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"Lil" and Norma Arnerich

Sharing life for 60 years, Anthony “Lil” and Norma Arnerich also share honors as this years Grand Marshals.

A couple since their freshman year, Lil (short for ‘little’ being the youngest of his brothers) and Norma have given much to Alameda, supervising recreation, serving on the city council, various governmental boards as well as promoting numerous measures that have preserved Alameda’s charm, green spaces and family-friendly culture.

The very physical essence of Alameda was affected by the Arnerich’s, who were instrumental in promoting both Measure A, which kept high-rises off the island, and Measure C which let voters determine if parks and other public properties could be sold. Even Park Street’s Paul’s Newsstand was preserved thanks to the efforts of the Arnerich’s.

Special to our Fourth of July celebration is the Arnerich’s own patriotism, reflected by their flying the flag outside their home every day for over 50 years, an effort for which they were recognized by the Daughters of the American revolution.

Youth sports have always be center to the Arnerich’s efforts. Lil, a former pro baseball player, says “I’d rather a kid with a bat breaks a window than breaks the law.” The Arnerich’s have been involved in the Special Olympics, Little League, Babe Ruth ball, Connie Mack Baseball, the Boy Scouts, Boy's Club, Alameda Swim Teams and the National Hoop-Shoot Contest.

“Life gives us all a banquet, but not everybody eats,” is one of Lil’s favorite sayings. “That is why we get involved. Some say ‘Why doesn’t the city do something’ but do not get involved. We do.”

When aspiring journalist Acen Datuin became the editor in chief of Alameda Science and Technology Institute’s newspaper, The Talon, he wanted to make a difference.

“I felt our newsletter was taken for granted, often times being left on tables or sitting in recycling bins.” Instead of giving up on the newspaper, he assumed a leadership role and led the effort to convert from print to an electronic format and build a new website. Being a leader has fueled many passions for Acen, who strives to make his parents proud by volunteering whenever he can, creating new opportunities for himself and others at ASTI.

Alongside his work as Editor in Chief for the Talon, he also serves as the Senior Editor for ASTI’s yearbook as well as the President/Founder of the Pilipino Student Association, a club aimed towards helping students with Filipino backgrounds strive academically and to learn more about their history and culture. He also serves on the AUSD Board as a representative from ASTI.

Acen’s service to the community goes well beyond his activities at ASTI.   Not only is he the Co-President of Interact at ASTI, he also works at the District Level as Area One Director for Interact District 5170 where he oversees all Interact Clubs in Alameda, Oakland, and Emeryville. He is President of Alameda Rotary’s Interact Clubs, which include the College of Alameda, Asti, and Encinal high schools.

(Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people age 14-18. Their Clubs can either be school or community based and are required to carry out at least two service projects annually; one which serves their school or community and another that furthers international understanding.)

Acen’s enthusiasm and leadership by example has inspired other youth to be involved in Interact, and he recently successfully recruited seven youths to attend this year’s Camp Ryla (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) scholarship program. This scholarship program benefits students of all backgrounds that have demonstrated leadership potential and will benefit from an opportunity to attend a leadership camp.

Well’s Fargo Stagecoach

Historical