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Advisor Award gets new name

The Cal-Nev-Ha Circle K Faculty Advisor of the Year Award is named Rich Thigpen Faculty Advisor of the Year Award after a petition written and endorsed by UCLA Circle K alumni. Thank you to CNH Circle K 2020-2021 District Board and District Administrator Armando Velazquez.

On March 21, 2021 at District Convention, the inaugural recipient of the Rich Thigpen Faculty Advisor of the Year Award is Ana Chavez from UC Berkeley. 

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Naming CNH CKI Faculty Advisor of the Year Award for Rich Thigpen

July 19, 2020

To the California-Nevada-Hawai’i Circle K District Board:

We are writing to you as alumni of UCLA Circle K wishing to honor the legacy and service of Rich Thigpen. In remembrance of his life-long dedication to Circle K, we are petitioning the District Board to consider naming the CNH CKI Faculty Advisor of the Year Award after Rich Thigpen.

As we grieve and process his sudden passing, we reflect on our experiences and relationships with Rich who was our friend, colleague, and mentor. In 2006, Rich became the faculty advisor of UCLA Circle K where he played a pivotal role in guiding the organization for over a decade towards tremendous growth and national recognition. As faculty advisor, Rich provided invaluable guidance and insight from his own experiences as a leader in Circle K while also giving members the space to learn, grow, and lead.

Rich was dedicated to Circle K and completely committed to its members and community. Over the years, he made it a priority to genuinely invest in every individual member’s personal and professional growth. Whether it was opening his home countless times for team-building retreats or his weekly one-on-one lunches with budding leaders, Rich gave so much of his time, energy, and soul to Circle K. He knew the value of community and continued to tirelessly keep all of us connected through coordinating annual events, hosting alumni reunions, donating to many of our projects and causes, and personally checking in on us despite his involvement with a long list of other volunteer groups, community organizations, and charities.

Rich was a remarkable person and faculty advisor who selflessly gave to others. Above all, he taught us the importance of service, fellowship, and leadership. It is because of his significant impact on us that we continue to serve our communities in different capacities including as educators, activists, community organizers, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, and nonprofit leaders. Rich embodied the spirit of Circle K and represented every tenant to the fullest. We cannot think of a more deserving person for this recognition.

Naming the CNH CKI Faculty Advisor of the Year Award after Rich Thigpen will serve to honor and commemorate his extraordinary mentorship and unwavering dedication to the Circle K community. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Nguyet Tong, UCLA Circle K Faculty Advisor 2018-present, UCLA Circle K Service Chair 2010-2011, Class of 2011

Tina Bui, UCLA Circle K President 2020-2021, Class of 2022

Donia Abdelhameed, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2016-2017, Class of 2018

Gina Apinyavat, UCLA Circle K Large-Scale Service Chair 2018-2019, Class of 2019

Sonya Apinyavat, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2014-2015, Class of 2016

Prescilla Almaraz Arellano, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2013-2014, Class of 2015

Winnie Banh, Class of 2013

Nathan Bautista, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2015-2016, Class of 2016

Linzy Bingcang, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2011-2012, Class of 2012

Samantha Carino, UCLA Circle K Member Experience & Retention Chair 2014-2015, Class of 2015

Sirivalli Chamarti, UCLA Circle K Service Vice President 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Grace Ann Cecilio, UCLA Circle K President 2010-2011, Class of 2011

Erica A. Chen, Class of 2017

Samantha Chen, UCLA Circle K Fellowship Chair 2015-2016, Class of 2016

Diana Cheng, UCLA Circle K Service Vice President 2009-2010, Class of 2012

Grace Chi, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2005-2006, CNH District Foothill Division Regional Advisor 2014-present, Class of 2007

Jong Choi, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2015-2016, Class of 2017

Lisa Chong, UCLA Circle K President 2015-2016, Class of 2017

Helen Cuadra (Cheng), UCLA Circle K Public Relations Chair 2004-2005, CNH District Publications Editor 2005-2006, CNH District Treasurer 2006-2007, Class of 2008

Emily Dang, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Chair 2013-2014, Class of 2016

Helen Dang, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2014-2015, Class of 2015

Michelle Don, UCLA Circle K Pillow Fight Chair 2014-2015, Class of 2017

Justin Duong, UCLA Circle K Membership Development & Education Chair 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Justin Endo, Class of 2010

Jeremy Figueroa, UCLA Circle K President 2018-2019, Class of 2019

Derek Foster, UCLA Circle K Spirit Chair 2013-2014, Class of 2016

Jay Gong, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2013-2014, Class of 2014 

Patricia Guzman, UCLA Circle K Service Chair 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Benson Ho, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2014-2015, Class of 2016

Tami Bi Holloway, UCLA Circle K Fundraising Chair 2010-2011, Class of 2012

Carrie Huang, UCLA Circle K Media Relations Chair 2016-2017, Class of 2019

Patrick Huie, Class of 2012

Denise Huynh, Class of 2014

Sidney Iriana, Class of 2013

 Brian Kan, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Jamie Kao, UCLA Circle K Small-Scale Service Chair 2017-2018, Class of 2018

Micki Keh, UCLA Circle K Membership Development & Education Chair 2008-2009, Class of 2009

Carol Ko, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Philip Kwan, Class of 2016

Jennifer Lai, UCLA Circle K Publicity Chair 2011-2012, CNH District Publications Editor 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Ricky Lam, Class of 2015

Sirena Lao, UCLA Circle K Social Chair 2009-2010, Class of 2012

Sally Law, Class of 2014

Duy-An Le, Class of 2014

Thai V. Le, UCLA Circle K President 2008-2009, Class of 2010

Alex Levine, UCLA Circle K Member Experience & Retention Chair 2017-2018, Class of 2018

Li Li, Class of 2010

Juelline Lieng, UCLA Circle K Service Vice President 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Sharlene Lim, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2017-2018, Class of 2019 

David Limjoco, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2011-2012, CNH District Secretary 2012-2013, International Trustee 2013-2014, Class of 2014

Alice Lin, UCLA Circle K Publications Chair 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Jeffrey Lin, UCLA Circle K President 2019-2020, Class of 2020

Matthew Lin, UCLA Circle K Technology Chair 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Catherine Liou, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2013-2014, Class of 2014

Annie Liu, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2017-2018, Class of 2018

Genni Low, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Estrella Lozano, UCLA Circle K Membership Development & Education Chair 2012-2013, Class of 2015

Jennifer Luong, Class of 2011

Leonna Luc, UCLA Circle K President 2013-2014, Class of 2015

Calvin Ly, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2017-2018, CNH District Fall Training Conference Workshops Chair 2018-2019, Class of 2019

Elizabeth Ly, UCLA Circle K Social Chair 2011-2012, Class of 2012

Stacey Ma, UCLA Circle K Spirit Chair 2010-2011, Class of 2013

Josef Madrigal, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Youth Chair 2014-2015, CNH District Metro Division Lieutenant Governor 2015-2016, CNH District Kiwanis Family & Found Chair 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Randy Mai, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Chair 2009-2010, Class of 2012

Matthew G. Marquez, UCLA Circle K Service Vice President 2008-2009, Class of 2011

Shreya Narain, Class of 2019

Andy Ng, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2008-2009, CNH District Convention Chair 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Benjamin H. Nguyen, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2011-2012, Class of 2014

Kevin Lu Nguyen, UCLA Circle K Special Events Logistics Chair 2017-2018, Class of 2020

Suraj Patel, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Chair 2012-2013, Class of 2013

Carolina Perez, Class of 2015

Alexander Pham, UCLA Circle K President 2012-2013, CNH District Membership Development & Education Chair 2013-2014, Class of 2014

Jessica Pham, UCLA Circle K Service Vice President 2014-2015, Class of 2016

Katherine Pham, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2016-2017, Class of 2018

Edgar Ramos, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2016-2017, Class of 2019

Jaymie Lynn Santiago, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2007-2008, CNH District Metro Division Lieutenant Governor 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Diane Santos, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2012-2013, Class of 2013 

Dave Schei, UCLA Circle K President 2004-2005, Class of 2006

Molyka Seang, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2017-2018, Class of 2018

William Shiraga, Class of 2015

Billy Shollenberger, UCLA Circle K Membership Development & Education Chair 2013-2014, Class of 2014

Jenny Chiang Simpson, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Chair 2008-2009, Class of 2009

Jamie Sison, UCLA Circle K Member Experience & Retention Chair 2015-2016, Class of 2017

Rouel Joseph Soberano, UCLA Circle K Technology Chair 2009-2010, CNH District Technology Chair 2010-2011, Class of 2012

Harsh Srivastav, Class of 2019

Nick Stringfellow, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Networking Chair 2015-2016, Class of 2018

Garvey Su, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2012-2013, CNH District Treasurer 2013-2014, Class of 2014

Calvin Thanh, UCLA Circle K Technology Chair 2008-2009, Class of 2010

Andrew Q. Tran, UCLA Circle K Service Chair 2006-2007, Class of 2007

Jamie Tran, UCLA Circle K Service Chair 2011-2012, Class of 2013

Lindon Tran, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Youth Chair 2015-2016, CNH District Fall Training Conference Chair 2017-2018, Class of 2018

Thien Tran, UCLA Circle K Kiwanis Family Chair 2014-2015, Class of 2016

Vincent Tran, UCLA Circle K Family Head 2013-2014, Class of 2015

Ericsson Trieu, UCLA Circle K Publications Editor 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Albert Truong, UCLA Circle K President 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Rich Ung, UCLA Circle K Technology Chair 2011-2012, Class of 2013

Khoa Vinh, UCLA Circle K President 2017-2018, CNH District Fall Training Conference Workshops Chair 2018-2019, Class of 2019

Jacob Virtusio, UCLA Circle K Campus Outreach Chair 2014-2015, Class of 2017

Vincent Vu, Class of 2014

Bryan Wei, UCLA Circle K Social Chair 2009-2010, Class of 2011

Xin Wei, UCLA Circle K Technology Chair 2010-2011, CNH District Technology Chair 2011-2012, Class of 2013

Alice Wong, UCLA Circle K Fundraising Chair 2013-2014, Class of 2016

Brian Wong, UCLA Circle K Treasurer 2009-2010, Class of 2011

Michele Wong, UCLA Circle K Member Experience & Retention Chair 2016-2017, Class of 2017

Benjamin Wu, UCLA Circle K President 2014-2015, Class of 2015 

Neda Xaymountry, UCLA Circle K Secretary 2007-2008, Class of 2009

Michael Yebisu, UCLA Circle K Service Chair 2012-2013, Class of 2014 

Jonathan Yee, UCLA Circle K President 2009-2010, Class of 2010

Neil Yonzon, UCLA Circle K President 2011-2012, Class of 2013

Jessie Zhang, UCLA Circle K Administrative Vice President 2008-2009, Class of 2010

Michael Zuniga, Class of 2013