COLLEGE GRADUATE
Andrea Flinn of Escondido graduated from Iowa State University with a Ph.D. in applied linguistics and technology.
CHANCELLOR’S LIST
Daniel Lopez of Carlsbad made the fall chancellor’s list at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
PRESIDENT’S LIST
The following students made the fall president’s list at their respective universities: Nicki Hinze of San Marcos and Adyson Baker of Carlsbad at Miami University in Ohio, and Kiera Donnelly of Oceanside and Jordyn Skeens of Vista at Coker University in South Carolina.
DEAN’S LIST
The following students made the fall dean’s list at their respective institutions: Ashley Clardy of Carlsbad at Elmhurst University in Illinois; Joelle Kubursi of Carlsbad at the College of Charleston in South Carolina; Lyla Dufek of San Marcos at Le Moyne College in New York; Zoey Ronco of San Diego at Missouri State University; Kayla O’Neal of Carlsbad at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana; Hannah Budelsky of Solana Beach and Brynna Guy of Vista at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania; Hailey Mullen of Oceanside, Sophie Chung and Isabella Tassara of San Diego at Hofstra University in New York; and Chloe Rayners of Carlsbad, Rachel Coons of Solana Beach, Allison Chackel and Catherine Chackel of San Diego at Samford University in Alabama.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Loren Ishmael Guerra, a student at San Marcos High School, has been awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship by the Western Golf Association. The award is for four years of housing and tuition for golf caddies, a program he is part of as a caddy at Goat Hill Park Golf Club.
SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
Vista Irrigation District is accepting applications for up to six scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $3,000. Download application packages from www.vidwater.org or by email at [email protected].
THEATER
The Leading Note Theatre in San Marcos wrapped its holiday production of “Rudolph” with eight sold-out shows in December. “Rudolph” featured over 30 local students performing.
NURSING
Cal State San Marcos has been recognized by RegisteredNursing.org as having the top family nurse practitioner program in the state.
AUTOMOTIVE
Pierce Automotive Group has acquired Lexus Carlsbad and Lexus Escondido, though the dealerships will continue operating under the current names and with no immediate plans for staffing changes.
HALL OF FAME
Pat McDonell of Carlsbad has been inducted into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame. He has led efforts to reform netting laws, wrote an investigative story about sportfishing fatalities and has directed over 60 fishing tournaments, among other contributions in his career.
BOOTS AND BLING
Saint Helen Philoptochos’ western-themed “Boots and Bling” fundraiser in November raised $30,000 for multiple local charities. The Escondido Community Child Development Center received $20,000 while the remaining $10,000 was split between Just in Time for Foster Youth, Foundation for Women Warriors, Alpha Project, Feeding San Diego, Boys and Girls Club of Vista, Doors of Change, Community Resource Center, ElderHelp, Got Your Back San Diego and Interfaith Community Services.
RINCON WATER
Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District completed its $13.83 million Water Revenue Certificates of Participation, Series 2025, earning an inaugural AA+ credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, the second-highest credit rating possible. The financing has a 30-year term to reduce impact on the district’s ratepayers, with proceeds of the debt issuance going to restructure old debt from 2016 and raise approximately $10 million for the acquisition of a new building that will serve as the district’s new headquarters.
