By Claire Regenstreif
Staff Writer
After six years of giving back to the community, Costa seniors in National Charity League are commemorated for their years of hard work. On March 8 at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, NCL held a dinner and ceremony to recognize the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach members.
NCL is a mother-daughter nonprofit organization who specialize in giving back to the community through working with charities. In order to participate in the senior graduating ceremony, the members must complete 15 hours of community service each year throughout their years in NCL.
“Us girls have always been involved with different philanthropies and we love giving back,” senior member Brittany Werre said. “We have been looking forward to this day since we became involved in NCL and it is a huge honor to be recognized in a ceremony that everyone can attend.”
The ceremony recognized their accomplishments as a class but also awarded individuals who served on the board or who completed an above average amount of community service.
“I think it was important to have a ceremony that recognized all the work we have put in over the years and to reflect on what we’ve learned philanthropically and culturally as well as the relationships we’ve made from it,” senior member Keala Rusher said.
The girls are immersed in educational programs such as growth training, career development, mother-daughter teas and luncheons and cultural programs such as theater productions, concerts, museums, symphonies, operas and ballets.
“Not only do you get to give back, you also get to enrich yourself in different cultures as well as experience new ideas,” Werre said. “By being in NCL, I have learned so many new things about myself, the community and the people I’m surrounded by.”
The girls in NCL formed philanthropic relationships with Richstone, The Jimmy Miller Foundation, Press Friends, The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and The 1736 House. According to graduating members, each of these were important because they got the privilege of teaching children who do not get to have the same experiences as people who live here.
“It was such an awarding feeling,” senior member Katie Watts said. “My favorite experience was working with Jimmy miller foundation and teaching children that don’t have the privilege to have the beach in their backyard learn to surf.”
This group of senior NCL members consists of a board made up of President Mary Dawson, Vice President of Programs Brighton Lindberg, Vice Presidents Quinn Kropschot and Talia Pacini and Treasurer Keala Rusher. Modellete Award is awarded to girls who put in the most effort and worked the most charity hours throughout their six years.Rusher, Pacini and Dawson were recipients of the award.
“I really think NCL is an experience where you’ll form relationships and connections just by being a part of it, but what truly makes it rewarding is the result of putting countless hours into making the world a better place for someone else,” Rusher said.
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