Denair High School Sober Grad Nite Fundraiser Next Tuesday Evening

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Fundraiser - Pizza Factory, 2016

Submitted by DHS Sober Grad Night Boosters 

Denair High School Sober Grad Nite Boosters Club’s mission is to provide an all-night event that is fun, memorable and safe, for our graduating seniors, in a drug and alcohol free environment, on what is one of the most memorable nights of their lives.  This event gives them a way to celebrate as a class, as many of them go off to college, the military, or to join the work force.  The all-night event consists of games, trivia contests, food contests, a DJ, pictures, caricature drawings, food, prizes and much more.

The committee begins this process each year in August. Monthly meetings are held in the DHS Library, usually on the third Wednesday of each month, excluding December, at 6:30 p.m.  If you would like more information or you are interested in donating to Denair Sober Grad, you may contact them at Denair Sober Grad Nite Boosters Club at P.O. Box 247, Denair CA or DenairSoberGrad@gmail.com.

Sober Grad fundraises during the year to organize this event . Our next fundraiser is Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at the Pizza Factory, in Denair.  The hours are between 4 p.m.-9 p.m.  Denair Pizza Factory will donate 25% of all sales, excluding alcohol and other discounts.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Rep. Jeff Denham Honors Denair High Senior Alexis Brantley

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Alexis Brantley

Submitted by Denair High School

Denair High School senior Alexis Brantley recently received a prestigious honor from Congressman Jeff Denham. Brantley was one of several students in Denham’s 10th District to be given a Merit Award, which includes a letter of recommendation from Denham that Brantley can include as part of her college applications.

“I had no idea I had been nominated,” said Brantley. “I got a letter in the mail and then they called me into the office to make sure I had received it and to congratulate me.”

Nominating Brantley was an easy choice for Denair Principal Kara Backman.

“She is an academic scholar and has great grades,” Backman praised. “She’s a leader. She’s a self-starter. She holds herself and others to high standards. She’s just one of those students that others look up to.”

According to Denham’s website, awards are based on academic achievement, leadership, involvement in extracurricular activities, school citizenship, volunteerism and community service.

“These students’ demonstration of leadership, scholastic excellence, and commitment to our community is inspiring,” Denham said. “It is an honor to present this group of young leaders with the Congressional Merit Award and I look forward to seeing their great accomplishments in the future.”

Brantley carries a 3.5 grade-point average in her college prep course load. She is the student body president at Denair High, plays clarinet in the band, will appear in the Drama Club’s upcoming production of “12 Angry Jurors” and will play on the softball team in the spring.

In the past, she has been active in the academic decathlon, yearbook and other student leadership positions.

Brantley joined the other medal recipients at a ceremony with Denham on Oct. 17 in Modesto. In addition to the letter of recommendation, she received a medal and a certificate from the congressman. Accompanying her were her grandmother and guardian, Susan Gilbert, and Denair Unified Superintendent Aaron Rosander.

“We are so proud of Alexis and happy for her,” Rosander said. “She is a terrific representative for Denair High School and our district.”

Brantley intends to apply soon to colleges. In particular, she has her eye on the nursing program at Sonora State University.

“My end goal is to become a traveling nurse,” she said. “That’s someone who goes to different emergency rooms and hospitals; generally, just a few weeks at a time. They go around the country and sometimes work on cruise ships. It’s something that appeals to me.”

DECA Students Share Limousine Ride With Their Principal

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DECA Limo Ride

Submitted by Denair Elementary Charter Academy

How excited were a group of Denair Elementary Charter Academy students last month when they found out at a schoolwide assembly that they were going for a limousine ride to a special lunch with Principal Lucy Zamora?

“I felt like pinching my skin off to see if I was dreaming,” gushed fifth-grader Jason Murray.

“My legs were shaking when I had to walk in front of everyone,” admitted fourth-grader Andrea Padilla.

Wednesday – after three long weeks of anticipation – eight lucky students got their special ride. They first gathered for photos with Zamora outside the long, black stretch Lincoln. Then, one by one, they hopped into the luxury car, oohing and aahing at the built-in TV, refrigerator and other features.

“One of them said it felt, ‘Just like heaven,’ ” said Brittany Hughes, Zamora’s administrative assistance who accompanied the group on their short ride to McDonald’s on Geer Road.

For most of the students, it was their first time in a limo. They earned the reward by exhibiting the character trait emphasized in October – respect. When a teacher or other staff member sees a student displaying, they give the children Coyote Cash, when can be redeemed for prizes at the school store.

To add additional incentive for good behavior, Zamora took the rewards program a step further. Every two months, she will randomly draw eight names for a limo lunch ride from among those students who have received Coyote Cash.

The other positive character traits that can earn rewards are responsibility, trustworthiness, citizenship, honesty and fairness.

Zamora said she and her staff already can tell the incentive system is working. Continue reading “DECA Students Share Limousine Ride With Their Principal” »

Denair Cross Country Runners Medal at Section Meet

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Denair High School Logo

Submitted by Denair High School

It’s fair to say that not only did the runners on the first-ever Denair High School cross country team make some impressive strides this year, so did the program itself.

The Coyotes’ successful debut in the sport was capped off Saturday when two runners — Danielle Tigner (frosh/soph girls) and Seth Martinez (sophomore boys) – earned medals at the Sac-Joaquin Section Meet in Folsom.

Running a 3,300-meter course on grass and gravel at the Willow Creek Reservoir, Tigner finished in 20 minutes, 38.9 seconds – good enough for sixth place.

Martinez, competing on the same course, was timed in 15:51.8. He was 11th overall, but received a medal as one of the top eight runners not on one of the top teams.

Coach Matthew Groom said he couldn’t be prouder of his two runners or their teammates.

“Both runners worked hard over the season,” he said. “They were able to run faster and better than they did when the season started. Tigner has had some distance-running experience. She has ran 5K’s before this year.  Martinez has never had any distance-running experience.  He did well this year, despite that fact.

“With this year being the first Denair has had cross country, and my first year as a coach in the sport, we all learned a lot about the organization and the sport itself.  We will take the lessons we have learned over the season and improve our team next year.

“I was pleased that not only did we have runners who qualified for Sections, but they both medaled.  I think with the experience that all our runners had, we will be able to qualify more runners next year.”

2016 Denair Football Team’s Unshakeable Legacy: Pride and Confidence Restored to Program

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair High School

Forget the numbers. It was always about heart and will and determination with this year’s Denair High football team. While the doubters and the others fixated on how few players Denair had, the Coyotes focused on what they could control – effort and desire. They practiced hard and played even harder, accomplishing goals few outsiders believed were in reach.

Never mind Friday’s 48-12 Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoff loss to a more talented Amador team. The 2016 Coyotes will long be remembered as the young men and their coaches who restored pride and confidence in the program.

“These are the guys who jump started our program,” said second-year coach Anthony Armas. “I think what we were able to do this year despite our numbers … to get people excited again about the program, that’s going to be their legacy.”

Denair rarely had more than 14 or 15 players suit up for any game. Frequently, there were more coaches on the sideline than reserves. Because of injuries, the Coyotes even finished a 50-0 blowout over Le Grand with 12 players.

The fact that Denair was winning while facing teams with twice as many or more players was remarkable.

“I think some things didn’t go the way we wanted, but the way we overcame the numbers, that was satisfying. Not only for the kids, but the coaches, too. I’ve never been part of that,” said Armas.

The Coyotes finished the year 6-5. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The program had won only eight games in the past four seasons combined. Denair wasn’t given much of a chance in the Southern League, but ended up tying for third place, shut out three league opponents and earned a playoff berth only it saw coming.

Armas said he sensed something magical might be happening when his players forced seven turnovers and beat Ripon Christian 32-0 on the road on Oct. 7.

“It was like, ‘Holy Cow,’ ” he said. “Everybody got psyched.” Continue reading “2016 Denair Football Team’s Unshakeable Legacy: Pride and Confidence Restored to Program” »