Briefly In Education

Build a sea urchin with Sean Duffy

Laguna Art Museum and artist Sean Duffy will host a Build Your Own Sea Urchin art workshop for children on Jan. 9 in conjunction with Duffy’s current exhibition Sean Duffy: Searcher.

Known for his sea urchin light sculptures made from found objects such as recycled gas cans and zip ties, Duffy will teach children the art of making a sea urchin out of recycled paper and pipe-cleaners.

Cost is $25, and covers participation for one child and one adult as well as the art materials cost. Any additional adults will need to purchase a regular Museum admission. Reservations are required; call (949) 494-8971 ext. 207 or visit https://www.LagunaArtMuseum.org.

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Local students to perform at Carnegie Hall

Laguna Beach High School performing art students Sarah Busic and Karina Parker were recently selected to perform at Carnegie Hall for the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series in February.

The pair auditioned in the fall and was accepted after a review by the Selection Board Committee. To select finalists for this honor, the expert board of music professionals reviewed every completed application received.

Both students said they are looking forward to the opportunity to work with finalists from across the nation. In addition to their performance at the famous venue, the students will have the opportunity to learn from master conductors.

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Schools connect with other communities

Teaming together to connect with communities near and far, students from Laguna’s schools participated in a broad array of community service opportunities throughout the holiday season, according to school district officials.

A friendly grade-level competition at Laguna Beach High School resulted in the collection of 1,500 pounds of food for the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. For every pound of food donated, students received a raffle ticket for prizes donated by local businesses. The senior class won the competition by donating more than 700 pounds of food.

At El Morro Elementary, the PTA and Student Council helped students collect coats for the One Warm Coat Drive, which were donated to the Laguna Relief and Resource Center. Students also donated gift cards and groceries to adopted local families and participated in the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Food Drive earlier this year. Another benefactor of the school is the environment. The students’ interest in protecting the environment, combined with ZeroTrash Laguna’s commitment to clean up the community, resulted in a school-wide participation in the program.

Student leaders at Thurston Middle helped their classmates make a difference in the lives of others through their involvement in organizations including the annual holiday party at La Playa Center and food box donations to the Laguna Relief and Resource Center. Along with the Laguna Beach Fire Department’s “Spark of Love Toy Drive,” Leadership students helped create awareness for the program at Thurston, which resulted in the collection of more than 150 toys for children this holiday season.

Top of the World Elementary students demonstrated their kindness and caring by giving up a portion of lunchtime recess to write “Thinking of You” notes, which were enclosed in handmade gift boxes for the Meals on Wheels program and delivered with Thanksgiving meals. Another annual, much anticipated school event is the fifth-grade Holiday Boutique, where students are encouraged to create gift items from recycled products, which saves money and promotes green giving, to sell to the student body. Each class then chose three local charities to donate 100% of the boutique proceeds. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Friends of the Sea Lion and the Friendship Shelter have been past recipients.

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SchoolPower sets Dinner Dance

SchoolPower will host its 26th annual Dinner Dance at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Montage Laguna Beach.

This year’s theme, “Diamonds in the Sand,” was selected by event chairwomen Kim Ressler, Melissa Cavanaugh and Kristin Bunn, to embody all that is elegant and sophisticated about Laguna Beach.

The evening will include excellent food and wine, a live performance by local band, The F-Jams and a live auction, featuring items such as a private suite for the upcoming U2 concert at Angels Stadium, a Pelican Hill weekend getaway for four; and a private 90-foot yacht for the day to Catalina hosted by HOM Real Estate Group.

The event raised $180,000 for Laguna’s schools last year, which helps support important programs like teacher innovations, foreign language, music and the arts and class size reduction.

Raffle tickets are $100, and includes a pouch with a pair of cubic zirconium earrings (8mm/2 carat) in white sand, and a chance to win the grand prize of a diamond necklace and matching earrings from Rubels Jewelers, valued at $3,000. To attend, RSVP by Jan. 8. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.lbschoolpower.org or call (949) 494-6811.