time high school graduation, Class of 2025 — achieved for 21 consecutive years.

■ 100% immediate enrollment in higher education, Class of 2025 — achieved for 21 consecutive years, as compared to the national college enrollment rate for socioeconomic peers nationally, which dropped to 21% in 2022 (National Education Statistics).

■ Our first-generation alumni continue to achieve a college degree attainment rate of 54% as of March 2025, compared to 12.6%, the national rate for their low-income peers (National Education Statistics).

■ In the last three years, 42% of our graduates have attained degrees in S.T.E.A.M. disciplines such as biotech engineering, molecular biology, computer engineering, and physical sciences (81% earned by women; 19% by men).

In the summer issue of Dance Up, we featured Women in S.T.E.A.M., spotlighting recent college graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math who shared their thoughts about how important it is to be S.T.E.A.M. role models for future generations of students at The Wooden Floor. In this issue, we continue to be inspired by highlighting Men in S.T.E.A.M. (see pages 6 and 7).

Our graduates in S.T.E.A.M. fields have all benefited from The Wooden Floor MeritBased Scholarship Program. Supporters of Step Forward, (The Wooden Floor endowment fund), make a commitment to ensure we have long-term financial sustainability for the future of our organization and programs, and it also provides annual support for innovative and high-quality programs for the students we serve today (see page 10). Since 2002, The Wooden Floor has provided up to $2.2M in merit-based college scholarships to our graduates. We are grateful.

Join us to find out about the ways you can support our students’ big dreams ahead. They are our future. And the future is now.

With gratitude,

Mission Moment

The Wooden Floor has grown to serve more students through our one-on-one tutoring program, where students receive services up to two times a week. In addition to The Wooden Floor tutoring staff, we have partnerships with Vanguard University, Concordia University, and Southwest College, to provide 15 tutors to engage with our students who gain hands-on access to academic resources that prepare them for life outside of The Wooden Floor. Our team of tutors, supervised by our Academic Coordinator Eusebio Romero, not only provide academic support to our students, but they uphold our values of Respect , Excellence , Community , and Stewardship to create a mentoring relationship that transforms the lives of young people.

Newsfeed

SPRING CELEBRATION

MAY 2025

Our staff hosted a Spring Celebration for our students. Students across all grade levels were able to connect and get to know each other while enjoying snacks, drinks, and music. This was an opportunity for our students to celebrate the end of the school year and all that they accomplished.

CSUF CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP CAMP

JULY 2025

Our high school students participated in California State University, Fullerton’s Giles-O'Malley Center for Leadership Summer Leadership Institute, designed to teach essential leadership tools and techniques that can be applied in school, our community, and future careers. This dynamic program includes workshops, group activities, leadership exercises, and hands-on learning experiences to help students build confidence and develop key leadership skills.

UCI BRAIN CAMP

JULY 2025

The University of California, Irvine hosted a two-week-long Brain Camp for our 9th to 11th grade students. Our students participated with other students from Orange County in hands-on laboratory experiences, including dissections and experiments, workshops on brain imaging, neuropharmacology, and experimental design, opportunities with UCI faculty, PhD students, and undergraduates, while developing critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication skills.

A Well-Balanced Life

We believe that Family Services is essential to ensure that our students can remain at The Wooden Floor over their 10-year journeys by helping families navigate through the stress and challenges facing their lives by introducing them to community services, psycho-educational workshops, and crisis intervention support. As an example, we saw more fathers on campus last year who were actively involved in their children’s activities; therefore, we implemented a new Time for Dads workshops. These workshops brought dads together for a time of learning, conversation, and connection.

As a part of our Strategic Vision 2021-2031, we are focused on the needs of our students by adding an additional Empowerment Workshop for our 12th grade students and their parents as they prepare for the social-emotional transitions onto the next stage of higher education. The workshop uses an open-group format similar to peer-led circles, guided by trained facilitators from Chapman University's Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences who are marriage and family therapists in the master's program. Our goal is to continue to evolve our Family Services programs to meet the needs of the families we serve.

The Wooden Floor provides a safe space for our families to ensure they are supported in their personal and family lives. Through their journeys, creativity is fostered, commitment is fundamental, and discovery occurs every day.

Counseling & Crisis Intervention

An open-door policy for dealing with crises or parental concerns allows our students and families to feel supported at home. If we can’t provide immediate assistance, we refer them to a community partner.

Teen Workshops

Workshops cover issues students face, including communication skills, goal setting, and positive decision-making.

Family Workshops

Parents may attend workshops related to financial literacy, parenting, communication, and family health. Additionally, families may participate in Family Dance classes as a unit to explore topics of trust, teamwork, and connectedness.

Student Enrichment

Students attend arts and cultural experiences. Our aim is to expose students to new ideas, which help them learn more about their world and how they can become responsible and productive citizens.

Relationship Building

Students receive daily mentoring by The Wooden Floor’s skilled staff, dance faculty, tutors, and volunteers.

Leadership Training

We provide our youth with leadership training, including wilderness camps and through a self-selected Student Leadership Team.

Christian will be the first in his family to attend college. He is a senior at Segerstrom High School, where he will graduate in 2026 with his high school diploma as well as a certificate in engineering. He feels that The Wooden Floor’s college tours, academic advising, as well as his peers at the organization have all helped him think outside the box, plan, and get tips for his college applications. Christian dreams of attending University of California, Irvine, or Cal Tech and majoring in aerospace engineering.

In the First Person:

Christian

CLASS OF 2026

“One thing I wouldn’t have achieved without The Wooden Floor would be really connecting with people. I think The Wooden Floor has made me softer and more kindhearted, which helps me in classrooms and public places.

As a kid, I didn’t have a clear path. I was shy and would avoid discomfort. The Wooden Floor brought me out of my shell, made me express myself more, and helped me find new things I like to do. I think it’s made me a better person. The Wooden Floor actually brings about change.

I want to major in aerospace engineering because I’m fascinated by how things work, but mostly it is to help my family with financial struggles while doing something that is interesting to me. Latino men, when we major in S.T.E.A.M., are role models for others to accomplish their dreams, which is a positive message.”

Alumni In Action

Stay up-to-date with the milestones in our alumni’s lives after graduating from The Wooden Floor!

ANTHONY SANDOVAL, CLASS OF 2019

“An important lesson that I learned while attending The Wooden Floor was the importance of having the ability to take myself out of my comfort zone. Whether it be participating in the Annual Concert or being forced to engage in across the floor routines, The Wooden Floor frequently pushed me to escape my bubble.

Learning how to dance taught me the valuable lesson of stepping out of my comfort zone. Had it not been for my experiences at The Wooden Floor, I would have remained that same anxious and scared child that was too afraid to pursue any new opportunities out of fear of failure. In a way, learning how to dance taught me how to have confidence in myself and pursue career opportunities that I would have otherwise shied away from.

As a Latino man in S.T.E.A.M., it has been incredibly empowering to be breaking these barriers. It’s no secret that Latinos/as have always been severely underrepresented in S.T.E.A.M. and even more so in medicine. My journey has been and will continue to be defined, not by the many barriers I’ve faced, but by the exciting hope that all my efforts will contribute to a more inclusive healthcare field. I look forward to the day when a kid from Santa Ana can see their culture as a strength as they continue their path to medicine.”

Since graduating from The Wooden Floor, Anthony received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He recently attended and completed a postbaccalaureate pre-med leadership program at Charle’s R. Drew University and plans to apply and matriculate into a US-based medical school program within the upcoming 2025-2026 application cycle, with hopes to attend a MD program. Anthony is currently a Clinical Research Assistant and Education Research Assistant in Los Angeles, California.

MIGUEL CID-ROSAS, CLASS OF 2020

“One of the most valuable things I learned at The Wooden Floor that I didn’t get anywhere else was the belief that my future was worth investing in. I discovered discipline, time management skills, and I truly felt supported by various individuals in the organization.

Dance taught me how to persevere through challenges. It also taught me the importance of teamwork, giving and receiving feedback, and sharpened my ability to think critically — all essential skills in S.T.E.A.M. Most importantly, it gave me an exceptional basis for learning new things and confidence in my own knowledge and ideas.

It is a mix of pride and responsibility knowing I get to represent a community that is often overlooked in these fields. It can be isolating at times, but it also pushes me to work harder and stay focused — not just for myself, but for everyone in our community who’s watching and wondering if they can do it too. I’ve realized that my background is a source of strength. Surrounding myself and learning from individuals in S.T.E.A.M. that share a similar background helps me realize that all of our dreams are possible. Having a place like The Wooden Floor cheering us on is a blessing, which I am always grateful for.”

Miguel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Public Health from Boston College. He plans to pursue medical school or a PhD Program in Molecular Biology and recently accepted a full-time position as a Research Associate in the Arias Group at the CZ Biohub San Francisco. Miguel is currently writing his first scientific publication about developing viral sensing technologies.

Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00pm

Big Canyon Country Club One Big Canyon Drive Newport Beach, California

▫ A fun, strolling wine tasting competition

▫ Signature small plates

▫ Sharing of student success stories

▫ Silent auctions and opportunity drawings

Giving opportunities

PREMIER

The Beall Family Foundation

Janice & John Markley

PLATINUM

The Hughes Family

Richard LeBrun

GOLD

Theresa & Jonathon Allen

Wendy & Michael Arciero -

Anaheim Ducks & OCVIBE

Frome Family Foundation

Carole & Rich Lee

Nicholas Pardon

Judith F. Posnikoff

US Bank Private Wealth Management

Nancy & Arn Youngman

SILVER

Robin & Linda Boyd

City National Bank

Farmers and Merchants Bank

Sharon & Terry Hartshorn

Teri & Alan Hoops

Hydraflow - The Ayloush Family

Yvonne & Damien Jordan

Karin Krogius & Scott Mason

Ginger & Arthur Ong

Peter & Andria Strelow

Karen K. Ulman & Robert M. Knapp

BRONZE

Joe & Michele Chatelle

Jehan Jayakumar - Carlson & Jayakumar LLP

Catherine MacIver & Jim Slaughter

Shelly Sandoval & Jon Lash

Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation

Robyn & Dave Stauffer

Kathleen & Jerry Thode

COPPER

Glennda Adair

Jeff & Kristen Bush

Cathy & Mark Chamberlin

Denise & John Duncan

Elwood Advisors

Nancy & Stephen Eng

Dr. Paul Korc & Dr. Sarah Lopez THANK YOU to our 19th Annual Keep the Promise™ Wine Tasting Benefit SPONSORS

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Jehan Jayakumar,* Board Chair

Founding Partner, Carlson & Jayakumar, LLP

Theresa Allen,* Immediate Past Chair

Managing Director, RBC Wealth Management

Joseph Chatelle,* Vice Chair Principal, Mercer Richard Lee,* Secretary

Market President, Retired, Aetna, Southern California

Yvonne O’Neill,* Treasurer

Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management

Wendy Arciero Executive Director, Anaheim Ducks Foundation

Sasha Ayloush,* Director of Sales & Marketing, Hydraflow

Seán Curran, Chair, Department of Dance, NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Viviana Davalos Alumni Representative Community Leader

Michelle Dean,* Community Leader

Jen Dibble, VP, Corporate Counsel, Edwards Lifesciences

Christina Di Rocco, Investment Operations Senior Manager, Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Brent Funston, Chief Executive Officer, Wind River Group, LLC

Roxanne Goodman, Controller, Mountain View Services, Inc. and Chem-Pak Products

Naveen Jonathan, PhD, LMFT, Community Representative Clinical Associate Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, Chair, Marriage & Family Therapy, Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University

Jeremy Krout, President/CEO, Environmental Planning Development Solutions, Inc.

Richard LeBrun, Managing Director and Head of Alternatives Business Management, PIMCO Investments, LLC

Sarah Lopez, MD, MBA, Medical Consultant, Division of Quality and Population Health Management, California Department of Health Care Services

Catherine M. MacIver, Community Leader

Kim Nguyen, Vice President, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management

Maria Ochoa, Parent Representative Community Leader

Juan M. Pacheco, Parent Representative Community Leader

Alix Portillo, Assistant Vice President, Compliance Monitoring Officer Genesis Bank

Judith F. Posnikoff, PhD, Managing Director, Martlet Asset Management, LLC

Morgan Ratcliffe, Executive Director, Chief Communications Officer, Providence Health Plan

Dawn S. Reese, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, The Wooden Floor

Saar Swartzon, Principal Attorney, Cohn & Swartzon, a Professional Law Corporation

Jerry Thode, Chief Executive Officer, J Paul Group, LLC

Shervin Vadood, Vice President, Branch Manager, Farmers & Merchants Bank

Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Partner & CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.

Board Emeriti

Joan Beall, Community Leader

Beth A. Burns, Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05)

Sharon Hartshorn, Community Leader

Richard C. Hunsaker,** President, Hunsaker Management

Virginia Hunsaker,** Community Leader

Damien M. Jordan, General Manager, Retired, American Funds/ Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Yvonne M. Jordan, Community Leader

Socorro Vasquez, Community Leader

SThe Wooden Floor Endowment Campaign

ince the inception of our Endowment Fund in 1999, with the contributions from our supporters and investment returns, the fund has grown over 25 years to now support 12% of our $4.1M annual operating budget, which includes the increased number of students served with expanded programming and services. The Wooden Floor Endowment Fund has grown to $8.6M as of August 31, 2024, including The Wooden Floor Scholarship Endowment, now totaling $2.21M with direct gifts and pledges. When students join The Wooden Floor, they make a 10-year mental commitment to us, and we must be prepared to make a 10-year financial commitment to them. The Endowment Fund ensures we have long-term financial sustainability for our organization and programs, and it also provides annual support for innovative and high-quality programs for the students we serve today: by providing more children with life-changing services and expansion of programming; supporting the transitions between high school and higher education; and looking forward to long-term financial sustainability for today and future generations of students to come.

To learn more about how you can make a difference with a direct gift or pledge to The Wooden Floor Endowment Fund, or through an estate commitment as part of The Wooden Floor Legacy Society, please contact Dawn S. Reese, Chief Executive Officer at Dawn@TheWoodenFloor.org or at 714.541.8314 x136.

Scholarship Endowment Fund Underwriters:

We are grateful to the following supporters who have invested in The Wooden Floor’s Scholarship Endowment Fund through direct scholarship gifts, pledges and bequests:

Dawn & Charles Antis

Michelle & Tim Dean

Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation

Fainbarg Family Foundation

Cheryl Finley & Barry Neal

Suzanne Finley Friend & David Andrew Friend

Sharon & Frank Govern

Adele & Bryan Green

Carole & Rich Lee

Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund

Teresa Loughlin & Brent Finley

Mary Ann R. Finley Family Foundation

As of August 28, 2025.

"Becoming a Dance Partner has been such a rewarding experience. I correspond with Stephanie several times a year and am lucky enough to see her when she is in her dance classes and performs in the Annual Concert. It is such a joy to watch Stephanie grow and blossom, exuding the confidence that The Wooden Floor programs foster in their students. Participating as a Dance Partner helps me feel more invested in the mission of The Wooden Floor and shows me firsthand the difference the organization makes in the lives of children. I am humbled by this involvement, grateful to The Wooden Floor, and hope to support Stephanie all the way through her years at The Wooden Floor and beyond."

Supporter Sightings

Opening Night Reception

May 2025

The Wooden Floor welcomed Annual Concert Underwriters, supporters, Dance Partners, and guests to enjoy our Opening Night Reception at Irvine Barclay Theatre, ahead of The Wooden Floor’s 42nd Annual Concert: Curious Currents of Possibilities. Our students collaborated with nationally-acclaimed choreographers — Eva Stone, Billy Smith, and The Wooden Floor Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil — to co-create three world premiere dance pieces. The Annual Concert supports our innovative dance education programming, through generous gifts and sponsorships.

13th Step Beyond Annual Breakfast

April 2025

We are grateful to the loving and compassionate community of individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners who are generous underwriters and supporters of our students’ success at our 13th Step Beyond Annual Breakfast, helping us raise nearly $300,000. We were also grateful by the moving keynote presentation by Dr. Tiffany Ana Lopez, Dean of the UCI Clare Trevor School of the Arts as well as the strong presence and commitment to our graduating class by civic leaders, education partners, and alumni who attended. Congratulations to the Class of 2025, who are all headed to higher education!

1810 North Main Street

Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727

714.541.8314

TheWoodenFloor.org

Follow us @TheWoodenFloor

Please Save the Date!

Please gather with us at the following events to help propel our students and our mission forward.

19th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit™

September 25, 2025 | 6:00pm BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB, NEWPORT BEACH

A fun, strolling blind wine tasting competition featuring 12 spectacular wines from around the world, with an average rating of 97 pts. and above. Proceeds help us keep the promise to each of our students: from here, you can step anywhere.

More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/WineTasting

Annual Auditions

October 18, 2025 | 8:30am

THE WOODEN FLOOR MAIN STREET LOCATION

Know a child who needs us? Spread the word throughout our community about the opportunity to join The Wooden Floor.

More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/Auditions

Eat & Wrap

December 8, 2025 | 11:00am THE WOODEN FLOOR MAIN STREET LOCATION

Join The Wooden Floor as we bring holiday cheer to our 475 students! Enjoy wrapping gifts for each and every child and decorating trees to be sent home with students who would otherwise go without.

More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/Events