Page 16 - Reedley Exponent 3-29-18 E-edition

JAYDEN
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signed the bag,” Jayden said. Still a Cowboys fan, Jayden that day wore a black Raiders jersey that didn’t have the team logo but did have Carr’s name and No. 4. He was so starstruck he didn’t notice that Derek Carr had
signed his jersey on stage.
In their recent interview with The Exponent, the Ortiz- es said they had not yet seen the commercial and were looking forward to it.
They also were grateful for the whirlwind experi- ences in February. Jayden has been through a lot since 2012. According to a story on Valley Children’s website, he was one of several children in the state who were “sud- denly stricken by a mystery illness that causes polio-like paralysis.” He was diagnosed with enterovirus D68, which doctors believe contributed to the young boy’s development of scoliosis. Jayden’s pediat- ric orthopedic surgeon is Dr. Michael Elliott.
While Jayden’s care at Valley Children’s continues, the Ortizes said those hectic days in February were unfor- gettable.
“We were on the move every day to do something,” Jesse said. “For us, for him, it was well worth it. It was such a nice experience with the staff and everybody.”
Jesiah said: “It was really fun because we got to do all this stuff we had never done before.”
For the rest of this aca- demic year, Jayden is study- ing at home with his mother. He plans to return to Silas
CAMP
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through Monday, April 2.
The camp has been under- way while local schools have been on spring break since
March 26.
The Reedley Exponent B8 Thursday, March 29, 2018 COLUMN
at Knott’s Berry Farm. Wiebe, a member of RHS’ Class of 2005, brings years of experience to her job, in- cluding years working and learning alongside Norwood. She’s been involved in about 25 RCTC shows and also was a Visual and Performing Arts
tech for KCUSD.
I plan to write a story as
opening night approaches but wanted to touch base with Wiebe about how the audi- tions went and how the pro- duction is developing.
“Auditions went very well. We had a nice turnout,” she said. “I’m very happy with the cast. They are very hard-working, and all in- volved are excited to be put- ting on a great production.”
The cast ranges from third-grade students to RHS seniors. Some have been involved in KCUSD Show- case, a summer workshop that teaches youngsters the fundamentals of performing arts. Others, Wiebe said, are newcomers.
She said she’s thrilled to stage her first RHS musical: “It is a lot of work, but the work is totally worth it when you see how excited and hap- py the students are with the outcome.”
My main story in this edition is about 8-year-old Jayden Ortiz and his family. I hope you’ll read about their recent whirlwind of activities for Valley Children’s Hospi- tal and why they’re involved.
You’ll read that his par- ents, Synthia and Jesse Or- tiz, moved to Reedley about 14 years ago. Here’s a little bit more about that: They lived in a small community in
communicates with coaches and parents to make sure we are meeting their needs,” the event program quoted Reed- ley Community Services of- ficials.
And, they said: “Michael always has a great attitude and is eager to work or help when needed.”
The annual District 7 event recognizes people and agencies for their excellence in the parks and recreation
Monterey County and were looking to move.
Reedley wasn’t their first choice. In fact, they weren’t familiar with Reedley. They just had put a downpayment on a home in Visalia. But on Highway 99, they saw a big sign for Generation Homes in Reedley and decided to take a look. The Ortizes were impressed not only by the homes but by the small-town atmosphere.
And, they didn’t know it then, but they would be in close proximity to a stel- lar children’s hospital that would later play a huge role in Jayden’s life.
They so enjoyed it in Reedley that they convinced Synthia’s mother and father, Sylvia and Carlos Caballero, to also move to Reedley – they live next door.
As Jesse said: “We love it here.”
You'll be noticing a lot of purple ribbons on Satur- day, April 7, in Reedley. The Reedley Relay for Life teams willbeoutfrom8a.m.to2 p.m. for “Painting the Town Purple” with purple ribbons. Team members will be in the community to bring aware- ness about the upcoming big event – the Relay for Life for Reedley. It will be held on Saturday, April 14, at Reed- ley High School, starting at 9 a.m.
Cancer survivors, care- givers, family and friends come together for this in- spiring event and invite you to join them.
Felicia Cousart Matlosz is Panorama Editor and can be reached at felicia@midval- leypublishing.com
field.
The California Parks and
Recreation Society, founded in 1946, seeks to provide rec- reational experiences to in- dividuals, families and com- munities. Its stated goals also include promoting health and wellness, increasing cultural unity, facilitating community problem-solving, strengthen- ing safety and security, and strengthening community image and sense of place.
Photo Contributed
Jayden Ortiz is seen here outside the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios on Feb. 23, the day he and his family shot a segment of an upcoming commercial for Valley Children's Hospital.
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The student who wins the fi- nal contest will receive an ad- ditional $10,000 scholarship.)
Juarez said that she wanted to express apprecia- tion to OCHS Principal An- gel Durazo and AP English teacher Erica Sanchez “who have supported me through the competition and helped me calm my nerves before delivering the speech each time.”
She also thanked her par- ents, Jose and Sandra Juarez, and the “teachers who have helped me develop the con- fidence to do something like this.”
At Reedley High School, Sarah Wiebe and her cast of 36 KCUSD students are preparing to present the first musical under Wiebe’s direction, “The Little Mer- maid Jr.”
The musical – which fol- lows the story and songs of the hit 1989 Disney movie “The Little Mermaid” – opens Friday, April 13, at the RHS Performing Arts Theatre. It will run for seven perfor- mances on selected dates through Sunday, April 22.
Wiebe is in her first school year overseeing the high school’s drama pro- gram and teaching its re- established drama class as well as English courses. She succeeds Mark Norwood, the longtime KCUSD theatre arts coordinator, who also was ar- tistic director for Reedley’s River City Theatre Company. He left the district in 2017 to work with the creative team
CPRS
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ment’s afterschool program. He is an ambassador for the Junior Giants program, and is cited for being responsible for the Reedley department’s Diamond League for two years in a row.
“Michael has grown to be the point of contact dur- ing our outside hours and
Bartsch School in 2018-19 for third grade.
Jesse said Jayden is gain- ing weight and that the whole experience had boosted his son’s spirits.
The camp is geared to- ward youngsters ages 5 to 12. Most of the activities are taking place at the Reedley Community Center, 100 N. East Ave. But there also are walking trips to local destina-
tions.
The hours are 7:45 a.m.
to 5:15 p.m. Daily drop-in and
And Synthia said: “This is the happiest we’ve seen him and actually the healthiest he’s been.”
session pricing are available. Upcoming activities in- clude visits to the Reedley Fire Department, an egg hunt, arts and crafts, and a
movie.
For more information,
call the community services department at (559) 637-4203.
215874