About Laguna Hills

Butterfly Sculpture Display

City of Laguna Hills
KOCE Butterfly Initiative

"There are moments in life when timing, opportunity and momentum are just right and there is a great convergence of energy. During those moments, we sense new opportunities and new possibilities. Today is convergence of energy. Butterfly is the spirit of possibility."

Jaimee C. Niles
KOCE

The Butterfly Initiative, developed by Jaimee Niles of KOCE, connects and unites Orange County in a fundraising project for art and science education. The Butterfly Initiative serves as the impetus to create the education endowment. With the reduction of funding for arts and science education, it is the aspiration of KOCE that the endowment provide a sustaining source of funding for important programs. The first project, initiating the fundraising effort, was the creation, sale, and design, of five-foot tall butterfly sculptures to be displayed throughout Orange County.

The City of Laguna Hills, having a strong desire to support science and art education, purchased four (4) butterfly sculptures to be painted by Laguna Hills school children and displayed throughout the City. The City initiated a Butterfly Design Contest to determine the design of the four sculptures. The Design Contest was open to all Laguna Hills public school students and designs were submitted to the City in February. One hundred and thirty-six submissions were received representing, Lomarena, San Joaquin, and Valencia Elementary Schools, La Paz and Los Alisos Intermediate Schools, and Laguna Hills High School.

The designs were reviewed by the City of Laguna Hills Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission selected twelve (12) designs which most creatively reflected the science and education theme. The selections forwarded to the City Council for approval included the winning four (4) designs, four (4) runner-up designs, and four (4) honorable mention selections. In addition to the community contest, city staff also facilitated a school competition, selecting winning designs from each school to be recognized by the City Council. The winning designs are artistically displayed for public enjoyment at the Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex.

Final Design Awards:
Andrew Nguyen
McKenzie Perez
Priscilla Neuer
Sean Tabari
Yoko Ueki

Runner-Up Awards:
Caryn Kubat
Erica Rae Vigen
Kristine Vessey
Sydney Dychiao
Xavier Valarino

Honorable Mention Awards:
Alma Cardenas
Ary Nassiri
Katelyn Marie Brunner
Rachel Bosemer

School Honors:
Alma Cardenas
Annise Pickens
Caryn Kubat
Erica Rae Vigen
Heather Taylor
Kristine Vessey
Riley Johnson
Sharky Taylor
Sydney Dychiao
Sydney Molinar
Xavier Valarino