BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Crevier receives President’s Award

Don Crevier, a Laguna Beach resident and businessman, has been presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the president of the United States to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.

This award was presented to Crevier by Roxanne Spillett, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s president, at the Boys & Girls Club Pacific Region Board Conference on March 19, at the Newport Marriot.

“I feel indebted to the Boys Club for providing me with a positive, constructive environment while I was growing up,” Crevier said. “I believe it’s important to give a boost to programs that are in place for helping young people who face a lot of challenging situations today. I think if you have some good luck along the way, you have a responsibility to encourage and help others. I feel we are investing in future generations and hope we’ve been able to make a difference in our community.”

Crevier is the president of Crevier BMW / Mini, one of the top three BMW dealerships in the country.

His professional accolades are abundant. He has been awarded Quality Dealer Award for Exceptional Performance and Distinguished Community Service by Time Magazine.

Crevier BMW has been recognized by BMW of North America for extraordinary customer satisfaction.

In addition to owning the BMW franchise, he owns Crevier Sales and Leasing Company, as well as Crevier Mini and the Crevier Classic Car Company. Crevier has a son, two daughters and three grandchildren.

His favorite activities include running, golf, skiing, collecting vintage cars and, of course, driving BMWs.

Crevier has been actively involved with the Laguna Beach club, which he attended as a kid, for more than 20 years.

The club’s 25,000 square foot clubhouse on Laguna Canyon Road was built as a result of his dedication in co-chairing, along with fellow board member Keith Swayne, the successful $3.3 million capital campaign to revitalize the facility.

Currently, Crevier is focusing his efforts to help the club foster relationships that will increase the club’s ability to continue to meet the growing need of families through these tough financial times and to build an endowment to strengthen the club’s sustainability into the future.

His service to the community expands well beyond the club. He is also actively involved with Earning for Learning, a mentoring program developed at Crevier BMW that helps inner-city kids read and experience other cultures.

Along with the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, he participates on many boards of directors.

His most recent honors include the O.C. Human Relations Award, the Good Scout Award from the O.C. Council of the Boy Scouts of America, SchoolPower Hall of Fame and the Rancho Santiago Community College District First Annual Partner in Education Award.

The club has a new $60,000 Challenge Grant, and all contributions made toward the Challenge Grant before May 1 will be matched dollar for dollar. Donations can be made by mail to 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 or by calling (949)494-2535, ext. 103.

American Legion sponsors egg hunt

The Laguna Beach American Legion & Women’s Auxiliary will once again sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Laguna Beach High School baseball field. The free event will take place at 1 p.m. April 12.

This event is open to all children 9 or younger.

The American Legion has been sponsoring this Laguna tradition for more than 50 years.

Come a half hour to an hour early, as the Easter Bunny will make a personal appearance and will be available for photo opportunities.

‘Nine’ is senior’s spring dance program

The Laguna Beach High School dance department’s senior spring dance program, “Nine,” is set for 7:30 p.m. April 23, 24 and 25 at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

Under the creative direction of seven professional guest choreographers, 47 students will perform 14 numbers in many styles of jazz, modern, ballet and hip-hop to the music of artists including Ray Charles, Tina Turner, George Benson, Peggy Lee, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, to name a few.

There will even be an original piano composition provided by sophomore Sawyer Pierce.

“I am absolutely thrilled that our students have the opportunity to work with seven guest choreographers,” said Lisa Jay, dance department head.

“These experiences will broaden their dance horizons and help mold them into well-rounded dancers. When dancers get to work with different choreographers, they learn to dance and move in a different way, and they become more adept at dancing different styles and genres of dance.

“Students increase their own dance vocabulary when working with other choreographers, which can help when they have to choreograph on their own.”

Laguna Beach High School is among 14% of public secondary schools nationally which have dance as part of their daily curriculum.

Jay says her expanded roster of choreographers, including Tracey Bonner, a Broadway transplant, and Erika Fernandez of Kyne Dance Academy, helps further this goal.

Tickets are $8 for students and seniors; $12 for adults and $15 reserved. The box office will be open at (949) 497-7769 from 4 to 6 p.m. April 20 through 22, and at 5 p.m. each evening of the show.

Mormon chorus seeks singers for concert

Singers of all ages are invited to register for the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization’s spring 2009 quarter, which begins April 14. Registration ends April 17.

Themed “Goin’ Home,” the patriotic concert will feature selections celebrating America, including Copland’s “Hoe Down,” selections from “The Music Man,” “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” and patriotic hymns and anthems.

The Orange County Mormon Choral Organization is composed of six performing ensembles: the Sunbeam Chorus (ages 4 to 6), the Children’s Chorus (ages 6 to 10), the Youth Chorus (ages 10 to 14), the Concert Choir (ages 14 to 18), the Orange County Mormon Choir (for adult participants) and the Orange County Mormon Orchestra.

Although the group’s membership is predominantly composed of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all interested community members are invited to join OCMCO.

“Goin’ Home” will be at 7:30 p.m. June 19, at the Henry and Renee Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Tickets go on sale May 1 through the Orange County Performing Arts Center box office, www.ocpac.org.

Stinky sneaker contest to be held at library

The Laguna Beach Library is inviting students 6 and older to meet author Megan McDonald and vie for the “stinkiest sneaker” award from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. April 26 at the Aliso Viejo Public Library Community Room.

McDonald’s works include “Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 ½ Days” “Stink and the World’s Worst Stinky Sneakers,” and “Meet Julie: An American Girl.” Aliso Viejo Mayor Don Garcia kicks off the literary extravaganza.

Kids are invited to dress up in their favorite Moody character costume and decorate their most stinky sneakers. McDonald’s books are available for check-out at the library.

The “double-rare, way-not boring” event will be filled with crafts, games, activities and prizes. The day’s festivities are sponsored by the Friends of Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, El Toro and Laguna Niguel Libraries and the National Charity League of Orange County.

For more information, call (949)360-1730.

Hofmeister, Schott garner Rotary award

Laguna Beach High School juniors Blake Hofmeister and Sebastian Schott have been awarded the Rotary Youth Leadership Award by the Laguna Beach Rotary Club.

Rotary Camp, at Camp Idyllwild April 24, 25 and 26, offers leadership and teamwork skills for high school juniors.

Juniors at Laguna Beach High School who are interested in attending the camp should contact Rotary Advisors Bill Parrish at (949) 388-2654 or beparrish@cox.net, or Gil Thibault at (949) 275-5900 or GGThibault@aool.com

AAUW grant deadline is April 30

The Laguna Beach Branch of the American Assn. of University Women is inviting applications for funding through the organization’s foundation to support the education and needs of women and girls. The deadline to apply is April 30.

For a grant application form or more information, go to www.aauw-lagunabeach.org or call (949) 494-6272.