Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 1-23-20 E-edition

RMCHS continues with open enrollment
The View From Here
One of my first jobs work- ing for the Sanger Herald was cover-
ing sports.
I'd always
loved Adame watching
football, I understand the game. I understand the plays, the penalties, so I fig- ured covering high school football would be a breeze. However, watching a game from home and covering a game from the sidelines are two completely differ- ent expereinces.
Football season kicks off sometime in August and al- though summer is coming to an end, the weather is still hot.
Initially, I didn’t have many complaints being on the sidelines. I enjoyed analyzing the plays, inter- viewing coaches after the game. However, as the sea- son continued, the months became colder. And by late fall the cold seemed to be extremely unforgiving.
I learned that covering games was not going to be easy.
Factor in the threat of (accidentally) being tackled by a player and my time as a sports reporter was look- ing less appealing by the moment.
Reporters who cover sports must always be on the lookout for the rogue running back or football- coming at you at full speed.
Since that experience, I realized that a lot of work goes into putting a football story together.
With the Super Bowl just a couple weeks away I just wanted to take some time to acknowledge the hard working men and women on the sidelines who make sports stories possible, all the way from our local sports reporters to nation- al.Keepitup,youalldoa great job.
We received some infor- mation from a reader last week regarding a woman named Alice Velasquez Gonzales.
I learned that in 1951, Alice was the creative mind behind the now (well known) Reedley High Pi- rate mascot. Alice entered a drawing contest and the rest is history.
I wonder how Alice felt the day she found out she won? And, did she re- alize then that some 70 years later, we'd still be talking about her design?
Thank you to her family and friends for sharing her story and this wonderful piece of history with us.
Information Sessions
- Jan. 30 - Reedley College Cafeteria 5:30- 6:30 pm
- Feb. 4 - Orange Cove Citrus Middle School Library - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
“We do receive high per- forming students, however that is not our goal, we don’t go out and try to recruit the 4.0 students, we really are look- ing for the average student who wants to have the college experience.”
Enrollment for incoming students opened in December 2019, and with 75 spots to fill, Pack said they wanted to em- phasize their mission.
We do have identified path- ways that students typically sign up for which is on the ap- plication,” he said. “So, yes there is Ag Business, a general science pathway, there’s also a general transfer pathway.
See KNIGHTS on page A8
Juanita
Photo Contributed
A photo of former students who attended Reedley Middle College High School, from left, Ben Hernandez- Garcia, Alfonso Bucio, Nathan Botkin, Christo Gonzalez Barajas, Sunny Jimenez, Gloria Becerra-Cortes, Lizbeth Lemus, Madelyn Ansel, Gabriela Lemus, Jason Lorenzano.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
A school targeted at re- cruiting students who are over achievers and have a specific interest in agriculture and en- gineering; these are just a few
of the common misconceptions that Ron Pack, principal of Reedley Middle College High School, said he often hears from parents and students asking questions about their program.
“A lot of people think that
this program is for the highest performing student, and they can only come here if they are high performing because this is college,” said Pack on the af- ternoon of Jan 17. “However, that is the opposite in many cases.”
Dinuba Custodians recognized for helping those in need
George Villagrana / Mid Valley Times
Joe Hernandez (second from left) Dinuba Unified School District superintendent, posed for a photo with the group of CCGC mem- bers.
Sanger welcomes new firefighters
By George Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
Dinuba Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Joe Hernandez presented a certificate of appreciation to the Custodial Community Giving Committee at the trustee meeting on Jan. 16.
CCGC is comprised of cus- todians from each school site in DUSD.
The group donated food, clothing and blankets to less fortunate students and fam- ilies during the holiday sea- son and were recognized for their efforts.
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
The Sanger Fire Department introduced three new firefighters to the Sanger City Council on Thursday, Jan. 16. The newly hired firefighters were introduced by Sanger Fire Chief Greg Tarascou and are (left to right) Kevin Dominic Smith, Alexander Mechikoff and Heiu Pham. They are pictured with Chief Tarascou.
Community mourns loss of artist who designed Reedley High Pirate
Alice Velasquez Gonzales was the creative mind behind the original Reedley High Pirate logo.
Staff Report
Reedley High's green and white Pirate mascot is a well known symbol throughout the city of Reedley and Fresno County.
The woman who designed the Pirate logo, Alice Velas- quez Gonzales was remem- bered by family and friends after her death on Dec. 30.
"She lived a long and hap- py life," said Mila Velasquez, a relative. "We recently laid her to rest and we would love to honor and recognize her tal- ent."
It was back in 1951 when
Gonzales, a student at Reed- ley High School entered an art contest.
The contest rules were simple; create a design for the Reedley High Pirate. The art- ist's work was also required to be original.
According to information from her eulogy, the design Alice created was selected as the winner and the logo, or variations of it, have been used ever since.
An outpouring of support was also shared by commu- nity members online.
"Thank you for sharing this," wrote Carol Phillips. "I
Photos Contributed
The original Pirate mascot cre- atedbyGonzales in1951.
always wondered where that logo came from. Prayers for Alice's family."
Gonzales was 87 years old at the time of her death.