This past Saturday I was at the El Camino College Foundation Distinguished Alumni of the Year dinner honoring graduates who have gone on to have successful careers and been involved in the community. I was honored to be chosen as a recipient for this award for 2012. When I arrived I had the chance to read through the bios of the other recipients, and I was so appreciative that I was considered for an award with them. Their professional caliber was so great, and many of them are quite famous. Below is information on who was considered “The Best of El Camino.”
- Colonel E. Michael Fincke – Astronaut: In 2004 he served as a science officer and space engineer on the International Space Station, returned there in 2009, and was on the crew of the final flight of the Endeavor. With all that has happened in CA in the last month regarding the Endeavor arriving here and being moved to the CA Science Center, it made it all so much more real. Colonel Fincke holds the record for the most cumulative days in space (381 days, 15 hours, and 11 minutes) and performed 9 spacewalks.
- Michael Lacey – Entrepreneur: He struggled in school due to dyslexia and stuttering but found a passion in auto repair as a young man. He enjoyed watching stand-up comedy but could never get his friends to go with him out of the South Bay to watch it, so he decided to risk everything and open his club. His automotive repair skills came in handy when young struggling comedians had old cars that would break down periodically on the road, and because of this, Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld are still close to Michael today. He is committed to the community and allows organizations to use his club for fundraisers.
- Anita McLaughlin – Artist/Entrepreneur: She found her passion in art after taking some classes in high school and El Camino College. After a few years, she began a company where she designed racing silks for thoroughbred horse owners around the world. She also illustrated children’s books and then moved into computer design. This talent led her into becoming a video game artist creating games for children which she now does for Disney Interactive Studios as well as her own company Artopolis Design, LLC.
- Chris Montez – Musician/Composer: In high school, he formed a band and drew the interest of Monogram Records. His single, “Let’s Dance” hit the top 10, and an up-and-coming band (The Beatles) was his opening act while on tour in the United Kingdom. A few years later he joined a new label A&M and recorded more hits including “Call Me.” He amassed a string of hits outside the U.S. establishing him as an international recording star.
It was truly an honor to be recognized by these individuals who have done so much in their careers. I will always be appreciative to the El Camino College Foundation for choosing me as a Distinguished Alumni along with these amazing recipients.
Candy
