BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Elementary schools host honored guests

El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools were visited last week by representatives of the state’s Distinguished Schools program. Each school was nominated recently for the honor; the visit is a perfunctory part of the process, but school administrators planned full days for the visitors, including classroom visits and discussions.

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Preschool plans 2008 fundraiser

Laguna Presbyterian Preschool will hold its 2008 fundraiser, Rock the Casbah, from 5 to 10 p.m. March 30 at Mozambique.

Tickets are limited, and are $75 per adult or $125 per couple.

For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, visit www.lagunapresfundraiser. com.

Tickets can also be purchased in front of the preschool from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. weekdays through March 28.

Thurston holds ‘Out on the Town’ party

Thurston Middle School’s spring fundraiser, “Out on the Town,” will be from 6 to 10 p.m. April 23.

The progressive party will allow patrons to walk from venue to venue, enjoying wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres.

Capacity is limited; tickets must be purchased by April 19, for $65 per person.

For more information, call Kathleen Moore at (949) 497-8455 or Melissa Cavanaugh at (949) 499-4893.

Parents and students of Thurston Middle School are offering the community three ways to help finance the end of year festivities for all Thurston eighth graders, including a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm, the eighth-grade dance and the promotion ceremony and reception.

Today, students, friends and family will be at Boomers, 3405 Michelson Drive, Irvine, from 1:30 to 11 p.m.

A Thurston booth will be set up at the amusement park; make checks payable to Thurston Promotion Class of 2008. An all-inclusive park pass is $25, a $5 savings from the regular price.

A car wash and bake sale will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 29 in the district office parking lot, 550 Blumont St., across from the high school.

Pre-pay $8 or $10 at the door, or pre-order tickets to be held at the car wash check-in table by mailing a check payable to Thurston Promotion Class of 2008 to Thurston Middle School, 2100 Park Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

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Teens hold concert for cancer research

Laguna Beach High School students will perform at their fourth annual City Of Hope Concert with all of the proceeds donated to the City of Hope Medical Center’s cancer research. They have raised more than $13,000 the past three years.

The Help for Hope Concert will include vocal numbers by sophomores Alison Azera, Nia Evans, and McKenna Nokes.

Three bands will also be on stage, “Epiphany,” “Jill’s Bedroom,” and a new trio of talented musicians, Jake Johnson, Graham Harris and Charlie Jungheim.

The concert will be in the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds at 4:30 p.m. March 29. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults.

For ticket or advertising information, contact Pam Levin at (949) 887-9808 or Kathy Selevan at (949) 422-5211. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

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Student awarded with Eagle Scout rank

Trevor Boehm Yorke was awarded the distinction of Eagle Scout March 14 at a Court of Honor.

Trevor earned 26 merit badges, climbed Mount Whitney, canoed 67 miles in Canada’s Northern Tier, and built a gate in Crystal Cove State Park for his Eagle Project.

To build this gate, he organized a golf tournament to raise the money to pay for all of the materials. He designed the gate and organized other scouts to help him build and install the gate. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Trevor is an honors student at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and has played soccer in Laguna Beach’s AYSO program for more than 10 years.