March 9, 2009

Evergreen SchoolScene

ESUHSD recognizes African-American honor students

By Rufus White and Antoinette Battiste
Special to the Times

As a part of its continuing effort to address the achievement gap, the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) held a recognition event on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Mount Pleasant High School. This program acknowledged African-American students who earned a 3.0 to 4.0 GPA for the first semester of the 2008-2009 school year.

The district-wide event was coordinated by the office of student services headed by Dr. Ana Lomas. In attendance were District board members Patricia Martinez-Roach and Eddie Garcia, Super-intendant Bob Nunez, Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services, Dan Moser and a number of principals, teachers and staff members of the district’s schools.

Supporting the more than 240 honor students was an auditorium filled with proud family and community members.

The program, orchestrated by Deborah Raymond, a district teacher and Black Student Union events organizer, was hosted by Dr. Gerri Forte’, the district’s Director of Career services. It included vocal performances and an instrumental solo by Henri’ Battiste, a senior at Evergreen Valley High School.

The keynote speaker was Rufus H. White, an active community supporter of youth programs and academic improvement advocate, who gave a message of H.O.P.E. He encouraged the students to embrace the heritage and legacy of Honor, Optimism, Pride and Excellence, citing references from legends such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Barack Obama. There was also a surprise special guest, Actor and Film Star Danny Glover. Mr. Glover offered a motivational message rooted in the poetry of Langston Hughes and a quote by Mary McLeod Bethune. His inspiration and enthusiastic engagement with the audience was an added treat for all.

Each semester the ESUHSD acknowledges the accomplishments of the African-American and Latino students who are diligently obtaining honor status. Often there is notice given to the under-achievement of these students. It is refreshing and important to note the students’ positive actions and congratulate them on their hard work and achievement.

Evergreen Valley HS Honorees: Ashaki Bailey, Ayo Bailey, Henri Battiste, Reena Blade, Aaron Carter, Alesha Cox-Harris, Jasmin Craighead, Lyniece Diggs, Jonathan Emodi, Anthony DiSilvestre, Samantha Grant, Megan Gage, Vanessa Grasso, William Grasty, Tanjanae Hodges, Lawrence Melton, Jasmine Pleasant, Kimberley Radford, Ryan Royster, Lauren Ruffin, Dominique Smith, Emmanuel Scott, Jalisa Taylor, Ryan Thomas, Janie Twiggs, Samara White, Jarrel Williams, Joelle Williams.

CCOC students place in top three at Rotary Enterprise Leadership Conference

Two Central County Occu-pational Center (CCOC) students participated on teams that placed second and third at this year’s Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC), held Mar. 11 to 13 in Asilomar.

Five CCOC students were among the nearly 100 area high school students chosen to attend this year’s ELC conference sponsored by the San Jose and Los Gatos Rotary Club. At the 3-day, all-expense-paid conference, students worked in teams of eight to create a virtual business. CCOC Probation & Legal Careers student, Marx Reyes’ team placed second and CCOC Computer Technology Careers student, Jeffrey Leong’s team placed third.

“This was an awesome experience,” Marx Reyes, said. “Every student who has the chance to go to ELC, should go.” He added that they learned so much about teamwork, math, public speaking and business.

Reyes’ team came up with a product that was a belt that would play classical music to a baby in utero. The mother could also monitor the baby’s heartbeat from the belt. Leong’s team designed a shirt that would heat up automatically when put on—similar to a heating blanket but operated on batteries.

The ELC Conference included team-building activities and networking with business executives that the students normally would not have had a chance to meet or interact with. Other attendees from CCOC included Brooke Chanel Philips from Interior Design, Manpreet Jandir from Health Occupations and Edward Dorado from Forensic Investigation.

The students said they weren’t sure what to expect from the conference when they learned they had been chosen to go. “I thought it would be more school stuff—like lectures,” Reyes said. They all said that they were surprised how much fun it was to learn about and build a virtual business from the bottom up in a 3-day span.

“It was a lot of work but so much fun,” Philips said. “If you are determined to do something with your future, then go to the conference.”

WANTED: Sharp Pencils and Creative Thinking

Graphic Novel Contest for Teens Deadlines May 8

Youths between the ages of 12 and 19 are invited to create a graphic novel, up to 10 pages in length using letter-size paper, to enter in a contest for prizes sponsored by San José Public Library Youth Services. Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single individual. Submissions may be dropped off at any San Jose neighborhood branch library; limit one entry per contestant. To be eligible, entries must be received no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Entries will be judged by a panel of library staff and community volunteers, based on the content and illustrations. Winners will be notified by May 29. Four prizes will be awarded as follows:

• First prize - $100 gift card
• Second prize - $75
• Third prize - $50
• Fourth prize - $25

In addition, up to 50 copies of the winner’s book will be reproduced in black and white, and distributed free of charge. One copy per person may be picked up at the following branch libraries, while supplies last: Almaden, Berryessa, Cambrian, Calabazas, Cruz – Alum Rock, Evergreen, Hillview, Joyce Ellington, King Library, Pearl Avenue, Tully Community and West Valley. For information, call (408) 808-3030.

Presentation presents fashion show

Presentation High School is preparing its 43rd Annual Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show. Members of Presentation High School’s Class of 2009, faculty, parents, board members, alumnae and senior boys from area high schools will feature the latest fashions from top-name area retailers and will also include performances by the Presentation Dance Team and Girls Choir. The theme this year, A Walk on the Styled Side, is a tribute to the passion and unique style of the students of Presentation.

The setting for a Walk on the Styled Side is new this year and will be at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel. Shows will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009. The luncheon show begins at 11:30 a.m. and tickets are $100.00 per person. Dinner festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $175.00 per person, which includes dancing to sounds provided by C D Boys.

Samantha Keller, Rachel Becerra, Sanjna Parulenkar, Ann Jackson, and Candace Martinez prepare for the 43rd Presentation Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show.

For additional information, please contact the Presentation High School Development Office at (408) 264-5110 ext. 2428 or visit the school’s Fashion Show Web site, www.presentationfashionshow.com.

Fashion partners this year include Betsey Johnson, Cache, Club Monaco, Eddie Bauer, Eli Thomas, Fox, ibiss, J. Jill, Levi’s, Macy’s, Prana, Talbots, The North Face and White/Black.

James Craig Hair Color and Design of Saratoga is providing model hair styling and makeup for the 8th year in a row. Hostesses hair will be done by Andrews James Salon and their makeup will be provided by Adriana.

Sponsors include Presentation families, many local businesses, alumnae and longtime friends of the school. The Fashion Show raises money to provide financial aid for students attending the all-female Catholic high school, located in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose.

Lady Cougars finish best in EVHS history

By Dan Johnson
Special to the Times

Short on height, but long in heart and determination. Despite not having a player over 5’10” and with most of the players under 5’5”, the Lady Cougars basketball team of Evergreen Valley High School used those attributes along with stifling defense and great teamwork to carry them to the best finish in school history.

The EVHS Lady Cougars had the best season in school history.

The girl’s season culminated with playing in the CCS championship game at Santa Clara University followed by a berth in the state playoffs. The Cougars also captured their second straight BVAL A division title by going 13-1 in league play and finishing in first place, 2 games ahead of second place Piedmont Hills.

This league championship earned the team a bye in the first round of the CCS playoffs. In the quarterfinals, the girls defeated Santa Teresa by a score of 60-50. This win set up a game against perennial powerhouse Carlmont in the semifinals. The Cougars fought hard and prevailed in a close game, beating Carlmont by a score of 54-50.

This victory sent them into the finals against defending champion San Benito of Hollister. San Benito had beaten the Cougars earlier in the year in the final game of the Del Mar Tournament by a score of 66-37. This time the Cougars came to play, and held a 1 point lead going into the fourth quarter, before San Benito’s size advantage wore the Cougars down. The final score of 37-48 and the second place CCS finish could not put a damper on the tremendous season enjoyed by the Cougars.

Because of their second place CCS finish, the Cougars qualified for the state tournament in which they traveled to Sacramento on the Monday night after CCS and finished their season by losing to Sheldon High School.

Junior guard Lanyssa Fiaui led the Cougars with an average of 14 points per game and was named the MVP of the league. Making first team all league were junior guards Alyssa Prudencio who averaged 11 points per game and defensive stalwart Jennifer Le who led the team with 51 three pointers made for the season.

In all, the Lady Cougars made 172 three pointers this year, and were the highest scoring team in the CCS with an average of 60.2 points per game. Junior Samantha Grant was the leading rebounder for the Cougars and also provided the team with fantastic defense in the middle. Senior Carolyn Pham was counted on throughout the season to provide tough defense, and juniors Kelsey Taku, Inanna Eshoo, and Jezelle Cutia, along with sophomore Raquel Orosa added significant contributions at both ends of the floors.

By consistently rotating 9 players and playing very aggressive defense, the Cougars were able to wear down most teams. Seniors Tanya Tantiyavarong and Pearl Felicitas rounded off the squad. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way we played this entire year” was how Coach Dan Johnson summarized the season. Assistant coach Dio Aguinaldo added, “We’ll be back in the CCS championship next year and we’ll win it next time.” It’s hard to argue with her as the Cougars should return 8 of their top 9 players including their top 4 scorers.