May 26, 2005

SCHOOL BRIEFS

First Lady Maria Shriver praises Pioneer student Anna Castro

Anna Castro, a Pioneer High School senior, was given kudos by California First Lady Maria Shriver at City Year’s annual event May 16. Castro gave a speech detailing her involvement with the City Heroes program and spoke of her reaction to racist remarks and the hatred it brought to her heart. She joined City Heroes as a way to complete her 40-hour community service requirement. The program consists of monthly weekend retreats where social issues are discussed with follow-up community-service activities. She credited the program with expanding her views and understanding of people and acknowledged her parents’ sacrifice and dedication. Castro will be the first person in her family to graduate from high school and the first to go to college. Shriver said it was one of the most inspiring speeches she had ever heard.

City Year unites a diverse corps of young adults, ages 17 to 24, for a demanding year of community service, leadership development and civic engagement. For more information visit www.cityyear.org.

Dana Sever wins Missing Children’s National Poster Contest

Los Alamitos fifth grader Dana Sever, student council president, won the Missing Children’s National Poster Contest. She will be heading to Washington, D.C. next week as part of her award where she will meet President George W. Bush in the Oval Office.

Pioneer wind ensemble, jazz bands make noise
at Heritage Music Festival

The Pioneer High School bands just returned from a successful trip to Los Angeles. Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I and Jazz Band II participated in the largest Heritage Music Festival of the year, with over 2,000 student participants. All three groups had excellent results. Wind Ensemble won second place; Jazz Band II won a “Silver Award;” and Jazz Band I received a “Gold Award” and first place.

Johnny Avila awarded scholarship

Johnny Avila, a senior at Pioneer High School, has been awarded the Marsha Legaspi Memorial Scholarship.

San Jose State University to honor Olympic civil rights
activists at sculpture ground-breaking ceremony

On Friday, May 27, San Jose State University will take another step in honoring 1968 Olympic medal winners Tommie Smith and John Carlos by holding a ground-breaking ceremony for a sculpture that will commemorate their silent protest in support of civil rights.

The ceremony begins at noon on the Tower Hall lawn in the center of campus. The athletes will also receive honorary doctorates at the university’s 148th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 28.

Smith and Carlos gained international attention at the Olympics when they raised gloved fists on the victory stand as symbols of black power and unity. Viewed as an unpopular action at the time, the pair are now regarded as important contributors to the American Civil Rights Movement.

In 2002, the Associated Students of SJSU spearheaded the “Commemorating A Legacy” campaign to honor the athletes and raise donations for the sculpture. Alfonso De Alba, director of Associated Students, says, “The action by Tommie Smith and John Carlos, 37 years ago, has inspired students today to safeguard and promote human rights with non-violent actions.”

Smith and Carlos will attend the ground-breaking along with university President Don W. Kassing, city officials and community representatives.

Smith earned his degree from SJSU in sociology and physical education and is currently a faculty member and coach at Santa Monica College. Carlos attended SJSU and is the track and field coach and school suspension supervisor at Palm Springs High School.

Both Smith and Carlos will receive the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, conferred by California State University and San Jose State, at the university’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 28, at 9:30 a.m. at Spartan Stadium (Seventh and Alma Streets).