USC Trojan Affiliates, a philanthropic and social women’s group, of the University of Southern California invites alumni, parents, and friends to attend their upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Mijares Restaurant, 145 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena. The evening will feature local author Janet Webb speaking on her book, Hawaiian Walking.
Hawaiian Walking, is Janet Webb’s first published book. It portrays a young Hawaiian boy, devastated by the death of his beloved grandfather, who sets off walking alone. He experiences a flood of memories walking by areas where he shared time with his grandfather. He eventually discovers a sacred place which causes a spiritual healing. Hawaiian language is sprinkled throughout this beautifully illustrated book by the famed artist, Guy Buffet. Universal themes of love, family, loss and transformation surface with tension, humor, a driving question and a turning point when nothing is ever the same.
Janet was born and raised in San Marino, attending San Marino schools. She graduated from the University of Southern California where she met her husband John. Upon graduation, she worked for the YMCA in Los Angeles and Orange County as a mentor and role model to underprivileged youth. She moved to Delaware where she worked for the City of Newark in the Recreation Department creating a Safety Town program. She took on various leadership roles prior to returning to San Marino to raise her five children. In San Marino she was active in National Charity San Marino Area Chapter, various PTA’s, Little League Booster Clubs, San Marino Women’s Club, and other local community organizations. Janet is also a past President of Trojan Affiliates
Her ten grandchildren are enjoying, Camp Gaga, the camp she designed. You will have a hard a time finding where she is located as she and her husband are Global Experiencialists combing the world, as travel is their passion. To quote Janet “As you travel on each day remember to live with the Aloha Spirit. We all must seek our best life. ‘Omi ili.”
Edie Etmekjian, formerly of Glendale and now a resident of Huntington Beach and Ayuko Siegel of Glendale, serving in their first term as Trojan Affiliates co-presidents, encourage women in the community to attend the October meeting to become acquainted with the members of Trojan Affiliates. The members meet five times a year in the San Gabriel Valley and are educated by various USC professors and other well versed and interesting speakers. Members also donate their time to raise greatly needed funds for scholarships for worthy USC students. The organization awarded ten scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic school year. Volunteer opportunities have included selling USC products at Swim With Mike, San Marino Motor Classic, Town and Gown of USC, annual Holiday Boutique, and more, and volunteering at the Pasadena Showcase House and USC Day of Service. Of course, the members also participate in a variety of social and cultural events and interface in numerous capacities with the University.
The formal purpose of this alumnae organization is to foster a spirit of friendship, loyalty, and cooperation with the University of Southern California, to develop and sustain a successful fundraising project in order to provide scholarships for USC students and contribute to the advancement of education.
If you would be interested in being a speaker at an upcoming Trojan Affiliates meeting, please contact Speaker Co-Chairmen, Marlene Evans at mevans@coldwellbanker.com or Lindsay Lytle at linslytle@aol.com.
Janet will have her books for sale and signing at the event and proceeds from the book sales will benefit the Maui recovery efforts.
For further information regarding USC Trojan Affiliates and/or to make reservations for the program, at $40 per person for a Mijares Buffet Dinner, please contact Reservations Chairman, Sarah Sismondo by September 28th at sisarah@verizon.net.
