Anaheim graduate named 18 Under 18 changes lives of foster children

A recent graduate of Sage Oak Charter High School, Hannah Karanick of Anaheim was awarded the 18 Under 18 Award by National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a scholarship that recognizes young students who spread positivity and show leadership in their communities through their passions.

During her lifetime, Hannah has had 15 foster siblings. She saw that many of her classmates were in similar situations as her siblings and worked with her principal to provide resources to children in need. She founded Hannah’s Helpful Hands, a free charity inside a closet at her local elementary school where teachers can discreetly give students what they need, like toiletries, laundry supplies, new clothes, blankets and gift cards for new shoes.

Hannah fundraises and restocks the closet weekly. Over the past four years, Hannah’s Helpful Hands has expanded to 12 schools and has helped hundreds of kids in need. Hannah’s goal is to bring her charity to a national level.

NSHSS, the organization that awarded Hannah the scholarship, is the premier honors and scholarship program co-founded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis. It offers a lifetime of benefits, pairing the highest performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships and career opportunities. For more information, visit nshss.org.

– Submitted by Sarah Ciuba

Fountain Valley carrier receives Postmaster General Hero Award

Fountain Valley letter carrier Jonathan Paterson was awarded the Postmaster General Hero Award in a special ceremony surrounded by colleagues, U.S. Postal Service managers and a customer who can now call her neighborhood carrier a “hero.”

The award is presented to those who perform a heroic act above and beyond the call of duty while on the job.

Paterson aided an injured customer as she was lying on the road, seeking help. Fountain Valley resident Maria Chavez was out for a stroll when she tripped on a rock and fell onto the pavement.

“I was crying for help, but no one could hear me,” Chavez said. “Jon was driving by, saw me lying there and stopped to help.”

“I didn’t know how long she’s been there,” Paterson said, “but as she turned her head, I could see the cut and swelling on her face. There was blood everywhere, so I did what anyone would do.

“I checked her injuries and looked to see if she had a concussion. After calling her son, I was able to help Mrs. Chavez to her house, cleaned her up a bit, and stayed with her until her son arrived.”

Emergency services were called and transported Chavez to the hospital to treat her wounds.

“Jonathan’s quick actions and aid to our customer makes him a hero in the eyes of the Postal Service and to the community,” said USPS manager Cipriano Corona Lisa Baldwin.

The U.S. Postal Service is observing the 20th anniversary of the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which was created in 2003 to commend USPS employees who go above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of situations, such as assisting lost children, getting help for sick or injured customers, spotting fires and more.

Around 5,500 individuals, known as PMG heroes, have been recognized through the program, which reflects a simple, yet powerful, idea: Because they know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, Postal Service employees are often the first to notify emergency personnel and render aid when something is wrong.

– Submitted by USPS

Beechwood School students celebrate new hockey rink on campus

Beechwood School students have a new spot to practice sports, thanks to the latest collaboration between the Fullerton School District (FSD) and the Anaheim Ducks/Middle School NHL PA (Players Association) grant for the donation of a rink.

The new rink will serve the entire FSD school hockey league, its expansions and the Beechwood students.

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The latest reveal celebration is the third rink donation from the Anaheim Ducks Foundation and Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program to FSD. The event was held in the new rink at Beechwood School and featured district staff alongside Anaheim Ducks dignitaries.

The Honda Center DJ, JoJo, and Wild Wing attended the event with a long-term Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. teacher.

“We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program. Their generous donation in providing a street hockey rink at Beechwood will help grow our middle school street hockey league,” said Sung Chi, director of Educational Services for FSD.

– Submitted by Fullerton School District

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to [email protected].