Monthly Archives: June 2021

Vacaville School District offers free summer meals – Daily Republic

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The Vacaville School District is offering free meals through its Summer Feeding Plan to anyone 18 and under.

No IDs are required. Meals will be distributed on-site daily (masks are required) or with a weekly box service at selected locations.

Those students who visit the daily site will receive a hot lunch and a breakfast for the next morning.

Each weekly box contains various options for students to try, containing fruits, vegetables and more. An adult might need to help prepare some items in the box.

Source: Vacaville School District offers free summer meals

Solano Office of Education accepting applications for youth coalition – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education is accepting applications for the Solano Youth Coalition.

Applicants must be Solano residents, 14 to 21 years old and full-time students.

“The mission of (the youth coalition) is to raise awareness and advocate for safe and healthy choices in Solano communities. The student-based coalition educates peers and community members on issues surrounding alcohol, tobacco and other drug preventions, mental health awareness, violence prevention, social justice and racial equity,” a statement from the Office of Education said.

Source: Solano Office of Education accepting applications for youth coalition

Large Adult School class overcomes obstacles on path to diploma, certificates – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Going to school during a pandemic is challenging enough. Going to school, working and raising children takes another level of dedication.

Jessica Calderon was one of the 118 graduates Tuesday who earned their high school diploma or high school equivalency with the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School.

Calderon completed her coursework while holding a job and learning to take care of her children, one of which was recently diagnosed with autism.

Source: Large Adult School class overcomes obstacles on path to diploma, certificates

Wood alum gets bird’s-eye view of St. Louis Cardinals – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Katie Woo might have trouble connecting on a major league curveball like most of us, but she has no problem connecting with baseball fans thanks to her quick Twitter thumbs and ability to pound out game stories and features in no time at all.

The 2014 Will C. Wood High School graduate joined the staff of The Athletic, the national sports writing website, just in time to become the new 2021 beat reporter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Her dream was to have a life following Major League Baseball and she was able to achieve it faster than most ballplayers toiling in the minor leagues.

Source: Wood alum gets bird’s-eye view of St. Louis Cardinals

Rodriguez, Early College students celebrate achievements – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Rodriguez High School Principal Clarence Isadore was proud of his graduates and all they accomplished this year, individually and as a collective group.

“Tell the story of being the pride of Solano County as a California Distinguished High School, even during a pandemic,” Isadore said before his Mustangs. “You worked hard morning, noon and night and built relations that will last a lifetime.”

The Rodriguez principal was thrilled to receive the prestigious state award, even during tough times. The honor still came as most students did the bulk of their senior workload from home until late spring.

Source: Rodriguez, Early College students celebrate achievements

Public Safety Academy graduates all 52 seniors – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Public Safety Academy graduating cadets have a lot to be proud of this year.

Among the points of pride: Every senior received a diploma for this graduating class, Principal Laurie Halcomb said Tuesday at the school’s commencement ceremony.

“It is hard to believe I watched some of these graduates from the sixth grade to graduation,” she said. “It has been a pleasure to watch them navigate middle school and go through high school where they have grown into mature, confident young adults.”

Halcomb said that they supported each other despite how difficult it has been.

Source: Public Safety Academy graduates all 52 seniors

Vallejo High wrestler Maylin Reyes signs with Elmira College – Times-Herald

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By Matt O’Donnell

Like most of her fellow classmates, Vallejo High senior wrestler Maylin Reyes did not have the typical prep career due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Reyes, however, also did not have the quintessential four years due to a serious eye injury.

The 17-year-old put all those obstacles in the past on Saturday when she signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Elmira College in New York. She signed her letter in front of family, coaches and friends in an emotional ceremony in the Bottari Gym lobby.

Source: Vallejo High wrestler Maylin Reyes signs with Elmira College – Times-Herald

23rd Annual Art on the Vine raises funds for Rodriguez High School Art Program – The Reporter

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The Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association invites the public to the 23rd Annual Art on the Vine. This year’s event is a fundraiser for the Rodriguez High School Art Program and features over 35 artists, four bands over two days and a food truck.

Some of the artwork will be previewed in a special display at the Solano Town Center Gallery located in the Solano Town Center, Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Live music on Saturday and Sunday will include the bands: Yuppie Liberation Front, The School of Rock House Band, and Solid Gold. On both days, wine tasting, bocce ball and a meal by ‘Mauricio’s Brunch-in-a-Box’ will also be available.

Source: 23rd Annual Art on the Vine raises funds for Rodriguez High School Art Program – The Reporter

Solano County Veterans Who Quit High School For The Military Can Apply For Diploma – CBS San Francisco

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Solano County announced Monday that local veterans who weren’t able to finish high school due to their military service can file for a diploma.

The deadline is Tuesday.

Operation Recognition, hosted by the Solano County Office of Education, provides high school diplomas to individuals who served in the military and Japanese-American citizens.

Honorably discharged veterans that served in World War II, the Korean War or Vietnam War are eligible to apply for a diploma.

Source: Solano County Veterans Who Quit High School For The Military Can Apply For Diploma – CBS San Francisco

‘Resilient’ Benicia High graduates class of 2021 – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

Benicia High Student Body President Brode Alava received a few laughs when he brought up the line often said by teachers for four years — “The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do.”

However, on Saturday morning, Alava and his Benicia class of 2021 were officially dismissed from high school.

Instead of a bell ringing there was plenty of whistles, applause, stomping of feet in the bleachers and yes, an endless amount of pomp and circumstance blaring from the loud speakers as the students graduated and celebrated with loved ones. The 122nd ceremony took place at Drolette Stadium, just two months after some students had returned to in-person instruction after a year of learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: ‘Resilient’ Benicia High graduates class of 2021 – Times-Herald

Buckingham grads march to their futures – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Newly-minted Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy graduate Jackson Andrews expressed candidly Friday how many of his classmates felt after enduring the 2020-21 academic year, more than nine months amid a pandemic, at the Vacaville high school.

“It was a pain in the butt, but I made it through,” said Andrews, 17, one of 97 seniors who picked up their diplomas Friday morning during commencement at Tom Zunino Stadium on the Vacaville High School campus on West Monte Vista Avenue.

After all, as Vacaville Unified Superintendent Jane Shamieh noted in her remarks spoken on a temporary stage on the field, the school’s class of 2021 “missed sports, prom, choir concerts, robotics and so much more …” due to public health restrictions.

Source: Buckingham grads march to their futures – The Reporter

In year of loss, Vanden grads celebrate ‘sense of community’ – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Like their counterparts nationwide, some 390 Vanden High seniors braved the many challenges of the 2020-21 pandemic and academic year, graduating with pomp, circumstance, speeches, and coveted diplomas Saturday morning at George A. Gammon Field in Fairfield.

“It was quite an experience,” said Alyna Bobis, 17, of Suisun City shortly after the 90-minute ceremony under partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the high 70s with a mild breeze. “This was the first class who spent a whole year online. It was really interesting.”

Wearing a school-colors forest green cap and gown with a gold sash and a required mask, she said the biggest lesson of the past nine months was “learning to accept new differences in our lives.”

Source: In year of loss, Vanden grads celebrate ‘sense of community’ – The Reporter

“Prologue” sends graduates on their way – The Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

Vibrant.

That was the feel of Saturday’s graduation of Vacaville High School’s Class of 2021.

With high energy and an abundance of grins, more than 400 young men and women clad in black and orange marched across Tom Zunino field with heads held high to the tune of “Fanfare & Processional,” performed by the Vacaville High Symphonic Orchestra.

Taking their seats, they eagerly acknowledged friends while searching the bleachers for family and other loved ones. They weren’t hard to find, judging by all the screaming, cheering, spinning of noisemakers and more coming from both sides of the field.

Source: “Prologue” sends graduates on their way – The Reporter

Vacaville High seniors turn page on new life chapter – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The day could not have been better Saturday for a graduation ceremony.

Vacaville High School seniors said farewell to high school and welcomed in a new chapter of their lives, with a soft breeze and warm sunlight. It was a fitting beginning after such a long year.

Aiden Hawk along with his friend, Dakota Marin, are looking forward to attending Solano Community College this fall.

Source: Vacaville High seniors turn page on new life chapter

Travis schools budget plan – with $1.38M in red ink – open to public comment – Daily Republic

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By Glen Faison

The Travis School District board will hear public comment Tuesday on the proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget, and will consider approving the certificated salary schedule including a 183-day work calendar.

A staff report on the budget proposal shows more than $68.33 million in general fund revenue and nearly $69,021 in spending. The approximate $1.38 million in red ink is driven by $1.55 million in deficit spending in the district’s unrestricted funds, partially offset by a surplus of $171,000 in the district’s restricted funds.

Source: Travis schools budget plan – with $1.38M in red ink – open to public comment

Buckingham honors graduates, notes their ‘zest for life’ – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

It was the 26th senior class but the first under the rebranded name, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, honored Thursday under sunny morning skies at Tom Zunino Stadium.

The charter school also dedicated a new campus this year, now located at 100 McClellan St. Many of the 97 graduates faced hybrid learning like many others in the Vacaville School District, but these Knights were able to enjoy the new grounds in the early spring.

“They were very limited in their extracurricular activities, but we were so glad to be able to have a graduation ceremony and to open our new campus,” new Principal Samantha Working said of the job for the past three months. “We had hybrid learning but most came back by March.”

Source: Buckingham honors graduates, notes their ‘zest for life’

Bright future lies ahead, Will C. Wood speakers tell fellow graduates – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Enjoy the day and look to the future was the message from three student speakers at the Will C. Wood graduation Friday.

Senior class president Kyle Hurlbut noted the past four years have been filled with classmates, teammates and more importantly, friends.

“I am confident we are ready for what the future holds,” he told the crowd at Wildcats Stadium.

He encouraged his fellow graduates to look at the person next to them and offer congratulations.

Source: Bright future lies ahead, Will C. Wood speakers tell fellow graduates

Graduates of 2021 – and 2020 – bid farewell, extend gratitude to TEC – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

One speaker evoked the memory of her friend Daniel Hughes.

Another called on her classmates and generation to speak out for the Palestinian children of Gaza, who she said are far less worried about high school graduation as they are about surviving the bombs and bullets of the ever-tumultuous Hamas-Israel conflict.

“I pray for Palestinians, and I pray for Gaza and that place,” said Maiya Beltran, a 2020 graduate of the Travis Education Center, who said her generation has a responsibility to speak out for those who have no voice of their own.

Source: Graduates of 2021 – and 2020 – bid farewell, extend gratitude to TEC

Outgoing TEC principal calls pandemic grads special – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Allyson Rude-Azevedo emceed her eighth Travis Education Center commencement ceremony Friday – her first since 2019.

That is why graduates from the Class of 2020 were invited to participate along with the Class of 2021.

“For kids who struggle in school, graduation is very important,” Rude-Azevedo said in an interview prior to the start of the ceremony on the Vanden High football field. “So this is a real big deal for the kids and their families.”

Source: Outgoing TEC principal calls pandemic grads special

Vanden Class of 2021 together for last time on campus – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Jasmine Soria reflected briefly Saturday – as she put the finishing touches on her graduation attire – on her four years at Vanden High School.

“I’m glad I made it to the end,” she said prior to the 2021 ceremony.

She was surrounded by her mom, dad, grandmother and stepmother.

Janelle and Daniel Wagenaar were among the first 25 or 30 waiting for the gates to open to the stadium.

Source: Vanden Class of 2021 together for last time on campus