Best Amusement Park/Family Fun Center Boomers! Irvine Boomers maintains its top spot in the ranking, which is no surprise considering the variety of activities offered at the park. From miniature golf, Go Karts, rides, Lazer Tag and climbing walls to batting cages and arcade games, just about anyone can find...
Best Faith-Based School Covenant Christian School — Orange Covenant Christian School, which has been serving Orange County since 1985, makes the readers’ choice ranking again. The school offers education for children in kindergarten through middle school as well as academic coaching and enrichment programs, all done in a nurturing, secure...
Best After-School Program Lyceum Village The nonprofit helps parents of children in kindergarten through eighth grade, and the parents continue appreciating their efforts. Lyceum Village staff picks up kids from school and helps them with homework. The kids can also participate in a variety of extracurricular classes, such as music,...
Best Cosmetic Surgeon Terry Dubrow, MD You might recognize Dr. Terry Dubrow from his multiple TV shows, including “Real Housewives of Orange County,” “Botched” and “Botched by Nature,” or his books — but long before Hollywood fame, he was already known for his cosmetic and reconstructive surgery skills. As passionate...
Best Girls Softball League Mission Viejo Girls Softball The USA-affiliated Junior Olympic fast-pitch softball league wins the top spot again. The nonprofit’s program centers around good sportsmanship, loyalty, honesty and courage — qualities young girls ages 5 to 15 from cities around South Orange County get to learn as they...
(Photo Courtesy of The Mommy Center) Best Mommy & Me The Mommy Center The Mommy Center is a no-judgment zone for all things motherhood. It’s where moms can go to socialize, find support and make new friends for themselves and their little ones. The Mommy Center also offers a variety...
(Photo Courtesy of Ruby's Diner) Best “Kids Eat Free” Restaurant Ruby’s Diner Ruby’s Diner wins for the 18th time. The retro restaurant started out as a small shack on Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and is now serving up burgers, fries and shakes throughout America. The menu includes kids’ classics...
Top Teacher of Orange County 2021 Phillip Chow Beckman High School in Irvine At the beginning of the year, during Phillip Chow’s five-minute meeting with each student, he lets them ask him three questions of their choice. The top question is usually: “Why are you so happy?” “My answer is...
Top Teacher of Orange County 2021 Phillip Chow Beckman High School in Irvine At the beginning of the year, during Phillip Chow’s five-minute meeting with each student, he lets them ask him three questions of their choice. The top question is usually: “Why are you so happy?” “My answer is...
Top Employee of Orange County 2021 Shawnna Sharrar San Joaquin Elementary School in Laguna Hills Multitasker really doesn’t fully capture Shawnna Sharrar’s unique skillset. “If the saying about wearing many hats was applied to Mrs. Sharrar, she could open her own boutique,” states the essay nominating Sharrar for Parenting OC’s...
Top Leader of Orange County 2021 Paul Marquardt Red Hill Lutheran School in Tustin There’s a very long list of leadership skills that Red Hill Lutheran School Principal Paul Marquardt embodies. “Personable, humble, spontaneous, daring, funny, sociable, approachable and fearless leader … unifying, available, visible, involved, devoted, smart, supportive, encouraging,...
Top Leader of Orange County Schools 2021 Paul Marquardt Red Hill Lutheran School in Tustin There’s a very long list of leadership skills that Red Hill Lutheran School Principal Paul Marquardt embodies. “Personable, humble, spontaneous, daring, funny, sociable, approachable and fearless leader … unifying, available, visible, involved, devoted, smart, supportive,...
Top Teachers Nominees 2021 Judging Criteria for Teachers Creativity in teaching methodTeaches other teachersPassion/personally involvedCommunity service/nonprofit workMultiple school dutiesHeads up and starts up other school programsYears of serviceWrites grants or raises funds for schoolStudent and/or parent favorite Top 25 Teachers Miriam BernardHeritage OakSara BridgmanRed Hill Lutheran SchoolKenton BuckTarbut V'TorahPhillip ChowBeckman...