Southern Section to honor Character Counts contributors

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On Thursday in Long Beach, the Southern Section is holding a luncheon to honor students, coaches and administrators who demonstrated the principles of ‘Pursuing Victory with Honor’ during the 2007-08 school year.

Among the students being saluted for their character on and off the field are Molly Aloia, a soccer and tennis athlete from Great Oak High; Reann Ragoo, a basketball player from Colton; Jacob Tarabilda, a basketball player from Murrieta Valley; Layshida Clarendon, a basketball player from Cajon; Steven Melara, a wrestler from Carter; Mary Ann Jones, a soccer player from Long Beach Millikan; Michael Wilder, a volleyball player from Long Beach Wilson, and Lorne Jackson, a basketball player from Simi Valley.

There’s Lauren Bushong, a basketball player from Yucca Valley; Eduardo Magallon, a baseball player from Paramount; Kevin Gannuscio, a three-sport athlete from Alta Loma; Jessika Mejia, a three-sport athlete from Azusa; Jonathan Urango, a wrestler from Camarillo; Brandon Birdsell, a football player from Beckman; Alissa Caceres, a two-sport athlete from St. Paul; Phillip Mullan, a baseball player from St. John Bosco, and Kylie Edgemon, a volleyball player from Upland Christian.

Among the coaches and administrators being honored are Gene Dixon, an athletic director from Noli Indian; Diego Garcia, soccer coach from Colton; Maria Gonzalez, softball coach from Rancho Verde; Jim Kunau, football coach from Orange Lutheran; Dennis Pratt, athletic director from Corona Centennial; Andrea Sims, volleyball coach from Downey; Jeff Uyesaka, football coach from Dos Pueblos; Pam Valenti, track coach at Brea Olinda; Ray Moore, athletic director at Vista Murrieta, and Patrick Lee, principal at St. John Bosco.