Desert Star Weekly May 16, 2018 issue

Page 1

Your adjudicated newspaper for Riverside County

desert

STAR W E E K L Y

PRESORTED STANDARD

Palm Canyon Theatre revival of the musical “Gypsy” is a glittering triumph see page 19. Photo by Paul Hayashi

US POSTAGE PAID Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005

May 16, 2018 Vol. 12 No. 39

“Battle of the High Schools”

OneFuture Coachella Valley President/CEO Sheila Thornton (left) celebrates with the top winning high school, Shadow Hills, represented by (from second left) student Cadewyn Lethlean, Desert Sands Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Dan Miller, student Erica Ferrara, ASB Activities Director Mary Alexandre, and Shadow Hills High School Principal Gabriel Fajardo. They take home the Regional FAFSA Champions Cup trophy.

FAFSA Completion Competition 70% Graduating High Schools Seniors Completed This Year By Desert Star Staff PALM DESERT, CALIF. –OneFuture Coachella Valley recently held its annual awards celebration for the top five Coachella Valley high schools who had the highest ratio of graduating seniors complete the FAFSA (Free Application

for Federal Student Aid) to date. Nearly 100 students, counselors, administrators, attended the ceremonies in the auditorium at UC Riverside, Palm Desert. 2018 FAFSA Battle of the High School winners were for small schools, West

Shores, Coachella Valley Unified School District, with a 96% completion rate, winning $1,000. Alternative school winner was La Familia High School, CVUSD, with a 69% complete rate, also receiving $1,000. Three large schools

winners in each school district were Desert Mirage, CVUSD, with an 81% FAFSA completion rate; Desert Sands Unified School District’s Shadow Hills High School gained an 85% rate; and Palm Springs Unified Schools District’s Cathedral City High

School, showed an 81% rate. Each of the three high schools was awarded $3,000. Overall winner, and taking the big Regional FAFSA Champions Cup trophy, was Shadow Hills High School, Continues on Page 6

Coachella Valley Symphony 25th anniversary Story and Photos by Pat Krause The Coachella Valley Symphony celebrated its 25th anniversary with a “Thanks For The Memories” special, as its final 2017-2018 season concert. The concert was held at the McCallum Theatre and starred Melissa Manchester. The Coachella Valley Symphony was started in 1993 by Jeannette Banoczi. In 1995 with the help of Beverly Rogers, began the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony where children of all ages get to experience playing within a symphony format by making public appearances and performing in concerts. Over 1500 children have benefitted from this free

program. Benoczi passed away in August 2017. The concert started with an Overture to “West Side Story, and a Duke Ellington Medley still so prevalent songs today. The conductor, John Mario, told of each performance before it began as they performed, Silver Fanfare from, On Musics Wings by Peter Boyle. Then it was time for an Intermission before honors were bestowed. The McCallum was filled with Symphony lovers who marveled at the beautiful songs they chose to perform. Members from the Youth Continues on Page 9

Honoree-Harold Matzner, Dr. Lisa Lindley, and Conductor, John Mario. Photo by Pat Krause


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