YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 21
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Deer Valley High honors grads by Aly Brown Staff Writer
As summer rapidly approaches, area schools have begun to announce their highest ranking and second-highest ranking students – valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively – and Deer Valley High School has three individuals worth celebrating. Henry Rausch – Valedictorian Ending his high school career with a cumulative GPA of 4.43, Henry Rausch is the reigning valedictorian for the class of 2017. He ran cross-country all four years of high school – track and field for his first three years and was a varsity runner in his final year of each sport. He is currently a part of the Deer Valley Robotics Club, Gay Straight Alliance and California Scholarship Federation.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Frise
Photo courtesy of Barbara Rausch
Daniel Frise is one of two salutatorians for Deer Valley High School’s class of 2017.
Henry Rausch is the valedictorian for Deer Valley High School’s class of 2017.
In the community, he volunteers at Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, and while Henry
couldn’t decide on a favoriteteacher, he noted ones who made an impact on him.
“The most influential teachers I’ve had include Mrs. Setka, because she helped greatly improve my writing; Mr. Kingston, because he taught me how to actually work hard; Ms. McClain, because, of course; and Mr. Widener and Mr. Ting, for making me realize how much I love music,” he said. Being named valedictorian was one of the happiest moments of his life – seeing his hard work pay off – and he credits his friend for motivating him to pull through during rough times. “The one person I would put the bulk of the blame on for me getting this honor is my friend Michelle Yin,” Henry said. “She pulled me off the edge of giving up on going for valedictorian in the second sesee Grads page 26A
May 26, 2017
Loving Our Furry Friends
All About Pets special section has everything you need to love, care for your pets. Page 1B
Remembering Allie
Community mourns loss of 20-year-old Allie Sweitzer, killed last week. Page 5A
Press picks up awards Shultz sentenced to Pitching For T h e California Newspaper Publishers Association’s (CNPA) Better Newspaper and Better Newspaper Advertising contest awards were recently announced, and The Brentwood Press & Publishing Corporation won in six categories. Press Photographer Tony Kukulich took first-place honors in the Artistic Photo category for his photograph entitled ‘Sunset.’ Press staff writer Heather Brewer won second place in the Lifestyle Coverage category for her delicious feature on the Byron Inn Café.
The Press also won awards for advertising, including: 1st Place – Community Event Special Section BVAL Football Preview Eric Kinnaird, Sherrie Hamilton, Debra Janis, Anne Ray, Teri Fitzhugh, Lonnie Tapia 2nd Place – Multi-Color Ad – ¼ page or larger Del Sol Energy Debra Janice, Greg Robinson 2nd Place – Creative ROP Ad Hearing Services of Antioch Anne Ray 3rd Place – Creative ROP Ad Hann Orthodontics Anne Ray The contest covered content published in 2016.
30 years to life for murder of Jordon by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
On Friday, May 19, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Laurel S. Brady sentenced William Shultz to 30 years to life for charges relating to the murder of 9-year-old Jordon Almgren. Jordon was stabbed to death as he slept in his Discovery Bay home on April 26, 2015. “I agree with the jury that he was not insane at the time of the crime,” Brady said before handing down the sentence. Last month, Shultz was
found guilty of murder in the first degree and burglary in the first degree. The penalty phase of the case found him sentenced to 25 years to life on the murder charge – one year for the enhancement of using a knife in the commission of a crime and four years on the burglary charge. The sentences are to run consecutively, but Shultz will be eligible for parole after 25 years. Prior to sentencing, Brady offered the families an opportunity to address the court, and emotions were raw. “... (William) is angry he does not have a nurturing, lovsee Shultz page 26A
A Special Day
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Assemblymember Jim Frazier passes bill making May 22, Special Olympics Day.
Perfection
Freedom softball team grabs win in first round of North Coast Section playoffs. Page 18A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................23A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................17A Opinion...............................16A Pets...................................... 12B Sports..................................18A
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