Beach Connection Magazine : Fall 2017 Spring 2017 | 页面 9

Volunteer Spotlight •
one, two, three...
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BEACH!
DOMINIC ESPEJO >
DANSEN LIPOCK >>
Since moving from the Philippines as a 19-year-old,
DOMINIC ESPEJO has come a long way. He graduated
from CSULB in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical
Engineering. With his degree, Dominic went on to work
as a Transportation Engineer for the state. Today,
Dominic’s youngest son is applying to university, with
his eyes on The Beach.
Outside of his day job, Dominic has turned his passion into
a second profession. As an owner of a small photography
business, Dominic has captured subjects ranging from
Space Shuttle Endeavour to the unique Salton Sea. His
biggest photography tip: “Slow down!”
Volunteerism plays an integral role in Dominic’s life. He
often lends his camera-savvy skills to the Alumni Associa-
tion recording everyone’s favorite event memories. He also
keeps in touch with his service fraternity and assists with
community events like the Long Beach Marathon.
With family in both engineering and the arts, Dominic
affirmed, “The two are in my blood.” Ultimately, he hopes
to retire early and devote his time to photography.
Graduating in 1990, DANSEN LIPOCK realized his Industrial
Management Engineering degree would not necessarily
lead him to his passion of working with children. In turn, he
decided to pursue a teaching credential and received it in
1992. Today, Dansen is a fourth grade teacher in the Long
Beach Unified School District.
It was not long after college that Dansen discovered a
hobby in photography. He would take pictures at weddings
and parties, and began compiling albums and offering
them as gifts. Dansen most enjoys personal photography,
finding it meaningful, and encourages others to “Take
photos! People want them.” That’s why, when volunteering
for the Alumni Association, family events like Move-in Day
are his favorite.
However, photography does not trump Dansen’s love for
teaching. He has often gone above and beyond, volunteer-
ing with School on Wheels and using his free time to
expand student enrichment with trips to the Discovery
Science Center. Dansen takes the most pride in watching
his students grow, and receiving high school and college
graduation invitations.
Humbly, he shares his guiding principle: “Always give back,
and do not expect anything in return.” And that is exactly
what he has done.
SPRING / SUMMER 2017
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