April 14, 2005

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Leland High School’s Divya Musinipally debates her way to regional win

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Leland High School student Divya Musinipally reigned triumphant at the recent Student Speakers Contest Region Debate.

Debate winner Divya poses with Lions Club members Don Simpson, Lanny Ross and Cliff Cooper.

The event, which was held at the Atrium, was part of the 68th annual contest sponsored by the Lions Clubs of California and Nevada, and set Musinipally on the road to district-level competition with a purse of $4,000.

In the stiff competition, two students, Divya Musinipally (sponsored by the Almaden Super Lions) and Krystal Rincon (sponsored by the Gilroy Lions) faced off. Both were previous winners of the club and zone level contests and had each received $125 thus far. The night’s contest winner would net another $125 and advance to the next level.

The judges, independent of the Lions Club and experienced orators themselves, considered such aspects as the originality, quality and persuasiveness of the speeches, as well as each contestant’s voice control, sincerity and enthusiasm.

As the Lions Club takes the speech debates seriously, they take active measures to eliminate disturbances.

Therefore, while a contestant is speaking, the doors are closed and guards are posted, so that no one may enter or leave the room. There is no photography, video or audiotaping permitted during the contest and all cell phones and pagers must be silenced. Applause is also held until after the judges’ worksheets have been collected.

Musinipally said she had butterflies in her stomach before her presentation, but she was also prepared. She had practiced her speech several times in front of the mirror and her parents, as well as in the car on her way there. “Just before the round, I take a few deep breaths, to psyche myself up and focus on what I’m going to say,” she said. “I give it my all.”

Wearing her lucky suit—a black jacket and skirt and a pink shirt set off by a strand of pearls—which she had specially purchased for speech debates, she was dressed for success.

Rincon, casually attired in jeans, a pink shirt and a white sweater, drew upon personal experience for her speech, as well as the positive attitude of John F. Kennedy.

While Rincon addressed the audience from behind the lectern, Musinipally left it behind, striding confidently, and making eye contact with each person in turn. Her facial features and hands, as well as her voice, were articulate and energized. She quoted reference sources from various disciplines displaying detailed research and utilized her presentation skills to drive her points home.

Both girls put their hearts into their speeches, and both hoped to move onto the next level, but only one succeeded. Answering the debate topic, Is Attitude the Key to Success? with a resounding “Yes!” Musinipally delivered her speech with the confidence, poise and sophistication of a seasoned professional.

“I felt prepared,” she said. “I like speaking in front of people and enjoy connecting with the audience.”
Having succeeded at three debates and accruing $250, Musinipally stands at the halfway point of the Students Speakers Contest. She’s excited about the next stage of the competition, the district level, where she will debate against six region winners. At stake is a substantial monetary award of $4,000, and the chance to advance to the area contest with its $6,500 prize, followed by the final multiple District Four contest with its $10,000 scholarship.

“It’s going to be real tough and a challenge for me,” says Musinipally. “I’m going to practice a lot and hopefully I’ll feel confident.”

Lions Club serves the public
Almaden Super Lions Chair Lanny Ross sees these events as an opportunity for students to gain self-confidence, and experience speaking in front of large groups, not to mention significant scholarship funds. If Musinipally is fortunate enough to win the next three debates, she will accrue a grand total of $20,750.

Founded in Chicago in 1917, the International Association of Lions Clubs is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.37 million members in 193 countries.

The Student Speakers Contest provides an opportunity for competitive public speaking on a subject of interest to the contestants and the American people. “I encourage each of you to utilize your speaking skills, personalities and learning abilities to continue the tradition that the young people of California and Nevada have demonstrated in the past,” challenged Lions Council of Governors Chairperson George Stewart in a letter.

In 1937-40, “Americanism,” “Democracy” and “The Will to Be Free” were chosen as topics for debate. In 1945, students focused on their responsibility to lasting world peace, and whether the government was truly run by the people was considered in 1976. More recently, subjects as varied as cloning, cyberspace and terrorism have been debated.

Attitude is the key to success for Musinipally
Musinipally first became interested in speech and debate through a class at Bret Harte Middle School, and continues this pursuit with Leland High School’s impressive debate program. She was a finalist in Original Oratory at the California State Speech and Debate Tournament, which was sponsored by the National Forensics League, and currently ranks 5th in the state, and 56th in the nation.

Both of Divya’s parents are proud of what she has accomplished. “She seems to have a natural ability for it,” says her mother, Raji Musinipally. “Her delivery is very persuasive and deliberate. She connects with her audience and does a good job.”

Speech and debate classes and tournaments have added another dimension to Musinipally’s abilities. “Competing in competitions has driven me to work hard to achieve my goals,” she says. “It has made me comfortable in a very competitive environment, and confident about speaking in any kind of situation, whether in front of contest judges, classmates or in a job interview.”

According to Musinipally, having the right attitude and following your dreams leads to success and happiness. “No matter what your dream is, know that it is the single most important thing in your life,” she says. “It is the spark that ignites you, the engine that drives you…and the fuel that sustains you.”

The next Student Speakers Contest debate, which will be at the district level, is April 24 at Milpitas High School from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.. For Lions Club membership information, contact Administrator Dianne Howe at 1-800-546-6634.

April 19 public forum to discuss SJUSD’s plan
to cut student busing services

The San Jose Unified School District will hold a public forum to discuss a number of proposed options for the school district to reduce transportation services to students to save money.

There are seven options the school district will be considering, ranging from charging 1,350 students for transportation producing revenue of $200,000 to discontinuing busing for all students in grades 6-12 at an annual savings of $1,002,750.

The meeting is Tuesday, April 19 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the District Office Board Room, at 855 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose. The Board of Education will vote on the transportation matter at the April 21 board meeting.

While they were out

Los Alamitos parents redecorate gloomy staff room for beloved teachers

By Shana Moore
Special to the Times

Dozens of Los Alamitos students and parents flocked to the school during their recent spring break to surprise their beloved teachers with a homemade While-You-Were-Out type of makeover.

“We were so elated and so absolutely taken back, says third grade teacher Faith Borges. “It’s like coming back to a ray of sunshine. The parents and their children gave from their heart.” “I was shocked and couldn’t even speak,” added second grade teacher Janice Felsoci. “I love the colors, I love the curtains… it’s awesome!”

The brainchild of a parent volunteer, the parents set to work to secretly transform the school staff room into a “nice, fun space” instead of a gloomy, boring room.

“I spend a lot of time in the staff room doing projects for the PTA and SCRIP and it disturbed me how gross it was,” said Lynne Wach. “I watch a lot of decorating shows on T.V. like “Extreme Makeover” so I decided to do our own makeover of the staff room.”

Organized by volunteers Wach, Robin Cruz and Nicole Ison and armed with supplies purchased with PTA funds, the workers spent their first day in the gloomy staff room organizing, scrubbing and prepping the walls for paint.

Wach says the makeover was a collaborative effort involving about 30 parents. “We have some very creative parents,” said Wach.

The bland walls transformed from an uninspired industrial white to a warm and invigorating butter yellow, sage and cherry red. Once the paint had dried, the volunteers returned to complete the finishing touches to their Mary Engelbreit theme by hanging valances, recovering chairs and tabletops, painting furniture, and hanging new pictures and shelves.

When asked what inspired them to take on such a big project, Robin Cruz said, “We want the teachers to feel warmed and appreciated whenever they’re in here preparing materials or eating lunch. They do so much for our kids that we wanted to do something fun that was just for them.”

Members of the While They Were Out crew pose after painting the staff room.

The parents left the following letter for the surprised and happy teachers:

Spring Break 2005
Dear Los Alamitos Staff,
We know that most of your pay increases come in the form of hugs. We understand that your stock options vest with each child who graduates from high school to go on to follow his or her dreams. Your household bottom lines are hit as you try to keep the high standards that you’ve set for your classrooms year after year.

We’ve wondered how we could possibly make a permanent reminder to show how much you mean to each family at this school. To that end, we enlisted the design expertise of a few parents, the cheerfulness of Mary Engelbreit, some dollars from PTA and the labor of love from many parents (both past and present). Each brush stroke was made with the knowledge that you not only educate our children but that you wipe their tears, clean their floors, manage their files, tend their wounds, raise our flag and answer our calls. Sewing machines whirred in the realization that the hours spent listening to problems, making a special note on a piece of work, opening milk cartons, chaperoning field trips and meeting with us add up to a millennium. We hope that every time that you step into this room, you will remember that we are so grateful to have such dedicated people to whom we can entrust our children.

There is no April Fool’s this year, just the heartfelt thanks from a community of parents that appreciates your dedication to our precious children.

With love,

The “While You Were Out” Team

Shana Moore is an Almaden freelance writer and Los Alamitos parent volunteer.

Stars in their eyes

Leland High presents ‘Once Upon an Island’ thanks to Mr. Dini

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Excitement is in the air as the Leland High School drama department prepares for the opening night of the musical “Once Upon an Island.”

Watchful eye - Director Steve Dini in rehearsal with the cast of “Once on an Island” in background. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

The talented thespians have painstakingly rehearsed long hours and parents and kids have designed beautiful costumes and sets under the watchful eye of director Steve Dini. And the results are impressive, to say the least.

“Thank you, you did a great job this week,” said Dini as the set is arranged by teens for the next scene. “These are a great group of talented kids. Let’s keep going. Here comes a pretty powerful scene.”

The actors know their lines and dance to the music, spotlights shine on students by fellow classmates working as stagehands. One more rehearsal and it’s show time.

Junior Matt Bradley is in charge of lighting for the first time and expertly handles the spotlight, even though he just took on the responsibility two days prior.

“This is OK,” said Bradley about the new position. “But there is nothing like being on the stage.”

Bradley had previously acted in Leland High productions and will continue with parts in the upcoming “Thank You, Doctor” and The Complete Works of Shakespeare” at the school.

Cast members Tasha Plummer and Cuyler Meade. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Junior Gina Sotello plays Andrea and the storyteller for the musical. She has acted since seventh grade and performed in 14 plays. The pretty blonde would like to continue her acting career in community theater after completing college and earning her degree in English.

“It’s so great to have Mr. Dini here,” said Sotello. “He saved the day. We really appreciate him being here. He rocks.”

Leland High almost didn’t have a drama department. The school was minus a teacher in June 2004 and would have been unable to offer the elective class. Dini, who also directs at Pioneer High School, volunteered his services at Leland as an extra assignment when he heard of their dilemma.

“Leland is thrilled to have him [Dini] and continue the opportunity for students to experience quality drama education,” said Principal Robert Setterlund.

The cast of “Once on an Island” in dress rehearsal. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

After the two and half hour rehearsal at Leland, Dini will drive to Pioneer and work on their play “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“It beats being behind a desk,” said Dini when asked about the double duty.

Crystal Adams plays lead Ti-Moune in “Island” and has been acting since she was 7. A seasoned performer, she handles herself as well with the press as she does on the stage.

“He’s really cool,” said Adams about working with Dini. “It’s a new experience. He has his own original style of directing.”

Junior Cuyler Meade plays the God of death and is also comfortable under a spotlight.
“I’ve been in school leads and ensemble parts prior to this,” said Meade. “This is my fifth play at Leland. I’ve
thought about an acting career but it’s hard to be successful. What I’d really like to be is a singer. I think it’s a bit easier.”

About working with Dini, Meade laughs saying, “what if I said he was terrible, would you print it?” but quickly becomes serious.

Cast member Gina Sotello is ready for opening night. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“He’s done a lot for the actors. He makes sure everything is taken care of administering and we have a really great set. He really has done a good job.”

A starry moonlit night at a tropical beach was the inspiration of Almaden artist Pam Mossing (with the help of Leland students) as the backdrop for the “Once on an Island” set.

Tasha Plummer is a first-timer in the acting world. She’s usually riding her horse but friends convinced her to join the drama department. She won a part in the ensemble troupe.

“I’m not nervous,” said Plummer. “At least not yet. I’m really enjoying it.”

A group of drama students with stars in their eyes and a director who cares has created an enjoyable musical, full of song, dance and the questions of life. As the rehearsal ends, Dini gives a final pep talk.

“I’m really proud of you,” he says. “This is exciting and we’re going to have a great coming week. I love you guys.”

Leland High School’s production of “Once on an Island” will be presented April 13, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. . Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students. Tickets will be sold at the door. Leland is located at 6677 Camden Ave., San Jose. Call 978-8499 for more information.