Page 9 - Reedley Exponent 3-22-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent BPanorama
RHS bands earn Superior ratings at CMEA Large Group festival See Below
Section | Thursday, March 22, 2018 www.reedleyexponent.com Reedley (Fresno County) CA 93654 Troop 282 at 90
The View From Here
In the eight
years since sci-
ence journalist
Rebecca Skloot
published “The
Immortal Life
of Henrietta
Lacks,” the mon-
umental contri-
bution of Lacks
to science and
medicine has fi-
nally been acknowledged and rec- ognized – even as Lacks and her family for years didn’t know what had happened.
Image by Omar Quintero via Smithsonian Magazine
These are HeLa cells stained with spe- cial dyes.
It’s a true story that is fasci- nating and upsetting, astounding but complicated. The critically acclaimed Skloot book – which became a New York Times best- seller and the basis for a 2017 HBO movie starring Oprah Win- frey – revealed a lot of issues in the author’s search for informa- tion about the woman whose cell cultures are the origins of the HeLa immortal cell line.
On March 15, the the Reedley College Speaker Series welcomed two of Lacks’ relatives to talk about her and what’s happened since the book came out. David
See COLUMN page B2
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz
felicia@midvalleypublishing.com
Reedley’s Boy Scouts of Amer- ica Troop 282 is a history maker in more ways than one.
On March 17, the troop cel- ebrated its 90th anniversary with festivities in the cafeteria/mul- tipurpose room at Jefferson El- ementary School.
But John Richers – CEO and Scout Executive of the Sequoia Council that covers Fresno, Made- ra, Tulare and Kings counties – ex- plained what makes the achieve- ment even more significant.
“This troop is the longest in the western United States to be continuously chartered of any troop anywhere, so you should be very proud of that,” Richers told the attendees, who applauded the remark.
“Scouting matters and will continue to have a tremendous impact on future generations to come."
– Ron Nishinaka, who was a member of Reedley' Boy Scout Trooop 282 as a youth
Past members of Troop 282 were among those at the event, which attracted an estimated 120 people. They included Ron Nishi- naka, the keynote speaker whose own achievements include cur- rently serving on the State Cen- ter Community College District governing board. He also was a former member of the Reedley City Council and, for 37 1/2 years, taught horticulture at Reedley College.
“Scouting and becoming an Eagle Scout set the foundation for my education, career and pub- lic service endeavors,” Nishinaka told the audience.
The Boy Scouts, for young-
LEFT: Members of Boy Scouts Troop 282 surprised Scoutmaster Angela Avalos with flowers in appreciation of her service at the troop's 90th an- niversary celebra- tion on March 17.
Her son, Chris- topher Lopez, is seen at the far left in the top row. Her son, Nicholas Lopez, is seen just to her left (as you look at the photo).
Photos by Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent
Felicia Cousart Matlosz
Reedley Boy Scouts troop celebrates a milestone anniversary
RHS bands earn Superior ratings at CMEA festival
A cut above
Genuine Barbershop makes big debut at competition
sters ages 11-17, are known for their range of outdoor activities, volunteer efforts and other pro- grams. The Scout Oath has 12 points that include being trust- worthy, loyal, helpful, courteous and kind.
“Scouting matters and will con- tinue to have a tremendous impact
on future generations to come,” Nishinaka said.
Before the March 17 program started, current Troop 282 mem- bers Joshua Heinrichs and Henry Romero each said that they have
See TROOP 282 page B7
LEFT: John Powell, son of Robert Powell who was Troop 282's scoutmaster for 50 years, speaks at the March 17 celebration.
RIGHT: Robert Takacs (left) was a Boy Scouts member in his youth and has been a trainer and adviser for years. Ron Nishinaka, a trustee on the State Center Community College District board and retired longtime Reedley Col- lege instructor, was a member of Troop 282. He was the key- note speaker for the March 17 event.
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz
felicia@midvalleypublishing.com
At this year’s CMEA Large Group Music Festival at Reedley High School, the RHS Concert Band was awarded a rating it hadn’t achieved in about 20 years – a unanimous Su- perior.
Sam Gipson, the Concert Band di- rector and one of the Pirate march- ing band directors, said he knew the students “were playing really well.”
“The kids deserve it. They’ve been working hard,” he said.
The Symphonic Band – under the direction of Daniel Paulsen who’s al- so a marching band director – again earned a unanimous Superior rating at the annual event held March 6 and 7 in the RHS Performing Arts The- atre.
The Triad Band – under the direc-
tion of Lisa Dewhirst who’s a march- ing band director – was awarded a rating of Excellent.
CMEA stands for California Music Educators Association. The festival at RHS also featured other Kings Canyon Unified School Dis- trict bands from schools with middle school grades: T.L. Reed School, Dun- lap School, Riverview School, Grant Middle School, Navelencia Middle School, and Silas Bartsch School.
The other Pirate marching band directors are Michael McGraw and Jason Awbrey. Each of the march- ing band directors oversees a middle school grade program, which pro- vides continuity into the high school level.
Participating bands and wind en- sembles also came from schools in
See RHS BANDS page B8
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz
felicia@midvalleypublishing.com
In the competitive world of barbering, the trio at The Genuine Barbershop in Reedley are making their mark – and owner Armando Chavez Jr. says they’re not done.
He and barbers Antonio Mar- tinez and Robert Vasquez recently made impressive showings at the first-ever Cosmetology and Barber Expo at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds Feb. 24 and 25 – Chavez won first place in the taper style division,
while all three placed in the top five in the fade style category.
It’s an event that attracted large crowds. The contestants in- cluded barbers with lots more ex- perience and wins than the three young barbers from Reedley. In fact, it was the first time Chavez, 26, and Vasquez, 21, had competed in a barber battle and only the sec- ond time for Martinez, who’s 29. Competitors came from throughout the Central Valley.
“For us to shine – and be like ‘we’re right next to you guys,’ and
it’s my first time – it felt amazing,” said Chavez, whose prize was a champion’s belt that resembles the type given to winning boxers and wrestlers.
Chavez, a 2009 graduate of Reedley High School, founded The Genuine Barbershop in April 2017 at 1650 11th St. He previously worked at D’s Barbershop in Reed- ley.
Soon after opening the shop, Chavez wanted to bring in another
See BARBERS page B2
Reedley High School's Concert Band, for the first time in about 20 years, earned a unanimous Superior rating at the CMEA Large Group Music Festival, held March 6 and 7 at Reedley High School. Sam Gipson, seen at far left, is the director of the band.
Armando Chavez Jr. (center) owner of The Genuine Barbershop is pictured here outside the shop with barbers Antonio Martinez (left) and Robert Vasquez. The trio made impressive showings at the first-ever Cosmetology and Barber Expo, held Feb. 24 and 25 at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds. The event drew competitors from throughout the Central Valley.
Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent
Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent