Page 10 - Sanger Herald e-Edition 5-16-19

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 3B • THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019
Sanger honors its scholarship recipients
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
Jude Groft put on his Cal Poly hat after formally signing for his scholarship with the San Luis Obispo university.
“I’m going to wear it the rest of the day,” he said. “The rest of the year.”
That was about when firefighter Capt. Rory Smith, Groft’s regional occupational program, or ROP, instructor, walked up, shook his hand and disappeared. Then Jorge Pena, his football coach, did the same. “Congrats,” they both said.
And they meant it.
Sanger High recognized its scholarship recipients May 14 in its library, live streaming the event online for students in other schools within Sanger Unified to watch. In addition to Groft who heads to California Polytechnic State University, those honored included Madalyn Berry, going to Fresno State as a Smittcamp scholar; Cristian Hernandez, going to Colby College in Waterville, Maine; Rachelle Rodriguez, going to Stanford University; and Daniel Ornelas, going to the University of California Berkeley. Mackenzie Jenkins of Hallmark Charter wasn’t able to attend. She was honored for receiving a scholarship to California State University San Marcos for volleyball. She played for Sanger High.
Principal Dan Chacon praised the students, their teachers and parents. “I wish you guys well,” Chacon said, wearing his trademark cowboy hat. “Remember your
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Rachelle Rodriguez, from left, heads to Stanford; Daniel Ornelas goes to UC Berkeley; Cristian Hernandez travels to Maine for Colby; Jude Groft has his sights on the beach for Cal Poly; and Madalyn Berry is a Smittcamp scholar at Fresno State.
consistently aware.”
Jon Tillotson, assistant
principal, said Rodriguez was a good choice for the graduation speaking gig. “As a writer and a speaker, she’s a cut above,” he said. “She’s a pretty bright kid.”
And of Groft wearing the hat, Tillotson said, “He can wear it on campus. We give him permission.”
Ornelas plans to major in civil engineering and “go to underdeveloped countries to improve living conditions.” He said he believes the group is Engineering Without Borders USA, which describes itself as harnessing “the skills of engineers to tackle the challenges that keep the world’s poorest people from living healthy productive lives.”
Ornelas said he got the scholarship by applying to the University of California system. “I was invited to an interview, and I got it,” he said.
His older sister Krystal Toles said she’s known since he was little that her brother had a superior intellect. “He’s really smart,” she said. “He would do puzzles at 3 upside down.” And she said without a doubt, he’ll be a success.
Librarian Sara Smith created a wall with a map of the country showing with push pins and string where every student, or at least most of them, is going to college. All their names are up on a wall. Tillotson said she does it every year.
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
purpose and be true to that purpose.”
Superintendent Adela Jones summed up her thoughts afterward. “I’m so proud of their accomplishments,” she said. “Really proud of them.”
Groft plans to major in forestry and become a firefighter, eventually attaining the rank of captain. “He has that no quit attitude,” Chacon said.
Rachel Groft, Jude’s mom, said she was proud. “Oh gosh. How do you put words to it?” she said. “He’s just worked incredibly hard his whole education career. He’s had an amazing year. He’ll be a difference maker.”
Groft said he chose to apply to Cal Poly because
“they have a really good forestry program. (And) it’s by the beach.” And of thehat,hesaidhe’snever taking it off. “I’ll sleep in it.”
Berry, who played golf for the Apaches and was one of the leads in the recent production of “Singing in the Rain,” said she plans to pursue a career in law. “The whole criminal justice system has interested me,” she said. “I want to be a criminal prosecutor.”
Berry’s advice to others was straightforward. “Never give up,” she said. “Just keep pushing and you’ll succeed in what you want to do.”
Hernandez said Colby, the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the country,
has a “small and likable campus,” adding, “I’m happy for the opportunity.” The college sits on 714 acres on Mayflower Hill in central Maine, and the campus overlooks downtown Waterville and the Kennebec River Valley.
“I worked hard,” Hernandez said, explaining how he qualified for the scholarship. “I pushed the boundaries. I took the hardest AP classes. It took a lot of late nights and a lot of hard work. I’m just glad I was able to do it.”
Hernandez plans to major in environmental science and biology and seeks someday to become director of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Climate change is real,” he said.
Rodriguez said she plans to pursue studies in international relations, possibly working temporarily as a journalist or “some kind of project managing. It all sounds fascinating.” She advised others to “find the proper motivation” while seeking their calling or college.
“I don’t have the highest scores,” she said. “If students find their purpose and what they’re passionate about and pursue it, (they can find success.)”
She is also a speaker at this year’s Sanger High graduation. She described her topic. “Even though we have a bit of fear going forward, you should be aware. This fear won’t go away. But it should motivate us. And be
Sanger News & Community Calendar
To get an item into the calendar, email details to nemethfeatures@gmail.com or call Mike or Sharon at 559-875-2511.
The Sanger Chamber Annual Awards Banquet is planned at 6 p.m. May 17 at the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. Tom Flores signed period-correct Raiders helmet will be auctioned. Details, 559-875-4575.
AMVETS plans its fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. June 7, or the first Friday of every month all summer, at the Eagles hall, 225 J St. Chili dog night starts June 19 at the same time and will continue on the third Wednesday of every month. Details, George 559-286-5667.
Veterans of Foreign Wars plans to honor veterans by placing flags at grave sites at 6 a.m. May 27 at the Sanger
Cemetery, 568 S Rainbow Ave. A program begins at 11 a.m. with speakers and a flyover by the 144th. Community Breakfast is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. June 1 at the American Legion Hall, 1502 O St. Cost is $6. Cub Scout Pack 322 and Boy Scout Troop 322 will assist. The VFW breakfast is usually the first Saturday of the month.
Junior Giants’ signup has begun. The free league is for children 5 to 13. The season extends from June to August and operates with volunteer coaches and team parents. Both are needed. The league now has a softball division. Details, Joaquin Zamora jzamora@ci.sanger.ca.us or 559- 876-6300, option 2.
The Sanger Community Task Force meets at 8:30 a.m. May 21 at the Wilson Resource Center, 610 Faller Ave.; June 4 at SAM Academy, 750 N St.; June 18 at the Sanger Family Resource Center, 1110 Tucker Ave.; July 2 at Quail Lake Community Church, 3350 N. McCall Ave. Details, 559-250-6433.
The Blossom Trail Players plans to perform its latest production, “Beauty and the Beast,” at 7:30 p.m. June 20
PASTOR’S CORNER
to 22 and June 27 to 29 at Sanger High’s multipurpose room, 1045 N. Bethel Ave. Cost is $15 for adults. The Junior Company performs at 2 p.m. June 29. A matinee is planned at 2 p.m. June 29.
Proteus Inc. is now offering vocational training to all Sanger students. Training includes EMT, auto mechanic and forestry options as well as tutoring, career guidance and work experience. Details, Linda Galvan 559-891-0135.
The Sanger Eagles’ tri-tip dinner is at 5 p.m. May 18. Cost is $12. Taco nights are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Breakfasts will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. The location is 225 J St. Details, Jim Batten 559-875-6820 or Denny Noller 559-392-1936.
Sanger Chamber Business After Hours Mixer schedule. Events begin at 5:30 p.m. May 21 at Mid Valley Disposal; June 18 Kings River Winery, 4276 S Greenwood Ave.; Aug. 20 Zataris, 1441 Seventh St.; Sept. 17 House of Pendragon, 1849 Industrial Way No. 103. Details, 559-875-4575.
Four steps to improving your relationships: Communications 101
We spend about 80 percent of our time communicating. Yet most of us have spent very little time learning how to communicate well.
If you want to improve your relationships, you must improve your communication skills. First, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)
“Some people talk just to hear their marble rattle.” You know, like the marbles
in a paint can that rattle, rattle, rattle while you’re shaking up the paint.
Good relationships are more likely to develop when you the speaker don’t spend valuable time and energy grumbling and complaining about what bothers you. Nobody enjoys listening to a complainer, so examine the content of your speech and determine what it is that you talk about the most. Then decide whether your words are full of grace.
Interpersonal relationship tip No. 1: Don’t dominate the conversation, or overwhelm your listener with too many words. Secondly, Ecclesiastes 6:11 says, “The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?”
Have you ever
talked to someone
who doesn’t let
you get in a word
edgewise? We all
know someone
who totally
dominates the conversation. PastorSamEstes What about you?
Interpersonal relationship tip No. 2: Learn to be a great listener by being slow to speak. Thirdly, Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19). Someone said
than self-centeredness. Active listening reminds us that communication is mostly about relationships, not simply an exchange of
information. Interpersonal
relationship tip No. 3: Build others up with your words. Don’t tear anyone down. Finally, Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Wow! What if we all did that? Paul makes two important points: Don’t use coarse language and don’t say offensive things.
Use your words to build upotherpeople.Howoften do you or those you have personal relationships with
talk about the negatives? How often do you complain about what someone did or didn’t do? Paul admonishes us to make building others up the focus of our conversations.
The Bible has lots to tell us about how to do interpersonal relationships right. Be sure to use your words to build others up and not tear them down.
Pastor Sam Estes is city advance director and facilitates the Sanger Community Task Force that meets the first and third Tuesdays every month. He can be reached at pastorsam@ communitiesinc.org.
Have you ever listened to yourself speak?
Conversation, like a relationship, is built on give and take. You say a little, then the other person responds. The other person says something, then you respond. Like playing a game of tennis. You take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net. Each person participates in a more or less balanced conversation. An interpersonal relationship is built on balance.
that listening is 90 percent of communication.
Hearing is not the same as listening. Active listening means we take an active role in communicating. Hearing on the other hand is a function of our physiology. Active listening requires the listener to care about what the other person is saying. That is a requirement for good relationships. The personwhoactivelylistens, listens out of empathy and other-centeredness, rather