WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

MATTHEW DUFFY, SUPERINTENDENT

April 15, 2017 Volume 2, Issue 3

VISTA HIGH SCHOOL SYLVIA GREENWOOD, Ed.D.

PRINCIPAL

Inside this issue:

Open House Family 2

Student Poem 3

Art Show Entries 3

Student Voices 4

CSUEB Study Trip 5

Q3 Honor Roll 6/7

Student Photography 7

Upcoming Events 8

“I can accept failure,

everyone fails at something.

But I can't accept not

trying.”

—Michael Jordan.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Home of the Tigers!

CSUEB EDUCATION SUMMIT

On Saturday, February 4, 2017, fourteen students and I boarded a bus at Vista High and headed to Cal State East Bay to attend the 2017 Education Summit. It was a very insightful experience. There were many workshops with very interesting subjects. I went to the “Why Community College” workshop and saw good reasons why someone would go to a community college before going to a University. After the workshop, I talked to two of the students from Chabot Community College about what courses would one need to take for a

certain major. One workshop that interested me the most, but unfortunately I didn’t get to go to, was “Want to Change the World? Become a Teacher.” It seemed like a very education-al experience. Another Vista student, Dorian Larry, went to “College Pizza" and thought it was a good course. The speaker talked about how he was bullied as a child, but used that experience as a motivation to get into college. I explored the campus a little bit and got to see where the campus dorms were along with where the library was. To me this experience was really interesting and fun, one I was lucky to go to. Can’t wait to apply to a four year university in the fall!

Written by Angela Sawers, Grade 11 Student

As we get ready to end the year, I wanted to say thanks to the hard working Vista staff for a wonderful Open House Family Night. We shared with families some of the great things that have been happening all year.

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VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE - FAMILY NIGHT

3

Underestimated, Overlooked

Criminalized by the color of my skin and looks. Never committed any sins

Ostracized, carrying the suffering of my kin. Sisters over sexualized, brothers seen as threats

But we’re out here just trying to do our best. Been through a lot of suffering and pain,

Thanks to the cops for being so vain. Taking lives away for no reason at all

Making families receive that dreaded call. Mothers fall to their knees finding out that their son has been shot

No reason why, No motive at all; Just like Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Oscar Grant.

This one’s for them and many others that are gone

Not because they had to, but because someone felt at harm.

‘’PLEASE DON’T SHOOT!’’ became our call Then we decided to march and end it all.

Here we are now trying to stay as united as ever, So please don’t harm us, don’t you remember?

Our skin color does not describe who we are

Or our worth, we’re just like you

No better or worse.

Written by Sofia Gomez, Grade 10 Student

VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

RICHMOND ARTSHOW ENTRIES

Student Name Title of Artwork Medium Grade Teacher Name

Jailene Dominguez Mujer de las Rosas Mixed Media 11 Susie Collins

Carla Garcia Flame Watercolors 12 Dyann Easton-Brown

Manning Charrette

Re-creation of Still Life with Pitcher and Apples a la Picasso Chalk 10 Carolyn Muth

Amtalsalam Sharay Nevermore Acrylic on Canvas 11 Dyann Easton-Brown

Destiny Meza Lady of Color watercolor 12 Dyann Easton-Brown

Vanessa Urtiz Welcome to America Mixed Media 11 Dyann Easton-Brown

Destiny Meza Full Moon Acrylic on Canvas 12 Dyann Easton-Brown

Anaya Grubbs Embrace Yourself Acrylic on Canvas 12 Cathy Druck

Anaya Grubbs New Beginnings Watercolor and contour makeup 12 Cathy Druck

Christian Prior Joe Star Pencil and charcoal 12 Janet Kraus

STUDENT POEM – WHO HAS COLOR

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VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT VOICES

"Apart from going to Vista, I also help my mom with our family company. Vista's independent study affords me the chance to apply my knowledge, as I learn about owning and managing a business. I find it helpful to be given a glimpse of adulthood and the challenges of juggling school and work." Stephanie Chavez, Grade 10 student

"Attending Vista enables me to do concurrent enrollment at Contra Costa College. I enjoy my Drama Acting 1 class as well as my Algebra course." Kevin Bui, Grade 9 student

"Independent Study at Vista has allowed me to cultivate skills in the trades. In addi-tion to training as an auto mechanic, I am an apprentice plumber. By the time I leave high school, I will have acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge in prospective career paths." Yoav Ivanhoe Pedroza, Grade 10 student

"Vista's unique schedule allows me to volunteer at elementary schools, practice and play softball and be a part of YES, a great youth group that raises awareness about ecology and human rights as we rebuild communities. Next week, we're off on another backpacking trip." Tajzhane Johnson,

Grade 9 student

"Independent studies at Vista gives me extra time to cultivate my love of music. I write and produce my own, and collaborate with Mike Sherm, Priceless da ROC, ACE, Mai Lee and Lil DMAC. Dropping an album soon - New Side of Me." Thommie Jackson, Grade 12 student

"Vista hours allow me to do so much - read and carefully complete my homework, play soccer, study law, hike and help Mom with household chores. This special schedule keeps me stress-free. I love it!" Michelle DelRio, Grade 9 student

"While attending Vista, I'm able to learn French, which is not offered at all comprehensive high schools." Tierra Murry, Grade 9 student

"While attending Vista, I get to budget my time in order to hone my auto mechanic, carpentry and landscaping skills." Kyle Endow, Grade 9 student

"Special scheduling at Vista enables me to play soccer, volunteer at a senior home and add another language, French, to my bilingualism. Not all schools offer French anymore, but Vista does." Daisy Fosado, Grade 9 student

I take a course at Contra Costa College called Introduction to Business. I chose this class, because my dad owns a business, himself, (John's Market), and I help him run it. This course enables me to learn the ropes of all that's entailed. Naseem Ali, Grade 10 student

Ms. Cruger-Hansen is at Vista on Mondays 12pm - 3pm and on Wednesdays from 8am - 3pm to help students with college counseling, college applications, and college/major searches. She also can process work permits and offer socio-emotional counseling. If Ms. Cruger–Hansen is not at Vista, she can be contacted at Middle College High School on the Contra Costa College Campus.

Her contact information is (510) 215-3861 or ccruger-hansen@wccusd.net.

VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE VISIT - CSUEB

Ms. Kraus and Ms. Collins took Vista students to California State University, East Bay to experience college life!

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NAME GR GPA

Autie, Rafe 12 4.00

Barajas, Carlos 12 3.00

Blanquel Torres, Jessica Yuliana 12 4.00

Castaneda Narvaez, Sara Angelica 12 3.00

Chandler, Teddie Zane 12 3.67

Dabwan, Waseam Abdulfateh 12 3.57

Grubbs, Anaya Ann 12 3.33

Lara, Jose Alberto 12 3.33

Martinez, Nikalyssa Anna 12 4.00

Mendoza, Lizette 12 4.25

Meza, Destiny Samantha 12 3.43

Morales Watson, Jaquon Marcelino 12 3.20

Munoz Lopez, Juan DeDios 12 3.60

Nuss, Samuel James 12 4.00

Oliver, Malissa Dale 12 3.00

Prior, Christian Giovanni 12 3.17

Quintana Loayza, Mariella Maria 12 3.50

Ramirez, Michael James 12 4.00

Rodriguez Romo, Jenifer Isabel 12 4.00

Rogers, Francine Jeannae 12 3.50

Roy Ferretto, Danniela Solansh 12 3.75

Saechao, Yoon Mai 12 3.75

Santana, Raquel Alejandra 12 3.00

Smith, Arion Khaleel 12 3.67

Torres, Esmeralda 12 4.00

Vasquez Calderon, Andrea Michelle 12 4.00

Williams, Darnell Lavell 12 3.25

Allen, Dajonae Unique 11 3.40

Alomari, Abdo Faisal 11 3.00

Atia, Sarah 11 4.00

Bernstine, Stanfford DeMarcus Lamar 11 3.50

Brame, Ryan Antony 11 3.40

NAME GR GPA

Diaz, Flavio Trevor Mitchell 11 3.75

Dominguez, Jailene Kathy 11 4.00

Guzman, Kiara Monique 11 3.25

Hernandez, Danny Cesar R 11 3.00

Larry, Dorian Deandre 11 3.25

Mohssen, Laylah Adel 11 3.75

Murphy, Paul Antonio 11 3.00

Peraza Garcia, Enoc Rafael 11 3.60

Perry, Aleah Judith 11 3.80

Sawers, Angela Marie 11 3.83

Sharay, AmtAlsalam Mohamed 11 3.20

Terlesky, Christopher Ricardo 11 3.67

Torres, Luis Sunel 11 3.67

Urtiz, Vanessa 11 3.50

Vargas, Oscar Leonardo 11 3.00

Warren, Mykela Ursula Angeli 11 3.40

Washington, Mayte Ruiz 11 4.00

Alammari, Amgad Sadik 10 4.00

Alammari, Mohamed Khaled 10 3.60

Ali, Naseem Tahar 10 3.25

Alvarado Campos, Jasmin Michel 10 3.20

Andrade Martinez, Oscar 10 3.20

Chavez, Stephanie Lizette 10 3.20

Diaz, Sylvia Cassandra 10 4.00

Foster, Tahj Zacceheus 10 3.00

Gamez, Alexander Michael 10 3.40

Guillen Argueta, Oneida Anahi 10 3.67

Hearn, Brelynn Jewell 10 4.00

Jimenez, Melissa 10 4.00

Lopez, Javier 10 4.00

Melendez Gonzales, Emiliana Lisette 10 3.67

Williams, Kiyah Arlinda 10 3.00

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STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographers: Ivan Pedroza, grade 10; Tajzhane Johnson, Grade 9; and Michelle Del Rio, Grade 9 students.

Kyle Endow and

Mr. Endow had an

opportunity to go

visit Pixar studios in

Emeryville, CA.

Ms. Collins’ son,

Matthew Collins,

works at Pixar and

arranged for the

visit.

VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

NAME GR GPA NAME GR GPA

Abdulrashid Alqhadi, Massir Fuad 9 3.80 Hoagland, Adrian 9 3.00

Atia, Sanad Mohamed 9 4.00 Johnson, Tajzhane Monique Latour 9 3.00

Cordtz, Tasiana Precious 9 4.00 Martinez, Kimberly 9 4.00

Endow, Kyle Masao 9 3.67 Suchite, Camila Gisselle 9 3.00

Esquivel, Elienai Griselda 9 3.40 Carballo, Liliana 8 4.00

Fosado, Daisy Lizzet 9 3.80 Crosby, Jamonte 8 3.00

Greenwood, Elizabeth Christine 9 3.60 Reyna, Yara Abigail 8 3.00

Herrera, Stefani 9 3.50 Voto Bernales, Geovanna Angeline 8 3.20

Mireles, Jocelyn 7 4.00

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VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

Check us out @ www.wccusd.net/vista

!!!SENIORS!!! Graduation Rehearsal

Friday, June 9, 2017 12:00 pm. – 2:00 pm.

Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, June 10, 2017

3:30 p.m.

Service Learning Projects are due by April 30, 2017 to your

Supervising Teacher.

CAASPP State Testing:

Test will be April 24 - 26, 2017, for grades 7, 8, 11, & 12. Other grade levels please see your Supervising Teachers regarding appointments.

Get plenty of rest and a good breakfast!

Use the following link to make your purchase:

https://www.customink.com/g/rdu0-00ay-mwew

Deadlines for purchasing a T-shirt is June 2, 2017

May 1 - May 5, 2017