“STAY-Students Thinking About Youth”: May 2013 “In It to Win It” Honorees (pictured from left to right) : Riley Dun, John Passnnante, Delaney Knipp, Mia Matsunami, Annabella Peca, Berniece Padilla, Claire Hefner, Zoe Gleason, Avalon Miracle, Jasmine Ishihama, and Sophia DePacol. Not pictured are Melanie Perry and Desiree Quinonez.)

OC’s Hair Police is thrilled to announce our very first “IN IT TO WIN IT” recipient. Each month, OC’s Hair Police will hold a drawing in an ongoing effort to recognize the exceptional efforts of a student and/or group of students that have made a positive impact at their school.

OC’s Hair Police is asking for your input by offering us the nominee’s. Please submit your nominee’s through our email on our website, on our Facebook and/or simply give us a call!OC’s Hair Police will reward the winner of the monthly drawing with a donation to their cause.

OC’s Hair Police is thrilled to announce that May’s recipient goes to “STAY-Students Thinking About Youth” out of Newport Heights Elementary(NHES). STAY consists of a group of 6th grade students that are working together to raise money to give back to their school as their tenure ends on the Elementary level.

STAY’s goal this year is to contribute items that make a lasting impression by beautifying NHES or improving upon their student experience. Two considerations are EZ-Up’s to provide shelter for the Special Needs students during outside assemblies or a mural in the MPR (Multi-Purpose Room) emphasizing “Every Child, Everyday, Education for Success.”

STAY’s primary fundraising is via a monthly cookie and lemonade stand. They have also done a Used Book Fair and are planning a Fun Activity Raffle. Member Delaney Knipp stated, “I am always excited for the first Friday of every month because that is when we do STAY. It is so much fun hanging out with my friends and selling lemonade and cookies to kids.”

The STAY members agree that NHES has been such a great experience and given them so much, they want to give back so that younger kids can have an even better experience. STAY members pictured from left to right are: Riley Dun, John Passnnante, Delaney Knipp, Mia Matsunami, Annabella Peca, Berniece Padilla, Claire Hefner, Zoe Gleason, Avalon Miracle, Jasmine Ishihama, and Sophia DePacol. (Not pictured are Melanie Perry and Desiree Quinonez.)

STAY was established at NHES during the 2009/2010 school year. OC’s Hair Police is “IN IT TO WIN IT” with STAY and applauds their efforts of a job well done!!!

Best Day is a subsidiary of O.C.’s Hair Police

Claire Olmstead: June “In It to Win It” Honoree

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” Helen Keller (One of Claire’s fondest quotes)

Claire Olmstead is near completion of her Freshman year at Newport Harbor High School (NHHS) in Newport Beach. She is a member of the High Schools Surf Team and is planning to offer her exceptional athleticism to the Sailors Cross Country Team in the Fall. She is enrolled in Advance Placement (AP) courses and is regarded as an Honor Student due to her high GPA. She maintains aspirations to attend college.

This hard charger however, is a true Soul Surfer. The tender side of Claire finds time to bake and to give. She is a unique young lady in that her perspective is based on a much broader scope than typical teen self indulgence. Reflective of this, were her thoughts that lead her to create a “Club within a Club” at NHHS to benefit homeless children.

As Claire explained, “I have always loved to bake, but I never knew what to do with all of the treats I made. That led me to start thinking about ways that my baking could benefit the community.”

She has often volunteered at Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter (OCIS), a loving place for homeless families, and thought that her baking might enhance the birthday parties that OCIS holds for the children at their center. “When brainstorming about what to do with my baked goods, the monthly birthdays seemed like a perfect match.” said Claire.

In order to be able to offer her sweet treats however, she needed to be represented by a Club recognized by OCIS. Claire would not be deterred to follow her heart and approached the Culinary Club, FHS, at NHHS. FHS was so impressed that they allowed her to create a branch just for the purposes of baked goods and so that homeless children at OCIS would be able to receive something as simple as a birthday cake on their very special day. “ It is really rewarding when you get to do something you love to provide kids with something that they might have never had before. I just feel good and proud that we are bringing joy into people’s lives, even if it is just a slice of cake.”

O.C.’s Hair Police is truly impressed with your fortitude and kindness Claire and is honored to offer a donation to NHHS’ FHS Club so that you may continue baking up happiness one child at a time with “just a slice of cake.”

 Best Day is a subsidiary of O.C.’s Hair Police