2018 Grand Marshal and Junior Grand  Marshal

2018 Grand Marshal - Esther Kenyan

2017 Grand Marshals - Greg & Gina Phillips
 
       The Seal Beach Lions Christmas Parade committee is pleased to present Greg and Gina Phillips as our Grand Marshals.  Scott Newton, the parade chairman, said, “This year, the Grand Marshals presented an obvious choice for our Parade. Lion Gina Phillips and her husband Greg, both of whom I serve with on the Seal Beach Police Foundation board are incredible givers from coordinating for four years the Foundation’s annual golf tournament, to bringing the Lions and Leos to ‘uptown’ as they refer to College Park East.  They are community bridge builders.” 
       Greg and Gina, are both humbled and proud to be selected this year as Grand Marshals.  Greg said, “our holiday wish for the community is just, share a big ‘thank you’ and wish all of our citizens, friends, visitors, and family the very best for the new year.”
       Whether or not it is through the Seal Beach Police Foundation, Run Seal Beach or the Chamber of Commerce, both Greg and Gina are seen at nearly every non-profit event.  Greg, as the vice president of operations for Phillips Steel, has coordinated sponsorships for many events annually. Greg, Gina and Phillips Steel were instrumental for the Centennial in 2015 for both the City of Seal Beach and Phillips Steel with both their hearts of service and generous sponsorship.
       Both have a deep history in Orange County and have grown up here with their children, Dominic and Emily.  Gina has served in many ways both on the board and as the Director of Operations for the Chamber of Commerce, along with being a Grand Juror in 2013-14.  She also had a 21-year career with a major telecommunications firm and then branched out to be a school bus driver for the Los Alamitos Unified School district.
       Regarding the meaning of being Grand Marshals, Gina said, “being selected Grand Marshals means people appreciate the efforts we put forth in the community, and we are so honored and grateful to be participating in our community spirit in this way.”
        Greg and Gina Phillips follow a long tradition of Grand Marshals including such notables in the Seal Beach and surrounding communities as: Dee Carey, Scott Newton, Jim Klisanin, Brian Kyle, Seth Eaker, Wink Davenport and Patty Laird, Steve Meier, Pastor Don Shoemaker and many more.
2018 Junior Grand Marshal - To Be Announced

2017 Junior Grand Marshal - Madison Berry     

       Our Junior Grand Marshal, Madison Berry, has had an incredible journey so far, which has led her from helping those in need here in our community to Austria and beyond.  She has affected thousands of lives, and her life journey has only just begun.
       Madison been homeschooled her entire life and is now a senior at Village Bible Academy (VBA) where she is currently serving her second term as president of the VBA Leo Club.  Madi has a heart of service and has worked in the local community as well as abroad involving her local Leo Club, Seal Beach Leos, and Leos from the District, under District Leo Advisor, Chardy Lang.
       Some of her volunteer service projects include working alongside California Lions Friends in Sight, helping with a homeless shelter for women and children, working with various projects for children and adult cancer patients, helping at activities for veterans, being a featured speaker on the TEDx stage, and supporting multiple other community projects. 
       Last year, Madison organized Orange County Leo Clubs to encourage more profound service with veterans and our military.   She is part of the district cabinet and has continued to grow both her club and also sister Leo clubs.
       Madison has been recognized for her many hours of service, almost 1500 in the last two years and several thousand her Leo career.  Madi is honored to be Junior Grand Marshal and said, “I just want to say thank you to my parents, family, Mrs. Lang and my fellow Leos and Lions for the opportunity to serve.  Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy New Year!”
       It is incredibly significant to have the International Leo of the Year here in Seal Beach.  It is the third time in just a few years that the award has gone to a member of a Leo associated with the Seal Beach Lions Club.  She was up against hundreds of nominees from around the world, and she triumphed based on the merits of her service.
       Lastly, Madi represented Seal Beach Lions in Austria this last summer for the Lion Youth Exchange. Whether she is leading her Leo Club in local service projects or volunteering abroad, Madi has the heart to serve others.  We are proud to have her as our Junior Grand Marshal 2017.