Mayor's Honorees

July 19, 2022 Mayor’s Honorees: Ms. Dagny Tang and Mr. Yugo Maeda

The City Council proudly recognized Ms. Dagny Tang and Mr. Yugo Maeda on July 19, 2022.

Dagny is an elementary school student and Rancho Palos Verdes resident and was recently named the winner of the 2022 Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors annual “Can the Trash” Clean Beach Art Contest. Her colorful and creative drawing of a boy and a girl cleaning up a beach while surrounded by varied sea life will be displayed on thousands of trash cans at beaches ranging from Malibu to Long Beach – including Rancho Palos Verdes. Her message of respect for the environment and the power of individual action will inspire beachgoers throughout Los Angeles County to do their part to keep beaches clean during the busy summer season.

Yugo is an elementary school student and Rancho Palos Verdes resident and is a very talented violinist. He won the Grand Prize at the Satori Music Festival, First Prize at the Odin International Music Competition, and top prize at the Opus Music State Competition and is working to complete the tenth level of the Music Teacher’s Association of California’s Certificate of Merit Evaluation Program. Yugo is also a member of American Mensa, a published author, and performs regularly at Belmont Village Senior Living.

The City thanks Dagny and Yugo for sharing their impressive talents and admires the significant impact they have had on our community.

June 7, 2022 Mayor’s Honorees: Ms. Jackie Crowley and Ms. Terri Haack

The City Council proudly recognized Ms. Jackie Crowley and Ms. Terri Haack on June 7, 2022.

Jackie has spent decades supporting a wide range of charitable organizations, including serving on the boards of the Peninsula Symphony, the Palos Verdes Performing Arts Center, and being active with Chorusliners, PV Sunset Rotary, and the Affinity Group of the Volunteer Center Torrance/South Bay.  Jackie is also involved with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Walk With Sally which provides mentoring support programs and services to children who have lost parents or guardians to cancer, and Vistas for Children which fundraises for charities throughout the South Bay.

Terri has been president of Terranea Resort since 2009, spearheading pre-construction operations beginning in 2007.  Under her leadership, the resort employed more than 1,250 associates and continues to thrive as a top employment and economic engine in Rancho Palos Verdes, as well as a top property renowned for its natural beauty and stewardship, native plants, award-winning cuisine, unique enrichment programs, and unrivaled guest service and abundant public amenities. Terri’s exceptional career has garnered numerous accolades and awards of distinction for her service and leadership from across the lodging industry and the communities in which she has lived.

The City thanks Ms. Crowley for her ceaseless and dedication to service and Ms. Haack for her impressive and ongoing legacy of support for Peninsula business and the City.

April 19, 2022 Honoree: Mr. Cade Robertson

The City Council proudly recognized Mr. Cade Robertson on April 19, 2022.

Cade, an elementary school student and Rancho Palos Verdes resident, participated in “A Fashion Revolution” event hosted by the Runway of Dreams Foundation, showcasing clothes designed specifically for people with disabilities.  Cade captured the spirit of the evening and his own positive outlook on life saying, “I can do anything I put my mind to. I just do it in a different way than other kids.”

The City thanks Cade for inspiring us in the brave act of joyfully walking across a stage and in sharing his meaningful life lessons.

March 1, 2022 Honoree: Ms. Ann Lynch, South Bay Wildlife Rehab

The City Council proudly recognized the work of Ann Lynch on March 1, 2022.

Ms. Lynch founded South Bay Wildlife Rehab in 1993; operating out of the homes of volunteers, the non-profit rescues over 1,000 birds every year, proving vital services in Los Angeles County and parts of Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Under Ms. Lynch’s guidance and tutelage, volunteers provide the highest levels of care to rescued birds to nurse them back to health, ensuring they are strong enough to return to the wild.

The City thanks Ms. Lynch for her profound impact on the natural world and her devotion to the care and rehabilitation of tens of thousands of wild birds.

December 7, 2021 Honoree: Heather Myrick

The City Council proudly recognized the work of Heather Myrick on December 7, 2021.

Mrs. Myrick is a teacher at Peninsula High School who developed the Service Learning Leadership program, which gives students the opportunity to explore leadership through volunteering.  The City thanks Mrs. Myrick for her profound impact on the futures of so many students, inspiring them to be a force for positive change in the world, and for her dedication to education and service. 

October 19, 2021 Honorees: Ms. Audrey Lin and the PVP Branch of the American Association of University Women

At the City Council meeting on October 19, 2021, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council proudly recognized the work of Ms. Audrey Lin and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Ms. Audrey Lin, a student at Chadwick School, organized an art show that showcased artwork that embraced the diversity and cultural significance of the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community.  Ms. Lin was motivated by the recent rise in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and her goal was to celebrate the AAPI community using the power of art.  Ms. Lin’s dedicated fundraising efforts resulted in a $10,000 donation to Asian-Americans Advancing Justice, a Los Angeles based non-profit.  To view Ms. Lin’s artwork, the other artwork on display, and to learn more about Asian-Americans Advancing Justice, visit celebratingaapi.art. 

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was recently awarded the National Five Star Program Badge for achievement and commitment to AAUW’s mission to achieve a world where all women and girls can thrive.  Ms. Nancy Mahr, Ms. Nancy Rayner, and Ms. Cecilia Rogen spearheaded multiple programs over the course of a year, including presentations, donations, social media outreach, and public policies. The PVP Branch has been actively involved in the community since it was founded in 1957. To learn more about the PVP Branch of AAUW, visit palosverdes-ca.aauw.net. 

The City thanks Ms. Audrey Lin and the PVP Branch of the American Association of University Women and encourages residents to learn more about Ms. Lin’s Celebrating the AAPI Community Through Art program and the PVP Branch of AAUW’s programs.

September 21, 2021 Honoree: Angel Gowns of South Bay

At the City Council meeting on September 21, 2021, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council proudly recognized the work of Angel Gowns of South Bay.

Led by founder Gayle Fleury and Board members Heidi Strohm, Helena Zuvich, Scott Donnelly, Silvia Noriega, Bob Milling, and Tim McOsker, Angel Gowns creates burial gowns for children made from donated wedding dresses. A group of dedicated volunteers meet monthly to construct the gowns to help ease the suffering of parents who have lost a young child.

The City thanks Ms. Fleury and all of the Board Members and volunteers and encourages residents to learn more about Angel Gowns of South Bay.

July 20, 2021 Honoree: Mr. Dave Chura

On July 20, 201, the City Council proudly recognized the work of Mr. Dave Chura, a Rancho Palos Verdes resident and member of the Planning Commission.

Mr. Chura’s Safe Queue app finished third out of thousands of entries in IBM’s 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge. He created the app to help businesses continue operation during the COVID-19 pandemic and allow customers to remain a safe distance away while tracking their spot in line. The app has been proven effective at venues around the world, and its usage continues to expand. For more information visit the Safe Queue website. 

The City thanks Mr. Dave Chura for selflessly using his lifetime of skills and ingenuity to make life easier and safer for thousands of people in the midst of a global crisis.

June 1, 2021 Honorees: Palos Verdes/South Bay Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon and Ms. Kylie Mone

The City Council proudly recognized the work of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon and Ms. Kylie Mone on June 1, 2021.

Rancho Palos Verdes residents, and members of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Lenee Bilski, Ramona Gifford, Kathy Kerstein, Jean L. Strickland, Lois Jen Tai, Anli Lin Tong, Darlene Vlasek and Jun Yoo raised over $12,000 in 2019-2020 to support youth music and music therapy through grants and scholarships.   Since 2011, their annual Musical Mosaic fundraiser has raised over $150,000 for instruments, music stands, teaching support, and sound equipment for 18 South Bay schools.  Additional information on the Palos Verdes/South Bay chapter may be found on their website.

The City thanks the members of Mu Phi Epsilon for their ongoing efforts to support music education and music therapy.

Ms. Kylie Adare Mone is a Palos Verdes High School freshman and has an impressive record of community service. She is a member of Be the Change, a student group whose mission is to promote positivity, inclusivity and diversity. She is the freshman representative for the One Hill Project, working with the School District to discuss student policies and mental health. She is an ambassador for Growth, a student non-profit that works to prevent hunger and provide clean drinking water, and works with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help raise money to combat blood-related cancers.  Ms. Mone is also a four-time recipient of the Gold Presidential Service Award and dreams of becoming a doctor.

The City thanks Ms. Kylie Mone for her inspiring work.

May 4, 2021 Honorees: Dr. Govani and Dr. Thobani

The City Council proudly recognized the work Dr. Rahim Govani and Dr. Salima Thobani on May 4, 2021.

Dr. Govani and Dr. Thobani, along with their friend Dr. Nilesh Vora, answered a call for medical assistance on their flight returning from the Super Bowl, after being among 7,500 frontline healthcare workers honored by the National Football League. They worked tirelessly to diagnose and stabilize a fellow passenger who has having difficulty breathing and was exhibiting signs of severe distress. They urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing and are credited with saving the passenger’s life.

The City thanks Dr. Govani, Dr. Thobani, and their friend Dr. Vora for their life-saving skills and inspiring work. 

If you would like to nominate an RPV resident or nonprofit making a difference to be recognized as a Mayor’s Honoree, email a short bio to cityclerk@rpvca.gov. 

April 20, 2021 Honorees: Ryan Family and Ms. Lauren Kim

The City Council proudly recognized the work of the Ryan Family and Ms. Lauren Kim on April 20, 2021.

Through their Community Clean Initiative, the Ryan Family – Max, Nick, and Alexa Rose – picked up trash at our City beaches, coves, trails, and parks for over 80 consecutive days, and counting.

Lauren Kim, a former Peninsula High School student, founded Never Ever Give Up (NEGU) to support children with cancer and their families, helped launch Rotary Interact at her high school to work with food pantries and help build homes in the greater Los Angeles area, and was appointed to the board of Camp Kesem, an organization dedicated to providing support for children whose parents have cancer.

The City thanks Max, Nick, and Alexa Rose Ryan and Lauren Kim for their inspiring work.

March 16, 2021 Honorees: Team Illuminate, Dr. Chappell, and the American Red Cross

The City Council proudly recognized the work of Team Illuminate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year Campaign, and Dr. Bradley Chappell, Attending Physician at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Emergency Department. The City Council also proclaimed the month of March to be American Red Cross Month.

A number of local students, including Naomi Kao and Vivian Chen of Team Illuminate, participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2021 Students of the Year Campaign, a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Student leaders fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of children who are blood cancer survivors. For more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit the Students of the Year website.

Dr. Bradley Chappell has displayed the highest levels of professionalism during this extraordinarily challenging and stressful time and has worked tirelessly to acquire needed supplies to maintain patient and staff safety and build successful strategies to improve community health.

The American Red Cross supports local communities by sheltering, feeding, and providing emotional support to disaster victims, providing 40% of the nation’s blood supplies, teaching life-saving skills, providing humanitarian aid, and supporting military members and their families. For more information on the American Red Cross, visit the Red Cross website.

The City thanks the students who participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2021 Students of the Year Campaign, Dr. Chappell, and the American Red Cross for their inspiring work.  

If you would like to nominate an RPV resident or nonprofit making a difference to be recognized as a Mayor’s Honoree, email a short bio to cityclerk@rpvca.gov. 

March 2, 2021 Honorees: CASA LA and Wayfinder Family Services

The City Council proudly recognized the work of Jeremy Davies, Member of the Board of Directors for CASA LA  and Miki Jordan, President and CEO of Wayfinder Family Services.

 Mr. Davies has been a force for lasting community change through his innovative and never-ceasing philanthropic endeavors. Since 2010, he has worked closely with CASA LA (Court-Appointed Advocated for Children, Los Angeles), a nonprofit organization of volunteers who advocate on behalf of children in Los Angeles County who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

 Ms. Jordan has been the President and CEO and Wayfinder Family Services since 2006 and has been a tireless advocate for the dignity and rights of people with a wide degree of physical and developmental disabilities.  Wayfinder Family Services provides crucial vision loss, special needs, foster care, adoption, and mental health services to over 16,000 individuals a year across the country.

 The City thanks Mr. Davies and Ms. Jordan for their inspiring work, and encourages residents to learn more about CASA LA and Wayfinder Family Services.

For additional information on CASA LA, view their flyer (PDF), Three to Three Thousand campaign (PDF), or watch a video on their mission and services.

February 2, 2021 Honoree: Palos Verdes Peninsula Village

The City Council proudly recognized the work of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village for its ongoing legacy of service and support to seniors.

The PVP Village has provided a network of support and a connected community for older adults who choose to continue independent living, dedicated to helping them live engaged and full lives with independence, dignity and purpose.  The PVP Village and its network of volunteers provide an array of services including social and educational activities, transportation, technical help, legal assistance, household maintenance, phone-check-ins, and referrals.

The City thanks the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village for its ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life and independence for older adults, and encourages residents to learn more about the PVP Village.

December 15, 2020 Honoree: Marine Mammal Care Center

The City Council proudly recognized the work of Amber Becerra, President of the Marine Mammal Care Center.

Ms. Becerra oversees a local non-profit marine mammal hospital that allows sick and injured animals, primarily seals and sea lions, to recover from illness and injury before being returned to the wild.  Since it was built in 1992, the Marine Mammal Care Center, with the help of 150 dedicated volunteers, has cared for 8,000 seals and sea lions rescued from Malibu to Seal Beach.  

The City thanks Ms. Becerra for her efforts to keep the Marine Mammal Care Center financially viable during a turbulent period, and encourages residents to learn more about the Marine Mammal Care Center.