RDM's Yolanda Sherard in Running for State Teacher of the Year

Recently named one of the five San Diego County Teachers of the Year for 2012, Rancho del Rey Middle School teacher Yolanda Sherard was named a semifinalist for California Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Brand believes that this recognition is a great accomplishment not only for Sherard, but for all Sweetwater District teachers.

"Yolanda is a great example of the quality teaching that goes on all across the Sweetwater District," said Brand. "We are all very proud of what she has accomplished and of her efforts on behalf of all teachers."

Sherard and the other semifinalists will be honored in Sacramento at the California Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet on February 6, 2012

San Ysidro High Celebrates 10th Anniversary

All community members are invited to help San Ysidro High mark the campus' 10 year anniversary on Saturday, March 17th. A school carnival will take place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Stop by to enjoy food, games, a car show, student performances and a closing fireworks display.

Power of Music Benefit Concert at ORH

Otay Ranch High KIWIN's present "The Power of Music" benefit concert on Saturday, Feb. 11. There will be performances by Katriz Trinidad, Kinections, Francis Florendo, I Am, Surreal Fidelity, Lexi Pulido, Mental Opposition, Michael Carreon and many more.

The show will take place at the Jack Tygett Performing Arts Center at Chula Vista High from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 pre-sale, $8 at the door. Children under 5 are free. All proceeds from the concert will go to One Dollar for Life, a non-profit corporation founded to address third world poverty by collecting $1 donations from high school students and channeling those funds into small-scale infrastructure projects in developing countries.

The KIWINS's of ORH are a community service organization of high school students.

CVHS Wellness and Safety Fair

Chula Vista High School is hosting the First Annual Wellness and Safety Fair for parents and students on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. The free event is co-sponsored by the Chula Vista Community Collaborative and brings together a variety of community agencies and resources offering services for families.

Participants can also take advantage of health screenings from a mobile health clinic and workshops on a variety of topics including fair housing, identity theft, internet safety and teen driving safety.

Girls and Women in Sports Day at SDSU

Calling all female sports lovers, San Diego State Women's Basketball and the County Office of Education will present "Girls and Women in Sports Day" on Sat., Feb. 18. SDSU will face off against Air Force that day at 2 p.m.

An all-sports clinic starting at 12:30 p.m. will be held before the game. Free tickets are available to kids in grades K to 8 by calling the County Office of Education at (858) 292-3753. For more information about the event call (619) 594-0760.

Join the Race for Autism

You can help make a difference in the lives of San Diego families living with autism by joining the Sweetwater Neuro Stars as they run and walk in the San Diego Race for Autism on March 24.

The race is sponsored by the National Foundation for Autism Research. All proceeds of the race will be used to support local programs, services and classroom materials to improve the lives of those with autism in our community. Many of our students and schools have benefited from grants from NFAR. For more information visit www.NFAR.org.

Once considered rare, autism now affects as many as one in 110 children in the United States. Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism. And every step in the Race for Autism represents one of more than 7,000 children with autism in San Diego. To join, visit the Sweetwater Neuro Stars web page.

Youth Baseball International Game Coming to Chula Vista

The International Youth Baseball Tournament is coming to Chula Vista on Sat., Feb. 11. Two local teams, Chula Vista Bombers 12U and Barons 13U will compete against the Korean National Team. Many of the Korean players will be participating in the 2012 Little League World Series.

The game will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Chula Vista South Pony Baseball Field, 1500 Max Ave. A post-game BBQ with both Korean and American-style BBQ will be held afterwards sponsored by the Chula Vista South Pony Baseball and local merchants.

Students Stage Music and Dance Program

The talented students in Sweetwater's Visual and Performing Arts program have some wonderful programs in store for your enjoyment. On Thurs., Feb. 16 spend an evening serenaded by more than 350 young string musicians performing in symphony at the District StringFest.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at EastLake Middle School's Pavilion, 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista. General admission is $2. On Sat., Feb. 25, hear the finest middle and high school band students perform in the Honor Band Concert. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Chula Vista High's Jack Tygett Performing Arts Center, 820 Fourth Avenue. Admission is $5.

And enjoy the artistry of the middle and high school dance groups at the District Dance Concert on Feb. 28th at 7 p.m. The performance will take place at Eastlake High's Ruth Chapman Performing Arts Center, 1120 Eastlake Parkway. Admission is $5.

SUH Senior Named Most Inspirational Player at Holiday Bowl

At the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, Luis Venegas, senior at Sweetwater High School, was introduced as the season's most inspirational player.

Luis is the second youngest of four children. His mother moved the family to National City when he was in the 8th grade, but Luis and his siblings continued attending schools in their former East County neighborhoods for a while. That meant riding public buses two and a half hours each way until he finally enrolled in National City schools.

A young man who dreams of becoming an attorney, Luis has faith that his future will be brighter. He is a top student and recently won a 3rd place in a national entrepreneurial contest for high school students. A champion on the football field, Luis is sure that education will be his gateway to success. "I have the obligation to prove it is possible to succeed - for me, for my family and for all the people who have invested their time in me," says Luis.

Although many nominations with extremely inspirational stories were submitted from around the county, Luis was the clear front-runner to become this year's Dr Pepper TEN Most Inspirational Player. He was recognized on the field during the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28th.