Chalk Talk

By: Brigid Cianfrani and Carol Crane

The Newport Mesa Unified School District school year came to a close in early June this year with local graduations held on June 5th.  The lead-up to graduation came with some special community events for the Class of 2025. The 62nd Annual Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award Dinner was held at The Lido House. The valedictorians from CDMHS, NHHS, and Sage Hill were recognized. On a separate evening, the Chamber celebrated our talented scholar athletes at the Hyatt Regency. At both events, the students’ extraordinary achievements were validated by a myriad of dignitaries, including school board trustees, Superintendent Dr. Wes Smith and members of the Newport Beach City Council.

The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West hosted the 62nd Annual Athletic Awards Dinner to honor outstanding student athletes from CdMHS, Newport Harbor HS and Sage Hill.  The featured speaker was Premier Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg who encouraged the students to succeed and give back to their community.  This event also celebrates the “Coach of the Year” from each school and Coach Bill Sumner was chosen for CdM.  He is the Boys & Girls Cross Country and Track & Field Teams coach and has been for nearly 40 years. The dedication and coaching talent he brings to the school’s running teams are nothing short of inspiring. The school has the largest running program in the state of California with the most wins. Bill has led the team to 14 California Interscholastic Federations (CIF) championships, 8 state titles, and 2 national titles.  (Is this accurate? Taken from the Cal Coast site.) 

CdM had 28 recruited athletes participate in a special signing event in May as well.  Athletic director Brian Walsh read off a list of accomplishments by each of the seniors while family and friends cheered for them all. Athletes represented baseball, soccer, basketball, water polo, swimming and running teams and they will continue their sports in college. We wish them all the best!

Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor High Schools also honored their seniors during awards night at each school. Congratulations to the Class of 2025

Various programs are taking place around the district this summer including a special enrichment program for elementary students in our CdM Zone at Harbor View Elementary School.

Brigid Cianfrani and Carol Crane are longtime volunteers in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, former PTA presidents at the elementary and high school levels and former Zone Pack chairs. Carol Crane currently serves as a member on the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) board, Trustee Area 3: Brigid Cianfrani works as a substitute teacher in the district and is the current chair of the CdM Zone Pack Committee. 

For more info: NMUSD.us | IG @ newportmesausd

Email: Carol Crane: ccrane@nmusd.us | Brigid Cianfrani: brigidcianfrani@gmail.com