Category Archives: Success stories

Benicia High students win App Challenge for Fifth Congressional District – Benicia Herald

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By Editor

Congressman Thompson announces 2019 App Challenge winners; Winners selected by local tech experts

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that Kai Rush and Benji Ryujin have been selected as the 2019 App Challenge winners for the Fifth Congressional District for their app Space Trace. Kai and Benji are seniors at Benicia High School and competed against more than a dozen other app designers in this year’s challenge. They were selected by a group of local technology experts.

Source: Benicia High students win App Challenge for Fifth Congressional District

Jesse Bethel High graduate helping out with broadcasting club – Times-Herald

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BY Thomas Gase

Rizal Aliga wants to tell Vallejo about all the good things occurring at Jesse Bethel High School. But instead of shouting the news from the rooftop, he has decided to just broadcast it.

Aliga, a 2016 graduate of Bethel and 2019 graduate of UC Santa Cruz, has helped start a lunchtime and after-school club that runs KJBJ, a group intended to give more coverage on the whole school that deals with radio, streaming, broadcasting and other journalism elements.

Teens in the group learn to use a camera, call play-by-play for numerous sporting events, talk into the microphone and use proper interviewing skills and then putting it all together for Mixcloud and the online site. Group participants also learn about editing skills and music, such as when to play certain music during games. The club covers just about every Bethel athletic activity and is intending to do a documentary for each of them.

Source: Jesse Bethel High graduate helping out with broadcasting club – Times-Herald

2017 Fairfield High grad works for NASA – Daily Republic

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By Lorena Anderson

Like many young women, Calista Lum absorbed the message that she was not as capable as her male peers when it came to science, technology, engineering and math.

She wanted to pursue physics, engineering and data analysis because she enjoyed them.

When she enrolled at the University of California, Merced, she joined the Merced Nanomaterials Center for Energy and Sensing. She’s mentored by physics professor Sayantani Ghosh and graduate student William Delmas, whom she credits with a great deal of her success thus far.

Source: 2017 Fairfield High grad works for NASA

Teen filmmaker sets out to change female roles in horror movies – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Some 16-year-old girls dream of romance, a knight in shining armor, a white picket fence and children.

Indica DeRose views the world from a different vantage point. The teen, who finished high school early, will make her second appearance at next weekend’s Benicia Film Festival.

Her film, “Just Girly Things,” was inspired by a 195os-era publication “Who’s Looking at You?” that offered advice on how to look one’s best and attract a husband. She found it in a Benicia antique store and began to peruse it, coming up with an idea for a film.

Source: Teen filmmaker sets out to change female roles in horror movies

Vallejo High grad Damany Hendrix begins new job with Vanderbilt – Times Herald

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By Thomas Gase

It always helps to have a few good references on your resume. For Damany Hendrix, his top reference just happens to be a two-time all star in the NBA.

Damany Hendrix

After helping the Vallejo High 1998 graduate earn jobs in the NBA G League with the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors organizations, Hendrix was once again called upon by Jerry Stackhouse to help with his coaching staff, this time at the Vanderbilt.

Hendrix’s new job is the new Director of Player Development and Quality Control for Vanderbilt, while Stackhouse is the new head coach.

Source: Vallejo High grad Damany Hendrix begins new job with Vanderbilt – Times Herald

Vaca High grad Tony Gonsolin called up to big leagues by Los Angeles Dodgers – The Reporter

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By Joel Rosenbaum

Vacaville High baseball stand out Tony Gonsolin got the call he’s been waiting for.

The 2012 graduate will be promoted Wednesday from the Los Angeles Dodgers Triple-A team in Oklahoma City and according to mlbtraderumors.com is scheduled to start against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Drafted by the Dodgers in 2016 in the ninth round out of St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Gonsolin moved through the farm system earning the promotion to Triple-A this season where he’s earned one win against one loss in 26 innings giving up just 20 hits and striking out 31 and an earned run average of 2.77.

Source: Vaca High grad Tony Gonsolin called up to big leagues by Los Angeles Dodgers – The Reporter

Vanden student-athletes sign letters of intent – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

It was crowded in Vanden High’s Jim Boyd Gym, Wednesday, and that had nothing to do with the folks in the stands.

Eleven Vikings athletes from six sports took part in a letter of intent or were announced signing ceremony before family, friends and teammates, with two unable to attend.

“We stop, pause and gather as they reach one more milestone in their journey,” said Vanden girls basketball coach Allison Johnson, who served as master of ceremonies. “We’re honored and privileged to be here to celebrate with you.”

Source: High school sports: Vanden student-athletes sign letters of intent

Vanden grad seeks seat on US Olympic kayak team – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

A 2010 Vanden High School graduate has her sights set next year on the Tokyo Olympics.

Renae Jackson, who worked as a lifeguard in Vacaville during her teen years, hopes to find a spot on the United States kayak team.

She has two chances to qualify:

• Finishing in the top six in the world this summer at World Championships.

• Being No. 1 in the Pan American Championships next spring.

Starting July 1, she begins training full time.

Source: Vanden grad seeks seat on US Olympic kayak team

Rodriguez High alumnus Leveau gives back to community – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Jordan Leveau, CEO of Artpop Cosmetics, contacted one of his former teachers from Rodriguez High School with an idea for his new lip kit release.

Artpop is an organic, vegan, animal-cruelty free, California-based, vibrant cosmetic makeup line, according to the company’s website. It launched a new lip kit Wednesday at the San Francisco RAW Impact Showcase.

To highlight the company’s vision, Leveau asked Lynn Larsen to have her students design and paint a backdrop for the event.

Source: Rodriguez High alumnus Leveau gives back to community

Vanden robotics team advances to World Championships – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

To past generations the idea of constructing robots seemed like science fiction, but it is now a common part of secondary school curricula.

It has paid off well for Vanden High School’s robotics team, the RoboVikes, which recently received the highest honor at the FIRST Robotics regional competition in Sacramento when they were bestowed with the Chairman’s Award.

The award “honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST,” according to a news release.

Source: Vanden robotics team advances to World Championships – The Reporter

Vaca High senior Nevaeh DeSouza nails a perfect 10 in State gymnastics meet – The Reporter

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By Matt Sieger

Her gymnastics coaches scoured the records and couldn’t find a single gymnast who had done what Nevaeh DeSouza had just done.

The 17-year-old Vacaville High senior scored a perfect 10.0 in the vault at the State championships at Pleasanton on March 16.

“We looked all the way back to 2000, and it hasn’t happened in Northern California,” said DeSouza’s coach Jennifer Hudson at Dream Xtreme Gymnastics in Vacaville. “Any event, any athlete, at any level.”

Source: Vacaville High senior Nevaeh DeSouza nails a perfect 10 on vault in State gymnastics meet – The Reporter

Vaca High sophomore to audition for ‘The Voice’ – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

The 16th season of NBC’s hit singing competition series “The Voice” premieres on Feb. 25, and scores of aspiring singers across the nation are preparing to audition for the show, go through a few rounds of training with one of the celebrity judges and ultimately be crowned ‘the voice,’ where they will win $10,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.

One of these open auditions is taking place at San Francisco’s Moscone Center West on Feb. 24, which makes it a primary destination for Bay Area vocalists. Of course, this includes singers from Vacaville.

This week, The Reporter profiled Tyler James Luttrell, a Vacaville native who has been prepping for the audition with renditions of country and Southern rock songs.

Source: Vaca High sophomore to audition for ‘The Voice’ – The Reporter

Vaca High grad Stevens wins USTAF 50K championship – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Vacaville High graduate and former Westwind Flyers Track Club member Robyn Stevens won the USA Track and Field 50-kilometer (31.1-mile) race walk championship in Santee, Saturday, with a time of 4 hours, 34 minutes, 24 seconds.

The top three finishers (male and female) will compete for the United States team in the 2019 Pan American Race Walking Cup in Lazaro, Mexico, April 20-21, and Stevens will participate in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, July 26-Aug. 11.

Source: Vaca High grad Stevens wins USTAF 50K championship

Hogan High grad Bob Bohnet to enter Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

When Bob Bohnet was at Hogan High in the early 1970s, he was cut from the school’s basketball squad by coach Jim Stephenson. Bohnet has thought about the moment from time to time and if he sees the ex-Hogan coach on March 9 he’ll probably have two words to say to him — thank you.

Bohnet will be in a good mood because the potential meeting would take place at the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame ceremony at the Dan Foley Cultural Center. Bohnet will be inducted due mostly because of his exploits in another sport he later focused on — baseball. Stephenson is also a 2019 inductee.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll remind him about it (being cut) there,” Bohnet said with a laugh.

The 1974 Hogan High graduate was stellar in multiple sports, but baseball was his calling as he stared for the Spartans at multiple positions on the field before also playing well for Solano College, Cal and a number of teams in the minor leagues.

Source: Hogan High grad Bob Bohnet to enter Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame – Times-Herald

Bethel High grad C.J. Anderson signs with Oakland Raiders – Times-Herald

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By Vallejo Times Herald

NFL.com and other sources have reported that Jesse Bethel High grad C.J. Anderson has signed with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday.

Anderson reportedly worked out with the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday but Kansas City eventually signed ex-Chief Charcandrick West instead.

On Twitter Tuesday night Anderson sent out a message saying, “Just a #CrestKid happy to be home. As @nene25uno my mother would say ‘it’s only one nation’”

Anderson, a 1,000-yard rusher last season with the Broncos, helped Denver win a Super Bowl in 2016. He was a Pro-Bowler in 2015.

Source: Report: Bethel High grad C.J. Anderson signs with Oakland Raiders – Times-Herald

FHS grad Peyton Bailey adds spark to Briar Cliff Chargers – Daily Republic

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By Paul Farmer

Teams for whom Peyton Bailey plays just seem to do better.

The Fairfield High football team was 5-5 his senior year in 2015, when he made the All-Solano County Athletic Conference first team on defense, second team on offense. The Falcons have gone 2-26 since.

Sacramento City College was 6-5 in 2016 and 8-3 in 2017 in his two years with the Panthers, 3-7 the year before he got there, 4-5 this season.

Prior to 2018, Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, had never had a winning season in football since beginning play in 2004. Its high-water mark was 5-6 in 2006, its longest winning streak two games – attained four times.

Source: FHS grad Peyton Bailey adds spark to Briar Cliff Chargers

‘Incredible:’ Armijo High graduate working on ‘Toy Story 4’ – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

If you purchased “Incredibles 2” when it came out on digital format Tuesday, look closely at the credits, particularly the animators.

Among them is Suisun Elementary, Grange Middle School and Armijo High graduate Frank Abney III.

The married father of two is starting work on Pixar’s “Toy Story 4.”

It was the first “Incredibles” flick, released in 2004, that got Abney interested in computer-generated imagery. Abney was studying animation.

“It was something that turned the corner for me,” he said. “It was the first film that showed me what that medium could do.”

Getting to work on the second “Incredibles” was a “dream come true.” He got to work with amazing artists as well as Brad Bird, who directed the flick.

Source: ‘Incredible:’ Armijo High graduate working on ‘Toy Story 4’

Major design award for SCC’s Biotech/Science building – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A new era for Solano Community College’s acclaimed biotech manufacturing program began 14 months ago with the opening of a gleaming, $34.5 million, 38,000-square-foot cutting-edge structure in Vacaville that helps to prepare graduates for 21st-century jobs.

The Biotechnology and Science Building was clearly a significant boost to the school’s educational mission and perhaps the envy of other colleges.

Now there is another reason for envy:

The building, at the SCC Vacaville Center on North Village Parkway, is the recipient of a National Award of Merit in the educational facilities category.

The award, given by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), is of the highest honor, and will be announced during the Design-Build Conference & Expo in November in New Orleans, Jennifer Aries, a spokeswoman for the Fairfield-based college, noted in a press release.

Source: Major design award for SCC’s Biotech/Science building in Vacaville – The Reporter

SCOE supe named among Garamendi’s 2018 Women of the Year – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Lisette Estrella-Henderson, superintendent of Solano County schools, will need to make space on her wall or shelf of awards in her Vacaville home.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Solano, has named the 33-year educator as one of his 2018 Women of the Year, it has been announced.

“There are so many deserving women that I have the privilege to work alongside with each day,” Estrella-Henderson said in a press release Thursday. “For Congressman Garamendi to recognize me as someone who has made a positive difference in our community, I am truly honored!”

She and 45 other women will be recognized Friday during a 9 a.m.-to-noon ceremony in the Community Room at Woodland Community College, 2300 E. Gibson Road, Woodland. Each will receive a congressional proclamation that will be preserved in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Source: SCOE supe named among Garamendi’s 2018 Women of the Year – The Reporter

Garamendi taps Estrella-Henderson as among top women in region – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The Solano County Office of Education announced Wednesday that Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools, has been selected as one of Rep. John Garamendi’s 2018 Women of the Year.

The annual awards publicly honor outstanding women of the 3rd Congressional District improve the quality of life in the district through their work and volunteerism.

“There are so many deserving women that I have the privilege to work alongside with each day. I am humbled and astounded by this tremendous honor,” Estrella-Henderson said in a prepared statement.

Source: Garamendi taps Estrella-Henderson as among top women in region