Reuters, "Judge Jack Mandel Receives Bank of America`s 2011 "Local Hero" Award For His Work At The Nicholas Academic Centers"
The Retired Orange County Superior Court Jurist Partnered with Broadcom Co-Founder Dr. Henry Nicholas to Establish the After-School Mentoring and Tutoring Program for Inner-City High School Students in Santa Ana
Retired Orange Superior Court Judge Jack Mandel, co-founder of the Nicholas Academic Centers, has received Bank of America’s 2011 “Local Hero” award for championing vital causes, inspiring others to get involved and having a “significant impact” on individuals, families and the community. Judge Mandel was among five “Local Heroes” recognized at a luncheon ceremony on November 16th at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, and was joined by fellow NAC co-founder, Henry T Nicholas. Judge Mandel donated his $5,000 check to help NAC graduates buy clothes and furnish their dormitory rooms when they go to college.
Dr. Henry Nicholas, co-founder of the Nicholas Academic Centers, congratulates fellow co-founder Judge Jack Mandel and two other winners of Bank of America's Neighborhood Excellence Award, Rose Espinoza, founder of the Rosie's Garage tutoring program and "Student Leader" Priscilla Vu. (Photo: Nancy Villere, Crush Photo Studios)“I am humbled to receive this honor on behalf of my co-founder, Dr. Henry Nicholas, our dedicated staff, and, especially, our students who are the true heroes,” said Judge Mandel. “This award really recognizes the accomplishments of these young people to apply themselves and succeed.”
“I can’t think of anyone who deserves this recognition more than Jack Mandel,” said Dr. Nicholas, co-founder and former Co-Chairman, President and CEO of Broadcom Corp., who established the Centers with Judge Mandel in 2008. “Jack started mentoring and tutoring high schools students in the early 1990’s while he was still on the bench, because he saw a need and knew he could make a difference. Now we have two highly successful centers that have helped hundreds of students realize their dreams of attending college.”
In recognizing Judge Mandel, Bank of America said his work and dedication “made it possible for many to attend and graduate from college. The beauty of his accomplishment” was that “he created a ‘pay it forward’ effect. As it turns out, many of the students he mentored are now working in the services sector and helping others succeed.”
Bank of America annually recognizes five “Local Heroes” in 45 markets nationwide. Honored along with Judge Mandel were: Rose Espinosa, founder of La Habra-based Rosie’s Garage Inc., an after-school tutoring program; Ticky Gorin, coordinator for Long Beach-based Special Olympics Southern California Inc.; Sally Sullivan, cofounder of Casa Teresa in Orange, a residential program that helps homeless pregnant women 18 and older with job training, counseling, prenatal care and other services; and Jonathan B. Webb, founder of Newport Beach-based Project Access Inc., which provides a variety of services to families and seniors living in low-income housing.
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About the Nicholas Academic Centers
Located in downtown Santa Ana and on the campus of Valley High School, the Nicholas Academic Centers serve hundreds of Santa Ana Unified School District students on a daily basis throughout the school year and summer, providing them with tutoring, social support, and individual college guidance. Since the first Center opened in 2008, more than 150 students have gone on to college, with most attending top schools such as Georgetown, Smith, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, Allegheny, and Chapman. NAC students have earned a total of more than $2 million in scholarships and financial aide. The NAC staff works closely with school principals, teachers and guidance counselors, as well as with students’ families and community leaders. The Centers are funded by the Henry T. Nicholas, III Foundation and modeled on the tutoring and mentoring program Judge Mandel started before retiring from the bench. Become a fan of the Nicholas Academic Centers on Facebook, or follow the NAC on Twitter.
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Nicholas Academic Centers
Robert Magnuson, 949-290-9382
rgm@magnusonandcompany.com
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