USS Angeles celebrates with gift exchange, awards
By Commodore Dave Mason
TORRANCE — The USS Angeles wrapped up our 2024 activities with a gift exchange that turned “Wicked” at the Winter Holidays Party at Founder Janice Willcocks’ home in Torrance.
We exchanged gifts, watched “Star Trek” episodes and applauded winners of our end-of-the-year awards.
The Dec. 7 gift exchange followed our tradition of members opening presents that others could steal twice. Lisa Sobien, Cassie Queen and I got into a round of thefts over “Wicked” gifts, but in the end, the Queen and Sobien-Mason households both took home board games related to the movie/musical franchise. We didn’t even have to defy gravity to do it!
And Lisa ended up with a gift that made her smile: a “Star Trek”-themed tote bag.
Gloria Rodriguez likewise was pleased with her present: “Star Trek” sweatpants.
Christopher Mulrooney proudly held the gift he opened: an action figure of “Big Bang Theory” character Sheldon Cooper. He also served as the proxy getting a present for fellow USS Angeles member Karen Hoagland.
Our host, Janice, who has owned many Tribbles throughout her “Star Trek”-fandom career, received another one at the party. Tribbles really are the gift that keeps giving!
Besides the gift exchange, our party featured our annual awards, which I presented to members. Gloria did a great job designing the certificates.
The Great Bird of the Galaxy Award went to Jeremy Kranz for his work as first officer, promoting “Star Trek,” planning and leading away missions, and picking up Jennifer Cole’s membership duties. Jeremy also stood out for his participation in AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
The Admiral Next Jenn Legacy Award, named after Jennifer Cole, was awarded to Kristine Cherry and Dennis Cherry for their longtime work coordinating the blood drive at Loscon in Los Angeles. Kristine and Dennis weren’t at the party, but will receive their certificate soon.
The Lwaxana Troi Family Participation Award went to Joe Queen, Lili Queen and Cassie Queen, who have participated in Angeles activities together. They also stood out for their participation in AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
The Jake Sisko Communications Award went to Janice Sobien and Lisa Sobien for their work editing Angels Flight and to Christopher Mulrooney for his work on the Angeles and Region 4 websites. The award was presented to Janice later in December at her and Andy Sobien’s home in Anaheim.
In addition to the awards announced at the party, the USS Angeles will present Order of Neelix awards at a future meeting for Janice Willcocks, Candy Ogasawara, Paul Szymborski, Jenny Taylor, Jeremy Kranz, Lisa Sobien and me for hosting parties in 2024.
Promotions were also announced at the party. Kristine and Dennis Cherry, Paul Szymborski, Jenny Taylor and Kat Campbell were promoted to lieutenant junior grade. Janice Sobien became an ensign. Cassie Queen, Lili Queen and Joe Queen were promoted to petty officer.
Those attending the party included Marianne and Roberto Quintero, who were among the members enjoying food and camaraderie.
More photos from the party will appear in the March edition of Angels Flight, our award-winning newsletter that goes to our members. To become a member, click on ussangeles.org/join-us.
Lisa Sobien shows the special “Star Trek” bag she got during the USS Angeles gift exchange on Dec. 7 in Torrance. Watching at right are Joe and Cassie Queen. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
From left, Joe, Cassie and Lili Queen get into the spirit at the USS Angeles Winter Holidays Party. Cassie is holding the “Wicked” board game she acquired during the gift exchange. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
As Dave Mason watches, Cassie Queen steals the “Wicked” Monopoly game from Dave Mason during the USS Angeles Winter Holidays Party, during which it was just as blessed to steal as to give. (Photo by Lisa Sobien/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
Party host Janice Willcocks shows the Tribble present she won during the gift exchange. (Photo by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
