Soaps, Suds, and Surprises: Junior Mokharti promotes kids hygiene
Junior Lila Mokhtari showcased her innovative business, Maji, at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, the weekend of October 5th. Her business captured the attention of families with her unique hand washing products. Maji brings the fun of collectible toys to the healthy habit of hand hygiene, making it popular among children and families.
According to Mokharti, Maji was created to foster positive habits in children’s health. Her inventive product aims to intrigue young kids about the concept of personal care, allowing them to establish healthy habits at a young age so they will start to do it routinely. Mokhtari’s entrepreneurial pursuit was inspired by her younger sister. She wanted to encourage her sister to wash her hands in an engaging way.
“When I was little, my sister had trouble remembering to wash her hands, but she loved collectible toys like Shopkins,” Mokhtari shared. “One day, I put one of her favorite toys inside a bar of soap I made. Suddenly, she was excited about washing her hands—she even did it more often just to uncover the mystery toy inside!”
Maji comes from the Bantu language in Swahili, meaning “water.” Mokhtari chose this name because of the non-profit organization the Thirst Project. The Thirst Project is the largest youth water organization that brings clean drinking water to groups around the world that have limited access. A portion of all Maji’s profits go to the Thirst Project.
“Every Maji soap bar is made from organic and whole ingredients,” said Mokharti. “These include coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, all-natural essential oils, and of course, a toy.”
By putting children’s toys inside the Maji soap bars, Mokhtari motivates children to want to clean their hands, reinforcing healthy habits in an exciting way. According to Mokharti, this end result is very rewarding. However, as a high school student in her junior year, it can sometimes be overwhelming.
“I have lots of support from my friends, family, and community, which has helped me manage Maji alongside my studies,” she explained. “I’ve learned the importance of a healthy workload and how to prioritize my mental health. Honestly, working on Maji is more exciting than regular schoolwork, so I always find time for it.”
Mokhtari is also engaging in collaborations with schools and local organizations to integrate her product into educational programs on health and hygiene. According to Mokhtari, she aims to implement her products and teachings into the elementary schools curriculum.
“I believe that by collaborating with educators, we can create engaging curricula that make learning about hygiene fun and interactive,” said Mokhtari. “I really hope that we will be able to achieve this in the future!”
As Maji continues to gain recognition, Mokhtari’s passion and influential approach to promoting hand-washing is positively impacting the younger generations, as well as helping outside projects.
From Paws to Profit: Senior Alexis Hara helps Doggysnax take off
This weekend at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, senior Alexis Hara represented DoggySnax, an emerging local dog treat startup, by sharing samples of a new product.
Hara secured her internship through the College and Career Center (CCC), which helps students connect with employers and gain valuable industry experience. She has been with DoggySnax for both her junior and senior years, significantly contributing to the company’s growth while gaining hands-on marketing experience.
“I love connecting with pet owners and sharing our passion for quality dog treats,” Hara said. “It’s rewarding to see how much our products can make a difference for their pets.”
During the fair, Hara distributed sample packets of DoggySnax’s most popular flavor, Pork-Eez—bacon and cheddar heart cookies made with simple, wholesome ingredients designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
“DoggySnax focuses on natural ingredients and avoids unnecessary additives,” founder Jennifer Gelman explained. “As a woman-owned small business with decades of experience in animal health, each product is designed for a specific purpose.”
Hara oversees the company’s social media platforms and marketing initiatives, promoting events to enhance brand visibility. Additionally, she plays a key role in leading Barks and Bandanas, a club at Costa that organizes fundraising dog walks to support Canine Companions, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to those in need.
“Every treat we make is about enhancing the lives of dogs and their families,” Hara said. “As DoggySnax continues to grow, we’re excited to reach more pet lovers and provide them with nutritious options.”
Currently, DoggySnax products are available on Amazon, their official website at www.doggysnax.com, and they are steadily emerging in popular retail stores across the country. As the company expands, Hara’s contributions are helping pave the way for a bright future for both DoggySnax and the canine companions they serve.
Compete against a MUN Senior!
Costa Model United Nations (MUN) dedicated a part of their booth to its seniors. Participants competed in connect four against a MUN senior. From left to right: senior Hudson Sagadevan, senior Colin Freelin.
Photo by Katie Anderson/La Vista
Dunk a Mun kid!
Sophomore Naomi Dimalanta gets dunked during her shift at Costa Model United Nations’ booth. Players had the chance to toss a water balloon at a target that launched a bucket of water on MUN students.
Photo courtesy of Cat Stone
Breast Cancer Awareness Dedication
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in every eight women have a chance at developing breast cancer, and so La Vista dedicated this page to Breast Cancer Awareness.
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