Local

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Last week, the First District staff had the pleasure of touring Victor Valley College’s state-of-the-art Public Safety Training Center in Apple Valley.

Led by Program Director Dave Oleson and Dean Dr. McKenzie Tarango, the 9-acre campus is described as a “village under a roof,” offering hands-on disaster training for its Criminal Justice, Fire Technology and Emergency Medical Services students.

In addition to having a cutting-edge indoor tactical shooting range with a 3-D projection scenario program, the campus boasts a four-acre prop yard with a myriad of live simulation training opportunities.

Underground tunnels, a collapsed “freeway bridge,” a five-story fire tower with burn rooms, and a derailed train car are among the props available to students. The unique setup allows students from each program to collaborate on training exercises, just like first responders do every day.

High Desert high school teachers are invited to bring their students to the center’s upcoming Multi-Discipline Day on November 18. Students will learn more about the fire, criminal justice and EMS academies and get hands-only CPR training. For more information, call Sgt. Rand Padgett at (559) 908-1498.

Are you a community member interested in learning more about a career in public safety? There is a huge demand for public safety professionals in our region, and most of VVC’s graduates are offered jobs prior to graduation!

Click the link below for more information about their program!

https://www.vvc.edu/fire-technology-program

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Last week, the First District Youth Advisory Council met. They are a group of 10 bright and enthusiastic students who will meet monthly to identify and discuss issues impacting young people in our county, while serving as a direct link between First District teens and our office.

The students were chosen from Sultana, Apple Valley, Granite Hills, and University Prep high schools. Youth Council members will participate in a volunteer/community service project while learning about local government and civic engagement.

Congratulations to all of the students who were chosen to serve on the panel!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students in the Class of 2021 spent their entire senior year in distance learning, having to overcome difficulties such as distractions at home, slow internet, and a host of other issues. But despite all of that, the SBCUSD Class of 2021 walked away with $11,031,077 in scholarships and grants, and many of them have already started college.

A total of 209 Cajon High School seniors earned $3,713,914 in scholarships and grants, which includes $1.5 million in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. Arroyo Valley High School seniors also showed their academic chops with 385 graduates, or 73 percent of their graduating class, earning $3,266,600 in scholarships, including a four-year military scholarship.

“San Bernardino City Unified graduates have a distinct advantage over many other area graduates when it comes to earning scholarships,” said Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer Ginger Ontiveros. “In addition to competing against seniors of area private and charter schools for the many scholarships available to graduates across the state and nation, SBCUSD graduates are eligible for hundreds of scholarships just for seniors in our District.”

At San Bernardino High School, 100 graduates earned $1,359,680 in scholarships and grants, and 136 of San Gorgonio High School’s graduates earned a cumulative $1,159,817 in scholarships and grants, including $513,996 in military scholarships and signing bonuses. A full 100% of Middle College High School’s 68 graduates shared in $970,000 in scholarships and grants.

Rounding out the scholarship and grant numbers are $386,480 earned by 112 Pacific High School graduates, $112,150 earned by 59 San Andreas High School graduates, $33,300 earned by 82 Indian Springs High School graduates, $18,986 earned by 17 Sierra High School graduates, and $10,150 earned by 10 Inland Career Education Center graduates.

The District has a long-standing partnership with the non-profit San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association, which coordinates local donors who have created scholarships just for SBCUSD graduates. Each scholarship has its own criteria. Some are for graduates of specific high schools, some are for students pursuing a career in education or medicine, while others reward students for their community service efforts during high school.

“What all of the Association scholarships have in common,” said Association President Blythe Anderson, “is that you must be graduating from San Gorgonio, San Bernardino High, Pacific, or one of the District’s other amazing high schools to apply.”

The Making Hope Happen Foundation, a non-profit supporting the District’s educational mission, awards $3,000 mentor-supported college scholarships to approximately 100 SBCUSD graduates each year. What makes these scholarships unique is that in addition to money, scholarship recipients are paired with a mentor, who is an upperclassman in college and also an SBCUSD alum, to help guide them through the college experience, helping them register for classes and navigate this new phase of their lives.

To enroll your child in the San Bernardino City Unified School District so they are eligible for  these scholarships, visit the website or your local SBCUSD school. To donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit https://makinghope.org/. To create your own scholarship or donate to one of the many existing Association-managed scholarships, contact Susan Zavala, Communications/Community Relations Department secretary, at susan.zavala@sbcusd.k12.ca.us.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sep. 27, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, from Ontario, Calif., stands ready during a Twin Boom Extensible Crane training evolution in the mission bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, is operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden/released)

MORENO VALLEY, CA—- Shango Cannabis will sell its signature line of pink merchandise, including Shango T-shirts and other swag throughout National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Proceeds will benefit The Pink Ribbon Place.

The Riverside Community Health Foundation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, established The Pink Ribbon Place in 2009. The program provides Inland Empire families impacted by cancer with bras, hats, scarves, breast prostheses and wigs, as well as support services, education and other resources, all at no cost.

“Shango is honored to serve these brave cancer survivors,” Shango Controller Julie Dubocq said. “Providing resources that can help them succeed on their journey to recovery has become an essential part of our charitable giving.”

The Pink Ribbon Place also offers counseling sessions for those diagnosed with cancer, their immediate family members and their primary caregivers to build skills and confidence they need to cope with the emotional hardships on this difficult journey.

“The Pink Ribbon Place team is so grateful for businesses like Shango, whose teams truly understand the value of giving back to charities who offer direct services,” said Terri Akens, director of Community Health Programs. “These efforts directly impact our ability to continue offering quality services at no cost to individuals and families impacted by cancer throughout the Inland Empire.”

Shango will donate 100 percent of pink merchandise profits at its Moreno Valley dispensary to help pay for items patients need immediately after surgery, such as wigs, bras and prostheses.

“Funding programs like The Pink Ribbon Place is an integral part of our overall commitment to the Inland community,” Shango Founder and CEO Brandon Rexroad said. “This is the one of the most effective ways we can help breast cancer survivors.”

Shango is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located at 11875 Pigeon Pass Road, STE C-1, in Moreno Valley, CA 92557. Call 1-866-4SHANGO for more information.

Other programs offered by The Pink Ribbon Place include:

• Aquamotion Water Aerobics: A pool aerobics class, which includes steady state aerobics, circuit training and high-intensity intervals that strengthen the cardiovascular system.
• Iyengar Yoga: A form of yoga that incorporates all the components of physical fitness with a focus on structural alignment of the body, as well as mental relaxation. The class, taught by volunteer, certified yoga instructors, is tailored to those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment and in remission.
• Support Groups: A place for cancer survivors, newly diagnosed and years into survival, to connect with others, to share experiences and resources.
• Pink Ribbon Thrift: A boutique style thrift shop inside Pink Ribbon Place where the community comes together to support local families impacted by cancer.

The Pink Ribbon Place is located at 4275 Lemon Street., Riverside, CA 92501. Phone (951) 823-0261 or email pink@rchf.org

About Shango

Shango is a well-established vertically integrated cannabis brand offering a full range of award-winning products, including flower, extracts, concentrates and cannabis-infused edibles. The company has operations in Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, California, Michigan and Missouri.

The Shango brand has full-service recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries in Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Moreno Valley, California; Lapeer, Bay City and Hazel Park, Michigan, as well as medical dispensaries in Joplin and Springfield, Missouri. Shango is building two extraction facilities, a commercial kitchen and an indoor cultivation facility in Michigan, as well as a cannabis manufacturing facility in Missouri. Shango also operates a state-of-the-art cannabis distribution operation in Southern California. Shango Las Vegas, a fully integrated state of the art, cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary facility, is the crown jewel of the Shango brand.

A recognized leader in the cannabis industry, Shango sets the standards for product quality, consistency and business conduct. Global Health & Pharma named Shango the Best Multi-State Medical Cannabis Dispensary in the U.S. in its 2020 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards. Macias Gini & O’Connell named Shango to its 2021 Cannabis 50 list, recognizing companies that are reshaping and inspiring the continued growth of the cannabis and hemp industries. Shango is committed to cannabis education and is a fierce advocate of the safe and responsible use of cannabis products. For more information, visit www.goshango.com.

By Lue Dowdy, LUE Productions

La-Kyshia is a ball of beautiful energy.

La-Kyshia N. Reddick was born on May 13 in Fontana, California. Currently, she resides in Highland, California. She is inspired by her parents and grandparents who have supported everything that she has done since she was little. The support and love have given her the green light to run the race and become a force to reckon with in the world of dance.

She’s always been an honor-roll student and was placed on the Dean’s Lists at San Bernardino Valley College. She began performing in preschool; her first dance performance was Salsa, and Boy George, ” I tumble for ya”.

La-Kyshia has always loved to work-out at home. Jane Fonda and her dad were her inspirations. She was part of Jr Mission, Usher, Choir, worked in the nursery and praise dance team at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church as a youth- teen.

She has modeled hairstyles for a beauty salon, and has been part of the Coronoid Girls as Eastern Star in San Bernardino. She participated in Talent shows at Fresno State University as she attended Grand Session for the youth supervised by Eastern Stars yearly until the age of 17. She attended San Bernardino Valley College as a Liberal Arts/Arts/Graphic Design major. Taking jazz dance classes there is when her hobby became a career.

La-Kyisha began dancing with multiple choreographers doing different styles of dance such as Jazz, Modern, Caribbean, Brazilian, West African, Afro-Jazz, Hip Hop, and Praise Dance. During this time, she also modeled for WNOPhotography.

La-Kyshia’s hobbies are: organizing, Dancing, cleaning, creating looks: Fashion, nails, and interior design, museums, art, festivals, gathering with family, impacting children, working-out, having a good time everywhere she goes, teaching zumba/dance at the gym, fashion shows, and reading.

She has always been a lead/supervisor at jobs that she has had from past to present.  She enjoys everything she does in her career. She works for the county and has been running successful after-school programs for the past 18 years at 12 different schools for CAPS in San Bernardino. She is a huge impact in her program to her leaders and students.

La-Kyisha has taught dance, fashion design, fitness, sign language and art to students. She has run one of the biggest after-school programs since 2018. She has been able to show students that they can show off their talents right here in San Bernardino, by performing at Cal State University, Arroyo, and other schools and theaters. She is currently a coordinator at Paakuma’ helping to build strong leaders and expanding the children’s education. She currently is attending school in San Bernardino County.

La-Kyisha lets her work speak for itself. She considers herself as a “canvas on a daily”. Make sure you follow THE DANCE PRINCESS on all social media platforms. Until next week. L’s!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Serving seniors during COVID has been a priority for Assembly Majority Leader Reyes. She has held a Senior Advocacy Week every year since she was elected in 2016.  This week Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes visited several senior living facilities for her 5^th Annual Senior Advocacy Week from September 27^th to October 1^st, providing them with facemask, hand sanitizer and food resources that will help them during the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this year the Majority Leader’s Office hosted a Senior Check-in Project where her office called to check-in on seniors and encouraged them to reach out to others. To complement the check-in calls, the Majority Leader sent out postcards to seniors across the 47^th District expressing her appreciation for seniors and to remind them of the constituent services her district office provides.

Senior Advocacy Week would not have been possible without the partnership with UNITEEE, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC), State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCCD), Autism Society, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). Through this collaboration, Senior Advocacy Week served over 1300 seniors and provided them with food boxes and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including facemasks, hand sanitizers, stress balls, and literature with different local and state resources for seniors. A senior from one of the visits remarked, “I received a red bag and food box. The items were lots of help because I don’t have to go out to get certain things. It was so helpful and now I have sanitizers and lots of facemasks.” – Mrs. Wynona Francis

“It is critical that we continue to check-in on our seniors. We are not out of this pandemic yet and our senior community must not be forgotten,” said Assembly Majority Leader Reyes. “This is my 5^th year of Senior Advocacy Week and I am thankful to our partners that helped us provide the important resources and food boxes for our seniors.”

The mission of Senior Advocacy Week is to listen to the issues that are affecting our seniors and provide resources to help them. We must continue to take a proactive approach to address the issues that affect their daily lives.

“I want to first start by thanking you and your team for providing these amazing resources to our residents. I received tremendous feedback from our residents who appreciated the opportunity to meet Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes. It’s nice to have someone who is willing to actually put in the work to take care of their district.” – Dameon Cutrer, Property Manager I, Blue Mountain Senior Villa, Grand Terrace

“Our seniors here at Heritage  Park really enjoy our visits from the Assemblymember, it makes us feel important that she continues to keep us and our issues in mind, and they loved the red bags with the PPE and were very appreciative of the food boxes that were donated to us by her office, this year. Thank you all for the work you do!” – Andrea Rangel, Heritage Park Apartments, Rialto

“We often take for granted the basic necessities of life; food! For our Seniors, that’s often a thought that’s on their mind. We at Bloomington/Lilian Court apartments appreciate the efforts of Assemblymember Reyes and her team to ensure that they are constantly advocated for. Thank you.” – Margarito Cuen, PATH, Bloomington

On Saturday, November 21, at the Adelanto Stadium, Fathers in Hip Hop will be honoring the Westside Story Newspaper publisher, Wallace Allen IV, during the Blessed in the Mess Giveaway and Concert. Allen will be given the Acknowledgment award for his commitment to the community. Those that want to attend the show, please RSVP to fathersinhiphop@gmail.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—-Two schools in San Bernardino County have been distinguished as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious award recognizes schools based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. They are among the state’s highest performing schools.

Hidden Trails Elementary School in Chino Valley Unified School District and Valencia Elementary School in Upland Unified School District are among only 26 schools in California receiving this recognition.

“This is a distinguished award that schools all across our nation strive for, and we have two schools within our County receiving this high honor,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “I commend the efforts put forth by our educators and their outstanding commitment to transform the lives of students.”

National Blue Ribbon Schools is a program of the U.S. Department of Education designed to celebrate exemplary schools in which educators, students and families have worked to create positive and effective learning environments for all students.

The Department of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Hidden Trails and Valencia Elementary Schools were both recognized as Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools for their work in establishing educational equity and for their dramatic gains in student achievement.

“At Hidden Trails, our focus has been on building the kind of school that engages students and makes them want to be here,” Hidden Trails Principal Lisa Sura said. “Our data-driven instruction and teacher collaboration have helped us build a positive school culture in which students are encouraged to reach their highest potential through a multi-tiered system of support.”

Both Hidden Trails and Valencia Elementary School principals noted this award serves as recognition of the hard work staff, students, educators and families put in to create a safe and welcoming school where students can succeed.

“Valencia believes it can collectively accomplish great things and make a positive difference in the lives of students,” said Valencia Elementary Principal Rachael Emery. “Our mission reflects the core belief that students, no matter their academic level, deserve focused instruction to achieve academic growth and to support emotional well-being. We owe our success to our staff’s collaborative work to implement evidence-based strategies with rigor to assure equitable access to quality teaching and learning.”

In total, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. These outstanding schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 4 and 5, 2021.

For more information visit our website at www.sbcss.net and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #transforminglives.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- “We Mentor Men Towards a Better Future”, – This year marks the 65th year of the Social Lites Inc. as an organization and 55th year of them making a strong and lasting impact on our Black and Brown young men of our Inland Empire community.

This year we the organization is excited to be ushered in by President Sheri Lewis and Vice President Elsie Paulino who bring a wealth of knowledge and a combined 30+ years with new ideas to the program.

The Beautillion Program provides services that ensure that our youth are college bound and equipped to succeed in college and realize their full potential as men, career professionals, entrepreneurs, and productive citizens through the program. They also provide mentoring, leadership and character and life development skills to makes students from Elementary to High School.

In addition, participating high school seniors who express a desire to attend college may qualify for academic scholarships after completing a rigorous six-month extracurricular program that involves academics, community service projects, and refining social skills. To date, the Beautillion Program has given out approximately $2.5 million dollars in scholarships to college bound young men.  

The Beautillion Briefing will be from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 10 at The Center for Youth & Community located at 468 West 5th Street in San Bernardino.

Please call Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502 for more information. Mark your calendars, this will be a life changing opportunity for the young men in your lives.