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Bike safety takes center stage

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A playground at Gustine Elementary/Gustine Intermediate School last week became a mock city in which students could pedal their way around while learning safety and the rules of the road. The event was sponsored by the Gustine Police Department

A playground at Gustine Elementary/Gustine Intermediate School last week became a mock city in which students could pedal their way around while learning safety and the rules of the road. The event was sponsored by the Gustine Police Department

GUSTINE – Bicycle safety took center stage at Gustine Elementary/Gustine Intermediate School last Wednesday, where more than 200 students took part in a bike rodeo sponsored by Gustine Police.

The rodeo was the latest in a series of outreach efforts involving the school.

Officers have presented monthly safety presentations touching on a number of topics through the school year.

Officers set up a miniature “city” on the paved playground area, creating a number of “streets” through which youngsters could ride as they learned safety skills and the rules of the road.

“We instructed the bicyclists in the real world skills they need to ride within the city,” explained Police Chief Doug Dunford, emphasizing the importance of parents following through with further practice and instruction.

During the rodeo, officers checked each bicycle, presented a safety briefing and taught students how to use arm signals to make turns. Students were also educated about the importance of riding on the proper side of the road and observing stop signs.

“It was a wonderful event. A lot of police officers came on their own time to help the kids,” explained GES Principal Karen Azevedo. “The kids really enjoyed it, and I think it will probably be double in size next year.”

Students had to have parental permission and provide their own bicycle and helmet to participate, she noted.

“This is what GPD has done all year,” Azevedo said of the outreach effort. “Officer (Telan) Hosaka has come all year long to do presentations on safety issues. The side benefit of all this has been the relationship that he and School Resource Officer Ricky Stice have built with our students. They are rock stars here on campus.”

Drawings for new bicycles were also held – which only added to the excitement of the event. Dunford said the generosity of Gustine Lions Club, OLM Knights of Columbus and Principal Azevedo made the bike giveaway possible. One bicycle was awarded at each grade level.

Dunford said the various activities throughout the year were intended not only to provide safety information but to promote partnerships and have a lasting impact on students.

“Ending this first year’s outreach program with the bicycle rodeo made it complete. We are already looking forward to our second year, which will include the students of OLM,” Dunford concluded.


Feature photo: Bike to Work Day

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As part of a campaign to raise awareness of alternative methods of transportation, local employees in Newman were encouraged to walk or cycle to work on May 16 for Bike to Work Day. Alicia Greco, Sarah Mendonca, Alicia Torres and Cathy Woodruff were among the 70 people who took part in the event, which was organized by the City of Newman with the support of numerous sponsors.

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of alternative methods of transportation, local employees in Newman were encouraged to walk or cycle to work on May 16 for Bike to Work Day. Alicia Greco, Sarah Mendonca, Alicia Torres and Cathy Woodruff were among the 70 people who took part in the event, which was organized by the City of Newman with the support of numerous sponsors.

Memorial Day program held at Hills Ferry Cemetery

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NEWMAN – West Side veterans and community members gathered Monday morning in solemn remembrance of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, to honor all departed veterans and pay tribute to those who go in harm’s way today.

They assembled at Hills Ferry Cemetery just as they have each spring for the past 92 years to observe Memorial Day – first known as Decoration Day – and to remember that too many have paid the ultimate price for the freedom a nation enjoys today.

When the first Hills Ferry observance was held, 16 graves were decorated with flags and crosses.

Today, those gathered were told, the cemetery is the final resting place to 751 veterans, 12 Gold Star mothers and 50 auxiliary members.

With about 100 people looking on, several speakers stepped to the podium to pay tribute to those fallen heroes and to encourage that the meaning of the day – and the continuing sacrifices of the men and women of today’s armed forces – not be forgotten.

“Unfortunately, many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of this day,” remarked Newman City Council member Bob Martina, pointing out that – in contrast to the era when returning soldiers were showered with appreciation and respect – many seem to have become indifferent to their service and sacrifice.

Yet, he reflected, those who laid down their lives “represent the character of our country. They have fought in countries and battles some of us find difficult to pronounce, but always keeping our country free.”

Gustine City Council member Joe Oliveira agreed that for too many, Memorial Day has become a holiday weekend more synonymous with backyard barbecues than honoring fallen comrades.

The day, he emphasized, is set aside to honor veterans and give them the respect they deserve.

“There is a real meaning to Memorial Day, and we should always remember that,” Oliveira stated.

Speaker Kent Madenwald, commander of the local VFW post, said the legacy left by those brave soldiers is the freedom that a nation enjoys today.

The men and women of today’s military are once again going in harm’s way as they wage the war on terrorism, Madenwald pointed out, just as others before them have defended a nation’s freedoms.

The Monday morning program featured a special presentation from a veteran who served in Iraq.

Reservist Cory Williams of Gustine presented the veterans a flag which he had arranged to have flown over the former palace of Saddam Hussein. He explained that he had asked local veterans for a flag while home in 2010 and, when traveling to Iraq on leave, had it flown over the palace.

The program also included a presentation of memorial wreaths, musical selections by Elzira Ferreira and a poem by Judy Quinn.

The observance was held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joseph G. Rose Post 7635; American Legion, Manuel M. Lopes Post 240; and their respective auxiliary units.

San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery

On Sunday, dignitaries from throughout the Central Valley gathered for the annual Memorial Day program at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Santa Nella.

The theme of this year’s program honored the service of Native Americans.

Among the local participants were vocalists Sharon Bettencourt and Tim Weimer.

Newman resident Marlynn Gonzales, whose son T.J. lost his life while serving in Iraq, was one of three Gold Star mothers taking part in a wreath presentation ceremony.

OHS names valedictorian, salutatorians

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Orestimba High will hold its commencement ceremonies tonight (Thursday) in Warrior Stadium. At the head of the graduating class are, from left, co-salutatorian Sarah Chang, valedictorian Laura Swalley, co-salutatorian Alyssa Briones and co-salutatorian Allison Garcia.

Orestimba High will hold its commencement ceremonies tonight (Thursday) in Warrior Stadium. At the head of the graduating class are, from left, co-salutatorian Sarah Chang, valedictorian Laura Swalley, co-salutatorian Alyssa Briones and co-salutatorian Allison Garcia.

NEWMAN – Four young women stand at the head of the Orestimba Class of 2013, ready to pursue lofty goals after leaving the local high school where each found a niche of their own and an abundance of academic support.

Laura Swalley is the valedictorian of the graduating class.

Three fellow seniors, Alyssa Briones, Sara Chang and Allison Garcia, are co-salutatorians.

Each will speak at graduation tonight (Thursday) in Warrior Stadium.

Each of the top students envisions very different career goals – but each also credits Orestimba High with providing a solid foundation on which they can build their future.

While small in size, the school has offered enough diversity that each of the four followed different interests.

For Swalley, the valedictorian, a passion for art flourished at Orestimba.

She plans to attend San Jose State University, where she will study animation and illustration.

“I love art,” Swalley explains. “I want to be able to work on something like that and use my skills for it.”

Swalley, the daughter of Michelle Swalley and the late Michael Swalley, has been a Newman-Crows Landing student since moving from San Jose after her fifth-grade year.

She credits the support of her mother and her art teachers for her academic success and college plans.

At Orestimba, Swalley said, her teachers “pushed me toward working harder and getting prepared for college.”

In addition to art, Swalley has been involved in FFA and tennis at Orestimba.

The co-salutatorians found their own passions at Orestimba, and have each mapped out their own college and career plans.

Garcia, who has attended local schools since kindergarten, immersed herself in the community service opportunities at Orestimba.

She is president of the school’s Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored club which promotes community service among young adults.

The opportunities she has had to take part in service projects and work with others helped shape her career goal of becoming an international lawyer, Garcia said, perhaps specializing in international relations while assigned to an embassy.

Garcia plans on continuing her studies at UC Berkeley.

In addition to Interact, Garcia has been active in student council, the National Art Honors Society, FFA and the Hispanic Youth Leadership Council.

She is the daughter of Judith and Humberto Garcia.

Chang has attended Newman-Crows Landing schools since third grade. Her family moved from Yuba City.

Chang credits her FFA involvement with helping her establish career goals.

She plans to attend UC Davis, and hopes to eventually become a veterinarian.

“The ag teachers this year have really inspired me. I found my passion for agriculture, and I really love working with animals,” Chang related. “FFA was like a second family to me. The addition of the new ag teachers changed my life in nine short months.”

In addition to FFA, Chang has been involved in Interact, student council, journalism and PHAST at Orestimba.
Her parents are Christi and Harry Chang.

Briones has also attended local schools from the start.

She will continue her studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and plans to eventually become an environmental engineer.

“I really like math and chemistry. I knew I wanted to do something in engineering,” Briones explained.

FFA was an important element of her high school experience, and she was also an avid soccer and volleyball player. Briones was also involved in student council, Interact and journalism.

She is the daughter of Jose and Rosaura Briones.

Living in Turlock, Briones noted, she could have opted to attend high school closer to home but chose to continue at Orestimba – in large part because of the benefits of a smaller school.

“I knew that I would get a lot of one-on-one time with teachers (at Orestimba),” she explained. “I knew that it was a great system here, which is one of the reasons I picked Newman over Turlock.”

Swalley, Garcia and Chang echoed the benefits of attending a smaller high school.

“I think it gave me a sense of security,” Garcia commented. “Everybody is so close here.”

Orestimba offered its own sense of community, Chang noted. “The teachers reach out to you and they are enthusiastic,” she remarked. “We have a lot of great teachers.’

Tonight’s commencement ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in Warrior Stadium.

A number of new policies are in place for the program.

Officials are asking those attending to check balloon bouquets and signs at the gate, and have announced a ban on noisemakers during the ceremonies.

Superintendent Ed Felt said the changes are intended to allow everybody equal opportunity to enjoy the milestone by being able to see and hear when their graduate is announced.

E-waste boots up learning experience for Scouts

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Boy Scouts Anthony Romero, Timothy Junkin, Josiah Junkin, Brandon Rapoza and Xavier Coleman work on a computer during a recent meeting.

Boy Scouts Anthony Romero, Timothy Junkin, Josiah Junkin, Brandon Rapoza and Xavier Coleman work on a computer during a recent meeting.

NEWMAN – Discarded computers are providing a hands-on learning opportunity for members of a local Boy Scout troop exploring the world of technology.

Tearing apart and rebuilding computers have been part of the routine for Scouts in Troop 83, led by Scoutmaster Kevin Rapoza.

Along with the learning experience, some Scouts now have computers of their own as a result of their efforts.

Rapoza said the project got its start when a company donated electronic waste to the troop.

“Instead of sending it off for 10 cents a pound, we played with it first. I taught the Scouts how to tear it apart and put it back together again. We were successful in rebuilding several desktops with parts donated by my computer company,” explained Rapoza, a paramedic who also repairs computers as a sideline business.

That was four years ago – but the project was ongoing, allowing new groups of Scouts to earn computer badges as they cycle into the troop.

Recently, Scouts rehabilitated six surplus laptop computers donated by West Side Healthcare District.

Some were sold on e-Bay, raising money for new camp stoves.

One went home with a Scout who didn’t previously have a computer of his own.

“The Scout who got the last one didn’t have access to a computer at home,” Rapoza explained. “He would stay after school to do his computer homework. Now he has a Dell laptop. It has scratches and dings on it from being in the ambulance, but it works perfectly. It has a new screen and hard drive, and it is ready to go.”

Typically, Rapoza said, he assigns teams of three to work on a computer.

“I usually put two who have a computer with one who doesn’t,” he explained. If a useable computer emerges from the work, the Scout in need of a computer takes it home.

That doesn’t always happen, Rapoza acknowledged.

More often than not, he said, computers donated to the Scouts are beyond full restoration – but still provide a powerful learning experience as Scouts disassemble and rebuild the units while reasoning their way through the project as they problem-solve.

When all is said and done, most of the donated e-waste is recycled.

All that is required for the merit badge is that the computer start. “If we can get a functioning computer that they can use, that’s wonderful,” Rapoza declared.

The restored computers are not cutting edge, he said, but prove functional.

“For a 10th grader who needs to do word processing, they are more than adequate,” Rapoza said. “A college engineering student would probably not be satisfied with it.”

He said hard drives are either retained by the donor or destroyed.

Scouts will collect e-waste, Rapoza said. Collection can be arranged by calling him at 499-8857.

New Gustine business serving up burgers, more

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Manager Mohamed Altarb and cook Ashraf Moosa say business has been brisk at the new Texas Burger Drive-In in Gustine.

Manager Mohamed Altarb and cook Ashraf Moosa say business has been brisk at the new Texas Burger Drive-In in Gustine.

GUSTINE – A new addition to the Gustine business community has fired up the grill and is serving up classic burgers and other traditional drive-in fare.

Texas Burger Drive-In opened at the first of the month, manager Mohamed Altarb said recently, and daily business has been brisk.

“This is like an old-style, old-fashioned drive-in,” he explained, describing the fare as fast food – but with home-style quality.

Altarb said the business is owned by a family with restaurants in other cities as well.

His interest in the Gustine restaurant was piqued during trips up and down Highway 33, Altarb noted.

The location was good, the community seemed nice and there appeared to be a niche in the market, he explained.

Several months were spent preparing the restaurant to re-open as a drive-in style eatery.

“We remodeled it and put everything new into it. We wanted to make it look like a fast-food restaurant,” Altarb pointed out.

The menu offers a wide variety of burgers, sandwiches, dinners, salads, sides and ice cream.

Bacon burgers and pastrami sandwiches have been among the leading menu items, the manager said, and ice cream has been popular as well.

The drive-in is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Orestimba bestows senior awards

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A number of scholarships and awards were presented Friday during Orestimba’s senior awards night.

The recipients were as follows.

Laura Swalley received the Homer Tucker Valedictorian Award and $300 scholarship, National Art Honor Society recognition and California Scholarship Federation (CSF) recognition.

Sara Chang received the John Sharpe Salutatorian Award and $150 scholarship, and CSF recognition.

Alyssa Briones received the John Sharpe Salutatorian Award and $150 scholarship, a $50 John Anderson Scholarship, CSF recognition, the L.J. Newman Cup, a CIF scholar-athlete award and a U.S. Air Force award.

Allison Garcia received the John Sharpe Salutatorian Award and $150 scholarship, YLI Our Lady of Roses scholarship, CSF recognition, National Art Honor Society recognition and an ACCESS scholarship ($1,250).

Frankie Ramirez received a YLI Our Lady of Roses scholarship, CSEA scholarship, Tzu Chi Foundation scholarship and a $50 John Anderson Scholarship.

Josephine Spears was awarded a CSEA scholarship and a $50 John Anderson Scholarship.

Mikaela Tosta was the recipient of the William Tinnin Memorial Scholarship, a Cabrillo Club scholarship, a Steven Ellery Memorial Scholarship, an OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship, the Joe Terra FFA Scholarship ($150), an ACCESS scholarship in the amount of $1,500 and CSF recognition.

Andrew Souza received a Cabrillo Club scholarship and a Steven Ellery Memorial Scholarship.

Donna Anthieny received a U.S. Marine Corps award, Harry Tate Sr. Memorial Award, CSF recognition and CIF scholar-athlete recognition.

Zachary Fraga was presented a U.S. Marine Corps award and the Harry Tate Sr. Memorial Award.

Olivia Tejada was presented a U.S. Marine Corps award, the Dolittle Band Award ($100 scholarship) and CSF recognition.

Skyler Loo received an OHS staff award in memory of Roger Pauletto, the L.J. Newman Cup, an OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship and CSF recognition.

Janet Jimenez received an OHS staff award in memory of Mary Beth Moorehead.

Gerardo Lopez was presented an American Chemical Society award, a California Math Council award, a multilingual proficiency award and CSF recognition.

Nelson Mendoza received a Center for Educational Partnerships scholarship and a $50 John Anderson Scholarship.

Alondra De La Cruz received a multilingual proficiency award, CSF recognition and an ACCESS scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

Melissa Smithey received a CCID scholarship, CSF recognition and National Merit Scholar award.

Ernie Esquivez received CIF student-athlete recognition and CSF recognition.

Kevin Tucker received a Minot State scholar athlete scholarship.

Mercedes Jenkins received National Art Honor Society recognition and CSF recognition.

Tavio Cardoza received a $50 John Anderson Scholarship and an ACCESS Scholarship in the amount of $750.

Veronica Gomez received an ACCESS Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 and CSF recognition.

Rosario Vargas received a $3,000 ACCESS Scholarship and CSF recognition.

Alec Garcia received National Art Honor Society recognition.

ACCESS Scholarships were presented to Yasmin Castillo ($750), Maria Damian ($2,000), Vanessa Galvan ($2,000), Alma Garcia ($2,000), Veronica Haro ($2,000), Maribel Haro ($2,000), Tania Herrera ($2,000) and Rubi Rangel ($2,000).

Thea Grieb received an OLM Knights of Columbus scholarship and CSF recognition.

Bradley Panelli and Cecilia Sambrano each received a $50 John Anderson Scholarship.

Ivonne Canales and Mariah Rangel received CSF recognition.

Borba exemplifies role of classified school workers

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Kathie Borba

Kathie Borba

GUSTINE – Ask any principal and they will agree that classified employees, who provide a variety of support services, are essential to efficient, safe school operations.

The ranks of classified employees range from custodians and cafeteria staff to instructional aides and office staff….regardless of the many and varied titles, each has an important role to fill.

At Gustine Elementary, long-time secretary Kathie Borba exemplifies the importance of classified staff.

Borba was recently named the Gustine Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year – a new annual award bestowed as part of countywide recognition of the support staff members who so often are the unsung heroes of the educational system.

Borba will be recognized next fall at a countywide program, where a Merced County Classified School Employee of the Year will be named.

“It is a real honor to be chosen amongst my peers to represent the classified staff of this district,” Borba recently expressed.

Borba has worked in the district for 38 years, the majority of them at Gustine Elementary. She started at the campus in 1982, when GES was a K-8 school. starting in 1982.

Those were the days of ditto machines and stencils, typewriters and handwritten notes, she recalled with a smile.

Borba stayed as secretary of GES when the middle school was created and moved with the elementary school when the new campus was built at Meredith and Grove. This year she also serves as the secretary for Gustine Intermediate School which is housed on the elementary campus.

The job of a school secretary is a busy one…..mixing routine daily tasks with the unexpected situations or requests that arise at any given moment.

Borba handles it all with professionalism and a smile.

“Whenever she answers the phone it sounds like sunshine on the other end. She is always cheerful and upbeat,” GES Principal Karen Azevedo told Mattos Newspapers. “More times than not it is like Grand Central Station in the office. Kathie can multi-task better than anyone I’ve ever known. She’ll be answering a question from a teacher, a student and a parent while answering the phone and writing out a bus pass. She makes it look easy when it really is not.”

Gustine Intermediate Principal Donna Ross agreed that Borba is an invaluable employee.

“She is consistently friendly and helpful. That means everything from putting on a Band-Aid, to offering words of encouragement to a troubled student to giving a standing ovation to a student who comes into the office to sign our “pride book” for a job well done,” Ross shared. “You have to see her in action to really appreciate her skills and abilities. She is by far one of the most productive and professional people I know. She helps all of us do our jobs better.”

Any visit to campus starts at the school office.

Some days are busier than others with deliveries, parent volunteers checking in and special activities taking place at the site along with the regular visits made by students and staff. “We are the first place people go when they come to the campus. We have a great team here that works together to help everyone who comes through,” Borba acknowledged.

One of the greatest joys of her job, Borba reflected, is when the students come in to the office to share a story with her about something they did or to just show off their new shoes they got for Christmas for example. “The kids here are great. They always make me smile and laugh each day,” Borba expressed.

She is grateful to work with a wonderful staff, too, Borba pointed out. The school community is a family that she holds dear and is proud to be a member of, she said. “My job is rewarding in so many ways!” she concluded.


Learning comes to life in GIS classroom

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Trisha Costa

Trisha Costa

GUSTINE – An educator who brings learning to life has been honored by the Gustine Unified School District.

Gustine Intermediate teacher Trisha Costa was recently named the district’s Teacher of the Year. She will be recognized as an outstanding educator in the county at a program held this fall in Merced, where a county Teacher of the Year will be named.

Costa is honored to have been selected for this recognition, she said. She doesn’t see herself as an outstanding teacher but simply believes she is fulfilling her purpose in life and sharing the talents she has been blessed with. “It is a privilege and honor to have such a profound opportunity in life,” she expressed about her profession.

Costa has taught in the district for 12 years. She started her career teaching fifth grade for eight years followed by 4/5 and 5/6 combination classes over the last four years.

Teachers have a responsibility to not only teach the standards to their students but also mold them into remarkable future citizens of our country, Costa believes.

“Teaching kids to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, communicators and proficient with today’s technology will enhance student success now and carry on into their future endeavors,” she described.

Costa enjoys the challenge of developing units and lesson plans that engage her students in active learning. She incorporates various facets of technology in her daily lessons, stretches the student’s writing skills and increases the depth of student involvement in the process.

“When I walk into her classroom the word I always think of is ‘alive’. Her room comes to life with student work, technology, group interaction, students teaching and learning from one another, and a level of respect that permeates the atmosphere,” Gustine Intermediate School Principal Donna Ross shared. “She has a core belief that all students can be successful and reach their potential, and she makes sure they do.”

This year, Costa was given the role of teaching an enrichment class of fifth and sixth grade students.

“I know I have to go beyond just teaching the standards for mastery. I have to draw on each student’s strength and prior experience to engage them in the learning process and go above the regular unit of study,” she explained.

Two particular units she created this year were an election process with a mock debate and a living wax museum. The students loved these units, Costa noted, and she witnessed their growth through the process. One student, for example, was so nervous about public speaking she didn’t know if she could do the assignment but when the museum actually opened and she was surrounded by people ready to hear her report, she shined, Costa described. The unit allowed the students to use their creativity, engage their interests and hone their skills while being fun and motivational.

“I wasn’t surprised at how successful these projects were. I believe active learning sparks creativity. When you teach a student to think beyond the pages of a book, it benefits them in all areas of their education,” she pointed out.

Costa humbly acknowledges that she can’t take full credit for her success this year. “I have to thank the amazing teachers that I work with every day. My grade level team members and coaches have supported me throughout the year. It has been a collaborative effort,” she recognized.

“Trisha is a dynamo who engages students, challenges students and nurtures them like they are her own,” Ross remarked. “She is a special teacher and I’m glad she is a part of the GIS staff. She is an excellent choice as our district teacher of the year.”

West Sider to become state VFW commander

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Ed Ford

Ed Ford

NEWMAN – West Side veteran Ed Ford will be installed as commander of the California Veterans of Foreign Wars at the state VFW convention Monday in Ontario.

As commander, the Newman resident will lead an organization with nearly 85,000 members.

Ford will become the first member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joseph G. Rose Post 7635, to hold the statewide post.

“I am looking forward to interacting with veterans and visiting with them up and down the state, and doing anything to help with the issues they may have,” Ford related.

The VFW serves as an advocate for veterans, working to ensure that the men and women who served their nation receive the benefits to which they are entitled, helping ease the transition back to civilian life for returning veterans and promoting patriotism.

Ford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Aludra in the Taiwan Straits from August through October 1958.

He went on to a career with the phone company, and after retiring in 2000 became involved in local veteran organizations.

“I joined both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I just got more involved in the VFW,” Ford explained.

That involvement quickly became a passion for the local veteran, who has taken on a number of roles on behalf of serving and honoring veterans.

He has served in a variety of capacities at the post, district and state levels, as well as being involved in three national committees.

Ford has also been active in volunteer service at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Livermore, where he chairs the executive committee of the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services. That group hosts a variety of activities for veterans who are in the convalescent hospital, he explained.

Ford is involved in the local honor guard as well, which provides military honors for burials twice a month at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery and on request at cemeteries throughout the area.

“We want the veterans to get the military honors they are entitled to,” he said.

Ford is a former District 13 commander who initially did not see his role going beyond that level – until he was asked by a former state commander to consider running for state chaplain.

He ran and won, serving two terms as chaplain.

Ford then served a year as state citizen education chair, and then took a year off to run for junior vice commander – the No. 3 position in the organization, and the first step on the ladder to commander.

“That is the entry level, and it is where all the competition is. I campaigned in all 23 districts in the state, which took most of the year to do,” he related.

From junior vice commander, Ford became senior vice commander last spring and will soon become commander for the 2013-14 year.

“It was just a progression of involvement,” Ford reflected. “When I started I had no intention of going beyond a district commander.”

Ford will visit each district during his year as commander.

His goals include encouraging posts to be more active, to promote awareness of veteran issues and to build membership.

“With us losing our World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans, our membership has declined,” he acknowledged. “Our numbers are declining because we cannot recruit as fast as we are losing our older members. It is a challenge.”

First and foremost, however, is to see that all veterans are receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.

“My job will be to try to oversee how we take care of our veterans, and looking out for the ones who are getting out of the military now to ensure that they are getting the health care they are entitled to,” Ford commented. “The main thing we are fighting for are benefits for our military. We lobbied to get as much as we could for our military veterans, and for those who are just getting out of the service.”

His involvement in veteran organizations would not have been possible without the support of others, Ford noted.

He said his wife Mary Jane “has been 100 percent behind me on everything I have done.”

Even while battling a recently-diagnosed illness, Ford said, Mary Jane encouraged him to follow through on the opportunity to become state commander and fulfill those responsibilities.

And, he said, fellow veterans in Gustine and Newman have encouraged and supported him along the path to the state commander post.

Bonita student artwork on display

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Bonita students Mason McClure and Joslyn Sotelo share their work with school secretary LaVerne Vargas.

Bonita students Mason McClure and Joslyn Sotelo share their work with school secretary LaVerne Vargas.

The art and classwork of Bonita students is being featured at the McConnell Adult Education Center through June 11.

The display includes a special art project compiled by fourth-grade students in Nancy Caton’s class, and the work of Diane Rocha’s second-graders.

In the fourth grade, students brought original art into their social science and language studies by studying great artists, their different works and art in their lives. Art styles they researched include  those of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, pop art of Jim Dine, impressionists Monet, Van Gogh and Seurat, Swiss artist Paul Klee, Picasso and Andy Warhol.

After learning about the styles, the students each created an art piece that would resemble the work of each of the artists. They chose to make each of the six art pieces exactly one square inch in size. Each student display features six one-inch squares on a large sheet of black paper. Each has an explanation of the artist and the style represented by each square.

The study of second-grade students districtwide this year included a project of life in the ant world.

Students in Rocha’s class enjoyed reading several stories about ant life. Videos enhanced their learning, as well as encyclopedia studies.

They then drew a picture and developed a story about ants from all their studies, which included many of the fascinating facts they learned about ant life.

The student work is on display at the McConnell Center Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30-12:30.

On June 12, the work will be moved to Newman’s two local banks, where it will remain on display through late July.

(Submitted by Bob McConnell)

Feature photo: FFA dairy judging

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Gustine FFA’s dairy judging team placed fifth at the state finals in Cal Poly. The team was second in pedigree, third in cows and third in reasons. Lexie Nunes was seventh individually. Team members include, from left, Tony Lopes, Nunes, Alexandria Lopes, Sage Brinkman and advisor Kelly Sanches.

Gustine FFA’s dairy judging team placed fifth at the state finals in Cal Poly. The team was second in pedigree, third in cows and third in reasons. Lexie Nunes was seventh individually. Team members include, from left, Tony Lopes, Nunes, Alexandria Lopes, Sage Brinkman and advisor Kelly Sanches.

Retirement awaits four GUSD educators

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GUSTINE – Four Gustine Unified School District educators are stepping into retirement as the school year comes to a close, opening new chapters in their lives.

Among them are three Gustine Elementary staff members, Principal Karen Azevedo, kindergarten teacher Carolyn Caporgno and reading specialist Patty Bettencourt.

Romero teacher Kathy Conrad is also retiring this year.

Karen Azevedo

Azevedo is a testament to the power of goals and determination…..or, as she would put it, planting the seeds of possibility which, nurtured with hard work and dedication, can blossom into success.

She was inspired to plant seeds of possibility in pursuing her educational career, and through the years has encouraged her students to do the same.

Azevedo, you see, didn’t take a direct route to education.

“I was a dental assistant who didn’t go to college until I was 31,” she explained.

Azevedo found herself looking for career options as the local dentist planned to close his practice, when she read a book entitled “The Seeds of Greatness” and was inspired to pursue a career in the classroom.

“I remember thinking that I would love to be a teacher because you reach so many people,” she recalled, “but it seemed (as unlikely) as becoming a brain surgeon.”

Still, motivated to pursue her goal, Azevedo plunged forward and completed a five-year program in three and one-half years.

She started her new career as a third-grade teacher at Gustine Elementary.

She took her own experiences – and her own belief in the power of possibility – into the classroom.

“I wanted to be a teacher who planted seeds of possibility for my students,” Azevedo explained. “You don’t get something other than what you plant. If we plant negative thoughts, that’s what we get.”

Azevedo traded the classroom for administration eight years ago.

She was initially hired as assistant principal at GES, but two weeks into that first school year as an administrator was reassigned to Romero. She spent six years as principal at the Santa Nella school before coming back into Gustine as principal at GES.

Azevedo has seen numerous changes during her educational career.

“We have larger responsibilities now, first with the standards and now with the Common Core,” she reflected. “The rigor of what is expected of students has increased.”

Those in education, Azevedo reflected, must always remember that what they do helps shape young lives.

“Education is very faith-based. You have faith that what you are doing makes a difference,” she pointed out. “Occasionally, as an educator, you have the gift of seeing a former student years later who tells you what a difference you made in their lives.”

Azevedo said she has loved her career and still has a passion for education.

“It has been such a blessing. There is nothing better than working with kids,” she commented. “I am going out when I still love what I do. I still love coming to work every day, but I think it is a good time to open a new chapter.”

Patty Bettencourt

Reading has been a life-long passion for Bettencourt and the focus of many of her years in education.

Bettencourt got her start in education in 1974 in Windsor. She came to Gustine in 1984, but took five years off to raise her children before returning to the classroom as a half-time Reading Recovery and multi-age classroom at Gustine Elementary.

Bettencourt became a full-time teacher about five years later, getting her own first-grade class, and for the last 12 or so years has been a reading specialist.

In that role, she has served as a reading coach for other teachers and has worked with small groups of students.

“There were years when I worked with teachers, and hopefully those positive effects (were more widespread),” she shared. “Hopefully helping make a teacher a better reading teacher had a wider impact than me pulling students out a day in small groups.”

Still, Bettencourt acknowledged, one of the greatest joys of her profession has been the moment when a student grasps a reading concept.

“They would always come up to me and say, ‘Mrs. Bettencourt, I can’t read.’ I would say ‘Yes, you can, and I am going to show you how’,” the reading specialist related. “It is very exciting when you see the kernel pop for a child.”

Bettencourt said she believes her own classroom experience prepared her well to work as a reading coach.

“I had been in the trenches for many years,” she points out.

Reading skills are essential for students to succeed, Bettencourt emphasized.

“By the third grade, students need to have the fundamental reading skills in place,” she explains. “I can tell you by the end of first grade who will struggle. That is why early intervention is so critical. You have to catch reading problems early.”

Reading and writing are at the heart of the evolution in education, added Bettencourt.

“Everything, even math, has changed. You are not going to just do a computation in math, you are going to have to understand what it means and explain it,” Bettencourt stated. “It is not just learning facts, but a much deeper understanding of the standards. Reading and writing are the foundation for all of that. Then we can go to higher-level thinking.”

Still, she said, some fundamentals of teaching have not changed through the years.

“Good teachers have always picked up on what made students learn. That’s what good teachers do,” Bettencourt remarked. “If you can pull good things from your experience along the way, you will always be a better teacher.”

Bettencourt said she wanted so badly to be a teacher that she taught for free while attending college just to get her foot in the door.

Jobs were scarce when she graduated from college, Bettencourt said, but she eventually had the opportunity to pursue the career she dreamed of.

“I’ve given back in teaching, but I also ‘get’ from teaching,” she reflected. “What I get is to watch young minds grow. I have enjoyed it. You will never be rich (as a teacher), but it is a rich profession.”

Carolyn Caporgno

Caporgno had always wanted to teach, so when the opportunity arose for her to return to school and obtain her credential, she took it. She has been teaching at Gustine Elementary for 14 years.

“This is my third career,” she explained when reflecting about her upcoming retirement.

As a young adult she was employed as a personnel assistant until she switched careers to become a stay-at-home mom and what she described as a professional volunteer as her second career. “I always wanted to teach,” Caporgno reflected, so when the timing was right for she and her family, she returned to school, earned her credential and embarked upon her third career.

The new educator taught first and second grade in Ceres for two years and earned a reading specialist credential and masters degree in education before joining the GES staff over a decade ago. She taught first grade for one year and has taught kindergarten every year since.

“I like this grade level,” she told Mattos Newspapers. She has enjoyed introducing her young students to school and preparing them for first grade.

The children arrive the first day of school not knowing where to go or how to act like a student, she described, bringing different backgrounds and experiences and skill levels. It is her responsibility to find that one connection with them that opens their eyes and minds to the world of education and the opportunities before them.

“I have a responsibility to each child in my class. I do all I can to reach out to each one as I can,” the dedicated teacher explained.

Some years have been more challenging than others, she recalled, with class sizes ranging from 20 to 29 students.  However, at the end of the day, no matter the situation, she knows she has done everything she could to reach all of her students. “You have to learn how to manage your class, no matter the size,” she simply stated. And regardless of how many students she taught each year, she enjoyed what she was doing.

Kindergarten students are filled with energy and almost everything they do is new to them, which means they make numerous advances throughout the year.

One of the most intriguing aspects of her young students learning process, Caporgno shared, is their inquisitive side.

Once they get comfortable with the classroom scene and routine, learn their letters and their sounds and  start putting them together to make a word, they want to know more, as demonstrated by one particular student in this year’s class. “I get excited when he asks a question, the whole class reached a point where they anticipated him raising his hand to ask,” Caporgno described. “He’s been a role model for his classmates asking why something happened or what the meaning of a word is in a story.

“I don’t want the students to just be fed information. I want them to think for themselves and wonder, be curious, listen and seek answers,” she added. “More kids began asking questions because of his example.”

That’s where learning begins, the teacher happily emphasized.

The last days of each school year are also a highlight for Caporgno. “It’s always exciting to see how far the kids have come since they first arrived in the fall,” she expressed. “Most are reading by the end of the year and that is exciting to see happen.”

Caporgno said she sets a goal, puts a line up high, and finds most students reach it. A bulletin board  displays stars declaring success of individual students and is a rewarding tangible sign of the class’s progress as a whole for the proud educator at the end of the year.

This year that board also serves as a reflection of the difference her career choice has made in the lives of young students. Caporgno will say farewell to her students Friday as they head out for their summer break taking with her fond memories of her years teaching at GES.

Kathy Conrad

Conrad is retiring from the Gustine Unified School District with 24 years of service; 16 years as an instructional aide and the last eight years as an elementary school teacher.

“I love working with kids,” she recently told Mattos Newspapers.

As a parent volunteer in Strathmore,  a principal recognized her talents and skills and suggested she apply for a job as an instructional aide. And so began her career in education.

Conrad joined the GUSD staff in 1989 when she and her husband bought a home in Gustine. She was assigned to Gustine Elementary the first year, and then worked at Romero for seven years before coming back to GES for many years.  She will finish her career teaching at Romero the past two years.

“I have enjoyed every year with the schools, both as an aide and a teacher,” Conrad expressed.

As an aide, she said, many great teachers encouraged her to go back to school to get her degree. “I looked forward to having my own classroom someday,” she recalled.

Her responsibilities as an aide included working with small groups of students, testing, offering individual instruction and interacting with the students in ways similar to the teacher.

She found the work to be rewarding. “Teachers touch the lives of children and make a difference,” she shared. She decided it was time for her to pursue her own teaching career.

Conrad received her credential while continuing to work full-time as an aide. She completed an accelerated program in two and one-half years.

Her first teaching position was at Gustine Elementary in a first grade classroom. “It was a challenging year but a good year,” she remembered. The most difficult part for her was making the transition from aide to teacher in the eyes of the students that year. But that familiarity also turned out to be a plus for both the students and the first time teacher, she said. “I had a lot of wonderful support from the staff and it turned out to be a good year,” she reiterated. “I love teaching!”

Conrad has taught kindergarten, first grade and 1/2 combination classes through the years. She is currently teaching a kindergarten/transitional kindergarten combination class at Romero Elementary.

Classroom management is key to success, she pointed out.

For Conrad, keeping things simple and sticking to a plan has been most effective – with clearly defined rules and consequences.

“I believe kids thrive and develop with routine so I stay calm and try to keep everything as normal as possible each day for them. The kids know they can count on me,” she explained.

Her greatest love in teaching is seeing students blossom throughout the year.

“The kids come into kindergarten not knowing their sounds, some their letters, and they end up reading,” the proud educator described.

The relationships that develop because of her choice are a great benefit as well, she emphasized.

Every day, the kids have the opportunity to talk-share, show-share or read-share. Through the process,  students get to know one another as individuals while sharing stories about their family, their interests, their worries and their joys.

By the end of the year, the class is like a family. “The connections that have been made are precious!” she expressed.

Feature photo: Chamber mixer

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The Newman Chamber mixer on May 23 was hosted by Bob and Patty Novoa, left and center, owners of Novoa’s Jewelers. The well attended event was enjoyed by local business owners, community leaders and residents.

The Newman Chamber mixer on May 23 was hosted by Bob and Patty Novoa, left and center, owners of Novoa’s Jewelers. The well attended event was enjoyed by local business owners, community leaders and residents.

News Briefs – June 6

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Newman animal clinic

The Newman Police Department and G-Bar-N Veterinary Clinic wll host a pet vaccination and dog licensing clinic Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon in Pioneer Park.

Available vaccinations include rabies ($6), Parvo/distemper ($10), and bordetella ($10). Micro-chipping is available for $20.

Three-year rabies vaccination will be given with proof of previous rabies vaccination.

Annual dog licenses are $150 for unaltered animals and $12 for those which have been spayed or neutered (proof required for discount). Seniors over 60 qualify for a 50 percent license discount.

All services are cash only.

Pet owners must be present. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.

Vouchers for spay/neuter, micro-chip, license, rabies vaccine and DHLPP vaccine may be purchased for $140. Those purchasing a voucher are asked to not bring their pets to the clinic.

Open House at Gustine Museum

The Gustine Historical Society will host an open house at the Gustine Museum Sunday, June 23, from 1-4 p.m. The museum is featuring a series of displays about the history of Gustine High School in conjunction with the GHS Centennial celebration. The present exhibit covers GHS from 1913 to 1930. The new exhibit will honor GHS from 1931-1950. Refreshments will be served.

Historians are still looking for photos or memorabilia concerning the school between 1931 and 1950. Anyone who has materials available for loan to the museum, please contact Pat Snoke at 854-3120 or Kim Stadter at the history center at 854-6455 between 1 and 4 p.m. on Thursday or Sunday afternoons.

Gustine animal clinic

The Gustine Police Department and Westside Animal Hospital will offer a low-cost pet vaccination and dog licensing clinic Thursday, June 13.

The clinic will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. in Schmidt Park, near the Al Goman Community Center.

Vaccinations available include rabies ($6), Parvo/Distemper/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza ($21) and Kennel cough ($21). Pet owners are asked to bring proof of most recent rabies vaccine. Without verification, only a one-year rabies shot is offered.

Pet owners can also have their animals micro-chipped for a cost of $20.

Dog licenses are available. Cost is $30 for unaltered animals or $10 for spayed or neutered dogs.

Officials remind residents that all dogs in the city must be licensed.

Cash or checks are accepted.

A new program invites animal owners to submit a photo of their pet, which will be entered into a data base and can be used to help identify them in the event the animals get out. Photos can be submitted at the clinic or emailed to sweightman@gustinepolice.com

Animal owners are reminded that all dogs must be on a leash and that owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Call 854-3737 for additional information.

GUSD summer meals

The Gustine Unified School District is sponsoring a seamless summer food program for children.

Meals will be available at no charge to children from 1-18 years of age.

The meal program runs from June 10 through Aug. 9 (closed July 4 and 5).

Meals are served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Romero School cafeteria in Santa Nella and from 12:15-1 p.m. in Henry Miller Park in Gustine.

Fit Kids summer program

The Newman Recreation Department will be sponsoring its Fit Kids program again this summer.

Fit Kids will meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings from June 25 through July 30.

The program, which is open to youth ages 5-14 (if 14, must still be in eighth grade) includes a variety of physical activities, arts and crafts.

Registration is limited to 125 participants.

Fee is $30 per child. Participants must reside in Newman or Crows Landing.

Applications may be printed from the city of Newman website. Call 862-4440 for additional information.

Veterans outreach event

A veterans mobile medical outreach event will be held Thursday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Newman fire station.

All military veterans are invited to attend.

Friends of Newman Library

The Friends of the Newman Library are reminding members that renewal dues are now payable.

Dues for the 2013-14 year are $5 for individuals, $10 for families and $25 for organizations. Lifetime memberships are available for $150.

Dues may be dropped off at the library or mailed to P.O. Box 28, Newman 95360.

The organization’s annual meeting will be held Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. in the library community room.

Email friendsofnewmanlibrary@gmail.com or visit the Friends of the Newman Library Facebook page for additional information.

Gustine FFA alumni reception

The Gustine FFA chapter will host a reception for all FFA alumni Friday, July 5, at 5 p.m.

The reception precedes a production of “A Redskin Review,” which commemorates the school’s 100th year.

Refreshments will be served.

Contact Matt Baffunno, 854-6414, for additional information.

Parade entries available

The Gustine Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting entries for the Fourth of July parade.

Categories include floats, bands, color guard, children’s, equestrian, commercial truck/tractor and automobiles/motorcycles.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries in each division. A $75 award will also be presented for the most patriotic entry.

Entry fee is $15.

Parade registration closes June 30.

Call 854-6975 or 777-9382 for additional information or entry form.

Radio station meeting

The organizing committee working to develop a community radio station serving Gustine, Newman and surrounding areas will meet Thursday, June 20, at Pizza Factory in Gustine.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

All interested community members are invited to attend.

Call 690-7247 for additional information.

GHS centennial meeting

The Gustine High School Centennial Committee will meet June 10 at 6:30 p.m. to continue its fund-raising and planning efforts for the 2013-14 celebration of the school’s 100-year history. All interested community members are invited to attend. Call Pat Rocha at 854-3052 for the location of the meeting. Ideas may also be sent to Gustine Centennial, P.O.Box 373, Gustine, 95322, or posted on the group’s Facebook page.

OHS classes to reunite

The Orestimba High classes of 1992 and 1993 will hold a reunion Saturday, June 29, at Damasco’s in Villa del Lago, Patterson.

Cost is $30 per person. Classmates are asked to contact Denise (Rose) Melo at melomd@hotmail.com to RSVP or for additional information.

Stanislaus County Fair tickets

Discount admission tickets and arena motorsport tickets for the 2013 Stanislaus County Fair are now on sale.

Fair-goers can buy tickets at discount prices until Thursday, July 11. Tickets may be purchased at the fair box office, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock, or on line at www.stancofair.com

Discounted admission tickets are $10 (a $2 savings over cost at the gate). Unlimited ride tickets may be purchased in advance for $23, a $7 savings.

Season passes are available for $75.

Arena tickets are priced according to event.

The fair opens its 10-day run Friday, July 12.

The 2013 fair will feature a spectacular children’s area with the new Wizard’s Challenge, the magical world of science sponsored by Sky Trek Aviation.

The fair will also offer 10 nights of free celebrity concerts included with fair admission, upward of 30,000 local exhibits and more than 1,750 animals, among other attractions.

OLM religious education

Registration has started for religious education classes for all ages in the Our Lady of Miracles parish.

Registration forms are available at the church office, 370 Linden Ave.

Call 854-2834 for additional information.

Astronomy viewing

Amateur Newman astronomer Tom Duarte will lead a viewing of Saturn on June 14.

The viewing begins 30 minutes after sunset at the basketball court in Sherman Park.

All interested community members are invited to attend.

Kite Day at Pacheco Park

Pacheco Stake Park will host its annual family kite day Saturday, June 15, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Activities include kite-making, children’s arts and crafts, a pie-eating contest and more.

Exhibits will include nature and wildlife tables, as well as a “sun and wind” activity.

Families are encouraged to bring kites, sunscreen, layered clothing, drinking water, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy the day. Drinking water is not available at the park.

A $5 day use fee per vehicle applies.

The park is located atop Pacheco Pass. Take the Dinosaur Point exit off Highway 152.

OLM Vacation Bible School

Registration is open for the 2013 OLM vacation Bible school program.

“SonSurf Beach Bash” is the theme of the Bible school, which meets June 24-28.

Sign up in the church office or call 854-2834 for additional information.

GHS Legacy Courtyard Project

The GHS Legacy Courtyard Project is both a beautification project for Gustine High and a fund-raising project for the school’s upcoming centennial celebration. Pavers are available for purchase and engraving with a name, a family name or a loved ones name that will then be used to pave the area on the front lawn of the High School campus. When pavers are purchased and engraved they will be an addition to the flag pole area on the Gustine High School campus.

The deadline to take part in this project so the paver will be in place for the July 2014 celebration is July 15, 2013. Prices for pavers and options for engraving are available for viewing on-line at  polarengraving.comGHSLegacyCourtyard or by calling Dee Aguirre (209) 604-4625 or Cindy Jamero (209) 658-2063. Orders and/or questions may also be mailed to: GHS Centennial Committee P.O. Box 373, Gustine, CA 95322.


Pastor’s screenplay to debut Saturday

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NEWMAN – Cecil Richardson, bishop and senior pastor of Lighthouse Light of the World Christian Ministries in Crows Landing, has written, produced and directed a screenplay that will debut this weekend.  Richardson’s film “God, What Would You Have Me  to Do, Shut The Door?” will be shown at the West Side Theatre in Newman on Saturday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are available through brownpapertickets.com or at the door that evening. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Richardson describes the film as very dramatic, provoking a variety of emotions and somewhat informational. “This story puts the viewer in the seat of the decision maker. I don’t think anyone can sit through this film and not feel something,” he projected.

The storyline follows a pastor’s interactions with both church members and non-church members as he struggles to decipher what his calling from God truly is. Reverend Wilkes is trying to do God’s will, yet he is unsure of his worthiness to God and even his own congregation, the playwright explained. The pastor tackles a variety of issues that challenge today’s society and the teachings of his faith such as trans-genders, PTSD and hip-hopping teenagers. Can he open his heart and mind to new realities or will he just shut the door?
“My intention when writing this story was to promote theological thinking and discussion without preaching or judging,” he emphasized. His hope is that viewers find themselves engaged in the story and walk out of the theatre talking about what they felt. “People are either going to hate it or like it. Either way, I want them to identify with it and focus on the feelings they are experiencing,” the writer shared.

The film does contain some violence and some scenes will be more difficult emotionally than others as the story unfolds, Richardson cautioned. He recommends viewers be at least 13 or 14 years of age.

The film is approximately 90 minutes in length. There will be an opportunity for audience members to discuss the film afterward if they choose.

Richardson is currently working toward earning his masters degree in Divinity, he told Mattos Newspapers, and wrote the screenplay as his graduate project. He has also written a book and two other screenplays.

Students increasingly turn to technology

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Students David Gonzales, left, and Adrian Morales work with learning specialist Heather Vargas on a project.

Students David Gonzales, left, and Adrian Morales work with learning specialist Heather Vargas on a project.

GUSTINE – Students in local elementary schools logged more time in front of the computer during the past year as they prepare for the shift to Common Core, becoming increasingly familiar with the technology and its capabilities.

Gustine Intermediate School educators Heather Vargas and Stacy Lopes, and Romero teacher Primavera Chavez, recently shared with the school board the activities their students are tackling with the use of classroom technology.

Learning is coming to life in the digital realm as their students complete an array of projects.

Technology will play a critical role in the new Common Core standards and a curriculum designed to emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students are preparing for the transition through a number of endeavors which familiarize themselves with the technology and its capabilities.

Those endeavors, which vary by grade level, have involved Internet research, creation of travel brochures, development of programs for the recent Spring Fling event, blogging and more. Students have personalized Symbaloo pages where they aggregate websites which they use often in their research and graphics projects, Vargas added. Teachers have learned to use their own Symbaloo pages to further instruction. For example, she explained, a teacher who finds an article relevant to a project can post the link on his or her Symbaloo page, and students can then access the information for their work.

Standards are embedded in the projects, emphasized GIS Academic Coach Heather Vargas, whose work this year has increasingly been focused on technology.

“I have sets of classes that I can pull out, and as a coach I can go in and work with the teachers. Some of the teachers are gaining the skills alongside the students,” Vargas told Mattos Newspapers. “Technology is now overlapping into instruction. Students will be expected to take tests on the computer and to accomplish technology skills, so it matters to all of us.”

Students in grades 1-6 at GES/GIS are regularly spending time in the two computer labs on campus, she noted.

“Those labs are used almost every minute of every day,” GIS Principal Donna Ross affirmed at the school board meeting.

A number of technology standards are spelled out in the new Common Core, the educators explained to the school board.

Among them are creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking and problem-solving, digital citizenship and technology operations and concepts.

This year, Vargas said, GIS students have been concentrating on creative projects while younger students were primarily focused on intervention programs.

“Next year we are going to move the creativity and lessons down to first grade, and after January into kindergarten, she pointed out.

Ultimately, Vargas predicted, technology and the new Common Core are going to bring sweeping change to the classroom.

“We can do virtual field trips to different destinations. Instead of building missions out of sugar cubes, they can go to the mission (virtually) and then create something on line also,” she said by way of example. “It opens up options to do things differently than we have always done them.”

Relevance is still another consideration in the projects.

“Relevance is a focus for all students,” Vargas explained. “They are accomplishing their technology standards, but all the while it is important to them. It is for a real purpose.”

Part of the instruction involves educating students about “digital citizenship.”

“Because students are going in so often and we are encouraging them to tap into the technological resources, we have to teach them how to be responsible and make good choices,” Vargas explained. “We are teaching them that anything they do electronically, whether on their phone or computer, will be part of their digital footprint.”

The work being done at the elementary level will pay dividends in the future, the teachers predicted in their board presentation.

“These students have gained skills that many adults don’t have,” Vargas told trustees. “They are going to middle school fully equipped to use the technology.”

The possibilities for the technologies are virtually endless, Lopes added.

The teachers said the support of Forge Technology Data Path has been instrumental in training staff and providing services – and emphasized the need of continuing support from the district to put technology in the hands of students.

“They make what our students are doing now possible,” Vargas stated.

The fundamental shift, Superintendent Gail McWilliams said, has been from teachers using technology to teachers working with students to use technology to produce their work.

“We will continue to spend on technology,” she commented at the board meeting. “It is something that we need to continue to do for our kids.”

Akhtar, Guzman lead GHS Class of 2013

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Joel Guzman, left, is salutatorian of the Gustine High Class of 2013. Abraham Akhtar, right, is the valedictorian.

Joel Guzman, left, is salutatorian of the Gustine High Class of 2013. Abraham Akhtar, right, is the valedictorian.

GUSTINE – Two seniors who exemplify motivation and determination stand at the head of Gustine High School’s graduating class of 2013.

Valedictorian Abraham Akhtar and salutatorian Joel Guzman earned top academic honors during their four years at Gustine High….which in their earlier school years might not have appeared to be in the cards.

Akhtar was a self-described “class clown” in his early elementary studies whose academic success was spurred by an unlikely turn of events.

Guzman recalls getting A’s and B’s in elementary and middle school, but said school came so easily that he didn’t truly apply himself to schooling until reaching Gustine High.

Today, both students are preparing to lead their class at graduation and have set their sights on college and career plans.

Akhtar and Guzman come from far different backgrounds – but they share several common threads, including dedicated parents who encouraged them to build better lives for themselves, an appreciation for education and involvement in AVID.

Akhtar, the son of Michael and Rabia Akhtar, comes from a family with a strong academic pedigree.

His family left Gustine during his second- and third-grade years so his mother could complete her graduate school studies (she holds two Master’s Degrees)

Akhtar said his mother is a physician’s assistant in Stockton, working in an under-served community and sometimes tending to the homeless.

Rabia Akhtar not only encouraged her son to go into the medical field but to become a doctor, Akhtar explained. He will begin that journey at UC Davis, where he plans to major in biological sciences and minor in political science.

Akhtar said he became a straight-A student in fourth grade, after moving back to Gustine, in part motivated by a misunderstanding.

When told by other students that he would receive a gold seal if he earned a scholarship award, Akhtar related, he had visions of, well, a golden seal….of the sea life variety.

He earned that golden seal and, although taken aback to learn that it was a stamp on a certificate, his academic course had changed.

“Even though I did not get that golden seal, I got something much more important and valued,” he commented. “I got the drive and motivation. I went from class clown to a straight A student in two years.”

From his first day at Gustine High, Akhtar said, his goal was to be valedictorian.

He knew as a freshman that he needed to improve on his writing and public speaking skills, and wound up turning those attributes into strengths.

“I did have to overcome many challenges, and had to look at what I needed to improve on,” the valedictorian related.

At Gustine High, Akhtar was active in the Math and Science Club, Interact, United Cultures Club, the California Scholarship Federation and marching band.

Guzman came to Gustine as a fourth-grader.

While he has a love for sports, education has always been at the forefront of his priorities – at least at Gustine High.

“In elementary and middle school I didn’t really try. School was easy,” Guzman related. “In high school, I settled down and tried in all my classes.”

Guzman is the son of Cecilia and Tiburcio Guzman.

Like Akhtar, he credits the encouragement of his parents as a key factor to his academic success and life goals.

His parents came from Mexico in 1992, Guzman explained. His father was – and is again – a farm laborer.

“They struggled to raise the family. Sometimes they couldn’t pay bills,” Guzman related. “They always pushed us and encouraged us to do better in school.”

Guzman’s older brother Julio was the first in the family to go to college.

The salutatorian will be following those footsteps. He will attend UCLA to study business economics, with the goal of eventually entering the finance or business world.

At Gustine High, Guzman was involved in soccer, basketball, track, ASB and Renaissance. He was also class vice president the past two years.

Each was involved in AVID while in high school – Guzman for three years, Akhtar as a senior.

“It was one of the most useful classes I had,” declared Akhtar, explaining that AVID helps students navigate the maze of college applications, assessment tests, scholarship applications and more.

Both said they value the education they received in local schools.

“Academics come first,” Akhtar said. “I see the importance of earning a good education and going to a good school.”

Gustine High provided the opportunity for a positive experience and a quality education, Guzman added.

“Everybody has the ability to succeed, but it is their choice,” he commented. “The door is open. It is their choice if they want to succeed.”

Both said they are proud of their school and their community.

“I take pride in being from Gustine,” Akhtar stated. “No matter where life takes me, if anybody asks me where I am from, it is Gustine. The sense of community, and what the Gustine Unified School District has done for me, is part of me.”

The valedictorian and salutatorian will speak during the commencement ceremony Friday evening in the GHS stadium. Graduation begins at 7 p.m.

Middle school

Gustine Middle School will host its eighth-grade graduation tonight (Thursday).

The program begins at 7 p.m. at GMS.

Slideshow: OHS Class of 2013

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Orestimba graduates Carlos Ochoa, left, and Cesar Marin enjoyed the commencement ceremony.

Orestimba graduates Carlos Ochoa, left, and Cesar Marin enjoyed the commencement ceremony.

Co-salutatorian Alyssa Brione deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Co-salutatorian Alyssa Brione deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Co-salutatorian Sara Chang deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Co-salutatorian Sara Chang deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Co-salutatorian Allison Garcia deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Co-salutatorian Allison Garcia deliverers her commencement address Thursday in Warrior Stadium.

Laura Swalley was valedictorian of the OHS Class of 2013.

Laura Swalley was valedictorian of the OHS Class of 2013.

Orestimba graduate Glen Sosa accepts his diploma with congratulations from school board President Kerry McWilliams.

Orestimba graduate Glen Sosa accepts his diploma with congratulations from school board President Kerry McWilliams.

Turning the tassel was among the graduation traditions observed during Orestimba’s commencement. Above, Guadalupe Zamora turned the tassel for Daniel Pardo to symbolize his graduation.

Turning the tassel was among the graduation traditions observed during Orestimba’s commencement. Above, Guadalupe Zamora turned the tassel for Daniel Pardo to symbolize his graduation.

Well-wishers flooded the field in Warrior Stadium to offer their congratulations to members of the newly-graduated Class of 2013.

Well-wishers flooded the field in Warrior Stadium to offer their congratulations to members of the newly-graduated Class of 2013.

 

Feature photo: Fun day at GES

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