By Catelyn Dileva
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council hosted the fourth Coordinating Council Luncheon of the school year on Jan. 21 at the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach to honor outstanding Manhattan Beach students.
The MBCC awarded students seventh Grader Nate St Germain from Manhattan Beach Middle School, eighth Grader Kiki Schumacher from American Martyrs, fifth grader Julie Barile from Meadows Elementary and junior Owen Konsmo from Mira Costa High School for their academic excellence and extracurricular activities.
“Our main goal during the luncheon was to publicly honor the outstanding students from Manhattan Beach,” Coordinating Council President Stephanie Martin said. “It was wonderful to see the wide array of activities they do to give back to the community.”
The Coordinating Council Luncheon holds the luncheon five times a year during the school year ever since the Manhattan Beach School District has been established and is one of the oldest organizations in Manhattan Beach. MBCC holds the luncheon to honor outstanding students during the school year, help fundraise to provide scholarships to MCHS seniors and offers networking opportunities for government, business, schools and community.
“Manhattan Beach is a community that is committed to excellence in education,” Martin said. “Not only education, but also the extracurriculars students do are so amazing they have to be honored.”
During the luncheon, networking and scholarship opportunities were offered. Honorary students were given the chance to network with the other attendees of the luncheon who work for separate businesses like real estate agents in MB, government, schools and other community organizations.
“It is a great opportunity to be able to network with local businesses,” Konsmo said. “It helps with experience for the future and just connecting with people who will help me in my future.”
The school students attended chose who they wanted to honor. To be honored there are no written requirements or criteria but it usually includes academics, extracurricular activities and community service.
“It is very rewarding to be honored in front of the entire community with other successful students who work hard,” Konsmo said. “To stand out at Costa for my accomplishments is very honoring itself.”
Manhattan Beach City Council Members, Mira Costa High School, Manhattan Beach Middle School and Pacific Administration as well as MBMS, Costa and American Martyrs Associated Student Body Representatives attended the luncheon. Manhattan Beach Middle School and American Martyrs Parent Teacher Association also attended, in addition to teacher presenters, parents and family members of honored students, business partners, and community members.
The MBCC will hold the next luncheon on Mar. 17 to honor more outstanding students. According to Martin, the board wants to see more MB youth accomplish great things.
“I hope that the MBCC continues to recognize students and take time to demonstrate our commitment to youth long into the future,” Martin said. “It would be great if more of our community joined us for lunch to see these young people and their accomplishments.”
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