NCL honors the class of 2020 Ticktockers

FALLBROOK – National Charity League, San Luis Rey Chapter would like to honor and recognize the graduating class of 2020 Ticktockers for their dedication and service to the community in this first of three groups of the seniors' portraits.

Anna Draves is the daughter of Richard and Kathleen Draves. She attended Fallbrook High School for four years, where she served as captain of both the water polo and swim teams. She has been in NCL for the past six years and says her favorite philanthropy was playing Bingo at the retirement home.

Anna Draves will attend Palomar College and transfer to a four-year university in hopes of going to medical school. Through NCL, she has learned how to listen and appreciate others' opinions and to work with others. Some advice she has for younger Ticktockers is to "enjoy every minute with your group and to get to know everyone as best you can."

Rebekah Mary Kehl is the daughter of Patrick and Kristi Kehl. She is the youngest sibling to her brother Adam and her sister Katie. Rebekah Kehl has been in NCL since seventh grade. Her favorite NCL philanthropy was working at the Fallbrook Food Pantry because it gave her a chance to interact with the people she's helping.

During Kehl's four years at Fallbrook High, she was an active competitor on the school swim team for three years. She also participated in the agriculture program where she raised three steer, three goats and one pig. She earned her Golden State degree from California Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Kehl will be attending Palomar College. She would like to thank her family for their unconditional love and support. They lift her up and push her to be the best she can be, she said.

Keely Ann Powell is the daughter of Bob and Monica Powell and a sister to her younger brother, Eamon. Keely Powell is a graduate of Fallbrook High School where she excelled academically and as a volleyball player. Over the past six years, Powell devoted many hours to a variety of local organizations, but her favorite memories come from the time she spent with her mother, sitting and chatting while watering trees in downtown Fallbrook.

Powell will attend Mira Costa College in the fall, before transferring to a university to earn a bachelor's degree.

She said she loves spending time with her family and friends and always looks forward to the large or small gatherings, formal and impromptu that occur throughout the year.

"...(W)e can never go nowhere unless we share with each other; We gotta start making changes." – Tupac Shakur

Kristin Elizabeth Brown is the daughter of Matthew and Heather Brown and the younger sister to Natalie Brown, a class of 2018 Ticktocker. Kristin Brown will graduate from Mission Vista High School, having completed all four years of Project Lead The Way's biomedical courses and two years of varsity golf and cross-country.

After high school, Brown plans to earn a bachelor's degree in science and become a dermatologist. She has been in NCL for six years, with her favorite philanthropy being Stand Up for Kids.

One of Brown's favorite memories of NCL has been volunteering at the REINS Hoedown. Helping those in need make a positive impact on their community has broadened her understanding of how people can always come back together, she said. Brown would like to thank her family for all the love and support they've provided these past years.

Julia Dean Regotti is the daughter of Stacey and Alan Regotti. She will graduate from FHS. Julia Regotti has been a member of NCL for six years. Her favorite NCL philanthropy was face-painting for Rally for Children at Arts in the Park and baking cookies for the Fallbrook Senior Center. The takeaway from her experience in NCL is that of helping others and being kind.

Throughout her years at Fallbrook High, Regotti has been involved with the rugby, golf and swim teams. For the past two years, she has worked at Daniel's Market in Bonsall as a sales associate. Her future plans are to attend a four-year university in the fall to obtain a nursing degree.

"Thanks to my parents for opening my eyes to all the possibilities the world has to offer and to my sisters for always cheering me up and pushing my buttons," Regotti said.

"We are all different, but there is something kind of fantastic about that isn't there?" – George Clooney

Emily Sue Rotunda, daughter of Ted and Sherry Rotunda, is graduating from Cathedral Catholic High School and will attend the University of Dayton in Ohio. She will major in religious studies and minor in biology with hopes to go into the field of bioethics. Throughout her high school career, Emily Rotunda was captain of her fencing team and led the pro-life club, Dons for Life, on her high school campus.

She also enjoys singing in choirs and with her friends. Thanks to NCL, Emily loves volunteering at the Fallbrook Food Pantry, St. Peter's Soup Kitchen and baking for New Haven. However, what she loved most was doing it all alongside her mother, who gave her a love for serving her community.

While Rotunda said she will miss her family and friends, she is excited for the next chapter of her life and congratulates the class of 2020 on all they have accomplished on their journey thus far.

Submitted by National Charity League, San Luis Rey Chapter.