Recipients of Junior League of Orange County's Scholarships Aim High: Neurosurgery, the Law, and the Arts are Among Their Career Goals

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- This year's recipients of the annual scholarships awarded by the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc. (JLOCC), look forward to earning degrees that will lead to careers in medicine, aerospace, the law, and the arts, among others.

A total of $15,000 was divided among seven scholarships of $2,000-$2,500 each, which were awarded at the organization's 49th Annual Meeting held recently at the Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom at the historic Balboa Pavilion. The applicants, all involved with projects supported by the Junior League, include Brittany Cuozzo, Villa Park High School; Mary Azucena Hernandez, Saddleback High School; Kathleen Curamene, Rancho Alamitos High School; Genovpetry Calderon, Saddleback High School; Juliana Martinez, Sage High School; Yesenia Deras, Rosary High School, Fullerton; and Adam Bateman, Fullerton Community College.

The young people had been associated with Junior League projects including CASA, St. Joseph's Ballet, Orangewood, and Girls Hope. Their individual career goals include becoming a neurosurgeon, a registered nurse, a dancer, an attorney, an accountant, a clinical psychologist and an aerospace industry professional.

Grants to community groups were also awarded at the event. A total of $35,000 was given to Art and Creativity for Healing, Inc.; Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Orange County; The Gary Center; Kid Singers; Laurel House; Project Cuddle; St. Joseph Ballet; and Stop-Gap.

The Junior League of Orange County, CA, Inc., (JLOCC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. The members of the JLOCC share a vision of a community in which all children and adolescents are supported to flourish and realize their hopes and dreams.

The Junior League's projects change from year to year. For 2005-2006, they include Canyon Acres Children & Family Services; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Impact Orange County; Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center; Casa Teresa Mentoring Program; Girls, Inc., Action for Safety Program; YMCA Service Corp.; and Bear Hugs.

To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.

CONTACT:  Ballou Communications
          Susan Ballou
          (949) 477-3070
          susanballou@att.net