Author Archives: DenairPulse Editor

Brielle Prock’s Smoothie Project Earns $3,000 Grant for DMS

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Brielle Prock

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Brielle Prock is on a roll. Earlier this year, the seventh-grader at Denair Middle School was one of three California students elected to be an NFL Play 60 ambassador. And this month, she became one of eight students in the country awarded a $3,000 grant as part of the Adventure Capital Transformation Experience sponsored by the Domino’s Pizza chain.

“It’s pretty cool and I realize that a lot of people don’t have some of the chances that I’ve had,” said the precocious 12-year-old, who already has been to Chicago for a NFL Play 60 Challenge summit and next week will fly to Michigan for a meeting at Domino’s headquarters.

“I think she’s as excited about the snow as much as what we’ll be doing there,” said Ray Prock Jr., who will accompany his daughter to Ann Arbor.

“I’ve only been to the snow a couple of times. It’s California and it’s warm here,” countered Brielle.

AdCap’s mission is to inspire, empower and motivate “creative, curious and brave student entrepreneurs who wish to make changes in school and community health and wellness.” Prock’s project is to install a smoothie bar in the Denair Middle School cafeteria.

She emailed photos of a three-dimensional poster board drawing of her project in November, made the first cut and then aced a phone interview with a New York-based representative of the GenYouth Foundation. She was notified Dec. 3 that she won.

Prock said the idea for a smoothie bar originated last summer when she was in Chicago. She remembered it when her parents encouraged her to apply for the AdCap grant. She asked some of her friends, who told her to go for it. Continue reading “Brielle Prock’s Smoothie Project Earns $3,000 Grant for DMS” »

Hundreds Attend Candlelight Vigil for DECA Teacher Mark Selee

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Mark Selee vigil

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

With an extraordinary December sunset as a picturesque backdrop, hundreds of students, teachers and community members gathered on the playground at Denair Elementary Charter Academy Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of Mark Selee. The popular fourth-grade teacher died Nov. 22 of an apparent heart attack.

Many in attendance wore bright yellow T-Shirts proclaiming, “Mr. Selee. Forever In Our Hearts!” The walkway from the parking lot to the playground was lined with luminaries decorated by fourth- and fifth-graders. The playground was chosen, DECA Principal Sara Michelena said, because it’s where Selee often played basketball with students.

As people filed in, staff members distributed candles to everyone. Bill Morrissey, husband of teacher Patti Morrissey, set the mood with guitar music in the background. Colorful balloons swayed in the gentle evening breeze. A nearby table was full of photos of Selee and his students.

After Michelena welcomed the group, Ashley Eudy sang “Amazing Grace.” During the song, the candles of nearly 500 mourners were lit one by one.

“It was beautiful. Perfect,” said Michelena.

Pastor Dave Larson said a prayer. His is from New Life Church in Turlock, where Selee’s funeral will be held Friday at 1 p.m.

Then, one after the other, all 26 students from Selee’s class offered personal reflections. They recalled that he often was funny, that he loved 1980s rock music and the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, and that he hated glitter – which is why many of them respectfully used it as part of the signs and posters they created to honor him.

Two members of the Turlock Sea Dogs Swim Team, which Selee helped coach, spoke. They were followed by three of his DECA colleagues who knew him best – Morrissey, Tami Sondeno and Kirsten Sweeten. The audience then joined Eudy in the Christian anthem “I Can Only Imagine” before Larson offered a moving final prayer. Continue reading “Hundreds Attend Candlelight Vigil for DECA Teacher Mark Selee” »

New Denair Girls Basketball Coach Brings Culture of Winning to Team

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Taryn Garza has been accustomed to success in her basketball career. She started for four years Modesto Christian High School, which annually competed for Sac-Joaquin Section and state championships. She earned a scholarship to the University of the Pacific. After transferring to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she helped that school earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Garza knows how to win.

Now, as a first-year head coach at Denair High, she wants to instill that same confidence and ability into her players.

“They’re very hard-working and very coachable. They have a lot of potential. I’m excited to teach them the fundamentals,” said Garza, who graduated from Cal Poly in May. She had a chance to play professionally overseas, but decided to pursue a coaching career instead.

Garza has no illusions about the work necessary to make the Coyotes competitive in the Southern League. Last year, Denair was 7-14 overall and 3-9 in the conference.

“They’re very athletic and we have some speed,” she said.

As a player, the 5-foot-11 Garza was known as a fierce defender and physical rebounder. As a coach, it’s no surprise that she’s stressing some of those same fundamentals. She often can be found scrimmaging with her players in an effort to give them hands-on advice.

“We’re working on the principles of defense,” she said. “We’re working on our rotations.”

Returning starters Katie Oliver, Katie Hernandez and Destiny Silva give Garza a foundation upon which to build. But as much as instilling a culture of success into her team, the new coach wants them to enjoy their time on the court. It’s a lesson she learned from Faith Mimnaugh, her coach at Cal Poly. Continue reading “New Denair Girls Basketball Coach Brings Culture of Winning to Team” »

Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Don Helnore was encouraged by the success of last year’s Denair High wrestling team, which finished third in the rugged Southern League. And though the Coyotes lost five seniors, the veteran coach is optimistic that his 16-man group can live up to similar expectations this time around.

Three wrestlers who qualified for the Division V Tournament return – senior Jordan Cervantes (132 pounds), junior Kyle Prock (138) and senior Kyle Perkins (220).

“For me, I want each guy as a returnee to improve and do better for himself and the team,” said Helnore, who has run the program for nine years. “For the new kids, I want them to find a love for the sport.”

In addition to Cervantes, Prock and Perkins, Helnore is high on 145-pound sophomore Blake Davis. “He’s already making big leaps from last year, when he really pushed some guys.”

The early part of the season features some regional tournaments and a handful of dual meets. For now, Helnore said the focus is on “conditioning and technique work.”

“We have a basic plan for all our guys. As you see them wrestle and move, you find out what they’re good at and build on that,” he said. “But like in any sport, you have a basic foundation that you teach.

“Right now, we’re working on stances, hand position, head position. What am I trying to do? Motion and movement. Once we get into league season, there’s more wrestling.” Continue reading “Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success” »