![\"Catalyst](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/LPT-L-WILD-COL-0524-02.jpg\")
Catalyst Awardee Max Connors, center, with parents Casey, left, and Claire Connors during the WomenShelter of Long Beach\u2019s \u201cLeading with Love\u201d gala on May 7 at Ovation Square in downtown. (Courtesy photo)<\/p>\nIt\u2019s said that laughter is contagious \u2013 and trust me, so is enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
And you\u2019ve never seen so much enthusiasm as was displayed at the Century Club\u2019s annual Middle School Banquet on May 13 at Cal State Long Beach\u2019s Walter Pyramid. The large crowd cheered and shouted their approval of the winners during the Century Club\u2019s annual event.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many who are not the most skilled or talented,\u201d said master of ceremonies Dan Gooch, \u201cit is often the last time they will be recognized for their athletic accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
That fact, however, didn\u2019t minimize the robust cheering and enthusiasm of the approximately 1,400 attendees.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 often returning to Long Beach with national and world championships.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
WomenShelter of Long Beach<\/p>\n
WomenShelter of Long Beach raised more than $225,000 during its \u201cLeading with Love\u201d gala, which 240 people attended on May 7 at Ovation Square in downtown.<\/p>\n
The mission of the WomenShelter is to eliminate domestic violence through compassionate intervention, education and personal empowerment.<\/p>\n
Catalyst Awardee Max Connors, center, with parents Casey, left, and Claire Connors during the WomenShelter of Long Beach\u2019s \u201cLeading with Love\u201d gala on May 7 at Ovation Square in downtown. (Courtesy photo)<\/p>\n
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\u2019s market. The gala also honored a former client, Rashard, who came to WSLB\u2019s emergency shelter last year with his children after leaving an unsafe relationship.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit WSLB\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n