ROP's Best and Brightest from Capo, Laguna Beach Unified Honored

Submitted by Ann Bergen, career guidance specialist:

Seventy four top high school students from the South Coast Regional Occupational Program took center stage this week at the San Juan Hills High School Theatre to be recognized as this year’s distinguished students. 

More than 350 guests including students, family members, Laguna Beach Unified School District and Capistrano Unified School District board members, administrators from the seven local high schools, along with the ROP staff gathered together to celebrate the achievements of students from each career major and special award categories.

The South Coast Regional Occupational Program offers more than 50 career and technical education courses especially designed to meet educational standards and industry needs. 

All ROP instructors were given the opportunity to nominate students based on their character, attitude, attendance, skills acquired and community involvement. A panel of judges interviewed the student nominees and a select group of 12 from the 74 nominated students received additional recognition and scholarship awards at the evening’s Distinguished Student Recognition event for the 2013-2014 school year:

Career Pathway Award Winners

Osvaldo Moreno – Arts & Design – Dana Hills High School

Nadia Duprey – Business & Marketing – Aliso Niguel High School

Ben Zauri – Public Service – Tesoro High School

Siena Vetsch – Health Sciences – Aliso Niguel High School

Mark Lohde – Science & Applied Technology – Aliso Niguel High School

Special awards were presented to:

Sydney Barys – Orange County ROP Chapter Award– San Juan Hills High School

Loren Bonnin – Orange County ROP Chapter Award– San Clemente High School

Nicole Hunt – Entrepreneurial – Laguna Beach High School

Jacqueline Robinson – Dr. Kay Turner “Heart for Students” Award – Aliso Niguel High School

Jose Santos – Bridgestone/Firestone Automotive Award – Capistrano Valley High School

Overall Most Distinguished Students

Kendall Johnson – Capistrano Unified School District – San Juan Hills High School

Ines Galmiche – Laguna Beach Unified School District – Laguna Beach High School