PRESIDENT’S LIST
Micaiah Huebscher of Oceanside made the fall president’s list at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. The list recognizes students who earn a 3.75 or higher grade point average for the semester.
DEAN’S LIST
The following students made the fall dean’s list at their respective universities: Matthew Huebscher of Oceanside at Bob Jones University in South Carolina, Jenna Voegtly of San Diego at Midway University in Kentucky, and Celeste Galvan of Escondido at Doane University in Nebraska.
GIVING DAY
The Grauer School recently raised a record-breaking $305,000 for its annual Giving Day fund, surpassing its $200,000 goal. The contributions will finance innovative programs, hands-on projects, professional development and enriching opportunities that go beyond the classroom at the Encinitas-based private school.
PHOTO CONTEST
Escondido photographer Paige Rudolph won first place in the 2025 National Wildlife Photo Contest mobile category for her cell phone photo of a tree frog. She took the photo at her home and business called Sage Hill Ranch Gardens, a no-till regenerative farm. Her photo stood out among more than 30,000 submissions from around the world.
FORBES 30 UNDER 30
Naweed Tahmas of Oceanside was recently recognized in Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list for founding Aeon in 2023, a company that develops artificial intelligence-enabled tactical missile systems, including the modular Zeus missile for shoulder launch or unmanned platforms. Aeon contracts with the Defense Department, including the Army Futures Command, and has raised $18.6 million in venture firms. Tahmas came up with the idea from his time growing up in Oceanside. He previously was a special assistant to the president of the United States and associate director in the White House.
INVENTORS FELLOW
La Jolla-based neuroscientist Stuart Lipton, a professor at Scripps Research, has been named a 2025 National Academy of Inventors Fellow, one of the nation’s highest honors for scientific innovation. Lipton is recognized for developing memantine, one of only two FDA-approved drugs for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease, and for his groundbreaking work on neurodegenerative disorders.
MIRACOSTA LEADERS
The MiraCosta Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously elected new leadership for the coming year on Dec. 18, 2025. Frank Merchat, who represents eastern Carlsbad, will serve as board president. Trustee Raye Clendening, who represents the northernmost part of the district, including Camp Pendleton, will serve as vice president.
HELPING PAWS
The Helping Paws Foundation, a nonprofit that provides low- and no-cost veterinary care to military families, veterans and those in need, recently hired Kimberly Danker as its new executive director, opened a new low-cost veterinary hospital in Anza, and has launched a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter program at Mohnacky Animal Hospital in Carlsbad.
FRAZIER FARMS
Frazier Farms Market has partnered with GreenChoice, PBC, the food health and sustainability intelligence company, to roll out a new, personalized shopping experience across its Vista, Oceanside and La Mesa locations. The partnership will launch GreenChoice’s Health Shelf Labels and Shop by Diet app, which will help shoppers with science-based food ratings, verified health attributes, and personalized product recommendations.
