Saugus Receives Valuing Diversity Award
This year’s Valuing Diversity Award goes to Saugus High School in honor of the school’s ambitious effort and in the spirit of great optimism for things yet to come. The school conducted a self-study on its climate of respect for all students and staff, reinvigorated its Safe School Ambassadors program, and re-scheduled an appearance by the SHARE Tolerance Trailer whose visit to campus was derailed by last year’s Station Fire. The school challenged athletes to become leaders through a film about a Louisiana high school’s struggle to overcome racial tension in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, including a personal visit to Saugus from key figures in the film. Principal Bill Bolde’s goal is to take the entire ninth grade to the Museum of Tolerance early next year.
Summer Graduates to Receive Diplomas
Nineteen students who will meet their final high school requirements during summer school this month will be honored at a district-wide summer graduation ceremony 10 a.m. Friday, July 16, at Canyon High School. The ceremony will be held in Team Room S4 on campus, followed by a cake and punch reception. The ceremony will celebrate five graduating seniors from Hart High School, one from Saugus, two from Valencia, four from Golden Valley and seven from Canyon.
Alumni Return for Musical Production
Golden Valley High School performing arts alumni and current students got together this summer to perform “A Chorus Line” in the new Golden Valley theater. The show was a benefit, one-night-only performance with all proceeds going to support Golden Valley’s performing arts programs. In addition to raising money, the project was designed to allow those Golden Valley graduates who did not have the opportunity to perform in the theater to have that experience. The production was a labor of love in which all parties–actors, technicians, designers, directors, parents and staff–donated their time and energy in a whirlwind three week rehearsal period to make the production a success.
Seventh Grader Invited to Football Camp
Chris Hamilton, a seventh grader at Arroyo Seco Junior High, is one of 200 junior high school football standouts invited to Williamsburg, VA, this month for a “Top Gun Experience” football camp. Chris was recognized as a talented quarterback at Football University’s camp in Los Angeles last February and is hoping to be chosen for the National Youth All-American Bowl next January. As part of this summer’s camp, Chris will be trained by former NLF coaches and athletes with the latest performance technology, including high-definition video analysis. The program is designed to give capable young athletes a head start to succeeding in college football and beyond.
Summer Camp Helps Young Actors
Students at Placerita Junior High School who are interested in drama got a head start on the upcoming season by attending a summer program on “how to have a successful audition.” Twelve seventh and eighth graders spent two weeks learning audition techniques, acting, theatrical choreography and set making while just having a great time. The group, which will serve in leadership roles during the school year, also helped to plan the fall theatrical activities for Placerita’s after-school theater arts program, known to students as Drama Club. The group meets four afternoons a week during the school year and produces three shows–a school-wide talent show in October, winter musical in February and spring play/dinner theater in May. Advisor is Vicki Kennedy.
Centurions Studying in China
Three students from Saugus High School and Patty Stephenson, chair of the school’s Foreign Language Department, are in China this summer as part of the local school’s exchange program with Gao Xin No. 1 High School in X’ian, China. The students live with local families and attend classes in Chinese language and culture during the six-week international program. The students, who are studying Mandarin Chinese at Saugus High School, will also have an opportunity to visit some Chinese sites famous for their history and beauty. They also visited the International Expo in Shanghai during the trip. A group of five Gao Xin students will arrive in Saugus this fall to spend the fall semester on the Centurion campus.
Bowman Students Examine Their Beliefs
English students at Bowman High School joined tens of thousands of Americans as they were challenged to reflect upon, write and share essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. “This I Believe” began in the 1950s, when Edward R. Murrow hosted a radio program by the same name. Today, the program invites Americans from all walks of life to write and submit their essays on the topic of their values and beliefs. Bowman students began by recalling their most profound life experiences and reflecting upon what they learned from those experiences. From this, students worked to form their own life philosophies. The stories were inspirations and often heartbreaking and honest.
Adult Students, Family Celebrate Graduation
Celebrating 62 years of service to the adult community, Golden Oak Adult School awarded 23 diplomas to graduating students at the Hart Auditorium. The lively event was attended by over 200 invited guests who enthusiastically cheered and applauded the graduates, ranging in age from 19 to 58. In his commencement speech, Dave LeBarron, director of curriculum and assessment for the Hart District, congratulated not only the graduates, but also family and friends for their continued support in encouraging the students to fulfill their educational goals. Graduates were given the opportunity to address the crowd, and many did, expressing their appreciation for the ‘second chance’ provided by the programs offered at Golden Oak.
