Inspiring Innovation: Assistance League of Huntington Beach Awards Transformative Grants

The Assistance League of Huntington Beach (ALHB) continues strengthening its partnership with the Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD), expressing deep appreciation and unwavering support for our remarkable teachers and staff through the Links to Learning Program.

This year, 48 teachers and staff members were awarded over $25,000 in grants to enrich student learning. Since the program’s inception, ALHB has donated more than $200,000 to our schools, creating a culture of innovation and academic excellence.

Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients for their approved proposals:

Dwyer Middle School

• Adam Segal - Expanding Horizons: Enriching Our Library Collection for Student Success

• Courtney Ries - Printmaking Our Way to Entrepreneurship

• Sara Lieberman - Special Education Headphones (Guided Support)

• Jill Hart - Tools for Ceramics 

• Tony Zini - Rocketry: Learning about Space Travel

• Amy Rasmussen, Sara Lieberman - Scholastic Action, Smile Book, and Who's Who books

Eader Elementary

• Kelly Kobzeff, Courtney Neil, Michelle Africano - Differentiation in the 21st Century Classroom

• Sara Rapp, Jourdan Crowell, Natasha Paez, Pete Dawson - Literacy Enhancement:  Preschool

Hawes Elementary

• Jennifer De Stefano - Read, Discuss, Connect: The Genius of Literature Circles 

• Amy Volk - The Symbiotic Relationship of Bees, Butterflies, and Plants: A Hands On STEAM Unit

• McKenna Etchart - Enhancing Learning Through Tactile Engagement

• Kara Ortiz - IMSE Orton Gillingham K-2 Phonics Readers

• Sara Adams, Jenny Cook - Insects and Their Relationships With Plants

• Amy Arsenault, Christine Wilfert  - Hands on Science for First Graders

• Susan Oakes, Christine Zeutzius - Engaging Second Graders in Hands On Science Exploration

• Tonya Borns, Michelle Tucker, Tracy Garton - Mystery Packs to Enhance Mystery Science Curriculum

Moffett Elementary 

• Amanda Hart - Learn Through Play

• Sarah Fantel, Nancy Taylor, Julie Felix - Second Graders Excel with IXL

Peterson Elementary

• Julie Newton - Blood on the River American Revolution Novel Study

• Clare Shweyk - California Young Reader Medal voting and election year tie in

• Kayley Krong - STEAM Bins & Songs and Movement for Kinders

• Joy Black - Reading takes you places!

Preschool Academy

• Jocelyn Carbajal, Anna Chen, Kori Stephenson, Tammy Tang - Preschool garden

Seacliff Elementary

• Connie Clem - Art Therapy:  Expressing yourself in a positive way

• Katie Powell - Who Was...? Library Expansion

Smith Elementary

• Angelique Martinez - Learning and Growing Through Art and Play

• Jen Yamabe - Back to the Basics!

• Jennifer Dalton - Little Hands, Big Skills, Supporting Fine Motor Growth in Kindergarten

Sowers Middle School

• Dana Palmer - Empowering STEM Success: Printing Elevates Learning

• Shaianne Homann - Curriculum Expansion for Guitar/Band

• Ylan Chung, Kelly Steinfeld, Brooke Devitt - Sowers Coffee Cart

During the award reception, Cathy Johnson, Chair of the ALHB Links to Learning Program, praised the dedication of educators who strive to enhance student experiences. “These grants will continue to support essential Social Emotional Learning in classrooms,” Johnson remarked. “Students will dive into subjects like plant and animal studies, STEAM investigations, rocketry, robotics, fine arts, and even manage a student-operated coffee cart.”

Individual grants of up to $600 and group grants of up to $2,400 are awarded based on how each project fosters creativity and innovatively addresses students' needs.

At the special reception, recipients were honored by ALHB’s Links to Learning Program committee members, school board member Dr. Paul Morrow, and district staff. It was a heartfelt celebration for the educators who were dedicated so much to shaping the future of our students.

“This partnership highlights the power of collaboration within our district,” said Dr. Cynthia Guerrero, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “With 32 grants awarded this year, the program exemplifies our shared commitment to providing every student with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. The overwhelming generosity of our community partners is truly paving the way for a brighter future.”

The ALHB Links to Learning Program committee, composed of devoted volunteers, carefully reviews each grant application. Key criteria in the selection process include project quality, objectives, student impact, and budget accuracy.

Since its founding in 1950, ALHB has been a transformative force within the Huntington Beach community. The league supports various philanthropic programs funded through proceeds from its thrift shop, fundraising initiatives, and member donations, all of which positively impact the lives of children and adults.