Page 9 - Reedley Exponent 8-16-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent Panorama
The View From Here
As I sit here at the desk of former Pan- orama reporter, Felicia Cousart Matlosz, I am intrigued at how much love and enthusiasm she had for her job and for the city of Reedley.
Juanita Adame
By Juanita Adame
midvalleypublishing.com
Motivational speaker Jeremy Anderson stood before the Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) staff the morning of Au- gust 10 and told them they are the leaders in the community.
"So when you read my biogra- phy, and read about my accomplish- ments, don't look at me," he said. "Look at yourself, it's because of my teachers I am who I am today, look in the mirror and tell yourself, I am a game changer."
Anderson traveled from Atlan- ta, Ga. to Reedley to be this years guest speaker at the district's an- nual staff meeting held inside the Performing Arts building at Reed- ley High School.
Hundreds of teachers, coaches, transportation officials, as well as custodians and all other district staff filled the center to prepare for the new school year.
"Jeremy's message actually fit right in with the other message we've been given here taking care of each other and taking care of yourself," said Superintendent, John Campbell. "And helping our kids, I thought his message was great."
This will be Campbell's second year as KCUSD's Superintendent. Campbell joined KCUSD in 2002 and took over after former super- intendent, Juan Garza retired.
Garza had served the district for 27 years, 15 of those years as the schools chief.
"This is a long standing tradition in Kings Canyon Unified," Campbell said. "Everybody coming together as one, remembering what we're here for, highlighting the kids as always, recognizing our employees coming in with that great vibe."
Stacy Sharp, Learning Director at Dunlap School attended the staff meeting and said she enjoyed lis- tening to Anderson speak so highly about educators and how they in- spired him throughout his life.
"I loved his speech," Sharp said.
"When you go out to your car and you're on your last nerve and the kids still take that one, every school has those kids who will push, but they have to know that we will nev- er ever give up on them."
Sharp said she hopes other teachers absorbed Anderson's strong message.
"I want everyone to understand that we will never give up on our kids and that they need us every- day."
Keith Merrihew, Dunlap
"Your condition is not your conclusion, and your DNA does not determine your destiny."
– Jeremy Anderson Guest Speaker
School Principal attended the staff meeting as well. Merrihew said he looks forward to it every year.
"It's super exciting, there's al- ways a positive message from the superintendent and his staff we al- ways have an excellent guest speak- er and of course, who doesn't enjoy the kids that's what it's all about," he said.
During the meeting, awards for 'Employee of the Year' were also announced. Adventist Health won Community Provider of the Year.
Joel Stevens won for the Classi- fied Support Custodial Maintenance category.
See MEETING page B5
Looking around at what use to be Felicia's work area, I see her endless amount of notes, phone numbers, calendars, post it's, and most of the general information one would expect to find on the desk of a journalist.
Felicia made sure to leave the person who would be taking her spot a detailed list of upcom- ing events taking place in Reed- ley. She wanted to make sure we wouldn't miss a story. I had the pleasure of working with Felicia about a year ago, she and sports writer, Chris Aguirre, introduced me to the Reedley Sandwich Shop just a few doors down. I plan to visit there soon.
Since I'm the person taking Felicia's place, I'd like to give ev- eryone some information about me, and formally introduce my-
selfM. y name is Juanita Adame. And, well, I don't know how to say the following, but I'm going to say it anyway. I am a Sanger native, and, yes, that would also
make me a Sanger Apache. Nonetheless, I'm pleased to be working in such a great city like Reedley despite our high-schools'
long standing rivalries.
In 2010, I graduated from
Fresno State and earned a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast media.
I landed my first job in print at the Sanger Herald not long af- ter graduation. After a few years of learning the ins and outs of city politics, police, fire, and edu- cation, as well as investigations, I decided it was time to make the move to television.
The news industry requires reporters to gain some experi- ence at smaller markets before moving up to bigger cities. Since Fresno is considered a "mid size" market, I needed to start at a small market before working on air here in Fresno.
I began my first on air job at KRBC News, the NBC affiliate in Abilene, Texas. I learned a lot working in Texas and made some great friends. Oh, and my brand new Honda Civic was complete- ly totaled by a hail storm, not so much fun there.
After Texas I moved back to California to work for the CBS affiliate in Santa Maria, KCOY News.
I also met some great friends at that station, some of whom are now working here in Fresno.
I worked alongside Cory James at KCOY, he is now a re- porter at ABC 30. I also worked alongside Tony Cabrera at KCOY, he is now the morning news an- chor for ABC 30, and a Reedley resident.
Both great reporters, and great friends.
After working on the Central Coast, I decided it was time to come home. During my transi- tion, I worked a few short months at the Parlier Post helping cover stories in Parlier, and ultimately began working at CBS 47 / KSEE 24 in Fresno.
Not long after however, I began to realize the demanding long hours of television were not serving me or my family like I thoughttheywould. Idecidedto give my tv news career a break and just slow down.
My husband and daughter ap- preciated that decision.
After some time off, I was of- fered this amazing opportunity as the Panorama reporter and quickly jumped at the chance. I am still doing what I love, telling people's stories, but at a pace that works for me.
I am happy to be here. The Reedley Exponent has a great staff, and I look forward to meet- ing many people in town.
Thank you for welcoming me into your community, and as al- ways, if you have a story idea, I'd be happy to hear it.
Juanita Adame/The Exponent
ABOVE: Students from KC Showcase performed a variety of musical numbers for teachers and staff during the Aug. 10 meeting.
Local drum major team ready for first day of school
See B2
Section | Thursday, August 16, 2018 www.reedleyexponent.com
Motivating teachers to be their best
Hundreds of KCUSD staff gather for the annual kickoff meeting
Reedley (Fresno County) CA 93654
A perfect mix of confidence, cooperation, and drive
Pirates new drum majors bring home a number of awards from band camp
By Juanita Adame
midvalleypublishing.com
Reedly High School band direc- tor, Daniel Paulsen calls it the magic combination; a mix of confidence, drive and cooperation.
He said his new team of drum majors; seniors Emily Booth and Abigail Duenas and junior Heidi Harris all have that magic.
Paulsen believes it was these skills and talents that earned the girls 17 awards at the USA Drum Major band camp at Fresno State on Aug. 2.
"They push themselves really well and they have a great attitude about it, so that's what we look for," said Paulsen. "These girls just bought into the idea that, we're a team, and that magic combination means we're going to do a fantastic job."
The trio attended the camp, which lasted two days and told
"They push themselves really well, and they have a great attitude about it."
– RHS Band Director Daniel Paulsen
us they learned a lot about disci- pline and becoming good leaders.
This will be important since the three girls will be responsible for leading Reedley High's 300 member marching band with Emily Booth at the helm.
The ribbons and plaques they earned during camp were sprawled out on a table inside the Reedley High band room. They ranged in everything from first place blue ribbons, to second place orange
ribbons, green ribbons and even one All American ribbon.
Heidi Harris said that during camp they were evaluated on a va- riety of different skills.
"We have these things called drill downs and the best way to de- scribe them is like a drum major Si- mon says, they are super fun," said Harris. "I got a first place ribbon on that, I won it on the second day of camp."
Emily Booth, the lead drum ma- jor, or as Paulsen called her, the "re- turner" earned a total of 10 awards, including the All American.
"The All American ribbon was given to us at the closing ceremony," said Booth. "It was given for over- all technical skill and performance value."
See MAJOR page B2
ABOVE: Left to right, Heidi Harris, Em- ily Booth, and Abigail Duenas stand in front of the various awards they re- ceived during this year's USA Summer Camp held at Fresno State on Aug. 2.
RIGHT: Abigail Duenas practicing her drill downs in the band room during summer break.
Juanita Adame/The Exponent