EYE ON SJC

EDITOR’S NOTE: Results from the California Secretary of State and Orange County Registrar of Voters’ websites tracking the election are unofficial. Certification of the results is expected for July 15.

SENATE RACES State Senate Races Take Shape in 36th, 38th Districts

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The unofficial results in California’s Primary Election have provided a preview of what’s to come in the General Election this November.

Two State Senate races covering portions of South Orange County include the 36th and 38th—the first representing Dana Point and San Clemente, and the latter, San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo.

District 36 had only two candidates, Democrat Kim Carr and Republican Janet Nguyen. The two will automatically go on to the General Election. In California, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the November races.

As of early Thursday morning, June 9, Nguyen was the apparent front-runner, receiving 56.7% of the vote (70,664), while Carr trailed with 43.3% (53,912), according to the unofficial results from the California Secretary of State’s office.

Carr, a Huntington Beach councilmember, was in a council meeting while early results were released Tuesday night, but did provide a prepared statement when reached for comment.

“I’m a third-generation Californian who grew up in Orange County, and I am raising my family here. This is my home, and I’m grateful to serve this beautiful community,” Carr said. “This campaign is all about protecting and preserving our neighborhoods, keeping our coastal economy vibrant, helping small businesses thrive and ensuring a woman’s right to health care.”

Nguyen, a state assemblymember, had not responded to a request for comment, as of press time.

Over in the 38th District, the race appeared to be narrowed down to Democrat Catherine Blakespear and Republican Matt Gunderson. Blakespear had 43.7% of vote tally (60,690), while Gunderson led with 45.5% (63,085).

Democrat Joe Kerr, a retired fire captain and an additional primary candidate, got 10.8% of the votes (15,011). Blakespear, the mayor of Encinitas, said through a prepared statement that she was “honored by the tremendous support for our campaign.”

“Tonight, voters sent a clear, unmistakable message that they want someone who will fight for our environment, for women’s right to choose, and for gun violence prevention,” Blakespear said. “I’m humbled by tonight’s victory and excited for the road ahead in the General Election.”

Gunderson, a small business owner, said he is “happy by the early results and to have the approval from the voters of the 38th District to move on to the General Election.” “It is still early in the evening, but it is obvious that this district wants real change and real solutions on issues like the gas tax, homelessness, rising crime, and a return to local control,” Gunderson continued. “Sacramento’s one-sizefits-all policies simply do not work in our coastal community, and the voters are making that clear tonight.”

(Left to right) Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear and Matt Gunderson.

CONGRESSIONAL RACE Levin Maintains Heavy Lead Ahead of Projected Battle with Maryott for the 49th

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The results of California’s Primary Election on Tuesday, June 7, appear to have narrowed the race for the U.S. House of Representatives 49th District seat down to two candidates: Rep. Mike Levin, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican challenger Brian Maryott.

Unofficial results posted as of early Thursday morning, June 9, had Levin and Maryott as the apparent front-runners who are projected to be included in the ballots for the General Election this coming November—setting up another race between the two following the 2020 elections.

Levin, who’s serving his second consecutive term in office, looked to hold off challenges from a host of other Republican candidates, including current Orange County Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Oceanside Councilmember Christopher Rodriguez.

With votes from all 467 precincts partially reported, Levin held a strong lead in the contest with 49.8% of the vote (56,624 votes). Maryott received 18.5% (20,979), with Bartlett trailing at 10.7% (12,186).

OC BOARD RACE Unofficial Results Show Foley Likely to Face Bates in November

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

OC Board Supervisor Katrina Foley, the Democratic incumbent, continued to lead the pack of candidates running in the race for Fifth Supervisorial District early Thursday morning, June 9, and she is projected to face State Sen. Patricia Bates in the upcoming General Election.

Unofficial results from the Orange County Registrar of Voters showed Foley holding on to a strong lead, receiving 41.27% of the vote (36,432). Bates, a former board supervisor, has received 23.09% of the votes (20,378).

Fellow supervisor hopefuls Diane Harkey, a former assemblymember, and Newport Beach Councilmember Kevin Muldoon trailed in the race, each receiving less than 19% of the vote.

Acknowledging that vote-by-mail and conditional ballots are continuing to be counted from Tuesday’s Primary, Foley on Wednesday morning remained cautiously optimistic ahead of the final outcome.

“So, we don’t know what the final outcome is of the Primary yet,” Foley continued. “I think it’s going to be tough to get to that 50% margin, but what the takeaway was to me is that we have a lot of bipartisan support and we were able to just really get votes across the whole district, not just in one area.”

As of press time, Bates had not responded to requests for comment.

ASSEMBLY RACE With Duncan, Davies Already Set for General Election Faceoff, Primaries Give Glimpse to the Fall

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

With just two candidates facing off in the race to represent California’s 74th Assembly District, the June 7 primaries may offer a preview of what’s to come this November.

Based on unofficial results as of early Thursday morning, June 9, Assemblymember Laurie Davies, the Republican incumbent, led the vote tally with 52.8% (35,404), strengthening her hopes for a reelection in the fall.

Her challenger, San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan, had led in the race late Tuesday night, but with votes from all precincts partially reported by the following day, the Democrat’s portion of the tally fell, and stood at 47.2% (31,611 votes) on Thursday.

Speaking with The Capistrano Dispatch the night of the race, Duncan said the early results were encouraging. “All the residents of this district deserve someone who’s going to be effective in Sacramento and deliver for them,” Duncan said.

He added that his campaign’s biggest strength was his efforts to “meet voters where they are.”

“We put in the work,” Duncan continued. “We hear what their concerns are, and I talk very specifically about what I can do to address those concerns and be a voice for them in Sacramento.”

Duncan previously campaigned for the State Assembly seat in 2020, when the seat was under the 73rd District, but he lost in the Primary race, receiving 18.4% of the vote. Davies went on to win the seat in the 2020 General Election against Democrat Scott Rhinehart.

Davies on Wednesday morning said she felt her experience as an assemblymember has been her greatest strength in the campaign.

“I’ve been up here not for a year and a half,” Davies said. “I’ve been working across the aisle, and that’s something that not everybody can do. I was able to get six out of six bills passed and signed into law, and they are good common-sense bills.”

“I’m doing the same thing right now,” Davies continued. “I have nine bills that have gone over to the Senate already. I really believe in common-sense policy, and I’m there working across the aisle, and that’s really what needs to be done.”

(Left to right) Rep. Mike Levin and Former San Juan Capistrano Councilmember Brian Maryott.

(Left to right) OC Board Supervisor Katrina Foley and State Sen. Patricia Bates.

The Nordeck Charity Golf Tournament returns this July and will raise money for local organizations. Photo: File

NEWS BITES

COMPILED BY STAFF

CD |Buy My Bikes Celebrates 44th Anniversary

Jim Curwood opened Buy My Bikes on June 15, 1978, and since then, it has become a well-known and successful bicycle shop in San Juan Capistrano.

Curwood, known for wearing colorful bee costumes in advertisements, is celebrating Buy My Bikes’ 44th anniversary.

“Working seven days a week, surfing in the morning from 6-9 (a.m.), opening the shop at 10, I slowly built a business,” Curwood said. “Through the ups and downs, I somehow have made it 44 years. It has not been easy, but every day you learn something—some days more than you wanted.” Curwood went on to say how “lucky I am” over the past two years, given the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I may not be rich, but I have a ton of friends and help out whenever I can,” he said. “It feels awesome to help out.”

Curwood said as he gets into his 44th year in business and 66th year in life, he intends to one day hand his business down to his kids—but, for now, is “just warming up” and not thinking of quitting.

“Just when you think you have it figured out, stuff happens, and you have to start over,” Curwood said. “Don’t be afraid. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Here is to 44 more years!”

CD |CREER to Host Benefit Event in June

CREER Comunidad y Familia, a nonprofit based in San Juan Capistrano that provides food and other services for families in need, will host a fundraiser dinner and concert on Sunday, June 26.

The event will take place at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Neil Diamond tribute band Hot August Night will perform.

The event will be CREER’s first benefit concert since March 2020, which was when the COVID-19 pandemic first disrupted daily life.

CREER has continued to provide a food pantry for the local community every Tuesday, and its summer camp is expected to resume this summer, according to volunteer Jeff Singer.

CD |Swallows Inn Foundation Announces 2nd Nordeck Charity Golf Tournament

The second-ever iteration of The Nordeck Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for July 15 at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, 2677 Avery Parkway, in Mission Viejo.

The event is named for San Juan Capistrano icon and former Swallow’s Inn owner Steve Nordeck, who owned the popular local bar up until his death in June 2018 from cancer at the age of 76. Proceeds from the tournament will go toward the Swallows Inn Foundation, which was started by Nordeck and is also organizing the event.

The nonprofit has provided assistance to many local organizations, including the J.F. Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding, San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition, 11th Marines, Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and the Open Space Foundation, according to a news release.

The inaugural Nordeck Charity Golf Tournament in 2019 attracted more than 100 local golfers and brought in roughly $8,000 that went toward charitable efforts.

“We hope you can join us to enjoy this great event and to celebrate the profound and long-lasting impact Steve had on us personally, and for the influence he had on our community,” the Swallows Inn Foundation said in a news release.

Various hole sponsorships are available, ranging from gold at $1,500 to platinum at $300, with other price levels in between. For more information, call 949.922.8704, email thenordeckgolf@ gmail.com, or visit the Facebook page for The Nordeck Golf Tournament.

CD |Second Harvest Food Bank Offers Free Food for Children During Summer Break

After being forced to close after-school food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County kicked off its 2022 Summer Food Service Program on June 1 at 39 sites throughout the county.

Free meals will be provided to all children, without eligibility documentation, who are 18 years of age and younger, according to a news release. The program will allow children at risk of hunger to have access to nutritious lunches and snacks during summer break. To find the nearest open site, call 211 or text 898211 for hours of distribution.

Second Harvest will offer meals that include healthy morning and afternoon snacks and lunches such as chicken wraps, turkey sandwiches, fruit and milk, among other foods.

“The reality for many children is that school lunches are one of the few sources of steady nutrition; once school’s out, that reliability vanishes in a flash and increases their risk of food insecurity,” said Claudia Keller, CEO of Second Harvest, in the news release. “The fact that inflation is at record levels makes this summer even more challenging for families facing food insecurity.”

In fiscal year 2021, Second Harvest distributed almost 60 million pounds of food through their partner network to an average of 490,000 individuals each month. COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@ gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14 Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing, will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, which makes decisions on local education matters, will hold a regularly scheduled meeting open to the public. CUSD Board Room, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday session of the month will be held virtually via Zoom video conference; all other Friday forums will take place in person at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for information.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21 City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 thecapistranodispatch.com

HOW TO REACH US

CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com

SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

ADVERTISING Debra Wells • 949.388.7700, x104 debra@wellsadsolutions.com

DISTRIBUTION Racks, Driveways, Subscriptions Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com

GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo

City Reporter, SC Times C. Jayden Smith

City Reporter, DP Times Breeana Greenberg

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake

Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho

Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (SC + DP)

Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD)

ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 11. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPO DISPATCH

FACEBOOK.COM/CAPODISPATCH • INSTAGRAM @CAPODISPATCH TWITTER.COM/CAPODISPATCH • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

BY NORB GARRETT, PICKET FENCE MEDIA FOUNDER/CEO

Drumroll, Please

The California Journalism Awards (CJAs for short) are held annually by the California News Publishers Association (CNPA), which has been supporting and representing news publishers in California since 1888.

Considered the “gold standard” in recognizing and rewarding journalistic excellence, the CJAs each year are judged by an impressive panel of journalists and editors who this year had to review more than 2,800 submissions from journalists and news organizations from across the state.

I’m so very proud to report that Picket Fence Media editors, writers, photographers, contributors and graphic designers won a record 13 awards (10 in print, three in digital) for their work in 2021!

To accomplish such a feat in the midst of a second pandemic-impacted year is a true testament to the talent, professionalism and dedication of our team toward creating original, hyper-local journalism.

Here’s the list of awards:

PRINT: 1ST PLACE • Sports Feature Story “San Clemente Resident Annie Kunz Qualifies for Olympic Heptathlon,” Zach Cavanagh, San Clemente Times (Weekly, 11K-25K)

2ND PLACE • General Excellence Lillian Boyd, Chelsie Rex, Zach Cavanagh and Shawn Raymundo, Dana Point Times (Weekly,

Picket Fence Media’s editorial team, including Shawn Raymundo, Zach Cavanagh, Collin Breaux, Chelsie Rex and Jasmine Smith, as well as former PFM Senior Editor Lillian Boyd, each earned awards from the California News Publishers Association for their work in 2021.

4.3K-11K) 3RD PLACE • Profile Story “Former Firefighter Recounts Experience Assisting First Responders at Ground Zero,” Shawn Raymundo, San Clemente Times (Weekly, 11K-25K)

3RD PLACE • Profile Story “A Lifelong Teacher: Founder of Ocean Institute to Be Honored After Fatal Collision,” Lillian Boyd, Dana Point Times (Weekly, 4.3K-11K)

3RD PLACE • Special Section “2021 Dolphin Football Preview,” Zach Cavanagh and Jasmine Smith, Dana Point Times (Weekly)

4TH PLACE • Special Section “2021 San Juan Football Preview,” Zach Cavanagh and Jasmine Smith, The Capistrano Dispatch (Weekly)

4TH PLACE • News Photo “Ancestral Stories,” Collin Breaux, The Capistrano Dispatch (Weekly, 11k-25k)

5TH PLACE • COVID-19 Coverage “Business Community Raises Concerns of Labor Shortage Amid Declining Unemployment,” Shawn Raymundo, San Clemente Times (Weekly, 11K-25K)

5TH PLACE • News Photo “Masked Up,” Collin Breaux, The Capistrano Dispatch (Weekly, 11K-25K)

5TH PLACE • Special Section “Best of San Clemente 2020,” Jasmine Smith, San Clemente Times (Weekly)

DIGITAL: 3RD PLACE • Arts & Entertainment Coverage “At the Movies: ‘Belfast’ Takes International Audiences Back in History,” Megan Bianco, San Clemente Times (100K and under)

4TH PLACE • Land-Use Reporting “Sale of City Land to Gas Station Developer Enters New Stage,” Shawn Raymundo, San Clemente Times (100K and under)

5TH PLACE • General Excellence Shawn Raymundo, Zach Cavanagh and Jasmine Smith, San Clemente Times (100K and under)

Please join me in congratulating our amazing team members on their awards and for their tireless dedication to reporting on our communities.

All of us at Picket Fence Media are dedicating this year’s CJA awards to Fred Swegles, our esteemed colleague who continues to fight a cancerous brain tumor. His lifelong dedication to community journalism is an inspiration to all of us, and we hope and pray for his recovery.

Thank you to our readers, Insiders and advertising partners for your continued support! CD

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | by Barbara Chamberlin

A Note from Fred Swegles

On behalf of my brother, Fred, I wanted to write a brief note of supreme thanks and appreciation to everyone who has reached out to him with cards, emails and messages to express your love, appreciation and support. It’s truly heartwarming, and he and our entire family can’t thank you enough for sending your thoughts and prayers.

Fred wishes so badly to be able to reply and thank each and every one of you personally, but he has difficulty writing because of his aphasia.

Please keep your well-wishes coming, as Fred really lights up whenever we read your cards and emails to him.

As you all know, my brother is a humble guy who has always shirked the spotlight, so it’s not easy for him to be the subject of such an outpouring of love and appreciation.

So, from Fred, and his entire family, thank you. CD

TO CONTACT FRED

Send cards to: Fred Swegles, c/o San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Ste B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 Send emails to: fswegles@gmail.com Arrange a visit: Please email Barbara at bchamberlinsc@gmail.com

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

GRADUATIONSpecial Section

CLASS OF 2022

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

David Abella Michael Abrego Tara Afshari Delaney Aguilar Omar Aguilar Samantha Aguilar Gabriel Aguirre Rodriguez Danyal Akhavan Anthony Alaniz Gianni Aldrich Rayyan Ali Cooper Allen Crystal Alvarado Mackenzie Alvarado Jaxon Andersen Kirra Anderson Emily Aquino Alaina Arbiso Isabella Arcos Frutis Joshua Arias Sebastian Arnosio Jenica Ashby Azita Atef Basra Atmar Alex Avila Jaime Avila Ramirez Denni Babbitt Audrey Baggaley Jason Bahena Ethan Bain Christopher Barcelo Elijah Barclay Calvin Barseghian Conner Bashforth Quinn Bashforth Scout Bautista Donovan Bayer Zackary Beach Aidan Bearbower Noah Beardslee Samuel Benjamin Braxton Bennett Cove Bennett Joshua Bennett Erica Berger Caden Berry Aaron Bissonnette Arianna Blandon Todd Blaylock Hunter Boersma Nathan Boessler David Bogdanovic Nina Bohorquez Sophia Bojorquez Maison Bonnette Brinley Boone Amir-Ali Boroumand Colin Boxell Tyler Bradley Carolina Brandt Kennedy Brant Avery Brasch Joshmar Bravo Basave Maya Cappellino Berlin Carbajal Jake Carey Elle Carlson Sarah Carmichall Gavin Carpenter Anderson Carroll Melina Casillas Katherine Castaneda Ryan Chadwick Logan Chapman Alexander Chen Collin Chen Ryan Chien Jose Cholula Owen Chon

Mason Brehmer Carter Briggs Daniela Brito Nicole Brito Elijah Brown Joseph Brown Nicolas Bryan Alan Bucio Noah Buckman Elinor Burford Griffin Burke Brooklynn Buser Cole Byerly Candice Cabezas Leiani Caldarelli Kimberly Camarena Soto

Braden Christenson Taylor Christenson Meghan Christian Brendan Chunn Elizabeth Clawson Alyssa Cohen Justin Collings Caitlin Collins Aidan Colon Katy Cone Catherine Conlisk Kelly Connell Bryce Connor Olivia Contonis Sophia Contonis Alma Contreras Daniel Contreras Diana Contreras Brianna Cook Scott Cook Skyler Corcuera Ashley Corpuz Isabelle Cota Jacob Cox Audrey Craven Vanessa Cruz Stephanie Cruz Fabian Samuel Culwell Dominic Cunningham Dakota Davis Ethan Davis Luke Davis Emmanuel De Jesus Jazmin De La Puente Dove de Tapia Sophia DeBergh Ashley Delgado Jadyn Delgado Jason Delgado Binx Demchik Casey Depenbrok Grayson DePriest Julia Di Bari Ryan Diaz De Leon Juarez Julia Doan Benjamin Donaldson Isaac Dorado Perry Dowling Raquel Drew Chasen Duke Tanner Duke Shirin Dunker Hannah Durgin Hannah Eaves Tyler Enright Isabella Estupinan Brooke Eveler Jack Feldman Macy Ferenstein Soleil Fermin Daniel Fernandez Dylen Fernandez Thalia Fernandez Matthew Fimbres Baylee Firoved Sydney Fischer Lily Flake Cole Flippin Aishah Flores Citlali Flores Gustavo Flores Kennedy Flores Kip Foerster Jadyn Fox Tanner Francisco Jason Fritz Sophia Frutos-Sanchez Sebastian Fuentes John Gaines Alex Galindez Elio Galindo Maya Gallimore Linda Galvan Sandhya Ganesan Emilio Garcia Gabriel Garcia Nathan Garcia Daniel Garcia Camas Sharlene Garcia-Iyescas Isaac Garibo Brandon Garrett Ashley Gasca Heath Gaynor Kasandra Georgi Alexa Giacobbe Claire Giese Gerardo Glantz Gavin Gloude Matthew Goldbaum Matthew Goldberg Nathan Goltara Harrison Gonzales Justin Gonzales Alandra Gonzalez Edith Gonzalez Karissa Gonzalez Ford Goodfellow Bella Gordon Parker Gorton Eli Gow Samantha Gray Mischa Grbich Jacey Greene Judson Grey Samantha Gugliuzza Ayushi Gupta Vanessa Gutierrez Daniel Haghighi Melia Hahn Farah Hakam Alexander Hall Hayley Hall Andrew Hamilton Tessa Hammond Joshua Hancock Morton Hanlon Makai Harder William Liam Harrington Kiara Harris Paige Harrison Kylie Hatfield Thomas Hattan Taylin Hawkins Rastin Hazen Evan Heckler Logan Hellwig Piper Henderson Sean Henderson Ewan Herd Cesar Hernandez Christian Hernandez Dylan Hernandez Oscar Hernandez Evony Herrera Cole Higgins Jade Hilden Cody Hill Jayden Hill Haley Hinrichs Anna Ho Parker Hodges Chase Hokama Jacob Holloway Jack Houston Jacob Hudson Jenna Huff Ethan Hunnicutt Andrew Hurtado Daniel Ibarra Ela Ince Jerica Irick Areea Jabbour Isaiah Jacobs Yuridia Jaimes Kate Jarvis Riley Jasso Christopher Jimenez Dylan Johnson Kelly Johnson Lauren Johnson Natalia Johnson

Dylan Johnston Evan Jones Holiday Jones London Jones Meredith Jones Ainsley Jooyan Kayla Juarez Kaleb Jueden Elsa Julian Romero Nathan Justice Emma Kalb Michael Kamradt Nathaniel Katz Nicole Kaufman Connor Keithley Megan Kelly Mia Kelly Michael Kelly Sophie Kemp Alexandra Kennedy Landon Kies Shirley Kim Artem Kiryukhin Beckett Kitaen Audrie Klure Malia Knudtson Ashley Koclanis Cassidy Kohl Luke Kovaleski Julia Kowalski Ryan Kwok Riley Lafreniere Chaney Lapes Adeline Larwood Gabriella Laurente Max Lauterbach James Law Emilio Leanos Joseph Lederer Julia Lehman Trinity Lembeck Clarke Lewis Madison Lima Nicholas Lindsay Yiyang Liu Brendan Lo Cascio Lauren Lohmeier Daniela Lomuscio Alfred Lopez Bautista Sara Lopez Garcia Luke Losinsky Isaac Loya Jacob Loya Juan Lua George Lyon Ellie MacGregor Andrew Maciborski Rylan Macy Mina Mahmoodzadeh Anthony Majorino Joseph Malfavon Jackson Mallen Madeline Manes Shruti Marada Lily Markel Regian Clark Marmolejo Matthew Marshall Kaitlin Martin Jacqueline Martinez Belmant Brayden Mathews Christopher Matthews Sean Matzinger Ryan Maurer Ainsley Maynard Caden McAlpin Calista McCanna Annika McCartney

SENIOR SENDOFFS

Sarah McClaskey Landon McCluskey Payton McComb Dylan McConkey Declan McCook John McFadden Robert McFadden Darby McGregor Ryan McHugh Ethan McKeon Liliana McLaughlin Violeta Medrano Marlena Meltzer Adrian Mendez Lauren Messier Samantha Mestakides Luis Mestiza Oliver Mettler Benjamin Meyer Madyson Meyer Landon Miles Sebastian Miletich Luis Millan Rosales Ivana Milosavlevski Lauren Mohler Karla Molina Cole Monach Thomas Mondragon James Montano Isabela Moran Jesse Moreno Jordan Morey Bailey Moroson Zachariah Moss Ryan Mossbarger Cesar Moz Sebastian Mueller Donovan Mulholland Jenna Muller Jesus Muniz Daniel Munoz Ryan Murphy Andrea Nalbandian Kelsey Naramore Aneri Narayan Kevin Nava Navarro Taylor Needleman Trenton Nelson Trinity Nelson Kathryn Ness Aleksander Newman Ava Nguyen Houston Nguyen Ryan Nguyen Thai Nguyen Michael Nichols Arissa Nikbosh Dylan Nix Ozodi Njaka Joelle Noetzli Amanda Norgren Emily O’Brien Kevin Ochoa Cameron O’Connell Brayden Offord Mason Okumura Javier Olague Brayan Oliva Ava Olsen Justin Onofre Colin O’Reilly Daicia Ortiz-Rodriguez Samantha Padilla Daryn Panchak Chantel Parapitiya Hayden Parker Kekoa Parker Marcus Parks Daniel Pasha Devan Patel Adriana Patino Sofia Patton Shay Paulson Cody Paxton Srihas Payidiparty Nanda Arun Payyappilly Harrison Pedranti Braden Pegan Angel Pena Nickole Pena Leonardo Penuelas Abbi Peo Emili Peo Jessica Perez Julie Perez Kaitlyn Perucci Tyler Petersen Shannon Pho

Shamitha Pichika Aidan Piecuch Alma Pike Michelle Pineda Chloe Pinocci Amelia Plass Macy Platt Connor Pliska Tanner Pliska Collin Poladian Isabella Poppen Edwinn Portillo Jamie Powell Logan Poyner Ashlyn Price Joshua Price Kyle Price Lauren Price Reid Price Alexis Priesing Julia Prouty Cassidy Quintana Juan Quintero Kurt David Rabaya Jesus Ramirez Elva Ramos Ramirez Alyssa Ramsey Jennifer Ranard Jayden Rasher Lily Redden Kelsie Reder Jacob Redman Mark Reichner Macy Reish Fabiana Ressel Del Rio Bryce Reyes Nicholas Reyes Nancy Reyna Lopez Scott Rhodes Lesly Riano Ramirez Nathan Richards Slater Richey Charlotte Riesgo Julian Riggs Jose Angel Rivera Nick Rivera Kylee Roberts Brooklyn Robinson Haylee Robinson Eleni Rodriguez Roman Roel Kendall Rogers Tobey Roling Carly Rooten Ariana Rosales Katy Rosales Emma Rose Zachary Rosenbaum Gavin Allan Rubin Sophia Rubio Jocelyn Ruiz Giselle Ruiz Cisneros Arlette Ruiz Merino Timothy Ruston Jack Ruvalcaba Nicholas Ruvalcaba-Rivera James Rydell Jacob Ryness Rodin Sadeghi Anna Sagalongos Elena Salinas Cole Salo Taylor Samerdyke Alex Sanchez Christopher Sanchez Kevin Sanchez Nadia Sanchez Stephanie Sanchez Ulises Sanchez Jane Sanders Chloe Sandoval Hokuto-Daniel Sato Andrew Sauk Chase Schmidt Taylor Schmidt Jonah Schmitzer Rian Schotemeyer Isabella Searle Chloe Selmane Varshitha Selvarajan Uma Collin Sepulveda Jocelyn Serlin Max Serrano Hailey Servin Sabrina Severson Amelia Shaw Shayda Shokooh Isabella Siegel Eric Sills Mary-Katherine Sills Delbert Silva Jacob Simon Karan Singh Shalini Sinha Emily Sinon Elaina Siomkin Ryan Sisson-Burack Marcus Sivayavirojna Eva Smedeby Elizabeth Smerker Emily Smith Grace Smith Ian Smith Logan Smith Sean Smith Shaylin Smith Zachary Smith Bailey Smolinski Arad Soboutisorayaei David Sotelo Jaedyn Soto Travis Spongberg Kendall Stam Nevaeh Stannard Isabella Steen Emma Stephenson Evan Stewart Julia Stoica Dylan Stonger Lilia Stotler Gavin Strauch Luke Straw Luci Sulkess Anna Summers Luke Summers Amber Taggart Cheyanne Tagle Corbin Tarras Vanessa Taylor Kayla Teliz Perez Madelyn Thomas Devon Thompson Reece Thompson William Thrall Jack Tobin Kayla Todd Elizabeth Tomasetti Stephen Tong Susie Torres Belinda Tovar Carteno Nicholas Tragos Dustin Trudeau Rogelio Uraga Marcus Andres Urgell Kate Valenzuela Bailey Van Blarcom Annika Vander Broek Dylan Vargas Jose Vargas Zeth Vasquez Moises Velasco Nicholas VerBurg Carley Verrengia Alanna Vescovi Maidelin Victoria Abigail Villafana Emanuel Villamil Cruz Christina Von Urff Jordan Votava Gabriella Vraneza Phoebe Wagner Bilal Wahidi Anna Walburger Ethan Warther Kaila Weaver Michael Weaver Rylan Weber Emily Webster Juliana Weisinger Max Weiss Rachel Weiss Jena Weitzman Christian Welsh Nicole Whitaker-Quiles Cole Whitten Haley Whitworth Amelia Wilding Harman Wilkes Mai-Ly Wilkinson Jaden Williams Wilson Willie Brandon Wilson Hayley Wilson Christopher Windisch Wyatt Wittman Analiese Wolf Ethan Wolf Kaia Wolfe Jonathon Wolikow Ryan Wolter Taylor Wooten Alexis Wright Nicholas Yorba Genevieve Young Zijun Yu Jaqueline Zamarripa Jazmin Zamarripa Katherine Zollinger

ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

Charles S. Allison Molly G. Allison Autumn E. Almanza Makayla P. Arnoldi Gavin M. Ashman Camryn Banner Benton B. Barlow Bridget T. Beall Emma R. Bernstein John H. Bienert Merielle Billyou Palmer Jake A. Black Preston D. Brinker Joshua D. Buckanavage Emma J. Chang Hayden R. Chester Riley C. Chester Sebastien P. Chicas Alexa K. Christensen Jacob H. Chun Dylan M. Cormac Katherine G. Cruse Skyla Cui John E. Culley Reid C. Davis Ezekiel Del Rio Eliot M. Edward Dele Aaron Fei Alan J. Fernandez Seth Forstot Alexander L. Fournier Tess E. Genske Alexander B. Georgiades Neela Gerayli Rori D. Ghahreman Cathryn J. Giusto Reid A. Graham Matthew L. Groeninger Tessa Grosshans Luke T. Guerinot Jarrett D. Haft Jack T. Hanna Maxwell J. Harline Olivia C. Heim Halen S. Hickman-Goveia William M. Hogan Graden M. Huang Charles J. Ihara Katharine James James X. Jiang Amelia G. Kang Nathaniel T. Kang Grace I. Karstetter Samuel J. Katz Parisa N. Khashayar Cody A. Kim Trey Kingsley Caroline Kinsey Conrad J. Kistler Sasha B. Kuljis Dylan M. Lam Ava S. Lentz Jeanie Liang Chloe G. Lias Makenna R. Lizarde Richard Lu Peter T. Mack Eloise M. Marcus Tyler Matthews Dylan C. Meeks Emelie S. Miller Ryan A. Moellenhoff Aiden Momtaz Gianna M. Montesano Sydney L. Moran Owen R. Muhlon Nirmay B. Nanjappa Cornelia G. Nolet Melia R. Norwood Justin H. O’Donnell Julia M. Olosky Sean P. Olvera-Harle Shane M. Olvera-Harle Olivia G. Ostlund Maxwell J. Page Luke Peay Thalia B. Pollard Katherine M. Rafla Riya Reddy Cole B. Robinson Mark P. Robinson Grace E. Roby Rylan E. Rodrigues-Zahn Xitlalic A. Rojas Jack A. Ruff Amelie H. Samluk Caroline C. Sele Cyrus J. Shirangi Makenzie Sloan Hunter M. Smith Mary E.C. Smith Mateen D. Solehjou Robert S. Springer Harrison Squiers William Stahl Jacob D. Sun Nicole M. Swensen Amanda V. Taylor Jane M. Taylor Makai Todd Sarah A. Tomeo Harrison A. Trikas Daniela Uribe Simon A. Valle Isabelle G. Vartanian Greta M. Wagner Leah R. Weiss William S. Weiss Abigail J. Westhead Charles W. Whiting Dean T. Woods Simone S. Yang Timothy A. Young Yuke Zhang

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

Danielle Anderson Ryan Berry Sara Bruno Manuel Cardenas Mikaela Cox Logan Crossan Wyatt Crossan Olivia Difley Bence Duka Edvard Erikson Luke Filipi Makiah Foerster Sarah Gao John Guo Madison Garcia Natalie Gleason Connor Hawley Josh Hernandez Ryan Hixon Abigail Holley Ploy Jaichu Calvin Jordan Aaron Juarez Ryan Kepple Austin Koen Lily Kovalcik Larry Li Rachel Lundquist Kaden Manrique Marilyn McCain Scottie McDowell Quinn Merrick Lucille Mueller Rakel Oliman Nathan Peebles Kaylee Phernambucq Rocky Ramos Colten Raymer Emma Riley Tyler Roberts Jarrod Rowley Dylan Schnitzer Andrew Sheveland Halle Sii Tatiana Smith Maximus Stegelvik Alexa Stewart Kai Taylor Patton Tetherton Jonny Tewinkle Elizabeth Van Dusen Mac West Makaih Williams Mavis Yu Sarah Zacharias Hannah Zehring Jin Zhuang

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022 FAIRMONT SCHOOL

FAIRMONT SCHOOL

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

Aidan Freeland Evan Gould Cayley Matthews Ethan Munck Isabella Santander Zegor Sevilla Aaron Spalding Connor Starks

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

Sophia Aceves Daniel Afrasiabi Nicholas Alexander Alivia Alton Angelina Alvarez Jayden Ambe Anthony Andrioli Sophie Arkell Austin Asher Andre Ashworth Logan Assad Andrew Aubuchon Jack Baggaley Owen Barisic Chase Barry Jacob Baum Lauren Bayeh Natasha Bayrooti Arden Belanger Charlie Belciano Gianluca Berger Madeleine Bergman Luke Berry Adam Bittner Olivia Blanco Blake Boada Cole Bon Cole Boyajian Anne Brahney Madeliene Bredek Rylan Breneman Blake Britton Alexis Bushell Liselle Campbell Megan Cano Liwen Cao Mia Carpino Chloe Casdorph Alejandro Castillo Kyle Caudill Caleb Chan Morgan Chavis Brian Chi Lauren Ciborowski Joseph Cimo Gianna Clarke Colm Cohen Samantha Collick Dylan Corbett Erika Curran Kayden Cutchins Nicholas Darienzo Claire D’Auria Antonio DelCastillo Katelyn Demirbey Nicholas Deubler Kiersten Dewers Robert Diaz Gianna Donatini Alec Dorn Carter Doss Gabriel Dresser Maximillia Dubrow Nicholas Dubrow Anthony Dufault Gabriela Duran Virginia Egan Isabella Emerson Aidan Ermisch Ethan Espeleta Andy Espineira Hollie Farmer Kate Flanagan Mia Flores-Casados Grace Forney Shane Fotouhi Waylon Fox Christopher Freeman Alexander Fronte Owen Fuller Kayla Fullerton Ashlee Gallegos Nathan Gannaway Riley Gather Jordan Gessin Hayden Gibson Kory Gilbertson Giulia Gleason Hannah Glick Isabella Goffman Ryan Gorski Tyler Gough Maddy Greger Kiley Gryziewicz Qiang Guo Hayley Hahn Alexandra Hamm Harper Hansen David Harkins Amelia Hart Dana Hashad Caroline Hayden Titus Heimuli Henry Heit Dorie Hernandez Grant Hessler Maya Hill Charles Ho Hailey Hogue Grace Hoover

Steven Hopper David Horn Julianna Hornung Brendan Hughes Nathan James Mata Sara Jameson Matthew Jamison Roland Jaworski Hailey Johnson Kirra Johnson Esteban Johnson Julianna Jordan Nicholas Keenan Ryan Keene Tyler Kelly Aidan Kheriaty Dillon Kim Minha Kim Tyler Kim Alexandra Kirk Makenna Kolson Yihan Kong Hope Koritz Lillian la Salle Tristan LaMaison Nicholas Lambert Allison Larkins Catalina Larsen Olivia Lau Luca Laurence Annalise Leavey Jacob Leddy Ryan Lee Joonhee Lee Nathan Leff Yuntian Lei William Lhommedieu Alexa Liberto Elaine Ling Jorge Lopez Lilly Lorber Alexander Lowther Lillian Lozowski Addyson Mackay Lolla Magrann Sophia Makhail Alexander Makshanoff Daniel Manginelli Sara Manning Maria Lucia Marasigan Kaiden Martinez Sydney Mays Emma McIntosh Allison McKechnie Chloe McLimore Christian McLimore Sean McTague Isabella Melgoza Ashley Melo Paige Melschau Tayvia Meng Matthew Meyer Madeline Milo Bridgette Montague Brayden Morgan Isabella Moznett Cole Murphy Danielle Nadolski Noah Nguyen Remie Nguyen Ryan Nguyen Sebastian Nowlan Skyler Ohlmeyer Sophie Oldenstam Charlotte Olson Yuka Omi Thomas O’Rourke Nicole Paer Joon Park Bokyoung Park Makena Partington Stephen Partsch Arav Patel Emily Patterson Jacob Pearson Sophia Peate Pierce Peiffer Yuchen Peng Austin Persek Dane Persek Kelany Pham Jason Pieracci Xavier Pinon Willa Poplawski Phoebe Principale Nemaia Pua Grace Pugliese Diego Puglisi Britton Purcell Lixiang Qu Xinyu Quan Joshua Ragsdale Stephanie Ray Julian Reed Meghan Reiner Garrett Reissmueller Jane Reyes Austin Richardson Remi Riddle Jon Riemann Eleanor Righeimer Richard Rodenberg Davis Rogers Andrew Rowan Niccolo Rudisill Adelaide Rudkin Natalie Rydel Colin Sad Adam Sage Mayan Salazar Omar Salem Nicholas Saman Hikaru Sato Daniel Schneider Keely Schrantz Isabella Schulte Elliott Schulze Ryan Schulze Desiree Schwab Allyson Shozi Colin Shrove Katherine Simard Isabella Simic Lauren Smith Anna Solovjev Nathan Som Yuanfei Song Kayla Songrath Ethan Stawski Tyler Stewart Nicholas Stroupe Sadie Svitenko William Szyman Rico Takeda Nash Thagard Davin Thiede Joshua Thomas Keoni-Sethan Tialavea Zoe Tomlinson Devyn Tonsich Maximilian Ulz Nathan Valdez Hailey Varenchik John Paul Vela Nicholas Villazan Lauren Viola Aidan Vochoska Chloe Walrod Joseph Wendt Brandon Wieboldt Cole Williams Troy Winningham Kainoa Woessner Michael Woodward Lauren Workman Nicholas Wray Congtian Wu Madelyn Yaghi Jinghao Yang Ruixiao Yang Delara Zabihi Qian Zhang Jiahao Zhang Xiaoting Zhou Zixuan Zhou Yeting Zhou Chenyi Zhu

GUEST OPINION | A Little Bit About San Juan by Jessica DiCostanzo

A Q&A WITH FORMER OC SHERIFF BRAD GATES

Former Orange County Sheriff and Orange County native Brad Gates has ridden horses all his life. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO EQUESTRIAN COALITION:

You have a long and celebrated history of serving the community. Can you tell us how you got into law enforcement?

BRAD GATES: I was born in Orange at St. Joseph Hospital and raised in the house my father built. I attended Capistrano Grade School. I started riding at Rancho Mission Viejo on a horse named Squint. Squint was a bay horse with a white eye. In those days, Orange County was very rural, and you could ride your horse into town for breakfast. My friends and I even rode our horses from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore, which was a two-day trip there, camping along the way and then rode back over the mountain. Riding horses led to an interest in joining a junior mounted posse as a teenager. The junior mounted posse unit was used to work parades and other events. Being in the posse made me interested in law enforcement, and in 1961, I joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department until retiring as Sheriff-Coroner in 1999.

SJCEC: Can you describe what South Orange County looked like when you were growing up?

GATES: The land around El Toro was open range with cattle, and San Juan was mostly orange groves and black walnut groves. My friends and I would drive the cattle from Laguna Niguel to San Juan, where we would load the cattle onto trucks. The local kids would also help in the orange groves. We even got out of school to help with smudging when temperatures dropped. Smudging is a way to keep the orange trees from freezing, and the growers needed help to save their trees and fruit.

SJCEC: You have sat on many nonprofit boards and lived a lifetime of service. Can you tell us about your favorite service organizations you have worked with, and is there a project or an organization that

stands out that you would like to share?

GATES: I grew up next door to the Scout Hut and have always known and loved the Boy Scout organization. The Boys and Girls Clubs and their impact on communities is also very dear to my heart. While I was in office as the Sheriff-Coroner, the OC Sheriff’s Department created a drug abuse determent program called “Drug Abuse Is Life Abuse.” Drug Use is Life Abuse is a support group of the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council. The program was formed in response to drug abuse and the collateral damage it does to a community. I am proud of the way this organization brings together leaders in business, government, education, religion, families, and law enforcement to work together toward changing the way society perceives drug use.

Jessica DiCostanzo is a San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition Board Member, lifelong equestrian, and co-founder of equivont.com. CD

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch .com.