Manhattan Beach Student Receives Honor, Barnes & Noble Nook

American Martyrs student Aidan Stenson was recognized for his outstanding achievements by the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Thursday at the organization's first luncheon of the school year at the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach. 

Aidan's teacher Jeff Lee spoke of the young man’s academics and giving heart. Aidan, who was awarded a Barnes & Noble Nook donated by Adam Wald of Eastbay Athletic Sportsource, received commendations from Manhattan Beach City Council member Wayne Powell, Assembly member Al Muratsuchi and LA County Supervisor Don Knabe. 

The luncheon included presentations from three local charitable organizations at work to improve the lives of young people. Jeff Miller of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, Rose van Wier Hein of Golden Heart Ranch and Chad Mayer of Sharefest spoke about their organizations.

The Coordinating Council, which for years has held a monthly luncheon October through May and offered for-fee memberships, has made changes, dropping its membership requirement and charging a $30 luncheon fee per person.

For this school year, the organization will host three luncheons, each one highlighting an extraordinary student from a local school. The next luncheons will be held on the third Thursday during the months of March (March 20) and May (May 15) at The Belamar Hotel, 3501 N Sepulveda Blvd.

Each luncheon will feature updates from the City of Manhattan Beach or Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce and student speakers from American Martyrs School, Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School. In addition, speakers from local non-profit organizations, whose mission directly affects and supports the youth of our community, will present information about their programs, said President Jill Brunkhardt of Chevron.

The Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council's mission is “to establish a forum to promote networking, communication and information exchange among agencies, organizations and individuals and to provide recognition to local students.”