The deadline for high schools in 10th to 12th grades to submit an essay for the 14th annual Solano County Constitution Essay Contest is closing fast.
“Celebrating the 238th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, this contest challenges students to explore the theme: “Why is the ‘Separation of Powers’ as important today as it was when the founders wrote the U.S. Constitution?”
Source: Essay contest open to 10-12 graders for scholarships | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Solano County Library is hosting a Teen Writing Contest open to ages 12-18.
Entries will be accepted beginning Monday. All must be submitted 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31.
Three winning entries from each category will be published. Each winner will also receive a $25 gift card.
Source: Entries open soon for Teen Writing Contest | News | dailyrepublic.com
Travis Credit Union has shared the recipients of its 2025 Community Impact Scholarship during a virtual award ceremony.
Each graduating high school senior received a $2,000 scholarship to support their college education, in recognition of their academic achievements and dedication to community service.
The TCU Community Impact Scholarship program has awarded more than $637,000 to more than 400 students since it was established 21 years ago.
Source: Local high school students get scholarships from Travis Credit Union | News | dailyrepublic.com
Six local high school students will be going to Japan.
The trip is part of Fairfield’s three-week Sister City Program, June 26 to July 14, with Nirasaki, Japan.
“Located in the picturesque Yamanashi Prefecture, Nirasaki is known for its grapes, peaches, wine and proximity to the majestic Mt. Fuji. During the trip, students will serve as ambassadors for Fairfield, live with host families, attend schools, explore historical and cultural landmarks, and gain valuable insights into Japanese culture and customs,” the city said in a statement.
Source: Fairfield looking for support to send 6 students to Japan | News | dailyrepublic.com
Let your inner child out and play at Winters Youth Day.
Residents of Yolo and Solano counties can participate in the annual Winters Youth Day Main Parade, at 10 a.m. on April 26. There is no entry fee. Participants can compete for cash prizes, trophies and ribbons across a variety of award categories.
The shorter Kiddie Parade will begin at 9:45 a.m., while the 11th annual Duck Derby starts at 3:30. Adopt a duck at https://bit.ly/Ducks2025 for a chance to win and support a great cause.
Source: Winters Youth Day is closing in fast | News | dailyrepublic.com
Solano County high school students are evaluating the health of local creeks this spring as part of the Solano Resource Conservation District’s Solano County Biomonitoring Program.
“From identifying hundreds of macroinvertebrates found in a creek’s substrate to measuring the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, students get a taste of authentic scientific field work while contributing to a sixteen-year-long data set recording biological and chemical data from the county’s waterways,” the district said in a statement.
Source: High schoolers learning about health of area creeks | News | dailyrepublic.com
National Library Week kicks off Sunday with special events planned through April 12.
The Solano County Library invites the community to celebrate and recognize the vital role libraries play in connecting, inspiring and supporting people of all ages.
From books and digital tools to storytimes, job support and creative programs, the library offers something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring new hobbies, starting a business, raising a family or planning your next chapter, the library can help.
Source: National Library Week offers family, adult fun | News | dailyrepublic.com
Nearly 2,000 Solano County third-graders recently completed the 2024-25 Watershed Explorers Program.
“The Watershed Explorers Program is a valuable experience for our students, offering hands-on learning that deepens their understanding of local ecosystems and the importance of environmental stewardship.” Johnathan Lamb, a third-grade teacher at D.H. White, shared about the program. “Each year, our classes return because the program engages students in real-world science, fosters curiosity, and connects them to the natural world in meaningful ways. The knowledgeable staff and pre-field trip classroom lessons make the learning fun and exciting.”
Source: Students from 76 classrooms dip into water education | News | dailyrepublic.com
Child Month, and all its parts, was in the spotlight at Tuesday’s Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting.
“Each year … as part of April Children’s Month, community partners across Solano County join together to support activities and events that raise awareness about critical children’s issues, as well as celebrate and commemorate children,” the staff report to the board states.
The board, on a 4-1 vote with chairman Mitch Mashburn absent, also adopted a resolution recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Solano County.
Source: Supervisors recognize Child Month; decry violence against children | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Robin Miller
The Peña Adobe Historical Society will kick off the 2025 season with Kid’s Day at the Adobe at the Peña Adobe Park in Vacaville, on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Families are invited to come see the historic Peña Adobe, one of the oldest structures in Solano County. Dating back to 1842, the Adobe was once the home of the Juan Felipe Peña family who, with the Vacas, settled in Vacaville more than 175 years ago. They will also meet Darlene Peña Coombs, a fifth- generation Peña descendant and be able to visit the Mowers-Goheen Museum and see local artifacts that include a woolly mammoth bone.
Fun activities including face painting, corn husk doll making and more.
Source: Kids Day at Pena Adobe set for Saturday – The Vacaville Reporter
The Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club is hosting a special no-cost ‘Day of Play’ on Saturday for military families.
This event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is open to children, 5-11, “and aims to provide a well-deserved break for parents at home while giving kids an exciting day of activities in a safe and supportive environment.”
Source: Boys & Girls offers ‘Day of Play’ for military children | News | dailyrepublic.com
The seventh annual Solano County Kindness Campaign Video Contest is open to junior high and high school students.
The video contest, sponsored by Solano County District Attorney’s Office, invites students to submit a video between 30 seconds and 2 minutes in length that expresses what the power of kindness can accomplish in their school community.
It asks the question, “How can the power of kindness be used in our schools, homes and communities to make a positive difference?”
Source: Kindness video contest returns for 7th year | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Amy Maginnis-Honey
A dedicated group of volunteers, the only ones in the state and west of Illinois, meet weekly to ensure school children have food over the weekend.
The Vacaville/Fairfield chapter of End 68 Hours of Hunger, named after the amount of time school children wait between the free lunch at school on Friday afternoon and the free breakfast on Monday morning, operates in both towns.
It’s also one of the largest of the 40 nationwide chapters. That statistic is evidence of the critical need in Solano County, said Kathy Grogan, a supply team leader in Fairfield.
Source: End 68 Hours of Hunger: Feed the children – on weekends, too | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Nick McConnell
Touting the positive impact that the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club has made in their lives, two local teens were honored Wednesday as the club’s Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year and a gala event held in the Vacaville Opera House.
Michael Laine, 16, won the Youth of the Year award at the organization’s Raise a Glass event and Joshua Valencia, 13, won Junior Youth of The Year.
John Gilmore, teen director at the club, explained that applicants for the Youth of the Year honor had to write application essays to be considered for the award. He then introduced the award winners.
Source: Vacaville Youth of The Year announced – The Vacaville Reporter
The second annual Girls on the Rise event is set for March 22 at the Solano County Events Center.
The forum, Girls on the Rise: Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders, is “designed to empower young women, ages 15–25, to explore exciting career paths in law, STEM, business, and first responder professions,” the Solano County Bar Association said in a statement.
It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Event Center is located at 601 Texas St. in Fairfield.
Source: Girls on the Rise event wants to inspire teens, young women | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Solano Community Foundation on Wednesday announced three new programs.
The foundation has $25,000 to award $1,000 “Make Learning Fun!” grants.
“This new microgrant program provides direct funding to teachers for classroom projects, helping to ignite creativity and enhance learning experiences for students across the county. We want to support the educators who are shaping our future generation by giving them the tools to make learning a dynamic and enjoyable process,” Leslie Janik, the new chief executive officer of the foundation noted in a newsletter.
Source: Solano Community Foundation offers teacher grants | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Amy Maginnis-Honey
The City Council gave its blessing to free rides for youths, 6-18, on the FAST fixed bus routes beginning Dec. 1.
Council members approved the agency’s proposal to accept only Clipper cards and paratransit passes on all fixed-route services, microtransit and paratransit.
Councilman Doug Carr was not present.
Source: Fairfield council approves free FAST fixed route travel for youths | News | dailyrepublic.com
Rep. Mike Thompson and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry are seeking high school students interested in participating in the 2024-25 Student Leadership Council.
The council is a program “that allows local students to work directly with their elected officials and staff to develop leadership skills, learn how government works, and engage with our community.”
It is open to any high school student in the 4th Congressional District and the 4th Assembly District. Student leaders are expected to attend a minimum of three to five mandatory meetings during the year.
Source: High school students wanted for Leadership Council | News | dailyrepublic.com
Leaven Kids, a nonprofit committed to early childhood education, celebrated its 15th anniversary at its annual fundraising gala at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa.
The gala brought together more than 300 business leaders, community partners and philanthropists to support its mission of youth educational development.
The gala is Leaven Kids’ flagship fundraising event, featuring a formal dinner, live auction and keynote address. All proceeds from the evening will directly support the organization’s after-school programs, which provide tutoring and educational resources to students living in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Source: Leaven Kids celebrate 15 years with two new awards | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is offering three 2024 Future Leaders scholarships.
“This scholarship is designed to support and empower high school seniors and college freshmen from Solano County as they pursue higher education and work toward becoming the leaders of tomorrow,” the chamber announced.
An essay (500-700 words) or a short video is required and must include personal background, future goals and aspirations, involvement in school and the community and how this scholarship will help in achieving academic and career objectives.
Source: Hispanic Chamber offering $1,000 scholarships | News | dailyrepublic.com