School names The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory in their honor.
SANTA ANA, Calif. – June 2, 2017 – For the second time in Orange County School of the Arts’ (OCSA) 30-year history, the nationally recognized arts school named one of its arts programs after a family in recognition of their generous gift. Longtime supporters Maureen and Michal (Mike) Mekjian, Jr., donated $750,000 towards the school’s “Masterpiece in the Making” campaign that supports the completion of the school’s campus in midtown Santa Ana. OCSA’s innovative Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory has been renamed The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory in their honor.
Under the direction of chefs Daniel Mattos and Peter Striffolino, The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory enables young culinary minds to further their studies in both culinary arts and hospitality. Partnering with both the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® program and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, the conservatory has been able to create an optimal four-year program that prepares students for a successful entry into the industry. Students enrolled in the conservatory are eligible to receive college credit from Johnson & Wales University and Culinary Institute of America.
Mike and Maureen Mekjian have been active members of the OCSA community since 2001. Mike Mekjian served on the OCSA Foundation board of directors from 2001 to 2016, as well as on the OCSA board of trustees from 2005 to 2013. Last year, he retired from the board of directors after serving as the chair during his last three years. Mike Mekjian was recently inducted into the OCSA Foundation emeritus board, which was established this year, in honor of OCSA’s 30th anniversary, to recognize those who have played an integral role in OCSA’s history, growth, and success. Maureen and Mike Mekjian have a son who graduated from Duke University and a daughter who is an alumna of OCSA’s Musical Theatre Conservatory and graduated from New York University.
“As proud alumni parents, we are honored by the opportunity to give back to this incredible school,” said Mike Mekjian, on behalf of the Mekjian family. "OCSA students develop creative thinking skills that prepare them for important future leadership roles. We are thrilled to support OCSA and the thousands of talented student artists it serves in its creative, challenging, and nurturing environment."
The Mekjian gift is part of a $16.2 million campus completion campaign which enabled the school to build its 16,000-square-foot instructional center. Opened in August 2015, The Marybelle Musco Dance Center, The Hal & Jeanette Segerstrom Family Music Center, and The Argyros Science Center features 14 large dance studios, three instrumental music and choir rehearsal facilities, 16 practice rooms, seven science labs, dressing rooms, offices, and storage areas. The “Masterpiece in the Making” campaign also includes the Callero Family Plaza and outdoor stage, a new student pick-up/drop-off area, renovation of our historic Symphony Hall, capital equipment acquisition, and technology improvements for all programs. For more information about OCSA, visit ocsarts.net.
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About Orange County School of the Arts:
The nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) provides a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that offers bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts. Established in 1987, the school currently serves more than 2,100 gifted students in grades seven through 12. OCSA offers students the opportunity to focus on one of the 14 arts conservatories offered, including acting, classical & contemporary dance, classical voice, commercial dance, creative writing, culinary arts & hospitality, digital media, film & television, instrumental music, integrated arts, international dance, musical theatre, production & design, and visual arts. In 2017, OCSA was named the second Best Charter High School in California by Niche Rankings. It is the only specialized arts program of its kind in the region to offer tuition-free academic and arts instruction to students from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The non-profit school relies solely on private donations, totaling more than $8 million annually, to fund the 14 arts conservatories offered. For additional information, visit ocsarts.net.