Enthused Association Members Enjoy In-Person 2022 Celebration / By Jim Bell A n enthusiastic crowd of perhaps as many as 250 people showed up at the Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim April 30 for the first inperson SCVMA Annual Celebration in nearly two and a half years. Some participants wore masks into the hotel, reminding of the Covid-19 pandemic that had caused cancellation or postponement of the last three Annual Celebrations. But there was an ambiance of cheer and camaraderie among the crowd that gathered outside the dining hall for drinks and greetings before the program began. " It's really nice to be back together again, " said Dr. Raymond de Villa, who served as 2021 SCVMA president during one of the pandemic's worst years. " I really love it. I've missed the conversations and seeing familiar faces and catching up with each other. I wish that this will be the start of getting our association all back together. " Leslie Boudreau, practice manager and administrator at the Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, said that " it's great to be back. Hopefully we're at the tail end of the pandemic. " She said that she was doing some reconnecting with friends she hasn't seen in a while but was enjoying being with " a nice group of people that she sees at other events. We had to celebrate the last 2021 Celebration Award Winners Melissa Tompkins & Dr. Hawkins with VTM winner Elaine Myers Drs. Weinstein & Hawkins present the Phil Steinhauer Award to Michelle Schweizer Hawkins with Ginny Grant winner George Toland & presenter Vivien Flockhart PULSE JUNE 2022 9