Where are They Now?

AVHS Graduate Leah Guerrero is in her first year teaching the First Grade Language Immersion Program at Grace Hudson School in Ukiah. Her mom Ester Soto was honored in a story posted on the web by the CA Teacher Corps-you can Google it.

German Malfavon graduate of Rancheria HS enrolled in the
Job Corps in Sacramento on August 31st to begin a career in the culinary arts.

Estephany Arias attended the National Council of La Raza Conference in Chicago funded by the AV Education Foundation, Sueno Latino, the Lions Club, and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County.

Wedding Bells rang for alum Brittany Swanson of Yorkville and Gregory Fisk last Saturday. They met at school in Arizona.

 Josh Pickus class of 2000 married Melanie Jackson of Fort Bragg who met at school in San Luis Obispo.

Ryan Slotte who attends Mendocino College married Connie Garcia of Rohnert Park. Their son Christian was the ring bearer.

Miriam Barragan reports that the dorms at CA University Northridge are not meant for morning people as they are noisy deep into the night. However, at first skeptical professors have already advanced her from basic to advanced sign language class based on
her abilities and excellent AVHS prep.

Luis Eligio and Reba Pardini started class in Chico where Ras Smith is a resident assistant at and Jason Powers is also attending.

There were several rousing send- offs for Cassidy Hollinger on her way to Vassar including recognition by the Trivia Night attendees at the Boonville Lodge with a special tribute from manager Tom who her lauded her excellent work ethic.

Jairo Perez is attending Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte N. Carolina where he lives with his sister Iris who is attending nursing school.

Belen Santamaria is attending beauty school in Santa Rosa and Vanessa Perez is in the Puente (Bridge) Project at SRJC.

Celeste Echeverria Barragan is the new coordinator for Big Brothers and Sisters in Anderson Valley.

Alison Dudzik is working towards a career as a physical therapist at San Diego State and was spotted last Friday keeping “The Book” at the first AVHS girl’s volleyball game of the season.

Nicole Johnson, Justin Johnston, Brennen
Snodgrass, Jordan Bright and David Swanson are all headed to Mendocino College.

Adrianna Diaz is going for her Medical Billing Certification.

Graduate Jose Delgado head of AV Migrant Education worked with graduates Isadora Jimenez and Claudia Jimenez through Americorp to do home visits to migrant families touching base on reading, math, and life skills and college readiness this summer. The girls shared their personal stories to inspire high schoolers to go for higher education.

Thursdays found the library and computer lab at the Elementary open with Jose, Isadora, Claudia and Donna and Flick on hand to welcome any student. One day they had 80 students! Donna devised this program to plug part of the gap no summer school created.

Elementary Dispatch

We have our Open House on 9/8 and will have a Spaghetti Dinner ($2 a person or $10 for a family) at 5:00. 1st - 3rd grade presentations will happen from 5:45 - 6:15 and 4th = 6th grade presentations from 6:15 - 6:45. We will acknowledge students who have learned English and are now fluent as well as reminding parents about our Bullying Prevention Program. Our theme this year is: Make a difference for ourselves and for others! Speaking of which the soccer league is coach less for 10 boys who are signed up and anxious to play but have no leader. Call Nicole 895-3010
to volunteer.

Angela Furia has kept the school garden producing and lovely
this summer. She and volunteers from Unicorn School, Jesus Ramirez and Kyle Brackett spent hours sprucing up the garden and cleaning out the worm boxes that Steve Hall built to compost school food waste which the fourth grade classes are adopting this year. Teacher Julie Rumble announces that her third grade class still has Bluebird nesting boxes for sale with clear instructions for use. To help Bluebirds stay in Anderson Valley contact Julie and buy a student made birdhouse.

Postcard from Hawaii

Ron Hagg the recently retired counselor from AVHS sent me this e-mail from Hawaii where he and his wife have purchased a house on the big island. “Our stuff arrived yesterday and we unpacked all day long-it is good having our stuff here finally-it's like we have been camping out since way back in June.  We have been busy everyday-painting back porch-wacking away at the jungle that nearly surrounds us-getting furniture-going to the incredible farmers market -bought a small 4x pick-up truck-Mazda-bought a new computer.  We have taken some time to go to the beach where a large green Turtle practically bumped Amelia.”

Two new faces

Todd Adams science teacher and Stephanie Gold counselor are new to AVHS this year. Both have that the glow of enthusiasm essential to working with youth. I think the description of the school year as a marathon followed by a sprint is pretty accurate. Not everyone is suited to marathons (or sprints). Welcome Todd and Stephanie.

Teen Center

Meade Williams effervescent Teen Center Director is back. This year
activities will be posted weekly on a sign in front of the Methodist
Church under the permanent Teen Center sign. Friday night is Teen Center Drop-In from 7-10. It is a safe place supervised by Meade or an adult volunteer. A canoe trip is planned for Sept. and there is interest in hosting a Haunted House, dance-a-thon, and camp out. Got ideas? Call Meade
 391-6958.