Denair Elementary Charter Academy officially opened its new kitchen and multipurpose room
at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday before the monthly Denair Unified School District Board
of Trustees meeting.
“We are absolutely thrilled to gather here for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony,”
Superintendent Terry Metzger, Ed.D., told a crowd of about 50 students, community members,
and local dignitaries who braved near-100-degree heat to attend. “This beautiful space was
created from the old gym and includes an amazing kitchen and staff break room where the old
locker rooms used to be.”
Metzger also pointed out that the new glass “storefront” lobby creates a functional new
entrance to the space, which also boasts a refinished gym – still featuring the original 70-year-
old floor – and classrooms.
“This building creates great spaces for our students, staff, and the community,” Metzger added.
In addition to Metzger, board President Billy Myers, Food Services Manager Kim Fuentez, Chief
Business Official Daisy Swearingen, and DECA Principal Crystal Sousa, Ed.D., and student council
representative Juan Carlos Rivas all delivered remarks before the official cutting of the purple
ribbon.
Evyn Galvan, the district director for Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), delivered a
certificate of recognition. And Noah Jamison, senior project engineer with Valley Construction
Services, Inc., the management firm for the project, also attended.
2
“This is an investment in the future of the school and will be beneficial for all,” said Jamison.
“Seeing all these smiling faces is so rewarding. It’s what makes me get up in the morning and
keep doing what I’m doing.”
After Sousa and Rivas snipped the ribbon, the public was invited inside for a tour and treated to
cookies and lemonade.
Later, during the board meeting, the trustees were presented with a bevy of updates, including
the results of the fall 2025 iReady test results – now called Inform.
Fifty-one percent of DECA students were reading at, above, or one grade below their current
grade level. Of DECA’s Dual Language Immersion students, 62 percent read at, above, or one
grade below their grade level. Math results showed that 54 percent of DECA students tested at,
above, or one grade below.
Inform results showed that 44 percent of Denair Middle School students were at, above, or one
grade below for reading, while 50 percent achieved those levels for math.
Forty percent of Denair Charter Academy students were at, above, or one grade below for
reading, while 24 percent reached those levels in math.
And, at Denair High School, the results were 24 percent for reading and 35 percent for math.
Because the tests were conducted in the fall, when students were coming out of their previous
grade, the “one grade below” distinction is effectively on par with their just-completed grade
level.
Another bit of bright news for the board came from Fuentez, who reported that 75 percent of
DUSD students participate in the district’s lunch program. That’s nearly 18 percent better than
the state average, almost 10 percent higher than local large school districts, and 6 percent
higher than local small districts.
“This milestone is directly driven by our revised site menus featuring locally sourced produce
and our district-wide commitment to scratch and quick-scratch cooking,” said Fuentez. “All that
to say, when we serve real, fresh food, our students show up.”
Finally, congratulations to Keioni Ayala and Mason Kulwitzky, and Sophia Virgen and Troy
Williams for being named varsity and junior varsity homecoming queens and kings,
respectively.

It wasn’t pretty, but Denair High’s varsity football team found a way to win its homecoming
game Friday night, downing Gustine 23-16 in a tougher-than-expected contest.
“It was a tough victory,” said Coyotes head coach Anthony Armas. “Gustine came out running
an offense they had not run all year. They also ran down the clock on every possession. It really
limited the number of offensive plays we had.”
Despite carrying the ball only nine times, junior running back John Wilmoth totaled 105 yards
and one touchdown, while senior Connor Hart had 37 yards and two TDs on 14 attempts.
Senior receiver Harlan Brown caught one pass for 42 yards. He also converted on two of three
extra-point attempts in addition to booting a 21-yard field goal.
Denair never trailed in the game but could never shake the stubborn Reds.
After a scoreless first stanza, Hart scored the first of his two TDs in the second quarter to make
it 7-0. Brown’s FG extended the lead to 10-0 in the third quarter, but Gustine got back into the
game with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 10-8. Hart’s second TD widened
the lead to 17-8, but another TD and two-pointer by the Reds made it 17-16. Wilmoth’s 28-yard
TD scamper produced the final margin.
“Gustine was really aggressive,” said Armas. “It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless, and
definitely something we’ll use as a teaching tool for our players.”
The Coyotes are now 4-1 for the season and 2-0 in the Southern League, while Gustine drops to
0-5. Denair will travel Friday to take on Le Grand (3-2, 2-0), a 55-34 winner over Waterford last
week.

The early days of October will be humming with activity for Denair Unified School District.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Denair High’s varsity football team will play host to Gustine in its annual
homecoming game at Jack W. Lytton Stadium. The Coyotes are 3-1 and coming off a key 28-14
victory over Stone Ridge Christian in the Southern League opener. Gustine (0-4) fell 50-6 in its
conference opener last week in Mariposa.
“Homecoming is always a special time around campus and in the community,” said DHS
Principal Breanne Aguiar. “And with the early success of our football team, there’s a real buzz
surrounding Friday night’s lineup.”
A homecoming rally will be held in the DHS gymnasium on Friday at 11:15 a.m.., followed by
the traditional homecoming parade through town at 12:15 p.m. The football game is slated to
kick off at 7:15.
Next week, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Denair Elementary Charter Academy on
Thursday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 6 p.m., to commemorate the opening of the multipurpose
gymnasium.
The event is open to the public and lemonade and cookies will be served.
“We can’t wait to show off this space,” said DUSD Superintendent Terry Metzger, Ed.D. “Many
community members attended school here in Denair. I think they will be surprised to see how
we turned the old boys’ and girls’ locker rooms into a beautiful new kitchen. The original gym
floor has been refinished and looks amazing!”
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the 10 th annual Denair FFA Truck and Tractor Pull will be held at Lytton
Stadium.

Sanctioned by the Valley Tractor Pullers Association, registration and scales will be held from 11
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (scales close at 2), and the pulling starts at 4 p.m.
There will be paid purses for the Country Mod and 8,000-pound Limited Pro Stock divisions.
So, whether you’re hooking to the sled or coming out to watch, get ready for an afternoon of
horsepower, dirt, and pulling.

Born in Los Angeles, Adilene Villegas grew up in Central California and attended nearby
Livingston High School. Before coming to Denair last month to replace the departing Jasmin
Baltazar, who is pursuing an independent business opportunity, Villegas worked in education in
several different roles, including as a school registrar and most recently as a school office
administrator.
“Coming in after the school year has already started has definitely been a learning experience,”
said Villegas. “It means jumping right in and learning as I go. But everyone has been very
welcoming and helpful. I’m enjoying getting to know the district, learning my new role, and
finding ways that I can support our staff, students, families, and community. I’m excited for the
year ahead.”
Here are few other things you should know about Denair’s newest staff member.
Family members: My husband and I have three daughters. We are a very close-knit family, and
they are my biggest motivation.
Educational background: I earned my associate’s degree in psychology from Merced College
and my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanislaus State. I look forward to continuing my
education in the field of education.
New position: Executive assistant to the superintendent.
What attracted you to Denair? I was drawn to Denair because it’s a small, close-knit
community. I love being part of a district where relationships matter and where you have the
opportunity to really get to know the students, families, and staff.

2

What most inspires you about working in the educational field? Knowing that the work we do
can make a difference in a student’s life. Even when you aren’t working directly in the
classroom, there are so many ways to support students and families and help create an
environment where they can succeed.
What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? Learning all the different aspects of
my new role and becoming a strong resource for our superintendent, staff, families, and
community. There is a lot to learn, but I’m excited to grow into the position.
What would you like students to remember about you? That I was kind, approachable, and
someone who genuinely cared about them and wanted to see them succeed.
What can parents do to support you? Stay connected, communicate, and continue being
involved in our schools. I believe strong relationships between families and schools make such a
difference for students.
What’s something that would surprise people about your job? How many different things
happen behind the scenes! From board meetings and district communications to calendars,
events, projects, and supporting different departments, every day can look completely
different.
What do you do for fun? I love spending time with my family, traveling and planning family
trips, watching K-dramas, and enjoying anything Disney.
One little-known fact about me is … I’m always looking for ways to keep learning and growing,
both personally and professionally.

#