Geography and art: Accomplishments of students lauded by City Council

January 10, 2003
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula TimesThe varied accomplishments of students were lauded during the Dec. 16th City Council meeting where artists and geography buffs came in for separate commendations.Councilman Ray Luna presented a proclamation to the Santa Paula High School team and advisor that won the countywide 2002 Geo Bowl.Luna noted that the Geo Bowl is among the most difficult high school competitions, including a 50 question written exam and then a “round of verbal questions. . .the students worked hard,” including foregoing lunch hours to study.SPHS Geo Bowl advisor Don Thomas, accompanied by team students Edward Robles and Jackie Taredes, said the team was “very fortunate to have hard-working and talented students that did very well. This is the fourth time over the years that the team has taken one of the first three places; this was the year to do very, very well.”A SPHS student, Richard Medina, almost captured first place among 129 students, Thomas added.“At a time when we’re being lambasted in the press about educational standards, I’m very glad and very proud,” of the SPHS Geo Bowl team, said Mayor John Procter.Public Works Superintendent Tony Emmert introduced the City Council to the student artists who took top prizes in the city’s Christmas tree recycling art contest.“We have not only academically but artistically talented students,” who competed in the contest, now in its second year, he added.
Students from both Isbell Middle School and Santa Paula High School are eligible to enter the contest, which uses the winning artworks on the sides of city refuse trucks to advertise the tree-recycling program.“I got my arm twisted by the judging panel,” and awarded two first place prizes, Emmert joked.Katie Mensing won first place in the Isbell competition, with Gena Finley garnering an Honorable Mention; at SPHS, Josalyn Sotelo won first place and Rosalinda Sanchez was runner-up, said Emmert.Since there were two first place winners, “Isbell’s winner is going to be on one side of the truck and SPHS is on the other side of the truck. . .you can tell your friends when a truck drives by, ‘There goes my artwork!’”Emmert also introduced SPHS art teacher Maryann Romero.Each first place winner received a $50 gift certificate and runner-ups were rewarded with $25 gift certificates.



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