By Becky Maxedon

Members of the graduating class of the Lake Havasu Area Chamber Foundation For Education & Leadership program celebrated Thursday evening.

Leadership Lake Havasu is a leadership development program designated to identify resources and educate individuals to assume leadership roles in the community.

This year’s fundraising project was a “Unmask a Murderer” dinner theater production April 5. The event included dining, drinks and entertainment.

Leadership Lake Havasu 2025 graduation class and their co-chairs. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The class raised $12,000. Proceeds fund CFEL programs like Career Explorations, a paid internship program connecting high school students with real-world career opportunities in the community.

This year’s graduates include Fred Valafana, Sterilite Corporation; Kevin Levine, Lake Havasu City Police Department; Nina Mersing, Lake Havasu Unified School District; Michelle Beers, Havasu Regional Medical Center; Phoebe Cook, Telesis Preparatory Academy; Joshua Banuelos, Lake Havasu City Police Department; Breezy Smith, Lake Havasu Family Eyecare; Jasmine Garcia, Mohave Community College; Crystal Eppling, Lake Havasu Family Eyecare; Melissa Malerba, London Bridge Resort; Rey De Leon, Self Employed-CB Realty LHC; David Ripberger, Environmental Waste Solutions; Hipolito Catarino, Sterilite Corporation; Janina Robertson, Lake Havasu Chamber Board; Gordy Hall, Foothills Bank; Ally Blum, Lake Havasu City; Brandon Torres, Sam Nichols Electrical; Natalie Rodgers, Milemarkers; Stephanie Whittecar, Arizona VIP Plumbing; Kay Patel, LHC Rotary Club; Jonik Rizo, Shugrue’s Restaurant; Nina Hughes, Vertical IT Solutions/Whiz Kid Computers; Brett Telliard, Vertical IT Solutions; Kristal Blundell, Milemarkers; David Robbins, Today’s News-Herald; and Mandy Evans, Unisource Energy Services, Suzanne Clement, Havasu Regional Medical Center.

To learn more about the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership program, visit havasuchamber.com.

Here are some photos of the event.

2025 Leadership Lake Havasu graduating class poses for a photo Thursday evening. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Leadership Lake Havasu 2025 and the Board pose for a photo. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene