PANORAMA Palos Verdes Peninsula
No. 305 • December 16, 2023
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CHAMPIONS HIGHLIGHT YEAR Everything
AYSO Royalty . . . The annual King and Queen of the Hill soccer tournament caps 2023 sports.
• We publish as many sports and local events as possible as the calendar year closes. From summer All-Stars to the start of the basketball season we try to be everywhere and cover everything. We’re getting ready for 2024 and the spring sports season where we cover everything from T-Ball to high school varsity. Look for the next issue soon.
Summer Heroes . . . The Rolling Hills Little League 8-10 year-old All-Star team won District 36
and Section 4 All-Star tournaments over the summer. The team includes Marko Kunich, Sullivan Hamilton, Cole Pappas, Luke Johnston, Hudson Woo, Dylan Hamann, Benjamin McConnell, Jackson Cochran, Lucas Craig, Christian Cohu, Connor Patterson and Carter Oldham.
Ranked
Winning Art
Racing On The Road See Page 5
Water Is Life See Page 2
Flag Football Championships . . . Flag football championships at Palos Verdes High highlight the fall sports season.
Softball
PVYBL
Spring Registration Open Now
Basketball Season Underway
See Page 20
See Page 13
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December 16, 2023
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Local Artist Brings New Life To Water Art
Water Is Life Winner . . . Montemalaga School 5th grader Dagny Tang’s winning artwork.
• Montemalaga School student named regional winner in art contest sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District. Montemalaga 5th grader Dagny Tang won the Metropolitan Water District “Water Is Life” Art Contest representing Palos Verdes Unified School District as regional winner out of more than 13,000 student entries from throughout Southern California. Tang advanced to the regional level after winning the Grand Prize in the local contest hosted by West Basin Municipal Water District earlier this year for which she was also recognized as Mayor’s Honoree by Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Barbara Ferraro and the City Council. The annual “Water Is Life” art contest challenges students grades 3-12 to create inspirational works of art that encourage Southern Californians to use water efficiently. The next cycle of the contest will begin in January 2024. — email report
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Volleyball
December 16, 2023
Las Amigas Dedicated To Supporting Local Services
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Community
PV Volleyball All-Star . . . Palos Verdes High School incoming sophomore Zade Innocent was named to the 47th annual AAU National Volleyball Championships All-Star team over the summer. Innocent was named to the team after leading Beach Cities Volleyball to a fifth place finish in a summer tournament in Orlando, FL. Innocent registered 52 kills for the tournament, including 32 in a stretch where Beach won six consecutive matches without dropping a set. — email report
• Las Amigas continues 60-year tradition asstising local charities and other community organizations. The organization Las Amigas de Las Lomas held its annual Holiday Luncheon at The Red Onion restaurant last week. Las Amigas de Las Lomas (Las Amigas) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (OIC) and other community organizations. The OIC Van was filled with toys and gifts for OIC patients and their families. The luncheon included a special guest, an OIC patient, who overcame a degenerative bone disorder through surgeries performed at OIC. Three days later, at the annual Toys and Joy Celebration in downtown Los Angeles, every child received a warm fleece blanket, handmade by our Los Amigos members, as well as two new toys from Santa. For over 60 years, the PV Chapter of Las Amigas has been committed to its philanthropic efforts based on the OIC principle and mission of providing care for children regardless of the ability to pay. — email report
Michael Willis, director of community engagement, with van full of toys.
Los Amigos with patient ambassador at Toys and Joy Luncheonl
CIF Champions . . . The Peninsula High varsity baseball team received its CIF championship rings during the night football game at Peninsula High. The team includes Yuvan Anthony, Jett Lim, Kai Nagashima, Riley Horn, Jake Gallo, Enzo Somers, Josh Yockey, Leo Jerden, Will Maloney, TL Mills, Sei Nagashima, Max Sarner, Aaron Monzon, Ronnie Ogusuku, Matteo Carresi, Matthew Lee, James Worsham, Jack Gold, Tommie Philips, Kaleb Woodward, Luke Mansir, Sammy Funk, Kema Oyama, Reed Woodland, Justin Rand, Will Yun, Edric Chao, Xander Lorrane, Nicholas Wong, Ethan Kim and Josh Chen. Coaches Nick Green, Mike Young and Eddie Haus.
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December 16, 2023
PV Assembly Holds Annual Spring Ball Service
GM Photography
Honored At The Ball . . . The Palos Verdes Assembly celebrates 43 seniors from the class of 2023 at the 59th annual
Palos Verdes Assembly Medallion. Pictured, front row: Samantha Rosenfeld, Caroline Litchfield, Jaszmine Castellanos, Sharlize Moayedi, Janna Lee, Grace Trester, Madison Lee, Grace Hebert, Vivian Chan and Michele Chan. Second row: Konstantine Katona, Skye Smitham, Naomi Porter, Taylor Cowling, Kayla Thompson, Emily Milam, Aly Moulton, Kaitlyn Fujiki, Sofia Neumann, Anna Frazier, Leah Aoyagi, Kathryn Bryant, Ella Russo, Neena Matharu, Dylan Okada and Bradley Barbosa. Back row: William Sun, Blaine Guerra-Genc, Charles Dodge, Kyle Cooper, Jake Milam, Henry Huss, Noah Rivera, Derrick Bobb, Boston Webster, Rylan Johnson, David Paolucci, Isaac Nguyen, Johannes Eberhart, Jett Palmer, Gavin Steen-Olsen, Joseph O’Connor and Brandon Hama.
How Much Longer Can Old Cameraman Keep Up?
• The Palos Verdes Assembly celebrated its 59th year with its annual Presentation Ball at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles over the spring. This commemorative event included a much-anticipated mother/ son and father/daughter waltz led by Dance Master Bobby Burgess. The prominent organization recognized 43 seniors from the Class of 2023 for their seven-year commitment to studying ballroom dance and social etiquette, and for their philanthropic efforts.
Please continue on Page 8 . . .
Palos Verdes Peninsula
PANORAMA On Staff Timothy Niemann
Publisher/Editor: Tom Combs Copy Editors: Sue Demerjian, Winton Combs Cartoonist: Jack Dickason
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Panorama Community . . . Panorama is about celebrating families and people active in sports, science and the arts. Our goal
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We publish 21 times during the calendar year every other Saturday unless otherwise noted.
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On the Week of Publication: Editorial & Advertising Space:
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localnews@pvppanorama support@pvppanorama.com Publisher shall not be liable for errors or damages for errors in advertising except up to the actual cost of space occupied by the item appearing in error. 310 Publishing L.L.C. reserves the right to approve or reject any and all copy and assumes no responsibility for errors not of its making. This newspaper cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited news releases or photographs. Copyright 310 Publishing 2023. All rights reserved.
In Memory of Jolene Combs Jesse Lou Givens
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PVIS Invitational Attracts The Best
Middle School Runners Kick Up Dust . . . Hundreds of runners from all over the South Bay participated in the PVIS Invitational and challenged Agony Hill.
Ridgecrest Raiders On The Move . . . Schools from all over the South Bay took on the legendary cross country course in Lunada Bay.
Keep Us In The Loop Expect The Red And Black To Lead, And Win . . . 7th Grader Noah Lengkeek continues the long tradition of cross country excellence at Palos Verdes Intermediate School.
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PVIS Runner Takes Lead . . .
Noah Lengkeek qualified and participated in the USATF Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus over the summer. He won gold in the 4x800 relay and placed 7th and 8th in the 1500 and and 3000 meters. He earned All-American Honors for all three races setting three new personal-records. Lengkeek is a rising 7th grader running cross country and track with coach Scott Reid at PVIS.
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December 16, 2023
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Action Photos
PV Breakers 10U . . . The 4th Grade PV Breakers played up in the 5th
In Color!
Grade Division and won the Endless Summer Classic. The 10U 4th Grade players include Ethan Rushatakankovit, Noah Schoch, Dilyn Dhir, Karvis Lin, Grant Nordlund, Ryder Gani, Conner Rushatakankovit, Adam Booker and Brennan Baek. Breakers coach Frank A. Salceda.
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PV Breakers 12U . . . The PV Breakers 12U team won the Grassroots
G365 Beach Blast Tournament. The team includes Ayaka Yiu, Jack Nguyen, Brennan Kato, Brad Kuo, Kayden Dhir, Aden Finzel, Johnathan Hernanadez, Rocky Ramirez, Jackson Nordlund, and Yoel Tekle. Coach Gab Ramirez.
Palos Verdes Assembly Poised For Commitment
. . . Continued from Page 4 Over the past four years, Palos Verdes Assembly participants have contributed more than 30,000 hours of service to charitable causes in the local area with many graduating seniors qualifying for the prestigious Assembly Medallion. “These young men and women are strong, talented, socially poised and socially responsible individuals who make us proud,” said Burgess, master of ceremonies, and instructor with Palos Verdes Assembly for more than 20 years. “I am confident that they are well-prepared to meet any of life’s challenges and will truly make a difference.” The Palos Verdes Assembly is a nonprofit, social and philanthropic organization founded in 1964 by the late Mrs. Katherine Sheehy. Her vision for the young people combined teaching the importance of elegance, grace and manners while imparting a humanitarian spirit of service to the community.
She established a standard of excellence that is still the essence of the organization over 50 years later. Membership in Palos Verdes Assembly is a four-year commitment preceded by three years of participation in middle school Cotillion. Assembly activities include a formal tea, six dances during which members are instructed in various ballroom dances and etiquette, a semi-formal holiday dinner dance, and the Presentation Ball. Burgess and his staff provide dance instruction to the members and Mr. Robert Burgess instructs members in social protocol and etiquette. In addition to their social activities, Assembly members in all four grades contribute thousands of hours of volunteer service each year to programs that benefit our local community. To learn more about The Palos Verdes Assembly, visit pvassembly.org and follow them on Instagram @pvassembly.
Editorial and Advertising deadline is 6 p.m. Monday the week of publication. PVP-Panorama is sometimes published every two weeks. Our next edition is out early 2024.
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December 16, 2023
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Football Carries On Through Fall Flag Football
• Flag football teams from 1st. Grade to 8th Grade competed in championships at Palos Verdes High to finish the fall season.
Blue Mavericks Are Royal . . . Orange Outlasts Gold . . . The Sea Kings Battle Chadwick . . . The Palos Verdes Intermediate flag football team takes on Chadwick at home in South Bay League action.
The Blue Mavericks won the 3rd/4th Grade championship game over the first-place Red Mavericks at PV High.
Orange Mavericks won the 5th/6th Grade championship game over the first-place Gold Mavericks.
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Championship Saturday . . . Flag football teams from 1st Grade to 8th Grade divisions competed in championship games at PV High.
The PV Tradition Continues . . . Sea Kings junior safety Evan Aguirre intercepts a pass during first half of the Palos Verdes High and Peninsula High varsity football game at Peninsula High.
Making It Look Easy . . . Sea Kings senior receiver Luke Gayton catches a touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Ryan Rakowski to finish the Bay League season at Peninsula High.
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Basketball Powers Winter Sports PVYBL • More than 2,000 athletes from Kindergarten to 8th Grade have taken over the Palos Verdes Youth Basketball League for the winter sports season. The 2023-24 season will have seven girl divisions and ten boy division with action taking place all over the Peninsula. Regular season play stretches through the end of January with final championship games slated for early February.
Stay Close With Defense . . .
Close games and a few blowouts are on the schedule for basketball this season.
A New Season Begins . . . Go Means Go got a big win over the Green Gators in Malachite Conference action at Peninsula High. Palm Springs Labor Day Kick Off - ARC Tournament PV Results —
PV Breakers 15U . . . First place undefeated Champions: James Hillstrom, Max Cui, Tyler Smildzins, Jackson Reese, Jake Dox and Ethan Javehary.
PV Breakers 17U . . . Second place: James Anderson, Justice Hunter, Taiyo Bethel, Aidan Lee, Jake Otto, Nick Lancey and Telmo Corral Gutierrez.
Battle For The Green . . . The Sparties held back the Celtics for a close, 14-13
win, in the Emerald Conference to open the PVYBL season.
PV Breakers 13U . . . Second place: Yoel Tekle, Rocky Ramirez, Aden Findel, Jackson Nordlund, Brad Kuo, Brennan Kato, Kayden Dhir and Ayaka Yiu.
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December 16, 2023
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Title Banners Will Fly This Spring All-Stars
More Banners For Valmonte . . . The Palos Verdes Little League 9-11 year-old All-Star team won the District 36
All-Star tournament. The team includes Miles Baranick, Jackson Byard, Rocco Ciccone, Conor Eroen, Cody Kim, Bennett Lopes, Drew Myhre, Deven Reddy, Griffin Rudy, Hudson Sheffield, Tanner Tamilin and Tyler Turse.
Silver Spur All-Stars Win Section 36, Section 4 Championships . . .
The Silver Spur 50/70 Team (13U) won the District 36 Championship defeating teams from Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Then won the Section 4 Championship defeating Torrance, Inglewood and Santa Monica. The team reached the finals of the California State Championship Tournament in Ventura over the summer. The players include Cash Hines, Aiden Vargas, Damian Maddern, Jayden Lee, Jack Suhling, Timmy McDonald, Logan Ro, Henry Girard, Samuel Girard, Grant Holdsworth, Jacob Matsunaga and Phillip An. Manager Richard Blanch and coaches Jerry Spradlin and Wil Aaron.
• District 36 and Section 4 championship banners will fly on Opening Day this spring after another successful summer for local All-Star teams. The Rolling Hills Little League 8-10 year-old All-Star team, the Palos Verdes 9-11 year-old All-Star team and the Silver Spur Little League 13U All-Star teams each won District 36 and Section 4 championship banners. All three teams reached the Southern California championship games before ending their summer season. Little League tryouts begin the first week of January while Opening Day ceremonies begin in early March.
Rolling Hills On The Move . . .
Rolling Hills 10-year-old All-Star pitcher Benjamin McConnell leads his team in the District 36 championship game against El Segundo Little League at Lunada Bay Little League over the summer.
All-Star Celebration . . . Rolling Hills All-Stars celebrate its win over El Segundo in the District championship game.
More Banners For PVLL . . . The Palos Verdes11-year-old All-Star team is making it habit of securing All-Star banners during the summer.
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Local Middle Schools Compete . . . Flag football and girls’ volleyball highlight the fall South Bay League middle school sports season. Coming up for winter action is boys’ and girls’ basketball and soccer.
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AYSO Crowns Kings And Queens Soccer
• The largest youth league on the Peninsula held its final championship games at the King and Queen of the Hill soccer tournament at Ladera Linda Park. Teams from boys’ and girls’ divisions played their final games of the season at the all-day tournament. One of the most exciting matches of the day saw Chelsea F.C. defeat the first place Silver Stingrays after two overtimes and penalty kicks.
Red Ants
Yodeling Yoshies
Boys 10U Kyle Dunst
Girls 9U Jerry Stepan
Smelly White Sox
Lavender Leopards
Boys 12U Allegra Treaster
Girls 10U Ezioma Azubuike
Real Madrid
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2023 FINAL Fall Standings Girls 9U Purple Panthers Cheetos Real Water Dragons Gator Girls Red Pandas Penguins Teal Tigers Pink Dolphins Blue Sharks Snow Leopards Lavender Leopards
Yellow Jackets Lavender Lamas Purple Panthers Watermelon Warriors Pink Pythons Purple Thunder Blueberry Muffins Goal Girls
Girls 8U Kyle Bretting
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AYSO Region 10
Girls 10U
Palos Verdes AYSO Coaches/Teams 2023 Sportsmanship Award Winners Boys 9U Nathan Choi
December 16, 2023
Girls 12U Master Yodas Purple Stars Blue Moons Cosmic Cowgirls Asteroids
P W L T 24 8 1 0 23 7 0 2 18 5 1 4 17 5 2 2 13 4 4 1 10 3 5 1 10 3 5 1 9 3 6 0 8 2 5 2 6 2 7 0 4 1 7 1 P W L T 25 8 1 1 24 8 2 0 17 5 3 2 14 4 4 2 13 3 3 4 9 2 5 3 5 1 7 2 4 0 6 4 P W L T 21 7 2 0 20 6 1 2 13 4 4 1 12 4 5 0 1 0 8 1
Boys 9U Cobras Sonic Tiger Sharks Tigers Iguanas Anacondas Legendary Dragons Wolverines Orange Cheetahs Purple Vipers Monkeys Yellowjackets Lizzards Red Foxes Red Ants
Boys 10U Silver Singrays Red Tail Hawks Blue Panthers Green Machine Chelsea F.C. The Knights Tsunamis Hurricanes Red Flames Tornados Smelly White Sox Tsunamis Red Flames
Boys 12U
Goal Girls
Girls 12U Shaun Tucker
Manchester City Dynamo Norwich City Stoke City Real Madrid Bristol Rovers Arsenal Siena Sparta Prague Red Bulls
Master Yodas
P W L T 24 8 0 0 21 7 1 0 18 6 2 0 16 5 2 1 15 5 3 0 13 4 2 1 13 4 3 1 12 4 3 0 12 3 2 3 10 3 3 1 10 3 4 1 6 2 5 0 3 1 6 0 1 0 6 1 1 0 6 1 P W L T 24 8 2 0 24 8 2 0 22 7 2 1 19 6 3 1 15 4 3 3 13 4 4 1 13 4 4 1 9 3 7 0 7 2 6 1 7 2 7 1 4 1 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 P W L T 30 10 1 0 21 7 4 0 19 6 3 1 17 5 4 2 16 5 4 1 15 4 4 3 12 4 7 0 9 2 5 3 8 2 6 2 8 2 6 2
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PANORAMA Palos Verdes Peninsula
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Watch Out For Snakes . . . The boys’ 9U Cobras defeated Sonic to claim their first King of the Hill title.
Keeping It Real . . . The girls’ U9 Real
Queen Of The Hill You Are . . . The girls’ 12U Master Yodas (coach Shaun Tucker) defeated Purple Stars (youth coaches Ashley Ko and Sophia Lamothe).
Just A Little Higher . . . The boys’ 14 Blue Lightning (coach Mike Juneau) defeated the Tigers (coached by Mike Zens) to take the upper division King of the Hill crown.
Water Dragons (coach Nate Huber) defeated the Purple Panthers (coach Brian Condon) to win their first Queen of the Hill title.
Best Match Of The Day . . .
The boys’ 10U championship match came down to penality kicks with Chelsea F.C. (youth coaches Donovan Capozzola and Jobi Blachy) defeating Silver Stingrays (youth coaches Tyler Eng and August Endy) for the King of the Hill crown. Palos Verdes Peninsula
PANORAMA Battle For Royality . . . The girls’ 10U Yellow Jackets (coached by Paul Christen and his daughter Olivia) defeated the
Purple Panthers (coached by Michael Dorta) for the crown
Next Edition 2024
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Play In Boys’ 12U Division . . . The boys’ 12U Manchester City Girls’ 14U Play Into The Sunset . . . The girls’ 14U Lavender Legion (coach Premier team (youth coaches Brody Leipzig, Connor Blumenthal, Demain Bruno and
David Joyce) defeated the PV Flames (coach Steve Garth) for the upper division Queen of the Hill crown.
Bradyn Sheldon) defeated Stoke City (coach Billy Candella).
Youth Coaches In Control . . .
Youth-coached teams had great and fun seasons reaching the King and Queen of the Hill finals.
Peninsula Softball Teams
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