Leland High School is looking for physical therapists, massage therapists, court reporters, news reporters, recording engineers, chemical engineers and dozens of other professionals to speak at a March 25 career day.

Event organizers are assembling panels of speakers in six broad categories: agricultural and natural resources; art and communications; business, marketing and information systems; engineering and technology; home, health and recreation; and social, human and government. Based on career-path assessments they completed earlier in the year, students will choose two panels to attend on career day.

Leland's career day is held every other year and is open to all students. The panel discussions are new this year, says college and career mentor Joan Albers. In the past, Albers explained, students chose four careers and listened to individual speakers on each.

"Most people coming to speak feel more comfortable being part of a panel," she said.

The career day is scheduled for a minimum day, so speakers will be done in time for a luncheon sponsored by Outback Steakhouse.

The panels themselves should be lively, Albers said, since Leland students tend to be active participants. "We have a really good reputation among people who speak at career days throughout the valley," she added. "Our kids ask great questions."

For more information about being a speaker at Leland's career day, contact Dale Dollahite at dale_dollahite@yahoo.com.

Scholarship
program to
recognize
teens' efforts

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's Path to Excellence scholarship program, which benefits graduating Silicon Valley high school students and assists them in their continuing education, will be accepting applications through March 12.

Through the program, 10 Silicon Valley scholars will be selected from 38 public high schools in Santa Clara and San Benito counties. Each winning scholar will earn a $2,000 scholarship. Final selections will be made by a committee that includes representatives from the business community, area high schools and colleges, and the leadership team of Coldwell Banker Silicon Valley. The scholarships will be granted to the winners upon their enrollment in an accredited four-year university of their choice.

The Path to Excellence scholarship program is a partnership effort with local high schools. The principals and faculty at each school will nominate three graduating seniors with exemplary records. Superior academic achievement is necessary but is not the sole criterion. Scholarship candidates must be well-rounded student/citizens who are involved in their broader community.

Students who are interested in being considered for the scholarship program should talk to their guidance counselor or principal. The application deadline is March 12.

For more information regarding the Coldwell Banker Silicon Valley Path to Excellence Scholarship Program, please contact Scholarship Program Chairwoman Nina Yamaguchi at 408.252.1133 or via email at nymaguchi@cbnorcal.com.

Randol students
'Jump for the Heart'

This Feb. 13 was a lucky day for students at Randol Elementary School, who got to skip class to skip rope for a good cause. It was also a lucky day for the American Heart Association, which benefited from Randol's "jump-a-thon" to the tune of about $3,000.

Randol's student council organized "Jump for the Heart," in which children in each grade level jumped rope for 20 minutes on the blacktop behind the school. Sponsors paid a flat fee to students for participating; the number of times a jumper made it over the rope wasn't a factor. Still, PTA Vice President Joyce Senechal said, many students practiced their technique at home before the event to increase their endurance.

Dartmouth calls its
annual bingo night

Bingo fans can get out their markers and head to Dartmouth Middle School on March 5 for the school's annual fundraiser. Those who don't get a chance to yell "bingo!" at some point during the evening can still take something home with them in the form of a raffle prize or an item from the silent auction. Pizza, soft drinks and dessert will be served at the event.

Organizers are still looking for more donations of bingo prizes or auction items. For more information, call Sanjeev Dua at 408.267.7473, Karen Dua at 408.891.7096 or Debbie McGuire at 408.323.9070.

Castillero gets bonus for phone service

Students at Castillero Middle School cannot use cell phones on campus, but they'll still benefit if their parents sign up for wireless and long-distance services offered by Excel. Castillero will receive a percentage of all revenues generated from Excel's service offerings, so the more people who sign up, the more money the school gets. For more information, call Gina Ezquerro at 408.268.4389.

Castillero is also reaping the benefits of the written word through Hicklebee's book bonus program. Shoppers who mention the middle school's name when making a purchase at the Willow Glen bookstore will help Castillero earn money to buy new library books. Castillero will receive $10 in merchandise for every $200 in sales. Hicklebee's is located at 1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.

Pioneer High School
athletes get crabby

Pioneer High School is tucking in for its 20th annual Charlie's Crab Feed to benefit the school's athletic programs. The Mustangs will attack the crustaceans on Feb. 28 at the Scottish Rites Center, 2455 Masonic Drive. For more information and ticket sales contact Jan Nelson at 408.535.6300.

Simonds foundation to
hold annual fundraiser

The music and technology programs at Simonds Elementary School will get a financial boost from a dinner and auction planned for March 13. Dubbed "An Evening Under the Stars," the event will be held at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, 23600 McKean Road.

Silent and live auctions will feature items donated by local businesses, Simonds families and companies throughout the Bay Area. Attendees can bid on golf, wine-tasting or vacation packages or on items hand-made by Simonds students, including quilts and note cards. Bidders can also win a "date" with their favorite teacher, who will take them to lunch or a movie.

All proceeds from the annual auction event benefit the Simonds Music and Technology Foundation. For more information, contact auction co-Chairwoman Joy Spodick at 408.927.5213.