Local Limelight
San Clemente and Dana Hills High School ARTICLE GINA SIEBERT
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hen Paula Oblen, Director of Special Spaces Orange County took this role, she knew it would take a “village” to bring her non-profit Chapter’s vision to
life for deserving children facing life-threatening illnesses. When friends and fellow classmates at San Clemente High School battled such illnesses, it really struck the hearts of so many students and ignited their passion to help and do something to impact the lives of their peers dealing with such struggles. In partnership with Oblen and Special Spaces Orange County, San Clemente High School started a club to support the fundraising and volunteer needs for upcoming bedroom makeovers.
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“When we learned that so many kids at our schools and in our neighborhoods, were dealing with such life-threatening issues, we just had to do something. They can’t help their situation, but as friends, classmates or just kids in their community that care; we can. It doesn’t have to be much but just knowing that other kids understand and show kindness might brighten a hard day,” says Nate Siebert, President of the SCHS Special Spaces Club. With one year under their belt, Oblen and Siebert decided it was time to challenge other local schools to start a new club and join the momentum of sharing kindness and compassion for children and teens in their community. They started with Dana Hills High School. Siebert and the new President of the Dana Hills High School Special Spaces Club, Riley Lloyd, are leading the charge to work collaboratively to
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support Special Spaces Orange County and the very deserving kids that will benefit from future bedroom makeovers. “With this level of support from these young adults, the sky is the limit to what we can accomplish together. It warms my heart to see kids giving back in ways that not only change the lives of the deserving child but truly changes them as a person,” says Oblen. Special Spaces Orange County is a nationally recognized non-profit with the mission to provide dream bedroom makeovers for kids battling life-threatening illnesses. For more information about Special Spaces visit SpecialSpaces.org.
1. San Clemente Leaders -Tanlee Gaspar, Nate Siebert, Alex McAlpin, Elena Anthony 2. Dana Hills Leaders -Shea Yamasaki, Kasra Diba, Riley Lloyd, Katie Swanson, Claire Weinhardt, Kayla Mazzotti
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San Clemente Lifestyle | December 2017