March 25, 2022
#GGUSDPRIDE E-newsletter
The #GGUSDPride E-newsletter features many of the great things happening in GGUSD.  
Send your photos to pio_department@ggusd.us to highlight your school or students in the e-newsletter.
GGUSD Names Spelling Bee Champion
This week, Allen Elementary School student Mason Marquez was named champion of GGUSD's 34th Annual Spelling Bee. Mason correctly spelled the deciding word, boisterous, to become the top speller among 44 elementary schools in GGUSD. Second place went to Enders Elementary School student Jimmy Duong. Congrats to all of our district's top spellers!
GGUSD Bus Driver Named Orange County Classified Employee of the Year
GGUSD employee Shannon Lauricella, who has served as a bus driver transporting students with special needs in the district for eight years, was named an Orange County Finalist for the Orange County Department of Education’s 2022 Classified Employee of the Year program. During a surprise celebration last week, Superintendent Gabriela Mafi congratulated Shannon on the recognition and thanked her for her many contributions to the district. Shannon is one of only 9 classified employees across the county to receive this prestigious recognition.
Patton Students Shine in Production of Aladdin
Patton Elementary School students delivered an amazing performance of Disney's Aladdin musical. Students wowed the audience with their wonderful singing, acting, and choreography! The production was part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts program awarded to select schools across Orange County through an application process.
Walton Students Earn Top Awards at Academic Pentathlon
In the OC Academic Pentathlon, the Walton Intermediate School Wildcats brought home 62 medals total and a 2nd place overall for 7th grade team and 4th place overall for the 8th grade team.
Pacifica Show Choir Earns Top Awards
Pacifica High School’s Encore and Choir Program participated in the Los Alamitos “Xtravaganza” Show Choir Competition on Saturday, March 19 and placed first in the Music, Show, and Overall categories.

In addition to the group’s success at the Los Alamitos competition, student Ethan Nguyen was recognized with the Best Performer Award. The group also had success at the Kennedy Show Choir Competition on Friday, March 18 as it placed second in music and third place overall while Marwa Moustakib earned the Best Performer award. At the Chapparal Showcase in Temecula Valley on February 26, Pacifica’s Encore choir also placed first in musicianship, first overall and Ethan Nguyen was a recipient of a Best Performer award. The group is led by vocal music director David Joseph.
Soccer Tournament Brings Students Together
GGUSD students from across the district took part in the Special Education Soccer Tournament at Alamitos Intermediate School. The competition was fierce as the student teams competed for the top spot!
GGHS Team Develop Winning App
A talented team of Garden Grove High School students recently won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for their original app called “Realms: Health” which gives users a one-stop shop of information for their health care needs. Students who created the app include Joanne Tran, Justin Pham, Eric Ly and Derek Nguyen, and are part of the district’s ICT Computer Science Career Pathway.