Costa Mesa’s brightest

This corrects an earlier version.

Friday morning, 40 of the best and brightest students in Costa Mesa and their proud parents gathered at the Hilton for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

These young men and women, who represent the top students at Costa Mesa’s high schools and colleges — and whose accompanying profiles and photos were provided by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce — were the guests of honor at a breakfast hosted by the chamber and sponsored by at least a dozen businesses, service clubs and others.

The chamber’s 31st Annual Scholarship Recognition Breakfast feted the students’ scholastic records, club and community service activities, as well as top athletes at Orange Coast College and Vanguard University.

Some of these students received the Les Miller Outstanding Student Award, which recognizes the highest achievers at local schools.

The award was named after the first principal at Costa Mesa High.

— Imran Vittachi

COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL LES MILLER AWARD WINNERS

BEN NGUYEN

GPA: 4.0

School Activities/Clubs: Renaissance Club, Pacific Islander Club, president of Magic the Gathering Club

Honors: Academic Decathlon, National Honors Society, MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement)

College Plans: Biology major at UC Irvine

AMANDA NILI

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: Make-A-Wish Club, Key Club, Madrigals Choir

Community: Events for Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Honors: AP scholar with Honors, NMUSD Youth of the Year Scholarship, president of National Honors Society

College Plans: Double majors in psychology and English at UC Berkeley

VERONICA FLORES

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: Latino Club, Make-A-Wish Club, captain of Girls Soccer Team

Community: Volunteered for MIKA organization, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, CMHS Soccer Fields Clean-up

Honors: National Honors Society, Recognition by California Scholarship Federation

College Plans: Biology major at UC Irvine before going to medical school to become a pediatrician

KAITLIN YAMAMOTO

GPA: 4.2

School Activities/Clubs: captain of varsity track and field, captain of varsity cross-country, tennis, Asian Club, Drama Club, KPQ (Kids Practicing Quiet)

Community: Healthy Smiles of Orange County, Irvine Animal Care Center, Jr. High School track and field

Honors: Toshiba Scholarship Finalist, National Honors Society

College Plans: Molecular biology and pre-physical therapy majors at UC Irvine

THE FOLLOWING EIGHT COMPLETE COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL’S TOP 5%

BAO-NGUYEN TRUONG

GPA: 4.1

School Activities/Clubs: girls’ tennis, girls’ varsity track and field, girls’ cross-country, varsity cheerleading, Make-A-Wish Club, Asian Club

Community: Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society, Catholic Worker, OC Food Bank, UCI Shade Tree, Santa Ana Zoo, Fairview Park Concerts, Mesa Pride Day, St. John the Baptist Festival, Tet Festival, Project Linus

Honors: National Honors Society, track All-League, Girls’ Varsity Track and Field League Champions, Scholar Athlete, UCLA Scholarship Award Letter, Junior Varsity Track MVP, Track Coaches Award - Sprints, Mustang 4.0 Wall

College Plans: Biochemistry major at UCLA, planning to obtain an M.D. to become a pediatrician

TAYLOR HOBBERLIN

GPA: 4.1

School Activities/Clubs: ASB Publicity/Activities commissioner, president of Recycling Club, Key Club, Asian Club, Karate Club, National Youth Leadership Forum, Girls State delegate, Daughters of the American Revolution, Make-A-Wish Club, National Society of High School Scholars, varsity basketball, vice president of activities for ZOE Academy

Community: Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, city of Costa Mesa Early Childhood Program, Camp Costa Mesa’s Summer program, community service with CMHS Boys & Girls Basketball, 12 units of classes at Orange Coast College and Coastline Community College, medical assistant program with Coastline ROP, work weekends at Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries

Honors: California Scholarship Federation, AP Scholar with Honors, Girls State Delegate

College Plans: Pre-med biology major at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and then medical school at University of Texas at Austin

CHAE JIN KIM

GPA: 3.9

School Activities/Clubs: Mathematics Engineering Science Assn., Choir

Community: Dental office intern, Street Mission in downtown Los Angeles, church volunteer

Honors: National Honors Society

College Plans: Major in biology at Orange Coast College before transferring to Cal State Fullerton

CHINGIZ BIGALIMOV

GPA: 4.1

School Activities/Clubs: National Society of High School Scholars, Make-A-Wish Club, captain varsity swimming, captain varsity water polo, Hitching Post editor, Asian Club, yearbook editor

Community: Newport Beach Fire Department lifeguard training, model at Abercrombie & Fitch, Hoag Hospital candy striper, California State Science Fair, student mentor at Davis Elementary School, NOVA Aquatics Swim Club

Honors: National Honors Society, Principal’s Honor Roll, AP Scholar with Honors, Outstanding Achievement awards in AP world history, AP rhetoric and photography

College Plans: Major in business at either UC San Diego or UC Santa Barbara before obtaining an MBA at Stanford. Planning a career in international business with a focus on business relations between U.S. and Russia.

RACHEL DALEY

GPA: 4.1

School Activities/Clubs: junior varsity and captain varsity tennis, varsity track and field, yearbook editor-in-chief

Community: volunteer official at Costa Mesa Middle School track meets, CM Community Run, volunteer in school office, made blankets for local women’s home, secretary of communication for ZOE Academy of Science

Honors: National Honors Society, Honors AP English, Honors English Subject Medallion, Most Inspirational Award Tennis

College Plans: Major in communications and rhetorical journalism at either SOKA University of America or UC Santa Barbara

CADE PROULX

GPA: 3.9

School Activities/Clubs: Make-A-Wish Club, president Key Club, Rotary Club, Academy of Creative Expression, Asian Club, varsity swimming, junior varsity water polo, varsity golf, vice president of P.O.K.E.

Community: CHOC Carnival, OCC Children’s Book Festival, Boys & Girls Club, National Clean Up Day at Back Bay, Operation Homefront, ZOE Science Club

Honors: National Honors Society, Rotary Youth Leadership Award

College Plans: Major in political science, business or law at either Chapman University or UC Santa Barbara

JAMES STUCKER

GPA: 3.6

School Activities/Clubs: captain of varsity cross-country, captain of varsity track and field, cheer, choir, drama, Key Club

Community: MIKA CDC, Christmas Shop, 5K Community Run, Christ Lutheran Fairs, volunteer for junior high track

Honors: National Honors Society

College Plans: Major in environmental studies at SOKA University of America

BRIAN WALDRON

GPA: 3.8

School Activities/Clubs: varsity football, captain varsity baseball, varsity basketball, ASB junior class vice president, yearbook business manager, activities commissioner

Community: Hearts for Hands, Neighbors for Neighbors, Boy Scouts of America

College Plans: Major in business at a university yet to be determined and serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL

Les Miller Award winners

KEVIN THOMAS

GPA: 4.2

School Activities/Clubs: captain varsity tennis, co-captain varsity basketball, freshman football, ASB commissioner of athletics, California Scholarship Federation

Community: NJB basketball coach fourth and sixth grade basketball teams, Pepperdine Youth Citizenship Seminar delegate, worked tennis and basketball fireworks booth, volunteered in various basketball leagues and tournaments.

Honors: Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, Scholar Athlete (four years), Honor Roll (four years), Estancia High School Excellence in Mathematics Award, AP scholar, Freshman Football Offensive Player of the Year, Freshman Basketball MVP, Junior Varsity Tennis MVP, Tennis Most Valuable Doubles Player, Basketball Most Improved Player, Tennis Most Improved Player, Basketball Captains Award

College Plans: Major in math and applied sciences at UCLA

JILLIAN BECK

GPA: 4.4

School Activities/Clubs: sophomore class president, junior class president, ASB president, co-president Spanish Club, Youth & Government, Mu Alpha Theta, secretary School Site Council, Key Club, Brainwave Trivia Show, Freshman Mentoring, CA Scholarship Federation, captain varsity soccer, captain varsity softball

Community: coached California Elementary third-and-fourth-grade girls’ Daily Pilot Cup soccer team, AYSO referee

Honors: National Honors Society, Toshiba Scholarship Finalist, Exchange Club Youth of the Year Scholarship, Scholar Athlete (four years), Daily Pilot Cup Athlete of the Week, OC Register Scholar Athlete of the Week, Honor Roll (four years), DAR Citizenship Award

College Plans: Major in political science at either UCLA or UC San Diego

ANJANA PATHIRANAGE

GPA: 4.2

School Activities/Clubs: California Scholarship Federation, tennis, web designer, Techhamlet.com (managing web space and composing articles relating to computer technology)

Community: Reading program volunteer for CM Public Library, personal assistant - 2009 Sri Lankan Cultural Show

Honors: Global Issues Journal Award - UCI School of Social Science, Outstanding Math Student of the Year, United States Achievement Academy Award, Most Valuable Player Junior Varsity Tennis, Honor Roll

College Plans: Major in mathematics and computer science at UC Davis

SHONA LAMB

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: California Scholarship Federation, journalism, editor-in-chief and front page editor, Key Club president, Youth and Government (vice president, national issues commission chairwoman, and senate bill sponsor), freshman mentor, soccer, co-captain varsity volleyball, vice president of the Film Club

Community: volunteer – Fairview Developmental Center, Girl Scouts, more than 600 hours community service

Honors: UC Berkeley regent scholar, Outstanding Journalist Award, National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Scholar

College Plans: Major in biology as pre-med student at UC Berkeley

THE FOLLOWING 10 COMPLETE ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL’S TOP 5%

ALLYSON WALLACE

GPA: not available

School Activities/Clubs: varsity volleyball, captain varsity soccer, varsity swimming, Key Club, ASB commissioner of community involvement, vice president of Production Drama, freshman mentoring, Youth and Government

Community: Newport Mesa Soccer Club, church service project in Colorado, part-time work at Vons

Honors: Balboa Bay Club Scholarship, Most Outstanding Math Student, Defensive MVP Varsity Soccer, First Team All-League for Soccer, Captain’s Award for Varsity Soccer, AP Scholar with Honor Award,

College Plans: Major in peace and conflict studies at UC Berkeley

AMY HARTWELL

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: captain varsity softball, captain varsity volleyball, ASB senior vice president, Key Club, vice president Mu Alpha Theta, California Scholarship Federation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Community: Golden West Volleyball Club, Travel Ball Softball, St. John Viahney Catholic Church, USA Water Ski

College Plans: Major in physiological science at UCLA

JEFFREY KIRCHBERG

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: football, basketball, track

Community: Community Emergency Response Team, Costa Mesa Emergency Preparedness Radio Net

Honors: Honor Roll, scholar athlete

College Plans: Major in biology and environmental science, considering Hiram, Grinnell, Sewanee, Beloit, Hanover and Whitman colleges.

KELSEY ASHER

GPA: 3.9

School Activities/Clubs: ASB, varsity volleyball, varsity basketball, soccer, softball, Mu Alpha Theta, freshman mentor program

Community: Club Volleyball, Wilson Elementary mentor

Honors: Honor Roll, scholar athlete

College Plans: Orange Coast College before transferring to USC School of Dentistry

KRISTEN MCCORMACK

GPA: 4.2

School Activities/Clubs: Key Club, California Scholarship Federation, junior varsity tennis

Community: Project Caring Connections mentor, equestrian training and competitions

Honors: AP scholar

College Plans: Major in business at San Diego State University or University of Hawaii at Manoa

MIRIAM TORRES

GPA: 3.9

School Activities/Clubs: yearbook editor, AVID

Community: UCI Criminology Outreach Program, UCI Global Connect, UCI Camp Med, National Youth Leaders’ Summit, NMUSD Adult Education Child Care volunteer, group leader at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Shalimar Teen Center, produced a Girls Inc. public service announcement for teenage peer pressure, drugs, sex, etc.

Honors: Homecoming Queen, AVID Student of the Year, nominated for NMUSD Starfish Award

College Plans: Major in interior design at either California State University Long Beach or San Diego State University

MISHA BROWN

GPA: 4.3

School Activities/Clubs: Key Club, freshman mentor, captain varsity tennis, varsity soccer, Film Club, Book Club

Community: Australian Ambassador Exchange Program, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Mission Trip to Tijuana, referee for AYSO

Honors: scholar athlete, Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award, AP Scholar with Honor

College Plans: Major in biology, hopefully at UCLA, followed by Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis

NICOLE MARLBOROUGH

GPA: 4.1

School Activities/Clubs: ASB senior class president, varsity softball, junior varsity and varsity tennis

Community: freshman mentoring program

Honors: Scholar Athlete, Honor Roll

College Plans: Major in political science, minor in communications at University of Oregon

ORIZBETH CORTES

GPA: 4.0

School Activities/Clubs: English Language Advisory Committee Secretary, Math Tutor Corps, Field Studies Program, Theater Club, California Scholarship Federation

Community: Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, Feed My Starving Children, Catholic youth club

Honors: English Language Advisory Committee Award, Reclassification to fluent English proficient Award, Outstanding Math Student Award, Honor Roll, Nominee to National Youth forum on medicine, Award for Excellence in English Language Department

College Plans: OCC before transferring to UCI or CSULB, majoring in psychology, hoping for a career in social work

HECTOR PEREZ

GPA: 4.2

School Activities/Clubs: junior year and senior year ASB treasurer, cheerleader, basketball, job shadowing at Balboa Instruments, UCI Criminology Outreach Program, Global Connect

Community: ROP computer graphics, visited veterans at Long Beach VA for Veteran’s Day, organized cheer events for children interested in cheer, volunteered for jog-a-thons and golf tournaments

Honors: Outstanding Math Student, PTSA Reflections Award, junior and senior Homecoming prince, Time Management Award

College Plans: Will attend UCLA with major yet to be determined

MONTE VISTA/BACK BAY HIGH SCHOOLS

CHRISTOPHER COWIE

GPA: 3.9

School Activities/Clubs: Peer Court, School Site Council

Community: Harbor Heritage Run, Rowing for the Newport Aquatic Center, city of Newport Cleanup Days, Boys & Girls Club basketball coach

Honors: Academic Achievement Award, Character and Citizenship Award, Good Attendance Award

College Plans: Major in photography, film editing and movie making, starting first at a community college

ISABELLA CHAVEZ

GPA: 3.4

School Activities/Clubs: Make-a-Wish Club, vice president of Biological Medical Club, Drama Production, School Site Council

Community: Volunteer at Mariners Branch public library and Share Our Selves Soup Kitchen, participated in acting school program at OC Performing Art Center, working as assistant to an interior designer

Honors:

College Plans: OCC before transferring on to a university. Possible majors are acting and medicine, particularly rheumatology, incorporating Eastern and Western medicines.

OC MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

AARON LUDLOW

GPA: 3.7

School Activities/Clubs: CSAC Leadership Camp, Middle College Nation Consortium, varsity track, cross country, Robotics, ASB

Community: Sergeant in Police Explorers, Eagle Scout, Mount Whitney Summiteer, Blacksmithing

Honors: Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, Honor Roll, NMUSD “Student Starfish” Award

College Plans: Major in materials engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

APRIL TARROSA

GPA: 3.7

School Activities/Clubs: Project Caring mentor, Middle College Robotics Team, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, secretary of Every Kid Counts Club, vice president of Interact Club, Music for Life Benefit Concert Committee, ASB

Community: Mentor for a Day Program, Fountain Valley junior volunteer

College Plans: Major in nursing at Cal State Long Beach

EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

DONOVAN FARMER

GPA: 3.8

School Activities/Clubs: MESA president, journalism, Global Awareness Project, Student Council secretary, Music Club, yearbook, Early College Recruitment, Teens Educating about Autoimmune Diseases, Drama Production, House Competitions Student Advisor

Community: Hike Mt. Whitney, guitarist in band, Estancia Talent Show winner, Irvine City Mud Run, mixed martial arts, dirt biking

Honors: Honor Roll

College Plans: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a liberal arts major

ANA MARTINOVIC

GPA: 3.8

School Activities/Clubs: yearbook, Intramural Basketball, flag football and soccer, Student Council

Community: Volunteer at Irvine Animal Care Center

Honors: Honor Roll, Student of the Year Award for Mathematics, Outstanding Citizenship Awards for AVID, Outstanding Achievement in English

College Plans: UC Irvine with a major in public affairs before transferring to UCLA

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

JOSÉ VILCHEZ-AZCONA

GPA: 3.8

School Activities/Clubs: Student Senate; student representative to College Council, Accreditation Coordinating Committee, Student Services Program Review, International and Multicultural Ed. Committee, and Technology Committee; Speech and Debate Team; Legal Society Club; International Students Club; Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society; Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society; Honors Conference; Western Regional Honors Conference; Honors Transfer Council of Calif. Student Conference

Honors: OCC President’s List, Dean’s List, selected to present research, A Study of the Source of Humor in Modern Society (co-author with Alex Ackel)

College Plans: Study international law

ANDREA STONE

GPA: 3.4

School Activities/Clubs: Student senator; president, Sierra Club; chaired the Green Initiative Fund; chaired Earth Day 2010; co-facilitator, S.C.O.R.E. a goal workshop at CCCSAA Student Leadership Conference; Sustainability Committee; student questioner for Congress to Campus Event

Community: Lobbied in Washington, D.C., for sustainable-energy policies

Honors: Robert B. Moore Outstanding Student Leader Award

College Plans: Major in political science at either UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis or UC Berkeley

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

AARON LETINSKY

GPA: 3.8

School Activities/Clubs: Campus leader for two years; Worship leading; Guitarist and singer with Vanguard Concert Choir; guitarist and singer on tour through China with Vanguard Singers and Band; Teaching private guitar and piano lessons; SHINE Worship leader

Community: Worship intern at Cornerstone Community Church in Moorpark; worship intern at Newport Mesa Church in Costa Mesa

Honors: Dean’s List every semester

Future Plans: Serving in music ministry at a local church; writing music and performing; traveling and leading worship around the world

VILMA FUENTES

GPA: 3.4

School Activities/Clubs: Mexico Outreach 2006-10; 2007 Morocco Missions Trip; 2009 Summer of Service Mozambique; co-president for El Puente; event coordinator and Mexico intern for the Global Initiative Office; global initiative intern for the office of Spiritual Formation

Community: Spring trip to Mexico; Weekend trips to Ensenada, Mexico; Youth Leader for Mission Eben-Ezer Family Church

Honors: Bill Gates Millennium Scholar

Future Plans: Nursing career and eventually become a full-time missionary

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

2010

RAY HOLLEY (Men’s Football)

Ray Holley, a 5 feet 9, 190-pounder from El Modena High School, broke a 17-year school record by rushing for 1,457 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Pirates in 2009. With a bull’s-eye on his jersey for just about every offensive play, Holley used a relentless running style and racked up numbers that will stand in the OCC record books for some time to come. Holley’s 311 carries and 18 TDs were the most in California. Holley will continue his athletic and academic career at Louisiana Tech.

LIANA FUENTES (Women’s Track & Field)

Liana Fuentes continues to compete as she vies to win the state heptathlon title. Twice this year Fuentes has set OCC’s all-time point total in the heptathlon, most recently earning 4,949 points at the Southern California Regional Meet and earlier this year breaking Vanessa Denniston’s 1981 OCC record with a 4,469 score. Fuentes is ranked No. 1 in the state in the heptathlon, No. 6 in the 100-meter hurdles, No. 6 in the high jump and No. 3 in the javelin. She also runs for the Pirates’ 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams. Following her Coast career, Fuentes is hoping to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

2010

AZERONE PERKINS (men’s track and field)

During his career as a Lion, Azerone Perkins has set several school records, served as co-captain, was named an NAIA All-American in 2008 and 2009 with his indoor (and school record) time of 8.17 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles, and fifth best in the country both years. He holds VUSC top time in the 110-meter hurdles with a 14.33 mark, earning him 2009 Outdoor All-American honors, holds the school record in the 60-meter with a time of 7.16 seconds. Perkins was part of the GSAC Champion 4x100 meter relay team in 2009 and jumped 44 feet, 4 1/4 inches in the triple jump to earn All-GSAC honors in 2008. “Aze” majored in intercultural studies and has a career goal to go to every country and change the world by spreading the gospel.

BRIDGETTE REYES (women’s basketball)

Senior Vanguard University Women’s Basketball player Bridgette Reyes was named the NAIA Co-National Player of the Year for 2009-2010, NAIA 1st Team All American, and GSAC Conference Player of the Year. The point guard was Vanguard’s floor leader, leading the Lions to a 27-3 record this season. Along the way, Reyes put up numbers that are nearly unheard of from a college point guard. She averaged 20 points (fifth nationally), 6.2 assists (second nationally), and 4.7 rebounds per game. Reyes shot 53% from the field, 51% from behind the arc, and 88% from the free-throw line. She also ranked second in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, while leading Vanguard in steals, with 51. She just recently signed a contract to play for a pro team in Charleston, South Carolina in the Women’s United States Basketball Association League this summer.