Youth | Contra Costa Herald

16-year-old sentenced to six years for 2023 stabbing of Brentwood cop

July 12, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

CASE UPDATE

By Brentwood Police Department

You may recall that on October 11, 2023, Brentwood officers responded to the Brentwood City Park for a juvenile armed with a kitchen knife. As officers arrived on scene, they contacted the 16-year-old juvenile. After numerous attempts to de-escalate the situation, the juvenile stabbed a Brentwood officer who was attempting to take the juvenile into custody.

The officer, who sustained life-threatening injuries, was transported to a local hospital we were relieved and grateful the officer survived. (See related article)

The juvenile, who cannot be named due to his age, was arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall and has been in custody ever since.

On July 3, 2024, members of the Brentwood Police Department and the victim (officer) attended the hearing for this case. The case was adjudicated and resulted in the juvenile being sentenced to a maximum six-year sentence which was the maximum sentence allowed by law.

This incident had a profound impact on not only our officer and his family, but also on the Department and our community. The involved officer is still recovering from his injuries but wishes to express his sincere appreciation to the community for your support.

CCC Workforce Development Board wants input on Measure X-funded youth centers plan

July 2, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Source: Contra Costa County

Review deadline: July 10

By Office of Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover

We need your feedback!

The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) and the Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) invite you to review and provide feedback on the draft document titled “Implementation Plan for Measure X-Funded Youth Centers.”

According to the county’s website, “Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. The ballot measure language stated that the intent of Measure X is ‘to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.’”

The document outlines the plans for three new youth centers in Supervisorial Districts 3, 4, and 5. Your input is crucial and will help county policymakers and administrators shape the design and implementation of these centers.

Public Review Period: July 1 – July 10, 2024, until 5:00 PM.

To access the document and submit your feedback, please click here: https://www.wdbccc.com/measure-x-youth-centers/

Your participation in this process is invaluable. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community!

Richmond graduate to receive CA Charter Schools Association scholarship

July 1, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

One of 10 exceptional recipients statewide

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) has selected ten outstanding charter high school students to receive the 2024 Susan Steelman Bragato Scholarship, a statewide award honoring charter high school graduates who have overcome adversity, given back to their communities, and are pursuing post-secondary education in the fall. The list includes Carolina Ayala, a Class of 2024 graduate of Making Waves Academy in Richmond. According to Inayah Baaqee the academy’s Associate Director of Academic Advising, Ayala was one of 81 graduates this year from the Richmond area and throughout Contra Costa County.

“This year’s class of Bragato Scholarship recipients is driven to make the world a better place by using the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired from their charter school experience to help others surmount any hardships in life,” said CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. “Whether pursuing careers in the mental health field or the arts, these outstanding scholars exemplify California’s charter public schools’ importance in K-12 education.”

The 2024 Bragato Scholarship winners truly represent the diverse communities that charter public schools serve in California. The students’ collective academic achievement also reinforces key findings of CCSA’s 2024 Portrait of the Movement which indicate that charter public schools send more historically disadvantaged students to University of California and California State University campuses.

Each 2024 Bragato Scholarship recipient received $2,000 to defray the costs of attending their first year of college.

Susan Steelman Bragato was the co-founder of the first California charter public school and founder of the California Network of Educational Charters, the precursor to CCSA. Her legacy continues through her namesake scholarship program.

Below is a list of the winners – by region in the state – and summaries of their personal stories:

NORTHERN & CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Carolina Ayala

High School: Making Waves Academy (Richmond)

College bound: University of Southern California

Carolina’s passion for the performing arts emerged during her freshman year when she enrolled in an acting workshop. She soon noticed that the casts of her school’s theatrical productions were not culturally or ethnically diverse. As a student of color, Carolina helped change that by auditioning for lead parts and encouraging others to do the same. She was cast in many musicals during her time at Making Waves, formed the school’s Performing & Visual Arts Club, and organized the school’s first talent show. “A performer is a part of who I am. The stage being my second home … reflecting stories and a chance for representation is what exhilarates me to chase my dreams.” Carolina will attend USC this fall and plans to explore all aspects of acting, theater and cinema.

Janet Huang

High School: Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy (Stockton)

College bound: UC Berkeley

A child of Chinese immigrants, Janet says she’s often felt the pressure of being perfect. Any outward expression of feeling sad, anxious, or depressed was seen as being weak. When Janet began to struggle with mental health issues, she sought the help of a therapist despite her parents’ objections. Janet now wants to change cultural attitudes about self-care and mental health within immigrant communities by becoming a psychologist. “Studying psychology will not only help me understand myself more but also help other children who are reluctant to get help. Being an Asian-American woman in this field could relieve some of the stigma.” Janet was accepted to UC Berkeley where she’ll delve into topics like behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.

Audrey Wilson

High School: Sutter Peak Charter Academy (Yuba City)

College Bound: Brigham Young University

When Audrey was a child, her parents say she always had crayons or colored pencils in her hands. Audrey’s love for the visual arts is now the discipline she wants to explore when she attends Brigham Young University in Utah this fall. “I am actively pursuing a career that will allow me to integrate my love of the arts and creativity into the business world … I’m excited to combine my two passions, the arts and business, and make the world a more beautiful place.” Audrey is active in her church and has helped local organizations assist Afghan and Ukrainian refugees who have settled in the Sacramento region.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Flor Cruz

High School: King-Chavez Community High (San Diego)

College bound: University of California, Santa Barbara

Flor wants to change the world, one smile at a time. After graduating from King-Chavez Community High, Flor plans to study dentistry at UC Santa Barbara so she can improve the oral health of low-income and immigrant families. Flor is the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college. Her interest in dental hygiene stems from her father’s experience. He didn’t have regular dental check-ups due to financial issues. His teeth were badly destroyed by his fifties. “With the aspiration to become a dental hygienist, I will advise my Hispanic community and any other communities on how to improve, manage, and have better oral health.”

Dominic Kalpakgian

High School: Classical Academy High (Escondido)

College bound: Franciscan University of Steubenville

Dominic is one of seven children in his family. He says he learned at a young age the importance of embracing different perspectives. Dominic plans to explore different perspectives as a college student in the fields of criminal justice, entrepreneurial business, and medicine. “I’m drawn to using my inquisitive mind to solve problems and help people … safeguarding communities from threats or disease resonates deeply as an essential, meaningful vocation.” Dominic has already started to safeguard communities at a local level. This year he volunteered to help a local nonprofit raise $125,000 to assist victims of human trafficking and at-risk children.

Aisha Sufi

High School: Dimensions Collaborative (Escondido)

College bound: Southwestern College

Aisha is one of 12 children in her family. Her hero and inspiration is her mother who fled Somalia as a refugee with three of Aisha’s older siblings. Despite financial issues, her mother made sure Aisha and her brothers and sisters had all the resources to attend school. As a high school graduate, Aisha plans to enroll in Southwestern College’s nursing program. “Nursing is my dream because it’s where I can put my heart into action … with compassion and skill, you can touch lives in the most meaningful ways.” Aisha has already volunteered at a local hospital delivering meals to patients and assisting nurses and other staff.

Rosemarie Umipig

High School: Sage Oak Charter Schools (Redlands)

College Bound: UC Santa Barbara

Born in Cebu, Philippines, Rosemaire was adopted at four years old and moved to California.
Her dream as a child was to become a detective like Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes. Rosemarie plans to fulfill her dream by exploring a new kind of detective work in college: forensic accounting. “Forensic accounting combines investigation and accounting skills to analyze financial data for legal purposes … I wanted to use logical thinking and look at clues to find and fight criminals.” Rosemarie will attend UC Santa Barbara in the fall.

LOS ANGELES

Ellis Cho

High School: Larchmont Charter (Los Angeles)

College bound: Pepperdine University

As the child of a low-income immigrant family, Ellis and her siblings often found themselves navigating life on their own in the U.S. They also had to support their family financially. As a high school student, Ellis accepted a part-time position at a family-run daycare which changed the trajectory of her life. “I became immersed in the world of children and their minds, their behaviors, and the way they functioned. I saw myself in these kids and felt a desire to guide them through the various stages of life.” With a passion for improving the mental health and wellness of children, Ellis now plans to attend Pepperdine University to become a child psychologist to help low-income children with autism.

Hayoung Park

High School: Granada Hills Charter (Granada Hills)

College bound: University of California, Los Angeles

Hayoung immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Korea at the age of three. As she grew older, Hayoung became less connected to her Korean roots and made a concerted effort to change that by exposing herself to a multitude of Korean-centered opportunities like volunteering at her church as a Korean youth leader and participating in Korean essay competitions. “A lot of my experiences and lessons growing up have been rooted in learning the basics of communication … I plan to continue my exploration of communication as this interaction exists everywhere.” Hayoung will attend UCLA in the fall.

Michael Suarez-Russell

High School: Granada Hills Charter (Granada Hills)

College bound: Pierce College

Michael’s passion for computer science took hold of him after enrolling in a computer science class at Granada Hills Charter High School as a freshman. “I fell head over heels in love with the subject. Eager to challenge myself, I became addicted to teaching myself and programming new projects.” Michael also took meaningful steps to connect with others. He established a student club to support academically struggling peers at his school. He also formed a student club to help patients at children’s hospitals. Michael will attend Pierce College in the fall.

About the California Charter Schools Association

The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.

New Contra Costa Youth Stabilization Unit opening for children, teens experiencing psychiatric emergencies

June 21, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

At Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez

By Contra Costa Health

Children and adolescents having psychiatric emergencies will have their own standalone 24/7 behavioral health crisis stabilization space in Contra Costa County starting Monday, June 24.

The new Contra Costa Youth Stabilization Unit will serve people ages 6-17 for the first 24 hours of a diagnosed psychiatric emergency when they are considered a danger to themselves or others.

Until now, youth in the county experiencing psychiatric emergencies were treated alongside adults in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. Children and teens will now be able to receive developmentally appropriate emergency psychiatric care in a dedicated space designed for pediatric patients that is separate from the adult PES.

“This is a huge step forward for mental healthcare for youth in our community,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover. “Having a dedicated standalone space for children and adolescents will provide our kids with a more safe, secure and therapeutic environment to help them heal.”

The Youth Stabilization Unit, located at 25 Allen Street next to the Miller Wellness Center, will be able to serve up to eight minors at a time. In 2023, there were 1,072 admissions for pediatric psychiatric patients at the PES unit. The majority of those admitted were adolescents and young teens who presented with depression and suicidal ideation or intent.

Contra Costa Health has contracted with Pacific Clinics to staff the new unit. Care teams will include psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, licensed psychiatric technicians, clinicians and crisis intervention specialists. Services will include crisis intervention, mental health assessment, medication assistance, therapy, alcohol and drug screening, case management and peer support.

The program is designed to provide a calming and welcoming environment to support mental wellness. The goal is to stabilize the unit’s patients and connect them with mental health services without requiring inpatient hospitalization, although, when clinically appropriate, inpatient care may still be recommended.

Many children and adolescents suffering mental health crises are either hospitalized or arrested, which can be even further destabilizing. Having a team of mental health professionals available to provide crisis stabilization at the new facility will help divert youth from unnecessary encounters with law enforcement or visits to hospital emergency rooms.

“The new Crisis Stabilization Unit will give youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis compassionate care tailored to their needs,” said Suzanne Tavano, Behavioral Health director for Contra Costa Health. “It is going to be a tremendous resource for our community.”

“Our team’s primary goals are to provide support and safety to these young individuals in a time of crisis,” said Mary Sheppard, regional executive director for Pacific Clinics. “We will be a therapeutic, landing spot for them and aim to instill in them the belief that there is hope beyond this moment.”

27 Contra Costa seniors receive National Merit Scholarships

June 18, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

6 awarded corporate-sponsored scholarships

14 awarded $2,500 scholarships

7 awarded college-sponsored scholarships

26 from 4 high schools and one home-schooled student

By Contra Costa County Office of Education

A total of 27 students from Contra Costa County have been named recipients of National Merit Scholarships in the 69th annual program funded by corporations, U.S. colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced. These distinguished students are from Campolindo High School in Moraga, Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, Miramonte High School in Orinda and Monte Vista High School in Danville. One winner was homeschooled.

Corporate-Sponsored Scholarship Winners

Celebrating academic excellence, six seniors from four Contra Costa County high schools have been recognized as winners in the scholarship program. These students are among about 770 distinguished high school seniors nationwide announced in the first National Merit Scholars group for 2024.

“These six high school seniors stand out for their exceptional academic achievements and well-rounded accomplishments,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Their dedication and hard work, supported by the encouragement of their families, have earned them this distinguished honor. I also want to thank the teachers and support staff whose commitment and guidance nurtured the talents of these high achieving students.”

Sponsored by corporations, company foundations and other business organizations, these scholarships are designed to assist students who are either children of employees, residents of communities served by the company/funder, or are pursuing college majors and careers that align with the sponsor’s objectives.

Scholarship winners were chosen from a group of students who had reached the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met the criteria established by their scholarship sponsors. Most of the awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study and offer annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, or a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, marking the beginning of their journey towards this prestigious recognition. In September 2023, 114 Contra Costa County students were honored as National Merit Semifinalists, representing the highest-scoring program entrants in California, and comprising less than one percent of the nation’s seniors.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CORPORATE-SPONSORED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Campolindo High School

Laurel K. Tringe

Dougherty Valley High School

Ansh Maroo
Elaine Peng
Neal Y. Yan

Miramonte High School

Alexander Poe Battersby

Monte Vista High School

Alan Fang

$2,500 Scholarship Winners

Fourteen Contra Costa County high school seniors were among 2,500 students named National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®).

“Congratulations to these 14 amazing students who have illustrated the exceptional academic standards in this county,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “The students, their families and their school communities should be proud of this accomplishment.”

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY $2,500 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Campolindo High School

Christopher W. Seo
Naina Srivastava
Yu Xin Wang

Dougherty Valley High School

Nidhi Gaonkar
Shirin Kaur Grewal
Anna E. Lau
Taneesh V. Matharasi
Ananya Pinnamaneni

Miramonte High School

Cameron Corbin Berg
Nicole Y. Guo

Mont Vista High School

Sheldon U. Tan
Adithya Ramesh
Hannah Abigail Yang

Homeschool

Benjamin G. Klieger

College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

The National Merit Scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsoring institution. 149 higher education institutions are underwriting these awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

“Thank you to the school communities and families who supported and challenged these students to achieve this accomplishment,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “We are proud of these scholars for representing our County as National Merit Scholarship winners. These scholarships are highly competitive and require far more than just high-test scores. Your hard work has paid off, and we wish you the best as you embark on your college journeys.”

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COLLEGE-SPONSORED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Contra Costa County students who have been awarded College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships are:

Monte Vista High School

Owen Chen – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
Alice Jiang – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
Emily M. Kalin – National Merit Purdue University Scholarship

Dougherty Valley High School

Prerita Babarjung – National Merit University of Texas at Dallas Scholarship
Dhruv Harinath – National Merit Claremont McKenna College Scholarship
Vaishnavi Kolluru – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
John Park – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship

Each award recipient submitted a detailed scholarship application, including an essay and information on extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership roles. Their SAT or ACT scores were also considered, alongside academic records and recommendations from high school officials.

Of over 15,000 scholarship Finalists nationwide, about half will become Merit Scholarship winners in 2024.

Scholarship recipients represent less than one percent of the nation’s seniors and are among the highest-scoring program entrants from each state. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, awardees possess the strongest combination of academic skills, extracurricular achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. During the 2024 competition, more than 6,870 academic champions will be selected for National Merit Scholarships, totaling about $26 million.

Merit Scholars are selected based on their academic skills, extracurricular achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. More information about the National Merit Scholarship program can be found online at https://www.nationalmerit.org/.

According to The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, by the conclusion of this year’s competition, over 6,870 Finalists will receive National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. More winners of college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards will be announced on July 15.

About Contra Costa County Office of Education

One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County (CCCOE) has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.

CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 286 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.

San Ramon Valley school district opens 2nd annual 30 Under 30 Alumni Recognition nominations

June 15, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

District seeks to highlight exemplary young alumni

By Ilana Israel Samuels, Director of Communications, Family and Community Engagement, San Ramon Unified School District

The San Ramon Unified School District, in partnership with the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, is pleased to announce the second annual 30 Under 30 Alumni Recognition Campaign. Nominations are now open to highlight SRVUSD graduates who are 30 years old or younger and have made a positive impact in our community and beyond.

The 30 Under 30 Alumni Recognition Program will recognize SRVUSD alumni who:

Graduated from a school or program in SRVUSD
Are currently 30 years old or younger (in 2024)
Are thriving in their endeavors since graduating from SRVUSD in one or more of the following ways:

They have made a significant impact on or contribution to the San Ramon Valley community; and/or
They have achieved their college and/or career goals; and/or
They have accomplished something else significant or impactful along their pathway since graduating.

Anyone can nominate alumni by filling out the 30 Under 30 application and submitting it by August 19, 2024. The winners will be announced in fall 2024, and honored and celebrated in a variety of ways. Winners from the 30 Under 30 honorees in 2023 can be viewed on the district’s 30 Under 30 web page and in the video.

Any questions from the community can be sent to communications@srvusd.net.

About San Ramon Valley Unified School District: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is one of the highest-achieving school districts in California. With approximately 29,000 students, the district encompasses the communities of Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and a small portion of Walnut Creek and Pleasanton.

SRVUSD has been recognized at state and national levels with many awards and achievements. The district is designated by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, as a Learning 2025 Lighthouse District because it serves as a model of positive change in public education and is committed to the whole child. Based on a foundation of academic excellence, SRVUSD’s work is guided by the district’s Strategic Directions, and broadening the definition of success so all students can thrive. The district maintains graduation rates above 96%. The Learner Profile outlines the competencies the district aspires for students to possess upon graduation, preparing students to be Critical Thinkers, Creative Contributors, Intentional Collaborators, Adaptable Learners, and Effective Communicators.

About the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation (SRVEF): The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation invests in education, supports parent organizations, and engages our community for the benefit of and in partnership with SRVUSD. The vision of the Major Gifts and Endowment Fund of the SRVEF is to provide a stable, local funding source that will enable the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to undertake long term and innovative educational programs to enhance the curriculum. Over the past years distributions from the Endowment Fund have helped fund significant programs that directly impact SRVUSD students. Learn more at www.srvef.org.

Ilana Israel Samuels

She/Her/Hers

Director of Communications, Family and Community Engagement

Hercules Police Youth Academy begins June 18

June 15, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Hercules Police Department

Experience the Thrill of Real-Life Scenarios: Enroll in the Youth Police Academy Today! Get hands-on with live demonstrations and learn practical skills tailored specifically for youth. From navigating social media safety to understanding the law, our academy equips you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed.

Plus, explore exciting career opportunities and bolster your college applications with this unique experience. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with the humans behind the badge and ignite your passion for serving your community.

Four juveniles cause extensive damage at new Brentwood school

June 15, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

An April 15, 2024, photo shows the Montañez Elementary under construction. Photo: Brentwood Union School District

Released to parents pending criminal charges; school scheduled to open in fall

By Brentwood Police Department

On Sunday, June 9th, 2024, around 8:30PM, our Dispatch received a call from a security company regarding four juvenile males who had just vandalized the Isaac R. Montañez Elementary School site located on the 2300 block of Smith Road. The juveniles were still on site and when officers arrived, they attempted to flee on their bikes, however they were safely taken into custody.

The project manager for the site arrived on scene to assess the damage and discovered the four juveniles had discharged all of the fire extinguishers on the property causing an extensive amount of damage. The new school is scheduled to open in the fall for the 2024-25 school year.

Based on the nature of the crime and their ages (12 and 13 years old), the juveniles did not meet the criteria to be booked into Juvenile Hall and were released to their parents pending criminal charges and further investigation.

Contra Costa bus systems offer Summer Youth Bus Pass for unlimited rides June 1 to Aug 31, 2023

May 22, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Half-off passes on sale now through June 30th only.

Kids don’t want to be stuck at home for the summer, and parents don’t want to be stuck driving everywhere.

Give your kids their own set of wheels with a Summer Youth Bus Pass.

The Summer Youth Pass is the perfect way for youth riders to get around Contra Costa County during the summer. Passholders can take unlimited rides on Tri Delta Transit, West CAT, and County Connection local and express buses for an affordable and discounted price.

For only $30*, youth 6-18 can take unlimited bus rides from June 1 through Aug. 31, 2023 – one of the best summertime bargains for getting around Contra Costa County!

Click here to purchase your pass https://511cc.org/youthpass or come to our office.

*Actual pass price $60. Advertised $30 price reflects a $30 supplement per pass provided by 511 Contra Costa. Passes receiving the 511 Contra Costa supplement are limited in quantity and available only while supplies last.

Over 100 San Ramon Valley school district students receive county, state recognition at Science & Engineering Fair competitions

May 9, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Dougherty Valley High School student Gatik Trivedi won first place at the state Science & Engineering Fair for his entry entitled NeuroGuardian. Photo: SRVUSD

Four Dougherty Valley High students win amidst 900 entries at state competition.

By Ilana Israel Samuels, Director of Communications, Family and Community Engagement, San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Danville, CA (May 9, 2024) – More than 65 high school students and 40 middle school students recently placed or received special awards at the 2024 Contra Costa County Science & Engineering Fair, including students from Diablo Vista, Gale Ranch, Iron Horse, Los Cerros and Windemere Ranch Middle Schools; and from California, Dougherty Valley and Monte Vista High Schools. Students submitted projects in the categories of Behavioral Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Environmental, Math and Computer Science, or Physical Sciences.

The students prepared for the science fairs in part by meeting with coaches to work on their research experiments and craft presentations. The students were excited to participate and represent their schools at this annual fair.

Each year, 18 successful projects are selected by the judges to represent the Contra Costa County Science & Engineering fair at the state-level competition – the California Science and Engineering Fair. This year, 11 of the 18 projects moved forward for this special honor were submitted by SRVUSD students, who competed against 900 other entries during the event on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Four San Ramon Valley Unified School District students from Dougherty Valley High School won big at the California Science & Engineering Fair this year. They each placed 1st or 2nd in their respective categories:

Gatik Trivedi, 1st place, NeuroGuardian: A Multimodal Telemedical Neurodegenerative Monitoring System with Self-learning Predictive Analytics for Late-Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients, Computational Systems Medical

Yizhou (Michael) Wang and Yifan (Frank) Shi, 1st place, Development of a Biodegradable Hybrid Inspired Paper Battery Powered by Carbon-Black with Origami Designs Applicable for Biomedical Smart Systems, Chemistry

Vaishnavi Kolluru, 2nd place, Breastmilk: Nature’s Vaccine Against COVID-19, Mammalian Biology

“I am pleased to recognize our students for their outstanding accomplishments at the California Science and Engineering Fair,” said Dr. John Malloy, Superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District. “Their dedication, creativity, and passion for their research projects showcase the depth of talent and potential we have within our educational community. I look forward to their future contributions to science and research. I also thank all of the educators who supported our students through these achievements.”

The California Science & Engineering Fair is the final science fair of the academic year for students throughout the State of California in grades 6-12, serving California’s future scientists and engineers since 1952. The fair is hosted by the California Science and Engineering Foundation.

SRVUSD partners with Bay Area LEEDS to ensure students have access to the tremendous resources the organization provides for the region’s youth to prepare them for a future in STEM careers. In an email, Bay Area LEEDS Executive Administrator, Janice Fujii, and CEO April Treece, noted that this was an outstanding achievement and that our students “worked very hard to excel in their field of study.”

San Ramon Valley Unified School District congratulates all of its participating students for their remarkable science fair achievements and excellence in research.

About Bay Area LEEDS: Bay Area LEEDS helps prepare the region’s youth for tomorrow’s STEM careers with relevant industry tools and skill sets, strengthening the workforce pipeline. We collaborate with business and educators to excite students about pursuing purposeful post-secondary pathways aligned with high-wage, high-skill, high-demand jobs in the global economy. The organization improves STEM education in regional communities by providing STEM teachers professional development, and providing students with meaningful and engaging STEM learning opportunities, while involving current STEM professionals in educating the next generation of STEM leaders and creators. Linking Education & Economic Development Strategies Bay Area LEEDS is one of the few business/education intermediaries in the Bay Area that brings long-term talent development solutions to workforce shortages by engaging STEM career pathway educators (K-16) and employers who have high-demand, difficult-to-fill STEM jobs. Through innovative programming, we develop, plan and execute industry- supported approaches that build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable talent base, assuring economic vitality in our local communities.