Denair Student Leads Relief Effort for Mariposa Fire Victims

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Submitted by Denair High School

A student at Denair High School set aside traditional sports rivalries to provide support for Mariposa County residents affected this summer by the massive Detwiler Fire.

Drew Pritchard, a junior at DHS, was in Monterey with his father in late July as the fire was raging in the rugged terrain just north of the town of Mariposa. Hundreds of people were temporarily evacuated from their homes as firefighters from all over the state battled the flames.

Drew thought of the athletes he had competed against in football, basketball and golf. He told his parents, “We should do something for them,” according to a story published Aug. 3 in the Mariposa Gazette.

Kathy and Dale Pritchard, Drew’s parents, encouraged their son. They spent a few hundred dollars buying groceries to donate to Mariposa families. When others in Denair found out, they also chipped in. The Pritchards’ doctor donated some medical supplies, Save Mart provided bottled water and Raley’s chipped in cookies.

On July 27, Drew and his father drove to Mariposa High School, accompanied by Denair student Steffin Winston, one of Drew’s basketball teammates. At the school, they gave the supplies to members of the Mariposa basketball team to distribute to the community.

“We play them every single year,” Drew told the newspaper, “and it’s just hard when you know they’re not getting what they want” because of the fire.

Drew and Steffin both said they had seen TV reports of the Detwiler Fire, which burned more than 81,000 acres and destroyed 63 homes and one business before it was contained.

“It’s probably hard for them,” Drew said. “I wouldn’t want to be in that situation.”

The relief effort was much appreciated by the people in Mariposa.

“It’s about relationships and the relationships we’ve developed in the Southern League,” said Trace DeSandres, Mariposa’s athletic director. “To me, this is why we do this. It teaches them there are more things than just the competitive part.”

Drew’s parents said they couldn’t be more proud of their son and others in the Denair community who rallied for a worthy cause.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” said Kathy.

Also impressed is Drew’s high school principal, Kara Backman.

“Drew is a thoughtful, hard-working and polite young man,” she said. “He has the internal drive of a student athlete and is always there to lend a hand to a fellow peer.  He bleeds purple and we are proud to call him a Coyote!  I am so proud of him.”

Calling All Student Coders!

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Submitted by U.S. Representative Jeff Denham’s Office

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham announced the opening of California’s 10th District Congressional App Challenge. This competition invites middle and high school students to compete with peers to create and showcase their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The best app will be displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

“Innovation and creativity are hallmarks of the American entrepreneurial spirit and now, especially, we look to the next generation to usher us into the next age of technological transformation,” said Rep. Denham. “The Central Valley is full of potential from our bright and eager students, and I’m looking forward to seeing what great advancements come from this year’s submissions.”

Students who reside or attend school in California’s 10th Congressional District are eligible to participate and may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. Participants must submit their app along with required materials and any additional accompanying information to http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ by Noon EDT on Nov. 1, 2017. A panel of local judges who work in the software and entrepreneurial fields will judge the district’s submissions. In addition to being displayed in a U.S. Capitol exhibit, the winning submissions will also be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website www.house.gov. The 10th District’s winner will be announced during the week of Dec. 4, 2017. A reception to honor the winning individuals and teams from across the nation will be held in the spring of 2018 in Washington, D.C.

Additional details including rules and requirements are available at http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. Questions should be directed to Kirsten DeWilms with Rep. Denham’s Modesto office at (209) 579-5458.

Denair Gaslight Theater Summer/Fall 2017 Season

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Submitted by Denair Gaslight Community Conservatory

The Denair Gaslight Theater is pleased to present their 2017 Summer/Fall season lineup! The summer starts with a sizzling hot youth performance which takes the classic fairytale, little red riding hood, and gives it a modern twist. “The show will highlight 16 of our local youth which will be participating in everything from set design, tech, and stage acting,” according to director Josh Morriston. This show is sure to be a “wild ride” not only for the youth, but for all that come to see the performance. Tickets are $8.00 for students and seniors, and $10.00 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com or by calling (209) 664-9514.

The fall will kick off with the comedy classic The Importance of Being Earnest. The show reveals to everyone the importance of being honest and truthful, and what calamities might be bestowed upon you if you are not. Moving into the Halloween season, the Gaslight Theater will once again provide you with spooks and thrills, with their production of Dracula of Transylvania. The second annual Denair Community Tree Lighting will take place in front of the historical Gaslight Theater. To round out the 2017 season, the holiday movie tradition of A Christmas Story will come to life on the Denair stage.

“The Denair Gaslight Theater Board is very excited to present such an array of shows and activities for our community”, Erica Prock President of the Gaslight Theater Board Stated. For more information about dates, times, and auditions please refer to the listing below or call Denair Gaslight Theater at (209) 664-9514. All auditions and performances will be at 3908 Gratton Rd. Denair, CA. 95316.

Little Red and the Riding Hoods YOUTH SHOW– Performances: July 28-29, 7:00 pm, July 30, 2:00 pm and Aug. 4-5, 7:00 pm

The Importance of Being Earnest Auditions July 23, 2:00 pm and July 24, 6:30 pm, all adult cast
Performances: Sept. 8-9, 7:00 pm, Sept. 10, 2:00 pm and Sept. 15-16 at 7:00 pm

Dracula of Transylvania Auditions Sept. 11 and 12, 6:30 pm, all adult cast
Performances: Oct. 20-21, 7:00 pm, Dec. 22, 2:00 pm and  Oct. 27-28, 7:00 pm

Denair Community Tree Lighting November/December – date to be announced

A Christmas Story Auditions Oct. 23 and  24, 6:30 pm, mixed cast youth and adults
Performances: Dec. 8-9, 7:00 pm, Dec. 10, 2:00 pm and Dec. 15-16, 7:00 pm

Rachel’s Challenge Coming to Denair Schools

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Argued by many as the most powerful intervention to ever be seen in public schools, Rachel’s Challenge will be presented to DHS and DMS students and staff on Aug. 29 in the Coyote Center. That evening, there will be an encore presentation for community members, also in the Coyote Center.

Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the tragic shootings at Columbine High School in 1999, provides a stunning and inspiring story that holds the power to transform lives. More than 23 million people have heard Rachel’s story in live settings around the world. It is reported that, as a result, at least eight school shootings have been prevented and more than 500 suicides have been averted.

Rachel’s Challenge exists to equip individuals to replace acts of violence, bullying, discrimination and negative activity with acts of respect, kindness and compassion.

School Presentation: 9 a.m. Coyote Center

Community Presentation: 6:30 p.m. Coyote Center

Join us on Aug. 29 to start a chain reaction of kindness, compassion and positivity across our community and beyond.

School Starts Thursday! Back to School Nights Next Week

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Where did the time go? For nearly 1,300 students in the Denair Unified School District, summer vacation ends Thursday with the resumption of classes.

School begins at 8 a.m. on all four campuses – Denair Elementary Charter Academy, Denair Middle School, Denair High School and Denair Charter Academy. At DECA, there is a modified schedule for students in kindergarten and transitional kindergarten; start times have been mailed to parents.

The first day of school is always an exciting time as students are paired with new teachers at a new grade level. Each campus has special activities planned to mark the new school year.

And next week, parents are invited to meet their child’s teachers at a series of Back to School nights at DECA, DMS and DHS.

  • DECA: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 5:15 p.m.
  • DMS: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m.
  • DHS: Thursday, Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander welcomed the staff back earlier this week with a note. There also were two days of training for teachers and administrators.

“Whether you are new to the district or returning, you will sense a feeling of high energy and great anticipation when you step on your campus,” Rosander wrote. “With many new and wonderful colleagues joining our incomparable veteran staff, this year promises to be an exceptional experience for everyone connected to Denair schools.

“Like all successful organizations, DUSD continues to better understand and celebrate our strengths, while continuously reinventing that which will better serve our customers. We exist in an era of choice and, as a result, we take nothing for granted, particularly our enthusiastic mission to make Denair schools a destination district of choice! I am proud and emboldened to say that we are well on our way.”