USC supporters celebrate

They called it, “Take Note and SCelebrate.”

A crowd of Newport-Mesa USC supporters converged on the Peter and

Mary Muth Interpretive Center to share pats on the back for the

Trojans’ national championship in football, and to meet and greet a

very special friend.

The honored guest of the Trojan League of Orange County was none

other than USC mascot Traveler. The Saturday afternoon reception

attracted hundreds of USC devotees, who sampled hors d’oeuvres at

sunset while having their photo taken with the big white fellow.

Traveler was not allowed to partake, but received plenty of attention

just the same.

The afternoon on the upper bay was a benefit for the USC Thornton

School of Music. Each year, the Trojan League designates a specific

area or department within the USC family to be the recipient of their

generosity.

Some nicely groomed folks made it to the Interpretive Center,

including event co-chairs Janis Agopian and Melanie Fitch. Sue

McKeever, president of the Trojan League, was on hand, along with

dedicated alumnae and friends such as Mimi and Tom Hogan, Barbara and

Ed Meserve and the candid Alison McCormick with husband Kimo.

Alison McCormick shared that many of the couples in attendance

were “mixed marriages,” with the wife holding a USC degree and the

husband holding a Stanford diploma. McCormick, who fits the

description, confided, “I guess the guys just couldn’t find a decent

woman up there.”

Cherie and Bill Hart, Rich Robinson, Lori and John Petry, Cindy

and Pete Hollern, Hubie and Linda Laugharn, Mary and Rick Godber, Bev

and Carl Wilgeroth, Christy and Steve Foster, Lorna Pizzorni, Dixie

Allen and Patricia McNamana were also present in support of the USC

Thornton School of Music.

Big money was raised for USC by the some 400 guests, bidding on

prizes and auction items, including one of the most popular auction

items -- a trip for four to the USC-Hawaii game in September.

On a personal note, with one recent USC grad, one current USC

undergrad and one Hawaii undergrad in my family, I think there should

be a special rooter section somewhere in the middle of the stadium

for this big game, with complimentary hot dogs for all parents with

two or more children at either university.

Well, it’s just a thought.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.