On Campus

Alta Vista students graduate from DARE

Fifth-graders at Alta Vista school recently graduated from a Drug and Alcohol Awareness Education (DARE) taught by Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department Officer John Campos.

Police Chief Larry Todd and a cafeteria packed with parents, district officials and LG-MSPD officers, watched as students acted out skits they created, and listened to students read essays on what DARE means to them.

Each child at the graduation received a DARE T-shirt and a certificate.

CASA announces essay contest winners

Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA) recently announced the winners to its "Just say no ... Is it really that easy?" essay contest. CASA board members judged more than 100 entries, awarding several first-place $50 winners, $25 second-place and $15 third-place winners at each participating school.

Fisher Middle School winners were Bella Gaspich, first; Caitlin Duffy second; Anna M. Norman and Ashley Lester, tied for third. Honorable mentions went to Aileen Aranovsky, Whitney Harper, Natalie Ku, Jon Nunes, Jennifer Shin and Phillip Suh.

Dave Avenue School winners were Elizabeth Christine Groff, first; Danielle Peterson, second; and Cherol Tomer, third.

C.T. English Middle School winners were Alex Tsantes, first; Sara Dal Porto, second; and Matt Martini, third. Honorable mentions went to Marissa Nunn, Jesse Barron and Jessica Norvelle.

At Loma Prieta Elementary School, Suzanna Sund received a $50 prize for first place. At St. Andrew's School in Saratoga, Katie Turley-Molony took first, Roxana Safipour won second, and Jenny Estruth was third.

At St. Mary's School, Manyin Cheung won first, Joseph Dickerson came in second, and Christina Graham won third place.

Wildcat marching band receives many awards

The Los Gatos High School Wildcat Marching Band recently finished its competitive season by participating in a number of competitions. The field band finished first in its class at the Pacific Grove Band Tournament, second at Cupertino and Pleasanton, and third at the Tournament of Champions in Fairfield.

The color guard also competed in Fairfield and finished first, and twirler Marissa McLean won every solo competition she entered. The parade band finished second in its class at the Pacific Grove Tournament.

Student Exchange seeking host families

The American Intercultural Student Exchange is searching for local host families for high school foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year. The students attend local high schools while staying with a host family for a six- to 10-month period. The host family provides a room, food, and a family atmosphere for the students.

Those interested in more information on the AISE program can call 1-800-SIBLING or visit the website www.aise.com.

New cars, dispatch system approved for police department

New business columnist Don Callahan

Photo: St. Mary's School science lab

Obituaries: Joseph Brendal, Brother Lee Williams, Robert McAdams

Picture From the Past: Villa Montalvo's Cyrene Venus

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