It’s said that laughter is contagious – and trust me, so is enthusiasm.
And you’ve never seen so much enthusiasm as was displayed at the Century Club’s annual Middle School Banquet on May 13 at Cal State Long Beach’s Walter Pyramid. The large crowd cheered and shouted their approval of the winners during the Century Club’s annual event.
The Century Club annually sponsors a middle school banquet to honor middle school student-athletes from each of the championship teams in a sport offered by Long Beach Unified School District campuses. Century Club volunteers worked the buffet of chicken and veggies, and a cookie dessert.
“For many who are not the most skilled or talented,” said master of ceremonies Dan Gooch, “it is often the last time they will be recognized for their athletic accomplishment.”
That fact, however, didn’t minimize the robust cheering and enthusiasm of the approximately 1,400 attendees.
Since 1957, the Century Club has supported athletes and teams when they require financial assistance to enhance program growth and the opportunity to compete in all corners of the globe — often returning to Long Beach with national and world championships.
Every local sport has benefited from Century Club funds. Support also goes to athletes participating in the Special Olympics. Over the years, the membership has contributed about $2.5 million to support local programs.
Seen at the Scene: Event co-Chairs Rob Wigod and Mike Filipow, Middle School Banquet founder Sam Breuklander, Gooch, volunteer coordinator and awards coordinator John Fylpaa, Century Club President-elect and co-banquet Capt. Ray Lasher, co-banquet Capt. Lynn Lasher, Century Club Hall of Famer Mack Calvin, and Century Club member Arline Walter.
WomenShelter of Long Beach
WomenShelter of Long Beach raised more than $225,000 during its “Leading with Love” gala, which 240 people attended on May 7 at Ovation Square in downtown.
The mission of the WomenShelter is to eliminate domestic violence through compassionate intervention, education and personal empowerment.
Catalyst Awardee Max Connors, center, with parents Casey, left, and Claire Connors during the WomenShelter of Long Beach’s “Leading with Love” gala on May 7 at Ovation Square in downtown. (Courtesy photo)
The event celebrated a young honoree, 6-year-old Max Connors, who showed rare generosity in donating the proceeds of his lemonade stand to WSLB, and inspired his community to come together and raise more than $3,000 for charity from a neighborhood farmer’s market. The gala also honored a former client, Rashard, who came to WSLB’s emergency shelter last year with his children after leaving an unsafe relationship.
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit WSLB’s programs, which serve survivors like Rashard through emergency housing and comprehensive case management, as well as supportive services such as life skills programming, mental health care and legal advocacy. Nearly one in three women and one in eight men experience domestic violence.
WSLB reaches more than 10,000 individuals each year through community outreach, with a special focus on educating youth to recognize domestic violence and utilize healthy alternatives to violence in order to end future cycles of abuse.
Live and silent auction items were donated by local businesses, including the Grand Prix Foundation, McCarty’s Jewelry, Angels Baseball, Luxe Journeys and Cal State Long Beach. For more information, visit womenshelterlb.org.
Seen at the Scene: Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Bonnie Lowenthal, Superior Court Judge Dan Lowenthal, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, and a special video shout-out from Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.
Breakfast BLAST
Around 250 guests attended Breakfast BLAST (Better Learning for All Students Today) at the Long Beach Yacht Club on May 7, with the event raising nearly $130,000 to support BLAST’s mentoring programs, which serves students across Long Beach schools. Proceeds from the event will directly fund mentoring relationships, life-skills programming, college and career exposure opportunities, educational field trips, and student wellness support throughout the upcoming school year.
Master of ceremonies Mark Taylor brought energy and humor to the program. A major highlight of the morning was the presentation of the Legacy of Service Award to Mike and Arline Walter in recognition of their longstanding commitment to education, youth and the Long Beach community.
The organization also recognized Marquita Grenot-Scheyer for her years of dedicated leadership and service as board chair — as she officially passed the role to incoming Chair John Fielder.
Taylor reminded attendees of the powerful words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
His message served as a meaningful reminder that true impact happens when a community comes together in partnership. By uplifting one another, we create brighter futures for our youth — and a stronger Long Beach for all.
Guests enjoyed a warm and inspiring morning filled with community connection, student impact stories and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation. Student speakers shared how mentorship helped them build confidence, improve academically and feel supported during difficult moments in their lives.
Seen at the Scene: Mike and Arline Walter, Mark Taylor, Brian Moskovitz, Rhiannon Acree, Jean Bixby Smith, Olga Chavez, Steve and Lori Doty, Mark and Karen Garlington, Steve Hockett, Megan Kerr, John Fielder
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.