Barbara’s Column
LBHS 2019 Honors Convocation
By BARBARA DIAMOND
The Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation presented more than $412,000 to 132 graduating seniors at the 2019 Honors Convocation.
Donors and award presenters were honored at a reception and dinner prior to the Convocation.
Foundation board member Debra Steel welcomed the honorees, thanking them for their largesse and moral support of the students.
“For some of these seniors, the awards they receive tonight determine which school they can attend for college – allowing them to attend a first choice or program specifically geared to their interest and career path,” said Steel.
“For others it is the difference between huge student loans or a much more moderate need to borrow money for college.
“But besides the financial impact of your generosity, what we hear over and over again from LBHS graduates is that these scholarship awards, that you [donors] make possible, have a lasting impact because the recipients leave with the strong belief – in their core – that they are believed in.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of LBHSSF
Skipper Carrillo Scholarship: (L-R) Jake Harper with Skipper Carrillo and Lance Stewart
“They take away from tonight and carry with them the knowledge that their community believes in them. And believes they will succeed.
“That is a huge and invaluable gift to each of these students, which we have learned often far surpasses the monetary value of the scholarship.”
Each year scholarship recipients come back to Laguna to thank donors and update them on how the awards affected their lives. This year the speakers were Hillary Frimond and Julianna Ferguson.
Frimond was awarded the Linda Fortune and Jennifer Bammer Memorial Scholarships when she graduated in 2003.
“The little cushion that those scholarships provided, really took the worry out of my first year as an adult, freeing up my mental space and allowing me to create a clear and successful plan for my education,” Frimond said.
“So thank you to my donors and to all donors. Your continued generosity is truly appreciated.
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Courtesy of LBHSSF
Juliana Ferguson, LBHS Class of 2012 (USC ‘16), spoke to donors on how the LBHSSF scholarships impacted her educational experience
The Bammer, named for the late sister of Laguna Beach Police Corporal Larry Bammer, is specifically for a student planning to continue studies at a community college.
“I am the oldest of three kids – my two brothers are two years behind – so in addition to knowing we were going to college, we also sort of knew that financially, community college was the first step,” said Frimond.
She attended Saddleback Community College, transferred to Cal Poly in 2006 and graduated in 2009. After a six-month walking tour of Europe and Egypt, she moved to Toronto where she began her career as a producer and development executive. She has been an executive in the entertainment industry ever since.
Ferguson graduated in 2012.
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Courtesy of LBHSSF
Presenters Karen Kanner and Laurie Dalke with the Ebell Club winners –
(L-R) Chloe Bryan, Molly Cohn, Ryan Smithers and Benjamin Vogel
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to thank the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation and generous donors and to share the positive impacts that came from scholarship awards,” said Ferguson.
She was the recipient of four scholarships: Dream for the Future, Village Laguna, Laguna Greenbelt Inc. and the Naude Family Clean Ocean Foundation, all of which she said have had lasting impacts.
“While the financial implications of the scholarships are clear, the indelible vote of confidence from respected families and leaders guide a sense of self and personal pride that will never be forgotten,” said Ferguson.
“After completing programs of study at USC, the University of Cambridge and Duke University, I have returned to live in this beautiful town I call home and to work just off the 133 at Blizzard Entertainment Headquarters as a [Human Resources] partner.
“I was the recipient of generosity from this community in multiple ways, and I hope to be able to give back in return,” said Ferguson.
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Courtesy of LBHSSF
Cheryl Post, a 27-year donor, honors her late son Brandy with the Brandon Balsinger-Post Scholarship
The foundation also honored at the reception donor Cheryl Post. She was introduced by foundation board member Betsy Jenkins.
Cheryl and the late Carl Post endowed a $4,000 scholarship in 1992 in memory of their son, Brandy Balsinger-Post, who died from a mixture of cocaine and alcohol. He was just 21.
The scholarship is awarded to students of exemplary moral character.
“I am always amazed at the level of maturity and incredible strength of character these applicants for this scholarship have demonstrated,” said Post.
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Courtesy of LBHSSF
Brandon Balsinger – Post Memorial Scholarship: (L-R) Piper Warner, presenter Betsy Jenkins and Catrin Williams
“Although my son was not able to see his dreams fulfilled, I am hopeful that this annual $4,000 scholarship will help to financially support the recipient in his or her goals.”
Longtime French teacher Odile Dewar was also honored. She was unable to attend but conveyed her thanks for the recognition via a tape introduced by board and former staff school staff member Walt Lawson.
Dewar began teaching at Laguna Beach High School in 1989.
“Odile’s outgoing personality, friendly smile and marvelous French accent were embraced immediately by colleagues, students and parents,” said Lawson.
“For most of the 30 years that Odile has been on the faculty at LBHS, she has been a presenter for our Annual Awards Assembly just like the one being held a little later this evening. The scholarships she bestowed on her high-achieving students came from her personal resources.
“Odile is retiring but will forever remain at the heart of our community. Our foundation decided it was long overdue to recognize Odile’s countless contributions to the students of Laguna Beach and to the scholarship program she selflessly served.”
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Courtesy of LBHSSF
Presenters Dave Perry and Pat Kollenda with the Festival of Arts Visual Arts Scholarship recipients – (L-R) Haley Colton, Lauren Fetzer, Sofia Pfanner, Emma Russell and Sarah Smelkinson
The first scholarship was presented in 1947 by the Ebell Club. This year, The Festival of Arts alone awarded 17 scholarships, totaling $27,600.
Scholarships are awarded to recognize academic achievements, merit, athletic prowess and community service. Seventy-nine percent of them are based on financial needs.
Community organizations, service clubs, businesses or individuals may establish a scholarship – often a memorial for a loved one.
The Breakers Opportunity Fund accepts donations from folks who don’t want to establish an individual scholarship. The process is simple: Determine the amount – the minimum is $1,000 a year; define the targeted scholarship recipient and name the award. The foundation reviews applications, awards and selects deserving recipients of BOF awards.
Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
All donations go to funding scholarships. There are no administrative costs.
For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a foundation board member will make contact.
But wait – there’s more. You will find advance notice of all the fun and interesting stuff for visitors or residents to do in Laguna by reading StuNewsLaguna.com. Contributions are welcomed.
Join Hoag Medical Group physician Jill Panitch, MD as she shares tips for incorporating preventative and integrative medicine into your health care. She will elaborate on the mind-body connection and address complementary approaches to integrative medicine such as yoga, mindfulness, and exercise. 
