Strong Foundation
Doug Hodge, managing director, senior adviser, PIMCO; Kylie Schuyler, founder, executive director, Global G.L.O.W.
Award-winning charter school NOVA Academy Early College High School unveiled its new four-story, 37,000-square-foot educational facility in Santa Ana on Aug. 22. It purchased the building last fall for $8.3 million. Opening ceremonies included the cutting of a red ribbon on the front doors of the school, student speakers, and tours of the building.
The move to the facility enables NOVA to increase enrollment from 400 to 450 students in grades nine through 12. It features 20 classrooms, an open study lounge with Chromebooks for every student, and fully integrated technology to enhance learning.
“NOVA Academy is an exceptional school that has demonstrated extraordinary success since it started with just nine students 11 years ago,” says Doug Hodge, former chief executive and managing director of Pacific Investment Management Co. Hodge now is a managing director and senior adviser to the company. He and his wife, Kylie Schuyler, executive director of Global G.L.O.W., have supported NOVA Academy since its founding in 2005.
NOVA offers students the opportunity to take advantage of early-college offerings as early as the second semester of ninth grade, including online college classes through the University of California-Irvine, college-level classes offered at NOVA by professors who come to campus from Concordia University, or college classes on the campus of Santa Ana College.
Raising a Record for ‘Reality’
Dave Gunderson, CEO, Credit Union of Southern California; Eric Day, senior vice president, board advocacy, strategic initiatives, Credit Union of Southern California
Santa Ana-based Schools First Federal Credit Union was among the major sponsors of the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation/CUNA Mutual Golf Tournament on Aug. 15 at Newport Beach Country Club.
The event raised a record $70,000 for the state foundation of credit unions in California and Nevada to fund its Bite of Reality program, an interactive youth financial education course that’s projected to reach more than 11,000 teens in California and Nevada by year-end. The program includes a new Bite of Reality app that replaces paper worksheets and allows students to use smartphones to record their financial activities.
The program has been held at various schools in Orange County, including Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School in Santa Ana, El Modena High School in Orange, Hillview Continuation High School in Tustin, Don Juan Avila Middle School in Aliso Viejo, Beckman High School in Irvine, Santa Ana College, and Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley.
Other event sponsors included CO-OP Financial Services; Kinecta; Sierra Central; Wright, Finlay & Zak LLP; Wescom; MasterCard; and Vons.
Patrons Know How to Party
Sally Anderson, retired managing partner, Ernst & Young, LLC
The kickoff party for “Stagestruck,” South Coast Repertory’s 2016 gala, took place on Aug. 18, hosted by Bette and Wylie Aitken, founder of Aitken, Aitken, Cohn, at their Newport Beach home.
The Patron Party honors major repertory donors, local philanthropists, business leaders and others who support the annual event.
The gala traditionally opens Orange County’s theatrical and social seasons, as it will do for the 38th time at The Westin South Coast Plaza on Sept. 10.
Sally Anderson, retired Ernst & Young managing partner, leads this year’s gala committee. Other committee members include Orange County philanthropists Bette Aitken and Julianne Argyros. Proceeds from the gala support the repertory’s award-winning educational program and artistry on stage.
Breaking Records for Kids
Debbie Hensling, Olive Crest trustee, with husband, Al, president United American Mortgage
Tommy Bahama teamed up with Olive Crest on June 6 for the 17th annual golf tournament, charity auction and celebration dinner at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, followed by dinner at Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille in Newport Beach.
“Tommy Bahama is thrilled to have partnered with Olive Crest for the 17th consecutive year,” said Debbie MacDonald, West Coast regional manager, Tommy Bahama. “It’s extremely important to us to support our community and specifically Olive Crest. It’s a great annual event that celebrates all those involved and honors the tremendous service Olive Crest provides to our community.”
The event, breaking all previous records with a field of 165 golfers, the highest number of sponsors, and over 240 guests, raised over $160,000 to support Olive Crest’s vital programs and services, such as its foster care and adoption, Project Independent, housing, kinship and Wrap-Around programs.
Bits & Pieces
The Huntington Beach Police Survivors Foundation’s 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised $58,000 to support the SoCal Chapter of Concerns of Police Officers Inc. and the Alzheimer’s Family Services Center. … NuVision Federal Credit Union donated $10,000 to support Summer Science Camp 2016, a weeklong camp in July that helps children develop math and science skills. … Employee volunteers from Cox Communications distributed more than 3,000 pounds of fresh produce and staple food items recently at the company’s first Mobile Pantry event with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, serving more than 200.
