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  princeton book award for secondary schools

Princeton seeks, "to instill in each graduate those qualities of mind and character necessary for good citizenship and wise leadership. They include a broad intellectual curiosity that embraces open-mindedness coupled with critical thinking; respect for our moral and cultural inheritance coupled with a capacity for innovation and change; an appreciation of the shared destiny and common humanity of all peoples; and core principles of responsibility, integrity and courage." -- President Shirley Tilghman, 2005

The Princeton Book Award for Secondary Schools is presented by the Princeton Club of Orange County to outstanding students at the end of their junior year at public and private secondary schools in the county.

The club determines the number of awards and schools in which awards are given for the region. Schools are selected from among those that send or are capable of sending students to Princeton. The criteria for the selection of the student includes:

  • intellectual promise and academic excellence
  • exemplary service or extracurricular activities; and
  • outstanding personal character

We are actively seeking club members to serve as a liaison at a local high school to offer the Princeton Book Award. This program is an easy and fun way to be involved with the PCOC and a great way to promote Princeton University on local high school campuses. If you are interested in sponsoring an Orange County school for the Princeton Book Award, please contact Gavin Fabian '07.

The book selected for the 2010-2011 school year was "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald '17. For the 2010-2011 school year, the recipients at the 11 participating schools were:

  • Christie Nguyen, Esperanza High School
  • Nicholas King, J Serra Catholic High School
  • Kaitlyn Hittelman, Orange County High School of the Arts
  • Austin Reagan, San Clemente High School
  • Kaitlin Propeck, Santa Margarita Catholic High School
  • Brian Mendoza, Servite High School
  • Gabriela Leichnitz, St. Margaret's Episcopal High School
  • Dvorah Elster, Tarbut V'Torah
  • Barry Chen, Troy High School
  • Calvin Tjandra, University High School
  • Corona del Mar High School

Previous Book Award recipients include:

2005-06 - Book: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

  • Winston Chang, Troy High School (Book Sponsor: Ellen Junn *84)

2006-07 - Book: Beloved by Toni Morrison

  • Wendy Chang, University High School (Book Sponsors: Mike Wang '10 and Cindy Barnard '84)
  • Tiffany Chen, Troy High School (Book Sponsor: Ellen Junn *84)
  • Juan Vargas, San Clemente High School (Book Sponsor: David Bargueno '08)
  • Megan Woods, Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Book Sponsor: Chris Looney '95)

2007-08 - Book: Beloved by Toni Morrison

  • Michelle Courtney Chong, Troy High School (Book Sponsor: Ellen Junn *84)
  • Brenda Kim, Orange County High School of the Arts (Book Sponsor: Judy Joss '76)
  • John Richardson, Servite High School (Book Sponsor: Judy Joss '76)
  • Samantha Toth, Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Book Sponsor: Chris Looney '95)
  • Shannon McNaught, San Clemente High School (Book Sponsor: David Bargueno '08)
  • Ji An Wang, University High School (Book Sponsors: Mike Wang '10 and Cindy Barnard '84)
  • Christina Zolli Poindexter, St. Margaret's Episcopal High School (Book Sponsor: Laurie Girard '83)
  • Rami Bashour, Magnolia High School (Book Sponsor: Roger Philips '67)

2008-09 - Book: Beloved by Toni Morrison

  • Emily Jones, Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Book Sponsor: Chris Looney '95)
  • Emily Tian, University High School - Irvine (Book Sponsor: Mike Wang '10)
  • Ryan Poladian, San Clemente High School (Book Sponsor: Nazanin Saedi '03)
  • Marc Mendiola, Servite High School - Anaheim (Book Sponsor: Judy Joss '76)
  • Olivia Schafer, Orange County High School of the Arts - Anaheim (Book Sponsor: Judy Joss '76)
  • Rebecca Miller, St. Margaret's Episcopal School - San Juan Capistrano (Book Sponsor: Laurie Girard '83)
  • Michael Forsuelo, Troy High School - Fullerton (Book Sponsor: Ellen Junn *84)
  • Christa Millard, J Serra Catholic High School - San Juan Capistrano (Book Sponsors: Joel and Mary Ann Poladian P'12)
  • Rupen Dajee, Corona del Mar High School (Book Sponsor: Jillian Griffin '88)
  • Lindsey Tsai, Esperanza High School - Anaheim (Book Sponsor: Roger Philips '67)
  • Maya Or, Tarbut V'Torah - Irvine (Book Sponsor: Carter Greenbaum '08)

2009-10 - Book: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald '17

  • Jessica Imani, Corona Del Mar High School
  • Brandon Buscaino, Esperanza High School
  • Shannon Brady, J Serra Catholic High School
  • Amanda Tran, Mater Dei High School
  • Tara Ippoliti, Mission Viejo High School
  • Jessica Waldman, Orange County High School of the Arts
  • Stefan Fertala, Orange Lutheran High School
  • Michael Bacon, San Clemente High School
  • Aria Bendix, Santa Margarita Catholic High School
  • Thai Son Nguyen, Servite High School
  • Cameron Price, St. Margaret's Episcopal High School
  • Adam Cohen, Tarbut V'Torah
  • Sean Lee, Troy High School
  • Shannon Cheng, University High School

  upcoming events
January 20 Board Meeting
Jan 30-Feb 1 Men's Volleyball
February 2 Princeton Town Meeting
February 25 PCOC Theater Night
Mar 17-18 W. Water Polo in San Diego
March 21 W. Water Polo at UC Irvine
March 24 Men's Tennis at UC Irvine
  tiger polo shirts from the pcoc
Show your Princeton spirit with a polo shirt embroidered with a tiger logo. These short-sleeve black shirts are available in multiple sizes for $25 (plus $5 for shipping and handling.)

Sizes

  pcoc board meetings
The board of the Princeton Club of Orange County meets once a month over lunch. Our meetings generally last one hour, and all are welcome to join. This month, our meeting will be held on Friday, January 20 at 12:00 p.m. at Coco's Restaurant in Newport Beach. (900 N. Bristol - Near Corner of Jamboree and Bristol)
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