Story by Emma Kitchell, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Cypress College Foundation
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Cypress will hold its 50th Americana Awards Gala at the Westin Anaheim Resort. The event honors those who support our school and make an impact in their respective communities. The evening is celebrated with dinner, live performances, and a silent auction; all proceeds go towards the Cypress College Foundation. Without these awards, the foundation would not receive enough financial support to assist students.
Howard Kummerman is the executive director of the Cypress College Foundation who oversees and coordinates the program.
“The sole mission of the foundation is to support Cypress College students [by providing scholarships and emergency assistance],” Kummerman said. “[I’m] always excited for the Americana Awards because it brings the community together.” According to Kummerman, he’s looking forward to seeing all the honorees and the 660+ donors who come to support.
As the Americana Awards mark their 50th year, it is important to recognize the event’s significance to our school and city. The awards provide an opportunity for sponsors and organizations to donate or purchase items in the silent auction. All the funds raised support the Cypress College Foundation, providing student scholarships, book loans, emergency assistance, and faculty grants. This foundation awards a total of $500,000 in scholarships annually for their students.
The Americana Awards recognize Person of the Year, while city committees nominate their Citizen of the Year. This year, A.C. Green, an NBA all-star, will be honored as Person of the Year. Green is a superstar on and off the court. Not only is he a three-time champion with the Lakers, but he also founded a youth foundation for kids to build confidence and give them positive role models through basketball. Rob Johnson has been named Citizen of the Year for the city of Cypress. Johnson served as Mayor of Cypress in 2015 and 2020. During his time as mayor, Johnson was dedicated to supporting public safety and the Cypress Police Department.
Marion “Stoney” Stoneking, community services director at the time of the first event, helped put together the first Americana Awards. At the end of the first awards, he recited the lyrics to “The House I Live in (That’s America to Me)” by Frank Sinatra, and it became a yearly tradition. The song’s final line-“But especially the people/That’s America to me”- serves as a great reminder of what Cypress College and the Cypress College Foundation represent.
The people of Cypress College create a close community, and the Americana Awards are a way to remember that community and its importance to the people within it.
