Rewards given for hard work
Deirdre Newman
COSTA MESA -- Tai Thai, a native of Saigon, is editor in chief of the
Estancia High School newspaper. He restarted the decathlon team,
participated in water polo and swimming, and is an Advanced Placement
Scholar with Distinction. The senior with a 4.3 grade-point average will
attend Harvard University in the fall.
Thai and his distinguished peers from Costa Mesa high schools and
colleges were honored Friday with Les Miller Outstanding Student Awards.
Miller was the first principal of Costa Mesa High School.
The event gave the students public recognition for their well-earned
achievements.
“I have the pleasure of seeing [these students] daily in their
struggles to meet their challenges,” said Tom Antal, Estancia’s
principal. “To see them honored in public is an absolute thrill.”
Schools represented at the awards ceremony included Estancia, Costa
Mesa High School, the Alternative Education Center, Vanguard University
and Orange Coast College, which also honored two outstanding athletes.
Arlis Reynolds from Estancia, who was recognized for her athletic,
academic and leadership achievements, said she was impressed with all the
students who were honored.
“It’s very flattering to be recognized, especially with the company
I’m in,” Arlis said. “I didn’t realize how many students there are.”
Arlis’ mom, Olga, said it was a bittersweet moment to watch her
daughter accept the award.
“You know she’s reached one peak and is on to other ones,” she said.
“I think it’s nice that the community recognizes young people who set
goals.”
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