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.”