Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 6-10-21 E-edition

Thursday, June 10, 2021
The View From Here
Last year during quarantine, Erik Valen- cia, presi- dent of the Greater Reedley Chamber
of Commerce, asked me a question.
He asked me, what had changed for us during the pandemic. How had our lo- cal newspaper been impact- ed. As a news organization, we rely on the community for stories, events, and ad- vertising.
My response to Erik was one that I felt at the time stood out the most to me. It was a small section of our newspaper that probably for some, isn’t as interesting as the front page stories, but it was one that I noticed immediately, took the hard- est hit.
The community calen- dar. That small and humble section of our paper is des- ignated for local events. Events that are scheduled for the near future.
Everything from meet- ings, to senior citizen events, upcoming school registrations, swimming lessons, dance lessons, and even bake sales.
Those events are sent to us by our readers..
It was a section that I felt was, and still is impor- tant but my guess was like- ly overlooked by some.
I believe that when I saw the drastic change to our Community Calendar during COVID-19, I real- ized how much our work depends on the community and its residents. That mo- ment when Erik asked me that, it made me realize, I missed our community cal- endar. It was what kept me informed.
The plans for upcoming days, weeks, and months. Events that bring us to- gether, help us get to know each other. I realized then that it was gone and at that moment I never knew if we would get it back. It was a sad realization.
Fast forward to one year later. As the vaccine clin- ics continue to make their way across the country and the world, and as CO- VID-19 numbers continue to decline, and as the State of California is planning to ease mask and indoor re- strictions, I received some- thing in my email inbox that made me feel hope.
It was Jesus, recreation coordinator with the City of Reedley. "hello Juanita, I am wondering how we can get an event in the calendar."
That was a good day, the email from Jesus was the glimmer of hope at the end of the long tunnel that was 2020.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Friends and family were able to celebrate Orosi High School’s class of 2021 during a live ceremony at Ed Coats field on the evening of June 3.
“You did it, class of 2021,” said Yolanda Valdez, superin- tendent for the Cutler-Orosi Unified School District. “And the beautiful part of it is we’re celebrating you here all of us together.”
The live ceremony was de- cided from the district and dis- tricts across the state follow- ing California’s announcement of relaxed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The beginning may not have been like we wanted but the end of our school year has been bittersweet,” said Millie Sanchez-Calleja, the senior valedictorian.
“Eventually some of us got to come back in person and got to see the classmates and teachers that we alll missed, you overcame your challenges in the way.”
Students at Orosi High School began the year remote- ly and eventually transitioned to in person instruction back in the spring of 2021.
“Your next book will in- clude college and for others
Juanita Adame
Orosi High seniors celebrate live graduation
Photos by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Students sat at the Ed Coats field on the evening of June 3 to participate in their live graduation ceremony.
"You did it class of 2021, and the beautiful part is we're celebrating here together."
Yolanda Valdez, Superintendent COJUSD
they will go straight into the workforce,”
“Whatever it may be, I wish you happiness and success,” said Sanchez Calleja. “To the class of 2021, I want to say that I am extremely proud of every single one of you, because you are all beyond talented, tena- cious and amazing people.”
The stadium's electronic scoreboard broadcast the ceremony on the large screen so family and friends would have a closer look.
Sanger High's John Pena to attend Harvard in the fall
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Sanger High School senior and student athlete, John Pena was recognized by the Sanger City Council on the evening of June 3 for his academic achievement and acceptance into Harvard University.
Pena will attend the pri- vate Ivy League school in the fall and thanked the council for their recognition.
“Hey everyone I just got home from an area golf tour- nament from Lemoore so I didn’t know if I was going
to make it,” Pena said. “I’m glad that I am able to make it, thank you for the recognition, I am humbled and very hon- ored to be able to represent Sanger and the town that I come from over when I'm on the East Coast.”
Pena, who served as the ASB President for the senior class has served as class pres- ident each year while attend- ing Sanger High, and played varsity basketball, varsity golf, and was the quarterback for the Sanger High varsity football team.
“This is a high bar that is
probably going to be be diffi- cult to meet,” said Tim Cha- pa, Sanger city manager. “On this item we are recognizing scholar-athlete, John Pena, who is the Sanger High Foot- ball quarterback, has a 4.6 grade point average and ac- cepted and will be attending Harvard.”
During a “Let them Play” rally on Jan. 15, Pena led ef- forts from students and par- ents to bring awareness to re- turning sports to California. At the time, sports were still not allowed due to the pan- demic.
“We’ve
seen it do-
nein40
other states
throughout
the country
and we want
to be held
accountable
in terms
of keeping
people safe,"
Pena said in the Jan. 15 inter- view.
Pena will wrap up his time at Sanger High School with a cumulative grade point aver- age of 4.6.
John Pena
Reedley's 'River City Theatre' celebrates reopening
Photo of the week
Photo Courtesy / River City Theatre Facebook
The Reedley opera house in downtown Reedley was alive with mu- sic and laughter again as family and friends gathered for an Ice Cream Social celebrating the company's grand re-opening. "We were so happy to see our family all together again in the Opera House. We missed all of you and can’t wait to see everyone back again for our next show," the River City Theatre announced on its Facebook page.
Contributed
A photo of siblings Vanessa Cantu and Christian Cantu posing for a photo alongside Ribberto, Reedley's mascot, was sent in by Jorge Cantu. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midval- leypublishing.com.