Page 7 - Dinuba Sentinel 10-11-18 E-edition

The Dinuba Sentinel Community Thursday, October 11, 2018 | A7 Celebrating 25 years
of leadership
Leadership Northern Tulare County program still going strong
Sentnel staff report
The amount of local citizens who have gone through the Leadership Northern Tulare County program now numbers in the hundreds.
Now six more community members will be preparing to be better leaders as this year's class was introduced last Wednesday at a welcome dinner at Ridge Creek Golf Course.
The six new members of LNTC are Mona Carrion from Dinuba Unified School Distirct, Danelle Contreras from Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District, Ruben Ortega from the City of Dinuba, Maria Rizo from Dinuba Unified School
District, Richard Smith from the City of Dinuba and Cynthia Solis, who is self employed.
The group will be learning organizational skills that will culminate with them putting together the Cinco de Mayo festival in May.
Over the years, many local community leaders have gone through the program.
"Actually, a lot of people who have been on the city council have been in LNTC," said the programs Chair Joanne Tatum.
According to Tatum, the program was started back in 1993 when then City Manager Ed Todd was looking for a way to get citizens more involved in their community.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Coats
Continued from Page A5
wanted to do. I came back and changed my direction. I got my teaching credential.”
After graduating from San Francisco State, Coats returned to his hometown and applied to become a teacher. But because there was not an opening at the time in Dinuba’s school district, Coats took an offer to work for our neighbor to the east.
For the next 37 years, Coats taught and coached at Orosi High School.
Now living at a retirement facility in Visalia, Coats said
he had heard about the Honor Flight but hadn’t really thought of going. It was his oldest daughter, Charlotte, who asked him if he wanted to go and even applied for him. A few months ago Coats got the call; his tickets were reserved if he wanted to go.
“It was a lot bigger deal than I thought it was,” said Coats of the trip. “It was quite thorough and very well organized.”
Coats had been to Washington D.C. once before. In 1978, he and his family took a family trip to our country’s capital. But the Honor Flight allowed him to see the capital with new eyes.
When asked what stood out the most from his recent trip, Coats did not hesitate.
“Arlington Cemetery,” said Coats. “I found out a lot about that. They change the guard every hour, 24 hours a day, every day since 1978, like a statue, but a moving statue. Arlington Cemetery was pretty moving.”
The landscape also stood out to Coats.
“I was really surprised how much open area there is there,” he said. “The monuments are in very nice areas, very lush.”
The most recent Honor Flight left Fresno Yosemite International Airport last Monday, Oct. 1. It arrived
in Washington D.C. that afternoon, where Veterans from throughout the Valley were
first welcomed with a barbecue dinner.
Coats said Tuesday was a busy day and had Veterans in and out of buses as they went
The newest class of Leadership Northern Tulare County was introduced at a reception last Wednesday at Ridge Creek Golf Course. They are (from left to right) Cynthia Solis, Ruben Ortega, Richard Smith, Maria Rizo, Mona Carrion and Danelle Contreras.
Online schools are here to stay
Ed Coats poses for a picture while visiting the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. Taking the photo was Coats' daughter Charlotte, who served as hs chaperone on the trip.
from one monument to another. He said of all the Veterans
who made the trip, four were from World War II. Included in that group of four was a 95-year old woman.
“She got around better than many of us,” he said.
There was only one thing Coats did not like about his trip.
“We had a really good time,” said Coats. “Except for getting upat5a.m.I’monmyownnow so I’m used to getting up when I want to.”
Coats said he was also moved by the homecoming they received while returning home last Wednesday, as a large crowd and a line of Navy Soldiers greeted them at the airport in Fresno.
“The crowd welcome was amazing,” said Coats.
Coats next honor comes only a week from today, as he will be taking place in the grand opening ceremony for the new Orosi High School stadium next Thursday. The field where the Cardinals play is named in his honor, Ed Coats Field. The score board on the field bears his name.
Like those that stand in
the lush rolling hills near our country’s capital, the field, the score board and the stadium now stand as monuments to those who have battled there to victory. Among those victors is Ed Coats, local legendary coach – and Veteran.
Photo by Charlotte Jones
For some students these days, receiving an education within a traditional classroom setting is now a thing of the past. That’s all thanks to a new educational platform that is drawing more and more student enrollment – online schools.
One student who has jumped on board the new trend is 16-year old Azalea Gonzalez of Dinuba. Gonzalez, in fact, has now been an online student for four years now after enrolling in Central California’s Connection Academy in the seventh grade.
Previously, she had attended Wilson Elementary School and, for a short time, Washington Intermediate School. However, when Gonzalez began to experience bullying.
“I had been bullied a lot,” said Gonzalez. “So my parents and I thought it would be better to receive my education online.”
She said that while her sister was researching online schools, her mother actually
By Rick Curiel
approached the Dinuba Unified School District regarding their situation and their desire to use an online school. Gonzalez said the district actually recommended Connections Academy.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Gonzalez. “It created more of a peaceful environment and I’ve been advancing a lot. I almost have all the credits I need to graduate.”
This year, Gonzalez is taking English 10, US History, Forensic Science and Psychology. She was told by her counselor that if she were to take a dual college course she would be graduating this year, as a junior.
“Being able to go at your own pace has been a big benefit,” she said of the advantage of online schooling. “And the teachers are very nice and very supportive.”
When asked whether she misses anything from a traditional school, Gonzalez responded, “not really, I feel Connections has a lot of the things a normal school has. It has Math Clubs, Debate Clubs,
we even have dances and a prom.”
She said they also have a school newsletter called “The Monitor”, where students get to contribute articles about their experience in the academy.
And Gonzalez isn’t the only local attending the online academy. Her friend Elizabeth is also enrolled in the academy, as is Gonzalez’s 15-year old brother Carlos.
After graduating from high school, whether it be this year or next year, she plans to attend Fresno State and major in communications.
Gonzalez said the online experience can be beneficial to any student, but especially those who have dealt with bullying.
“It’s a very good opportunity for someone to be more comfortable in their education,” said Gonzalez.
The online school has about 500 students enrolled in the Central California academy. Of those, about 85 are from Tulare County.
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
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DR. KULDIP THUSU
Dedicated Leadership for Dinuba
Improving our daily lives
• He kept his campaign promise to complete road 72 and illuminate streets with LED lights.
• He got sidewalks installed on the north side of Saginaw between Rite Aid and Euclid.
• He put in the 4 way stop at Euclid and Saginaw.
• He worked with the County to make train crossing arms.
Keeping the city fiscally responsible
• Increased the budget reserve significantly.
• Lowered impact fees for future growth and development.
• Closed $1.9 million deficit in fiscal year 18/19.
Committed to our community
• He lobbied against Senate amendment SCA20 (Internet sales Tax bill).
• Worked to create Internal Homeless Outreach Team.
• For 20 years he’s empowered the youth of Dinuba through education, mentorship, and scholarships.
WWW.THUSUFORDINUBA.COM
THUSU FOR CITY COUNCIL 2018 FPPC ID#1412605
004813
004808
02249