Meet the 2022 Seniors of Distinction
Orange County is home to some of the most dynamic communities in America - and our senior community is no exception. To celebrate National Senior Citizens Day on August 21, 2022, I asked you to nominate senior citizens in the 48th Congressional District who have made a distinctive impact in their communities and the lives of their loved ones. I'm pleased to present the following fourteen exceptional individuals with the 2022 Seniors of Distinction Award.
Do Young Kim
Do Young Kim is the current President of Orange County Korean-US Citizens League. This organization has helped 50,000 Korean immigrants become US citizens through education, seminars, and publications.
Tae Soo Kim
Born in Korea, Mr. Kim immigrated to the U.S. in 1973 and worked as an insurance agent for almost 40 years. He founded the Korean American Chamber of Commerce as President in 1979, and the Korean Festival of Orange County - also as president - in 1981. He was President of Korean Town Police Boosters Association of Garden Grove in 1987, and President of Korean American Federation of Orange County in 1992.
John Kim
John Kim is the former President of Korean American Federation of Orange County. Mr. Kim’s dedication to service led to the opening of Orange County Korean Community Center in March 2019, which he Korean American community had hoped to see for over 40 years.
Virginia Moore
“Ginny” Moore is 86 years old and has been actively volunteering for over 50 years. Beginning with the PTA, scouts and school committees, Bicentennial Commission, Garden Grove Lions Club (40 years) Lamplighter Guild, CHOC (39 years), spearheading service activities and holding every office including president. She is an active member of the Garden Grove Assistance League and Women’s Civic Club. She received the Cypress College Americana Award in 2020.
James L. Van Schaack, Jr
Jim Van Schaack joined the U.S. Army in 1946 at the age of 18. He served as a Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Cavalry Regiment in Tokyo during the occupation of Japan at the end of WWII. He served under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during the U.S. Army's Occupation of Japan and assisted in rebuilding the country. For his service, he received the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal - Japan. Jim and his wife Joyce have been involved in community, political, and civic affairs since their marriage in 1949. Jim became an architect and interior designer, and continues to be a beloved member of the community.
Kathy Buchoz
Kathy is currently the manager and leasing agent for Bridgecreek Realty. For thirty years, she has helped to develop businesses, primarily in the Little Saigon area of Westminster. Kathy has been a member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce since 1976 and served two terms as Mayor. Kathy is also involved in numerous non-profit organizations.
Huan Dac Ho
Huan was a coach for the Marines, Paratroopers, and Navy of the Republic of Vietnam from January 1962 to April 1975. He immigrated to the United States in 1991 and became a professional writer. He is the author of books on the Vietnam War, including his worldwide best seller The History of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam.
Vincente Agor, Sr.
Vincente became a citizen on June 21, 1968, in between two tours of Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. WWII shaped his childhood in the Philippines. When he was 11, he dressed in his sister’s clothes to escape Japanese soldiers. The Americans inspired him. He and his wife, Jeanne, raised their family – two girls and a boy – in the same Westminster home they’ve lived in for 37 years. He retired as a chief warrant officer after 30 years in the Coast Guard. His volunteerism is expansive: election poll worker, Meals on Wheels, member of his city’s Commission on Aging and the statewide Senior Citizen Advisory Council, usher at his church, member of veteran’s organizations who pays regular visits to the VA hospital in Long Beach.
Klaus Gruenbeck
92 years young, and a Costa Mesa resident since 1962. He has been an example and member of Scouting in the community since 1969. In the 70s, 80s, and 90s he was Pack Master of Cub Scouts and then an Assistant Scout master as his own sons and grandsons went through Scouting. Over the last 5 decades. He has had an impact and been a role model of service work for at least 300+ Costa Mesa youth who have grown into responsible Costa Mesa Community members.
Thien Hoang
Thien has been leading breathing exercises for over 300 seniors at Mile Square Park for over 7 years now. During the pandemic lockdowns, when people easily got depressed, he continued doing this with a small group at the beach in Huntington Beach. Right now, his schedule is 7:30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at the park in Huntington Beach, and 10:30am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Mile Square Park. Each session is an hour and half. His students say his classes make them healthier, more optimistic, and sleep better at night.
Martie Etheridge
With 50 years in full-time real estate in Orange County, Martie is regarded by other agents and her clients regard her as a woman of integrity and action, with a top-notch team. She is always there to help on any local project and give back to her community. She has been married for 60 years to Johnny Etheridge and raised 2 gifted & giving children: Margaret & John who together gifted Martie and Johnny with four wonderful grandchildren.
Vonnie Shulten
Vonnie is the longest serving Volunteer in Policing (VIP) for the Seal Beach Police Department. In 1995 Vonnie heard that Seal Beach needed volunteers to staff a police substation next to the pier. While still working as a nurse in the ER, Vonnie applied for this new program. She is the last volunteer still serving from the original class in 1996 and has volunteered over 9,000 hours. Vonnie and her husband Warren were married in 1964 and have four children.
Theresa VinciguerRa
Theresa Vinciguerra has been a licensed realtor since 1995. She has served the City of Aliso Viejo for over 15 years as a member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Vinciguerra has also served on the Board of the Sons of Italy Foundation for the past three years. Theresa is a foster mom for Westie Rescue of Orange County and Beyond. She enjoys cooking, traveling to Italy, hanging out with her Westie, and serving Aliso Viejo residents in the ways she can.
Rush Hill
Rush is a second-generation Orange County resident having attended Tustin High School and Orange Coast College before earning bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He served in Governor Reagan’s office before returning to Orange County in 1975. In 1997, Rush was named “Newport Beach Citizen of the Year” for his contributions to service in the city. Rush served on the Newport Beach City Council and as Mayor from 2013-2014.