Movie Night Markets, Margaritas on the Mary, Brushes & Bubbly: Pride Edition, Live Music Onboard, New Summer Season Tour, and so Much More

Following the overwhelming response to last year’s Summer Series, things are heating up once again aboard the Queen Mary as she unveils what’s on deck for Summer 2025! Get ready for a vibrant season packed with live entertainment, themed evenings, immersive events, and all-new offerings. From sunset margaritas on the bow to outdoor movie nights under the stars and roaring jazz-age celebrations, this summer promises unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back aboard for another summer filled with fun, new experiences, and unforgettable moments,” said Steve Caloca, Managing Director of the Queen Mary. “We’re bringing back fan favorites, introducing exciting new offerings, and have packed the calendar with something for everyone- from families and history buffs to date-night seekers and music lovers. We’re hoping everyone will come aboard and join us for an unforgettable summer at The Queen Mary.”

A favorite last summer, Margaritas on the Mary will welcome guests back every Friday from June 6 through August 29 with themed evenings, exciting music, refreshing margaritas, and scenic ocean views from the ship’s bow. The Meet Me at the Mary series returns to the Observation Bar with a full slate of lively weekly programming. Guests can enjoy Happy Hour on Tuesdays with live music and dance lessons, belt out their favorite songs during Karaoke Wednesdays, relax to live jazz during Jazz & Blues Thursdays, and kick-off the weekend with live music during Friday Night Live. 

Also returning in an exciting new format are the Movie Night Markets, now offered monthly as a combined event featuring themed film screenings and an open-air night market experience. Guests are invited to shop and stroll through a lively collection of local vendors, explore food trucks, and sip beverages from the beer garden before settling in for a movie screening under the stars, with the historic Queen Mary serving as the unforgettable backdrop. Screenings run from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and their favorite movie snacks. Those looking to elevate the evening can purchase the Ultimate Movie Night Package for $149, which includes a bottle of champagne, assorted snacks, and reserved lawn pool seating. This summer’s movie lineup kicks off Friday the 13th on June 13, with a Movie Night Market Spooktacular featuring The Shining, followed by The Goonies on Wednesday, July 16, and Ratatouille on Wednesday, August 6. A ticket to the Movie Night Market also includes admission to explore the Queen Mary, allowing guests to experience the ship before the event begins.

Dance the night away with the timeless sounds of vintage swing with the return of the beloved Alex Mendham & His Orchestra on July 26 and August 30 and for those seeking an interactive twist on dinner theater, the ever-popular Murder & Mayhem interactive dinner show is set to delight for five select nights June – August. For full schedule details and ticket information, please visit QueenMary.com/whatsondeck.

In addition to the above, the Queen Mary is also launching new summer activities with extended operating hours from 10am – 8pm daily, starting Sunday, May 25. This includes a limited-time Officer’s Lecture Series at 4pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, featuring captivating maritime stories from the ship’s Captain and Officers, and a newly curated fine art gallery. Special just for the summer season, the historic ship is offering a new WW2 Tour that will explore the history and impact the Queen Mary had on WW2. The tour is for ages 7 and older.

On June 21 – 22, the Queen Mary will also serve as the host venue for Insomniac’s Day Trip Music Festival, before setting the stage for its own signature All-American 4th of July Celebration featuring a full day of festivities, themed entertainment, and concluding with the West Coast’s best firework show. 

For more information, upcoming events, programming, and more visit www.queenmary.com/seasonal-events.htm and queenmary.com/whatsondeck, or connect with us on social @TheQueenMary.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

Summer evenings at the Getty Center will be filled with musical performances for five upcoming Saturdays as Off the 405 returns with free concerts. This year’s acts include SML on May 31, Mabe Fratti on June 14, Madi Diaz on July 12, Empress Of on July 26, and Emile Mosseri on August 23. 

Concerts will begin with a live DJ set at 6 pm before the main performance. Ticket reservations are required and will be released three weeks before each concert on Getty’s website, with release dates available online.

“Off the 405 has become a beloved summer ritual for Angelenos—a space where adventurous music and iconic architecture converge,” says Sarah Cooper, performance programs specialist at the Getty. “This year’s artists embody the urgency and experimentation of today’s most vital music scenes. Spanning experimental collectives, genre-defying vocalists, and cinematic composers, they’re pushing boundaries and deepening what live music can be. We’re proud to present a lineup that resonates with both casual listeners and the music communities that make Los Angeles such a vital cultural city.”

Past Off the 405 performers in the series include noteworthy artists like Bartees Strange, Cate Le Bon, Helado Negro, Alabaster De Plume, and Moses Sumney. 

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to explore the site and enjoy the current art exhibitions. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase food and beverages in the Museum Courtyard. No outside alcohol is allowed. Parking at the Getty Center is $25, or $15 after 3 pm and $10 after 6 pm. The museum will have new extended hours beginning on June 17, 2025, and will be open late on Saturdays until 9 pm with free parking after 6 pm. 

Off the 405 lineup

Saturday, June 14 – Mabe Fratti
Mabe Fratti is a Guatemalan cellist, composer, and vocalist based in Mexico City, known for her boundary-defying blend of classical, experimental, electronic, and dream pop influences. Her music weaves together layered cello, voice, and synth textures into immersive, emotionally resonant soundscapes that feel both intimate and expansive. Her 2024 album Sentir Que No Sabes deepens her signature sound—reflective, exploratory, and rich with unexpected sonic turns. Fratti’s music resists easy categorization, and her collaborative ethos and adventurous spirit continue to draw listeners into her singular sonic world.

Saturday, July 12 – Madi Diaz
Madi Diaz is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist celebrated for her emotionally incisive lyrics and genre-blurring blend of folk, alt-pop, and Americana. Her 2024 album, Weird Faith, explores the murky territory of self-doubt, intimacy, and emotional resilience, pairing aching melodies with sharp, introspective lyrics. In addition to headlining her own shows, Diaz has toured with artists such as Angel Olsen and Waxahatchee, earning a devoted following for her honest, magnetic stage presence. With Weird Faith, Diaz continues to establish herself as one of today’s most fearless and emotionally resonant songwriters.

Saturday, July 26 – Empress Of 
Empress Of is the project of Honduran-American artist Lorely Rodriguez, a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Los Angeles. Known for her soaring vocals and emotionally charged pop, she blends electronic, R&B, and dream pop into a sound that’s as intimate as it is infectious. Her 2024 album For Your Consideration dives into themes of love, desire, and identity through a lens of Hollywood surrealism. Sung in both English and Spanish, the album embraces fantasy and camp, using glossy production and tongue-in-cheek lyricism to explore the transactional dynamics of relationships and fame. It’s a bold, bilingual statement that captures both vulnerability and power. Across her discography and stage presence, Empress Of continues to carve a space for emotionally nuanced, genre-bending pop, balancing introspection with high-gloss energy.

Saturday, August 23 – Emile Mosseri
Emile Mosseri is a Los Angeles-based composer, singer, and songwriter known for his richly emotional film scores and increasingly visible solo work. His sound—lush, lyrical, and deeply human—translates powerfully from screen to stage. In February 2025, Mosseri released his second solo album, tryin to be born, marking a significant evolution in his career as a performing artist. The album blends cinematic orchestration with vulnerable songwriting, revealing a deeply personal side of his artistry. Mosseri’s live shows weave together material from his albums and film scores, creating intimate, genre-defying performances.

Credit: Getty.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is celebrating the delicate beauty and superhero powers of over twenty species of sea stars from around the globe in a new experience this summer. Stars of the Sea opens May 24, 2025, and continues through April 30, 2026. Guests will be able to meet sea stars like the venomous crown-of-thorns and spider-like brittle stars and learn about how the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is working to save the largest sea star of them all: the critically endangered sunflower sea star. Guests will also be able to visit a reimagined section of the Aquarium’s California Terrace that focuses on coastal habitats, featuring the new immersive outdoor touchpool experience, Our Living Coastline. This new exhibit includes a life-like rock structure, multiple viewing windows, and surging cascades of water, designed to mimic a real tidepool on a rocky shore. Visitors of all ages will be able to learn about and touch different sea star species, including bat and ochre sea stars, along with sea urchins and sea anemones from California’s northern and southern coastal regions. Sea stars can be found in over twenty exhibits at the Aquarium, representing habitats from coastal tidepools stretching from Mexico to Alaska, coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, the deep seas of Japan and the Galapagos Islands, and beyond. In addition, guests can discover the diversity of sea stars in a new film that will play throughout the day in the Aquarium’s Great Hall. As guests explore Stars of the Sea, they can learn about the stories behind each sea star species and the Aquarium’s groundbreaking research and breeding programs, including raising baby sunflower sea stars, offering hope for the species’ recovery.

Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cost: Included with general Aquarium admission and free to Aquarium members / Reservations required

Info: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/

Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a deeply harmful budget reconciliation package that prioritizes tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy at the expense of millions of hard-working American families. The bill passed 215-214 and now goes to the Senate. If passed there, it will mean the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in U.S. history, while lining the pockets of the ultra-wealthy with massive tax cuts.

ParentsTogether Action is raising urgent concerns about the profound harm these cuts will inflict on families nationwide.

In response, Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of ParentsTogether Action said:

“Make no mistake: this bill is a cruel betrayal of families.

In the dead of night, Republicans in Congress held committee hearings and then voted early this morning to rip health care away from millions and take food off kids’ plates – all to hand massive tax breaks to billionaires.

Parents across the country are outraged – and we will not forget who chose billionaires over our children.”

Additionally, ParentsTogether Action has compiled stories of parents who are struggling to make ends meet here. Additionally, quotes from these parents on what cuts to SNAP and Medicaid would mean for their families are below.

This plan will:

• Cut Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding by $715 billion, stripping health coverage from nearly 14 million Americans.
  
• Slash $230 billion from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), shifting 10% of the cost burden to states, and imposing stricter work requirements that jeopardize food aid for millions.
  • According to the Congressional Budget Office, this would mean 3 million people lose SNAP benefits each month.
    
• Take the Child Tax Credit away from 4.5 million U.S. citizen children, and lock 17 million low-income children out of the full credit because their families don’t earn enough.
  
• Raise taxes for the bottom 40% of Americans, while giving 70% of the tax benefits to the wealthiest 5%.

ParentsTogether Action calls on the Senate to reject this cruel and shortsighted legislation and urges all lawmakers to remember who they were elected to serve. Families need care and support—not cruelty masquerading as fiscal responsibility.

Parent Quotes:

“Medicaid is the lifeline that gives my son access to his neurologist and the seizure medication he depends on. Without it, I don’t know how we’d survive. It’s also made it possible for me to get essential care during my pregnancies, from doctors, midwives, and doulas who supported and protected my health and my baby’s every step of the way. Thanks to Medicaid, my entire family has been able to stay healthy – not just survive. The thought of losing that support is terrifying. Any cuts to Medicaid would devastate us, financially and otherwise.” – Ashley T., California City, California

“Our SNAP benefits were slashed from $800 to just $185 when the COVID emergency funds ended. That cut has been devastating. Both of my daughters are autistic and have multiple special needs and finding the foods they can safely eat is already a challenge. The alternatives they need aren’t affordable without help. I thought our benefits would stay the same since my husband is medically disabled, and one of our daughters has seizures and developmental delays, but even with disability income, we’re drowning under rising costs. Gas and electricity keep climbing, food prices are up, and SNAP hasn’t matched the rise in those costs. The $30 per child they’re offering this summer helps, but it’s not nearly enough, and this is the last year we’ll get it. Families like mine are being left behind.” – Gabrielle J.,  El Paso, TX

“Medicaid has been there for me through every stage of life including prenatal care, dental emergencies and ensuring I have access to the essential medications I need. It’s not just insurance, it’s a safety net for my family. If Medicaid funding is cut, it wouldn’t just hurt us, it would upend our lives.” –Taylour G., Tampa, Florida

“As a grandmother and full-time caregiver to my adult daughter and grandson, programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and free school meals aren’t just helpful, they’re essential. My daughter lives with a chronic mental illness that makes it impossible for her to work. I have my own chronic health issues that prevent me from working, too. Without these supports, we simply can’t afford food, housing, or basic utilities. The thought of losing access to these programs due to funding cuts is terrifying. When you’re physically unable to work, my family is left with few options for survival.” Adria P., Detroit, MI

Credit:

ParentsTogether Action, a nonprofit parent and family advocacy group that represents more than 3 million families, brings parents together to make a difference on the issues that matter most to our kids and families — things like family leave, childcare, and quality education.

Engaging with the natural environment provides young children with invaluable learning experiences. Nature is filled with countless opportunities for exploration, development, and education. Children possess an innate curiosity, and the outdoors offers a secure environment for them to inquire, investigate, and try new things without the worry of making mistakes. From studying insects to gazing at clouds, being outside creates avenues for fresh educational experiences. By encouraging children to learn in this unique context, nature enhances creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential components of early childhood education. Here are five important lessons children can get out of observing animals.

1. Nature Teaches Observation Skills

When taking students on zoo field trips, they’ll discover that there’s so much to see and explore. Each tree, stone, and blossom narrates its unique tale. By observing closely, children come to value the beauty found in the tiniest details. This approach highlights the significance of children as engaged learners, allowing their curiosity to be fueled by observation. But first, it’s important to foster those observational skills in children. This can be accomplished by:

● Taking nature walks and prompting the child to observe elements such as the hues of leaves, the melodies of birds, or the feel of tree bark. Encourage them to think deeper by asking open-ended questions like, ‘What do you believe resides in that tree?’

● Establishing a basic outdoor observation station for the child to sketch or document their observations, thereby improving their awareness of environmental changes.

2. Nature Teaches Patience and Perseverance

Nature teaches valuable lessons in patience. The development of plants, the transition of seasons, and the gradual shifts in the sky and weather impart a profound understanding of time and perseverance to children. In the natural world, there is no haste—events occur at their own pace, allowing children to witness and appreciate these processes. Nature is one of those things that no one can rush, no matter how hard they try. Fostering patience and perseverance can be achieved by:

● Inspiring children to cultivate a garden allows them to witness the growth and transformation of their plants, imparting lessons on the importance of patience and the growth process. Trying to force the process, by overwatering, for example, will only result in a dead plant

● Engaging them in straightforward nature-related activities, like constructing a rock tower or assembling a nature collage, fosters creativity and connection with the environment.

3. Nature Fosters Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

The natural environment presents numerous challenges and puzzles that demand critical thinking. As children construct forts from sticks, balance rocks, or climb trees, they are honing essential problem-solving skills vital for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education. During these activities, children learn to tackle problems, test their ideas, and devise solutions, similar to budding scientists. To delve into the Scientific Method with your young learner, check out this guide and experiments provided by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Problem-solving and critical thinking can be fostered through:

● Organizing a nature scavenger hunt for your child, requiring them to locate specific items such as a feather, a pinecone, and a smooth rock. This activity promotes problem-solving skills and critical thinking as they learn to differentiate certain items from each other.

● Motivating children to construct structures using natural resources like leaves, twigs, or stones, which will aid them in understanding engineering principles. Seeing how the pieces fit together, how they can be constructed to form the most sound structure, and which materials don’t work well together, will teach them the concept of trial and error as well.

4. Nature Enhances Emotional Development

Engaging with nature allows children to comprehend and articulate their feelings. The tranquility of the natural environment offers a soothing influence, while the opportunity to explore fosters self-expression. Additionally, nature aids in cultivating empathy as children learn about the relationships among all living beings. You can encourage emotional development through:

● Encouraging your child to engage in outdoor activities where they feel relaxed and secure. Observe their interactions with the surroundings and inquire about their feelings regarding those experiences.

● Motivating your child to engage in activities that foster mindfulness and emotional awareness, like practicing deep breathing exercises in a serene outdoor environment, or feeding animals at a petting zoo, where it’s important to be calm.

5. Nature Encourages Curiosity and Creativity

The natural world serves as an infinite wellspring of inspiration for imaginative individuals. Whether your child is gathering acorns for an art project, such as a painted pinecone turkey, or utilizing leaves to craft a ‘stained glass’ lantern, nature provides a canvas for children to express their creativity. To nurture curiosity and creativity, encourage imaginative play by inviting your child to act as wild animals or adventurers on a treasure hunt. You can also let your child select a natural item (like a rock, leaf, or flower) and brainstorm various creative applications for it, whether as a prop in their narrative or as a component in a drawing. You might be surprised by what they come up with.

Educators continuously seek methods to transform innate curiosity into educational experiences, and when it comes to animals, the possibilities are truly limitless. Animals can facilitate children’s learning in various areas, including language and numeracy—such as counting a leopard’s spots—as well as fostering empathy, caring skills, and a broader understanding of the world. Teaching children social and emotional skills poses significant challenges, especially in today’s society. Young children tend to be egocentric, concentrating on their immediate surroundings and personal experiences. However, engaging with animals allows them to grasp emotions, cultivate empathy, and learn to care for others. Observing animals in their natural behavior provides children with insights into their eating, playing, fighting, interacting, moving, and communicating, which they can then compare with other animals and humans.

Children can acquire essential life lessons from observing the animal kingdom, fostering a lasting appreciation for nature, and cultivating important traits such as bravery, resilience, and innovation. Integrating these insights into their lives can help them evolve into empathetic, reflective, and accomplished individuals.

Southern California is getting a little sweeter with the opening of a new Handel’s Ice Cream, just in time for the brand’s 80th anniversary. The iconic brand will open its latest location at 353 N. Pass Ave. in Burbank and celebrate with a grand opening on Thursday, May 15. To celebrate the first 50 guests will receive free ice cream for a year*!

Husband-and-wife duo Phil and Molly Kaye lead the Burbank Handel’s. The couple opened their first Handel’s in Los Feliz, where they currently reside with their young family. Phil is a professional writer and runs a youth poetry organization called Project VOICE, and Molly is a marriage and family therapist who works with parents and families.

“We opened our first location a year ago in Los Feliz, within walking distance from our home, and we loved it so much, that we wanted to do it again,” said Phil Kaye, Co-owner of the Burbank Handel’s Ice Cream. “Molly and I are finding new things to love in every step of the process. We have an amazing team that’s excited to make and scoop ice cream. They’re just as enthusiastic as we are about connecting with customers and bringing a little simple pleasure and happiness into whatever is happening in their lives.”

The Burbank location spans 2,100 sq. ft. and offers pick-up, delivery with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, and catering services. Operating hours are Sunday through Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. The location features classic and seasonal flavors such as Black Cherry, Blue Monster, Butter Pecan and Rocky Mocha Blast. Each Handel’s shop features 48 rotating flavors that are made fresh daily in-store.

Handel’s promotes a culture of community service. Stores across the country, including the new Burbank location, offer spirit nights, ice cream socials, and other fundraising opportunities to help local causes.

“We’ve worked with schools and young folks throughout our lives, Phil as a poetry ambassador and I as a special education teacher, and we plan to do the same with our new location,” said Molly Kaye, Co-Owner of the Burbank Handel’s Ice Cream. “We look forward to partnering with local schools and organizations to help raise funds on their behalf, all with a little help from ice cream.”

For more information about Handel’s Burbank, including upcoming events, visit https://handelsicecream.com/store/burbank or follow them on Instagram @handels.burbank.

*Must be 18 years or older to receive the Free Ice Cream for a Year offer.

About Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream 

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream, handmade in stores every day, since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the Handel’s legacy was created by Alice Handel and Lenny Fisher, who grew the brand from a single Scoop Shop into a flourishing chain using fresh ingredients and upholding a commitment to quality. Each batch of Handel’s ice cream is made fresh daily, using Alice’s original methods and recipes. There are 48 flavors available daily and more than 140 flavors that rotate seasonally.    

In 2023 and 2024, Handel’s ranked in  Franchise Times’ Top 400 list, recognizing the largest franchise systems in the United States, and its “Fast & Serious,” a list of the smartest-growing franchises for the year. The brand is also recognized by TasteAtlas for one of the top 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the World.    

Handel’s has been named #1 Ice Cream on the Planet by  National Geographic, one of the Top 10 Best Ice Cream Businesses by  USA Today, one of the Top 500 Restaurants in America by  Nation’s Restaurant News, and Top 500 Franchises by  Entrepreneur Magazine. Handel’s currently has over 150 locations across 15 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit www.handelsicecream.com/franchise.   

Credit: Handel’s.

Popular summer program returns after pandemic hiatus, welcoming all Santa Cruz families

Gateway School in Santa Cruz announced today it’s opening its summer camp program to all Santa Cruz families this summer. Camp Gateway will run for five weeks from June 16 through July 18, with a robust array of enriching activities for all children entering 1st through 5th grades, regardless of school enrollment.

“We’re excited to open our doors to all Santa Cruz families and provide a summer experience that combines fun, creativity, and exploration,” said Gateway Head of School Hannah Wikse. “Our program welcomes children from throughout the community to enjoy engaging specialty classes in the joyful environment that makes Camp Gateway special.”

The camp will offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate family needs:

• Morning session: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Afternoon session: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Full day: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Camp Gateway will feature specialty classes taught by experienced instructors, including:

• Nature illustration
• Build, paint, create
• Field and gym sports
• Printmaking
• Jiu Jitsu (held at Garth Taylor Jiu Jitsu)
• Jewelry making
• Pottery (tentative)

Afternoon sessions will include counselor-led activities including:

• Field games
• Crafting, scavenger hunts
• Painting and drawing
• Walking field trips
• Paper rocket building, and more

“Camp Gateway returns as a revival of the school’s beloved summer program that ran successfully for many years at our former location,” Wikse said. “After a pause during our campus relocation and the pandemic, we’re thrilled to bring back this Gateway tradition, which has created memorable summer experiences for hundreds of Santa Cruz children over the years.”

Camp Gateway offers competitive pricing with multiple options for families:

• Morning session: $350/week
• Afternoon session: $300/week
• Full day: $550/week

Registration is now open at https://campgateway.campbrainregistration.com. Families are encouraged to secure their spots early, as space is limited.

Credit: Gateway School.

College acceptance and financial aid letters are arriving soon, and high school seniors and college students have a major opportunity to ease their higher education costs through the CalKIDS program. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. This statewide initiative, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, provides eligible California public school students with CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500—helping them take the next step toward college or career training by easing financial barriers to higher education.

In Los Angeles County, more than $524 million in CalKIDS Scholarships has been made available to public school students over the last three years, providing critical financial support for their higher education. A CalKIDS Scholarship does not require students to submit essays, meet a minimum GPA, or provide recommendation letters. Claiming a scholarship is simple and takes just minutes at CalKIDS.org.

“CalKIDS is an incredible resource for Los Angeles County families,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is the easiest step students can take on their path to higher education, and we want every eligible student to claim their scholarship account and take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Eligible students can use their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment. Since 2022, approximately $1 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships have been made available to more than 2 million of California’s public high school students.

For Shaniya from UCLA, the funds from her CalKIDS Account made a big impact. “I used my money to pay for my first housing bill and that allowed me to save more money for the next two payments. It made a huge difference to me because by the end of the year I was able to pay for all of my necessities.”

To get the word out about this amazing program in Los Angeles County and ensure students and families are aware of and claim their CalKIDS Accounts, the ScholarShare Investment Board has worked diligently to establish strong partnerships with high schools, school districts, community-based organizations, and financial aid directors at community colleges and universities. Partners like Los Angeles County Office of Education play a vital role in spreading awareness and helping students access the funds available to them.

Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is quick and easy. Families simply need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a ten-digit number which can be obtained by contacting their school directly. Once they have the SSID, parents or students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim a scholarship account in just minutes.

The funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, and career programs across the country. Once enrolled in a higher education program, students can log into their CalKIDS Account to request a distribution directly to their school to cover qualifying educational expenses. 

“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director. “CalKIDS Accounts are more than financial assistance—they’re an investment in students’ futures, and we want to give every one of these students a reason to believe in their path to higher education.”

With roughly 7 out of 10 of Los Angeles County public school students eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship and key college decisions and financial aid deadlines approaching, now is the time for students and families to check their eligibility and claim their scholarship account.  

For more information on eligibility, scholarship amounts, and how to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, visit CalKIDS.org.

Credit: CalKIDS.