BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Gala raises record amount for Clubs

The May 11 Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach annual gala, “Paradise Found,” netted more than $180,000 for club programs — a new record.

The clubs’ seventh annual gala — their primary fundraising event — was held at the Montage Resort & Spa. Nearly 400 people attended the event, which included food, wine and auctions.

The funds will support after-school and summer enrichment programs for youth aged 5 to 18 living in Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo and surrounding communities.

Board member and artist J.B. Burtin donated an original “Pixaic” piece of artwork for silent auction, which sold for $13,000.

During the “Shining Star” portion of the evening, in which bidders were able to help sponsor a child for $250, Rick Balzer of Prudential Real Estate (and Boys Club alumnus) stood up and announced that he had collected more than 100 “Shining Stars” from friends and local realtors.

Later that night, Balzer won the Mini Cooper-or-$25,000 raffle; he then announced that he was donating the winnings back to the clubs.

Joe Ziomek of Laguna Financial Services, a former club board member, purchased 10 tickets to the gala for parents of club members to attend.

For more information on the clubs, call (949) 494-2535, ext. 105.

Foreign exchange opportunities

AFS Intercultural Programs is seeking host families for students from around the world who will spend the 2007-08 school year in Orange County.

Host family paperwork must be completed in June for the students’ visas.

Students interested in going abroad can participate in AFS programs in more than 40 countries.

For more information, call (949) 376-5913 or visit www.afs.org/usa.

Playhouse offers summer classes

Children ages 9 to 17 are invited to enroll in Laguna Playhouse Summer 2007 Youth Theatre Classes, which start on July 9.

The two-week classes are held Monday through Friday at the Laguna Playhouse Production Center in Laguna Hills, and are taught by working theater professionals who have many years of experience in youth theater.

The classes culminate on July 20 with a final performance for family and friends.

Classes include Kids on Broadway, a musical theater workshop for children aged 9 to 12, and Teen Acting Workshop, an acting and improv class for teens aged 13 to 17.

The registration deadline is July 1. Class sizes are limited, and fill quickly. The cost ranges from $300 to $500 per class. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for those students who could not otherwise participate.

For more information or to enroll in a class, call Kelly Herman at (949) 497-2787, ext. 230.

For more information, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

College to offer game art major

Beginning this fall, Laguna College of Art & Design will offer Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Game Art.

The major will develop strong concept art skills and 3-dimensional modeling capabilities, in addition to nonlinear storytelling, cultural world development, and concept sketchbook ideation.

The Game Art program will provide training in rigging and modeling, concept art and special effects.

The interdisciplinary aspects of the new major build on the existing programs of Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration and Drawing & Painting.

Those interested in additional information on the new Game Art major should contact Director of Admissions Mike Rivas.

Businesses interested in collaborating with the college should contact Career Placement Officer Robin Fuld.