El Chicano 02/09/23

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E L C H I C A N o

Th e B l a c k C u l t u r e Foundation held its 30th B l a c k R o s e Aw a r d s

Banquet on Saturday, February 4th at California State University, San

B e r n a r d i n o t o r e c o g n i z e t h e achievements of community leaders in the Inland Empire

The event was held at the new Santos Manuel Student Union and attended by local politicians and d i g n i t a r i e s , i n c l u d i n g A s s e m b l y

M a j o r i t y L e a d e r E l o i s e G o m e z

R e y e s , A s s e m b l y m e m b e r J a m e s

Ramos, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa

B o g h , S a n B e r n a r d i n o M a y o r

Helen Tran, and San Bernardino

C o u n c i l m e m b e r s D a m o n

Alexander and Kimberly Calvin

The honorees of the night include d I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y

N e w s ' G l o r i a M a c i a s H a r r i s o n ,

M a y o r o f R i a l t o D e b o r a h

R o b e r t s o n , N o n - p r o f i t

Organization CEO Linda Wright, and Community Hospital of San

B e r n a r d i n o P r e s i d e n t J u n e

Collison

T h e B l a c k R o s e Yo u n g A d u l t

Inspiration Award was also presented to Liyah Belvins and Prince Ogidikpe

Each awardee received a special

Sa n B e r n a r d i n o Va l l e y College's theater department is excited to announce their upcoming performance of "Little S h o p o f H o r r o r s , " d i r e c t e d b y

The celebratory free one-nightonly performance is being held on February 10th at 7 PM at the SBVC Auditorium, before they hit the road to perform in Las Vegas at the Westgate Resort and Casino next week

“This production of "Little Shop of Horrors" has been selected to perf o r m a t t h e K e n n e d y C e n t e r American College Theater Festival in Las Vegas Our student’s production is one of only a few musicals

WWe e eekkllyy

cultural painting and a dozen certificates of recognition from local and state politicians and dignitaries

Gloria Macias Harrison, recipient of the Black Rose Award, spoke about the importance of diversity a n d c o m m u n i t y i m p r o v e m e n t " D i v e r s i t y i s o u r s t r e n g t h a n d before everyone was talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we were already doing that in San B e r n a r d i n o Wi t h t h e I n l a n d Empire Community News, our purpose was and is to show the good works that we are doing here in the region and show that we are not what is often depicted of us," she said

The Black Rose Awards Banquet is a significant annual event that brings together members of the c o m m u n i t y t o c e l e b r a t e a n d acknowledge the contributions of individuals who are making a positive impact in the Inland Empire It is a celebration of the diverse and dynamic communities that make up the region, and a recognition of the hard work and dedication of those who are committed to making it a better place

The Black Culture Foundation's mission is to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Awards cont on next pg

or e hitting the sta ge in Las Vegas

chosen from the Kennedy Center ’s eighth region, which includes states like Hawaii and Utah, and countries like Guam So I’m really proud of them,” said Fogle

The Kennedy Center is said to send a representative to watch the show (which was originally in Fall 2 0 2 2 ) t o p r o v i d e f e e d b a c k , a n d make a selection for the Las Vegas Festival

This cast features Ashley Eddie as Audrey and Laurence Romo as Mr Mushnik along with several students, who at the same time are c o m p e t i n g i n t h e I r e n e Ry a n

Scholarship Acting Competition

During the week of January 30th, the entire cast and crew eagerly con-

Vo l 6 0 , N O 0 8
F e b r u a r y 0 9 , 2 0 2 3 H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m
B l a c k R o s e A w a r d s B a n q u e t h o n o r s l e a d e r s i n t h e I E , i n c l u d i n g I E C N ’ s P u b l i s h e r G l o r i a M a c i a s H a r r i s o n
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL IECN Publisher Gloria Macias Harrison thanking the San Bernardino and Inland Community for all the hard work they do on a daily basis to make the region a better, more unified place PHOTOS MANNY SANDOVAL
SBVC T heater’s “Little Shop of Hor r or s” set to perf or m one night onl y bef
w w w i e c n c o m H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m L e g e n d a r y H o l l y w o o d A c t o r P e p e S e r n a h o s t s R U S D ’ s 1 5 t h A n n u a l R I T Z !
uar y is Black Histor y Month in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom P g 8 SBVC cont on next pg
Ashley Eddie’s dream of playing Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors is coming true after being declined the role during past auditions; now she’s headed to Las Vegas on February 12th
Febr

Awards

African American community through educational, cultural, and community-based programs

and events The foundation has been working towards this goal for 30 years and continues to play a significant role in the cultural landscape of the Inland

Empire

To learn more, visit sbbcfoundation org

Neighborhood Housing Ser vices of the IE launches new targeted initiatives to incr ease homeowner ship, af f ordable housing, and wealth

In its 40th year, Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) just announced new initiatives aimed at increasing homeownership rates and generating real opportunities for wealth building in the low to moderate income communities of San Bernardino and Riverside counties

Kailin Scott, newly appointed CEO of NHSIE, stated, “Last year the organization took the time to step back and conduct research to understand where we could make an intentional impact in the field of affordable housing with effective solutions One of the key initiatives we are launching is the Jack Hill Initiative, aimed at increasing the homeownership rate of black residents in the area ”

Currently, black homeownership in the Inland Empire stands at 45 percent, compared to 71 percent for whites

NHSIE plans to address this disparity by offering financial assistance opportunities and education on the home buying process, credit, financial literacy, and budgeting The organization will host an open house on February 23, 6-8 PM at their office at 1845 South Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, Unit 120, to discuss these initiatives and answer any questions from the community

“Another initiative is the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Initiative, which is part of Project Grow NHSIE is working with local cities to provide support for low to moderate income homeowners who want to build an ADU on their property The goal is to help homeowners with housing stability, increase the affordable housing supply, and generate opportunities for wealth building,” continued Scott

NHSIE will provide financial assistance and education for homeowners who want to become landlords, and also offer rental counseling to help renters understand the benefits of renting and how to use it as a pathway to homeownership The organization also offers down payment assistance programs and rehabilitation renovation loans for low to moderate income individuals

The ultimate goal of NHSIE is to help individuals in the housing life cycle, from renting to homeownership and asset management and wealth building

To find out more about NHSIE and their initiatives, visit their website at nhsie org or email info@nhsie org

SBVC

tinued to build their new version of the show, which included set pieces, props, and rehearsals

Dean Leticia Hector and other college administrators have provided funding for travel and hotel expenses, allowing the cast and crew to take their show on the road

One of the biggest challenges the cast, crew, and department faced was when they had to tear down their set at the end of Fall 2022 to prepare for graduation and a construction project, but days later found out they needed to rebuild the set because they were selected to perform in Las Vegas

The free performance on February 10th will be followed by a community send-off at 11:30 AM on February 12th as the cast and crew leave for Las

Vegas

Angel Delrio, the stage manager, said, “I was shocked when I found out that we were selected to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and needed to rebuild our entire set But, I was also confident that myself and our crew could get the job done ”

"Little Shop of Horrors" is a musical comedy horror rock musical, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and book by Howard Ashman The story follows the life of Seymour Krelborn, a down-on-his-luck florist who raises a flesh-eating plant that brings him success but also spells disaster for those around him The musical is set in the early 1960s on Skid Row and features a mix of humor, horror, and rock and roll music; it’s a fun and quirky spectacle that appeals to audiences of all ages

San Ber nardino County Launches News Now Segment

Community News

Today, San Bernardino County launches the monthly video news program News Now as part of an ongoing effort by the Board of Supervisors to keep you informed about County Government services and programs

News Now highlights each month's top three County Government stories in a news program format, serving as another avenue through which the County strives to keep you informed about how our team

of dedicated public service professionals keep you safe, increase the value of our economy, and create an outstanding quality of life for county residents and visitors Watch here

The debut episode includes:

H O P E Team success story

2022 Year-in-Review

More to Explore parks

Community Calendar

You can watch it here and on the County’s social media c h a n n e l s : https://www youtube com/wat ch?v=uVVmlmVhF5c

Page A2 • February 09, 2023 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers • El Chicano Yo u r a d h e r e : C a l l ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n a d v e r t i s i n g
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Laurence Romo (right) painting a set piece in the iconic SBVC Auditorium before heading into rehearsals on Monday, January 30th PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL From left to right: San Bernardino Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, IECN Publisher Gloria Macias Harrison, and Assemblymember James Ramos at the Black Rose Awards Banquet on February 4th PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL City of Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson holding her Black Rose Award painting after expressing her passion to continue elevating the quality of life for residents in Rialto and across the Inland Empire

How trading f or Kyrie Ir ving changes ever ything f or the Mavericks

Over the years, Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks have been known to be led by a European star that they find and develop in the draft That said star then is surrounded by a bunch of good role players, but never another superstar, despite there sometimes being rumors that one was on the way But on Sunday that pattern changed when the Mavericks traded Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first round pick, and a second round in exchange for superstar Kyrie Irving and an end of the bench piece in Markieff Morris With their two stars set to hit the floor, Dallas is in for one heck of a ride the rest of this season, and there’s some things that will needed to be solved

First off, it’s important to make clear that despite the variables of the deal that the Mavericks front office deserves a lot of credit The past year has been full of fans demanding they pair superstar Luka Doncic with someone else who can create for themselves at an elite level Mark Cuban and company heard the fans, and got the deal done However, this trade by no means equates to an automatic

finals run for the Mavericks

The first problem is Kyrie Irving himself Not his play necessarily on the court, but rather the baggage he brings with him off the court It’s no secret Irving is difficult to control, and the world saw this multiple times in Brooklyn as he requested trades and even would leave the team at random times All these traits are the exact opposite of what the Mavericks organization is This is the same franchise who is used to loyal legends like Dirk Nowtizki that were beloved by many It is fair to say that some adjusting will have to be done In addition to this, there’s the issue of the contract extension Kyrie Irving wants from his new team He’s hoping for a 4 year max contract deal that many teams would cite as the reason to not want to trade for him If the Mavericks don’t want to pay Irving, he most likely leaves in the summer and the trade would go down as a blunder for Dallas

As for the on court issues the Mavericks may face, they are much more manageable Doncic and Irving will conduct an offense that very few if any teams can stop Two of the greatest shot creators the game has ever seen to-

gether will create matchup nightmares every night As for the defensive end, there may be more problems Irving has never been a positive asset on defense and Doncic is by no means a two way defensive stopper If in big games down the road Doncic or Irving falter on offense, the Mavericks season could come to an end Depth is also an issue after the Mavs traded away the aforementioned Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith, two key rotational players, and the team may look to make another trade or look towards the buyout market to create a supporting cast that won’t waste Irving and Doncic’s effort But, in the world that things do work out well enough, the Mavericks ceiling is as high as any team, it’s just about whether they can do what the Nets couldn’t with Irving; understand him and win with him

This trade could be one that’s talked about as the turning point in Luka Doncic’s quest for a championship, or go down as another team falling for the trap of trading for Kyrie Irving The Mavericks will have a little less than 30 regular season games to gel their new look team together, before they go on their first playoff run with two superstars on the roster

Superbugs need their own moonshot initiative

As two physicians who have devoted our lives to studying cancer, we're thrilled with President Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative to halve the disease's death rate within 25 years But it won't achieve that goal unless we act on a lesser-known health crisis

For many cancer patients who die, their tumors aren't solely responsible Superbugs sicken these patients, who can't fight off infections due to weakened immune systems -- even with the help of antibiotics

Reducing deaths from cancer requires an equally aggressive strategy for defeating drug-resistant infections

It does not make sense to treat these two crises as separate It's already estimated that infections are a primary or associated cause of death in roughly 50% of cancer patients

Without an effort to neutralize the threat posed by superbugs, these deadly infections will disrupt any progress we make in the fight against cancer

Superbugs are bacteria and fungi that have developed antimicrobial resistance- a naturally occurring defense against the drugs used to kill them

We've seen firsthand how cancer patients are vulnerable to these deadly infections

Time and again, we've watched as patients fighting cancer developed bacterial infec-

tions that were highly resistant to antibiotics

Superbugs can prove fatal for our patients The risk of someone with cancer dying from an infection is three times higher than the risk for an individual without cancer

A drug-resistant infection may also force a cancer patient to halt their treatment A young woman with a drug-resistant abdominal infection might not get the bone marrow transplant she needs to cure her leukemia For patients undergoing chemotherapy, an infection can delay their treatment while the cancer continues to grow, leading to complications and worse health outcomes

In short, for cancer patients, the superbug

Stater Br os. Charities Awards Lutheran Social Ser vices $2500

Community News

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC) - a leading provider of social services programs in Southern California – is proud to announce grant funding from Stater Bros Charities in the amount of $2500

Funding from Stater Bros was made in conjunction with a continued partnership with Lutheran Social Services that addresses hunger relief Their financial support will provide food pantry services and community meals to low-income households and over 500 men in LSSSC’s emergency shelter program in the city of San Bernardino

LSSSC CEO Dr LaSharnda Beckwith said, “We are so grateful to Stater Bros for their continued financial support and shared vision of providing comprehensive community services to ad-

crisis isn't some far-off threat -- it's a present mortal danger

Unfortunately, the pipeline for new antibiotics is nowhere near what is needed At present, there are 64 therapies in clinical development To put that in perspective, there are more than 1,000 drugs in development for cancer

Because antibiotics are meant to be used judiciously to preserve their effectiveness, it's essentially impossible for companies to earn back the money they've invested in researching and developing those medicines using typical sales

It's for this reason that antibiotic startups have declared bankruptcy or left the industry in recent years

This market failure demands reforms

dress hunger for low-income families and the unhoused communities in San Bernardino ”

Stater Bros Charities supports the critical needs in the communities where Stater Bros employees live and work Their support spans funding to countless local organizations and causes that benefit hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, help for the nation’s veterans and active service members

Licensed in six counties, Lutheran Social Services provides services in the areas of homelessness, systemic poverty, food insecurity, mental health, health inequity, education access, and senior health

For more information about Lutheran Social Services Southern California visit, www lsssc org

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • February 09, 2023 • Page A3 O
p - E d
Submit op-eds, story ideas, birthday shoutouts, anniversaries, and press releases to iecn1@mac. com. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @iecnweekly!
C a d e n C e n t e r

San Ber nardino boys basketball team begins playof f r un

The San Bernardino Cardinals

playoff bid begins at 7 p m , Wednesday, February 8, in Winchester California against the Liberty Bison

This playoff run follows a season that saw the Cardinals go 6-4 in the Mountain Valley League, and 15-13 overall

This is the program’s first playoff appearance since the 2019-2020 season

The Cardinals have been led this year

San Ber nardino gir ls basketball team continues impr essive lea gue play

by freshman point guard, George McEwen, who led the team in scoring with 16 points per game and in assists with 2 9 a game

San Bernardino is entering the playoffs on the heels of a three-game winning streak, with their most recent win coming against the Miller Rebels 8950

For more information or to support the Cardinals in their playoff run, visit the San Bernardino Cardinals on maxpreps

Cardinals boys soccer team ties with Miller

The San Bernardino boys soccer team tied with Mountain Valley league rival, Miller, last Wednesday, February 1, at Miller in Fontana

Cardinals entered play against the

Miller Rebels 2-7 in league and 6-9 overall

Forward and team leader in goals per match (1 3) and assists per match (1 1), Fernando Formento scored the team’s only goal

The tie with Miller resulted in San Bernardino’s record becoming 2-7-1 in

Following blowout wins against both Mountain Valley league rivals Pacific and Miller high schools, The Cardinals girl’s basketball team currently sits at 9-1 in league and 12-8 overall this season

They are led by senior shooting guard Melinda Guzman, who is averaging 17 9 points per game and 4 6 assists a

game

Their most recent matchup against Miller saw the Cardinals win by a score of 47 to 29 Guzman led the team to victory by scoring a team-high 18 points

Upcoming, the Cardinals have a nonleague matchup with El Dorado in San Bernardino at 7 p m , Thursday, February 9, in San Bernardino

Cajon enter s playof fs hoping to end skid

The Cajon Cowboys boys basketball team is entering the playoffs following three consecutive losses, but holds a record of 5-5 in league and 15-12 overall, good enough for a playoff berth

The team lost its last three games to Citrus Belt League rivals Yucaipa, Beaumont and Redlands East Valley(R E V)

This skid occurred after the Cowboys had won three consecutive games prior

The team’s most recent loss to R E V was a nail-biter which ended with Cajon losing by a score of 64-63

Now entering the playoffs with a clean slate, Cajon looks to turn the tide in their matchup against Rolling Hills prep at 7 p m , Wednesday, February 8, in San Pedro California

CSUSB’s mens basketball continues g r eat season with win over East Bay

The No 16 ranked Coyotes entered play against California State University, East Bay with an 11-2 conference record, and a 16-3 overall

record

Following their February 4 matchup, the Coyotes are now 12-2 in conference and 17-3 overall This was a dominating performance for CSUSB, as their lead never fell below 24 points

CSUSB womens basketball team’s skid hits f our games

Entering play against California State University, East Bay, the CSUSB womens basketball team was looking to end its four-game losing streak

However, unfortunately for them, they lost a nailbiter against East Bay in which they couldn’t secure their lead in the late seconds of the matchup

This loss extends their streak to four games

Community News

The leading scorer for the Coyotes was redshirt junior guard, Destiny Jackson, who scored 16 points in their losing efforts

CSUSB now holds a 5-11 conference record and a 10-12 overall record

The Coyotes look to turn their fortunes around during their matchup with California State University, Monterey Bay at 5:30 p m , Thursday, February 9 in San Bernardino

The team was led by senior guard Brandon Knapper, who scored a team-high 28 points

Coming up, the Coyotes visit Cal Poly Pamona on Tuesday, February 7, before welcoming Cal State Monterey to San Bernardino at 7:30 p m , Thursday, February 9

CSUSB’s Baseball team opened their season with a sweep, histor y and player of the week

The CSUSB baseball team started the 2023 season as great as they could’ve hoped, with a sweep of Central Washington, recording 25 hits in a game and a player named player of the week

The series kicked off with a doubleheader on Saturday, which saw the Coyotes win by a score of 8-5 and 7-5 Sunday was the series finale, and the Coyotes came out swinging, as they

scored 19 runs on 25 hits This is the most hits in a single game for CSUSB since back in 2014, when they had 26 hits against San Francisco State

To keep the good times rolling for the Coyotes, the California Collegiate Athletic Association names junior first baseman Daryl Ruiz, the CCAA player of the week

Next up for the Coyotes is a fourgame series against Saint Martin’s University, that begins at 2 p m , Friday, February 10

Under standing sleep hygiene and how to impr ove it f or a better night's r est

The quality of your sleep hygiene can make or break how well you manage to get some shut eye at night, and it all falls down to bedroom environment and routine So, if you struggle to rest easy at night, it’s likely that you have poor sleep hygiene

Having poor sleep hygiene can lead to feeling exhausted during the day which poses a risk to your own safety as well as the safety of others; in fact, drowsy driving is one of the many risks of insufficient sleep which leads to over 6,000 fatal car accidents every year in the U S

Thankfully, experts at Hush have provided five tips to improve your sleep hygiene to ensure you catch some Zs at night

Be consistent with your bedtime routine

Never underestimate the importance of a bedtime schedule – being consistent is vital to help your body’s circadian rhythm match your desired bedtime Going to bed at the same time and repeating steps like brushing your teeth before bed will allow your body to associate sleep with your routine to release melatonin, known as the

sleep hormone

Allow time for relaxation

Instead of turning on the TV to watch your favourite show or using your phone just before bed, opt for a winddown period that requires no screens The blue light from screens delayed the production of melatonin, thus affecting your sleep hygiene by preventing you from getting into a deep sleep quickly – so it’s best to prepare for the night by eliminating this Try delving into a book, or even have a warm bath – once you get out, your body cools quickly and imitates the natural cooling that happens when your body prepares for sleep to help you feel more tired

Add exercise to your daily routine

Exercising regularly isn’t only beneficial for your physical health, it can have a positive impact on your sleep hygiene, too Incorporating moderate-to-vigorous exercise can into your daily routine increases time spent in deep sleep by using up lots of energy, making you feel fatigued However, be sure to keep the last three hours before you go to bed free of exercise to avoid increased heart rate, body temperature, and adrenaline that make you feel more awake

Eliminate light and noise

Blocking light and noise isn’t as simple as closing the drapes and keeping your bedroom door shut It may do the trick to an extent, but there’s ways for both light and noise to creep into your bedroom and disrupt your sleep at night Investing in a blackout curtain prevents light from disrupting melatonin production, or even wearing a blackout eye mask As for noise, consider a white noise machine which covers up irregular sounds by creating steady and soothing background noises, such as static or ocean waves

Ensure your bedroom is a cool temperature

While you expect that a warm bedroom will allow you to get comfortable and sleep well, it’s actually better for your sleep hygiene to sleep in a cool environment Doing so reinforces your body’s natural instinct to sleep, as our temperature drops near bedtime as a signal to get some rest A cool bedroom regulates your body temperature to prevent any disruptions and also promotes melatonin production If your bedroom is toasty, adding a fan to your room, leaving your window open, or even drinking water a few hours before bed to reap the benefits of its cooling effect

Page A4 • February 09, 2023 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers S a n B e r n a r d i n o H i g h S c h o o l a n d C o l l e g e S p o r t s S c e n e

Come to the San Ber nardino County Librar y Wonder land Events

Community News

The San Bernardino County Library invites residents to step through the looking glass and explore the Library Wonderland Events Meet Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter while enjoying an amazing experience of fun-filled crafts, face painting, balloon artists, and games

These events are another opportunity to celebrate and support the Countywide Vision’s literacy campaign, Vision2Read Visitors should bring their library cards, as every 15 items checked out during the events earns visitors a deck of cards and an opportunity drawing ticket for a chance to win wonderfully awesome prizes All activities are free and open to all ages

The San Bernardino County Library Wonderland Events will take place in the following locations:

• Feb 8 from 4 to 6 p m The

Sam J Racadio Library & Environmental Learning Center at 7863 Central Avenue in Highland

• Feb 28 from 4 to 7 p m

The Lewis Library & Technology Center at 8437 Sierra Avenue in Fontana

For more programs, events, and additional information, please visit sbclib org or contact your local branch library

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community

SBCUSD Class of 2022 Ear ned Mor e T han

$11 Million in Scholar ships

Community News

Every year, San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) high schools assist seniors in preparing portfolios that will help them apply for and obtain college scholarships For most seniors, that task is complete and soon they will begin participating in mock interviews so they are able to put their best foot forward during the actual scholarship interviews that happen later in the school year

Additionally, the two non-profit organizations that coordinate and fund scholarships specifically for SBCUSD students San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association and Making Hope Happen Foundation have begun coordinating with high school scholarship counselors for the next scholarship application window

Based on the fact SBCUSD students in the Class of 2022 earned more than $11 million in scholarships and grants, including adult students from Inland Career Education Center (ICEC) and students from the District’s alternative high schools, these efforts appear successful

Although past performance is no guarantee of future success, the Class of 2022 scholarship earnings demonstrate what a community can do for students and the future when they work together

Indian Springs High School graduated 342 students in the Class of 2022 who can boast about their combined total of $3,125,000 in scholarships and grants, including more than $360,000 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses

Cajon High School’s 583 graduates, which included International Baccalaureate (IB) students, earned $1,950,999 in scholarships and grants, with $440,000 coming from military scholarships and enlistment bonuses Another SBCUSD IB school, Arroyo Valley High School, proudly graduated 555 students, with 70 6 percent of them earning scholarships and grants totalling $1,459,690

With 327 graduates in the Class of 2022, San Gorgonio High School secured $2,046,734 in scholarships, including $619,200 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses

A full 100 percent of Middle College High School’s 59 graduates earned scholarships totalling $900,000

Of Pacific High School’s 239 graduates in the Class of 2022, 162 earned $800,278 in scholarships, including military scholarships and enlistment bonuses And 78 of 232 San Bernardino High School graduates earned $694,412

SBCUSD’s continuation high schools also boasted scholarship recipients, with 20 San Andreas High School and 19 Sierra High School graduates in the Class of 2022 earning $13,050 and $26,618, respectively

Seven of ICEC’s 109 adult high school diploma and GED graduates earned a combined $14,819 in scholarships

“I’m proud to say that the vast majority of the non-military scholarship dollars are the direct result of efforts by our District and our local community,” said Ginger Ontiveros “Local businesses, charities, and individuals have donated time and money to the Making Hope Happen Foundation and the San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association two nonprofits geared specifically to support SBCUSD students just to make sure our students have a chance at success ”

Community Scholarship Association members were responsible for 313 graduates in SBCUSD’s Class of 2022 receiving a total of 364 scholarships totaling $283,447

“The Scholarship Association awards scholarships only to SBCUSD graduates Charter school and private school students are not eligible for these scholarships,” said longtime Association member and former SBCUSD high school counselor Blythe Anderson “Many of our Board members are former District employees or scholarship recipients, so it’s important to us that we support students in our schools ”

For more information or to donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit https://makinghope org/ To create your own scholarship or donate to one of the many existing Association-managed scholarships, contact Susan Zavala, Communications/Community Relations Department Secretary I, at susan zavala@sbcusd k12 ca us

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • February 09, 2023 • Page A5
F o l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k , I n s t a g r a m , a n d Tw i t t e r @ I E C N We e k l y

Legendar y Holl ywood Actor Pepe Ser na hosts 15th Annual RITZ!

Community News

The RITZ Gala returns to light up the stage once again with more than a dozen performances from talented Rialto Unified School students on February 11! The Inland Empire’s largest and most spectacular studentcentered K-12 gala fundraiser is back for the first time since 2019

Rialto Unified School District’s annual gala will be held for the first time ever at the state-of-the-art Eisenhower High School Performing Arts Center, located at 1321 N Lilac Ave in Rialto, and promises to be bigger and better than ever During intermission hosted appetizers will be served by the District’s Culinary Arts students Doors opened at 5:30 p m on February 11, 2023, at Ike Tax-deductible tickets to the extravagant event are $30 each and available for purchase at ritz rialtousd org

Veteran actor and motivational speaker Pepe Serna will serve as the evening’s emcee Serna’s acting career has spanned more than five decades and includes notable appearances in movies such as “American Me”, “Scarface,” and “The Jerk ” He has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows He is also an artist whose vivid paintings take inspiration from his family, his Mexican-American heritage, and his worldwide travels The 2022 documentary "Pepe Serna: Life is Art," highlights his groundbreaking work in film and how he helped pave the way for other Latino actors He is a fierce supporter of the arts and an educational advocate He has served as a motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities

The RITZ, previously known as "Puttin' on the Ritz," is now called Rialto's Incredible Talent Zone to highlight the students who shine during the program It has dazzled audiences for 15 years The event features performances from elementary, middle and high school students across the RUSD, and also includes popular Ritzy Silent Auction Baskets, which directly raise funds to support students Through ticket sales, auction baskets and sponsorships the RITZ has raised more than $500,000 over the years

This year ’s event features 18 student acts, which include singers, dancers, theatrical performances, a skit, a pianist, and a gymnast, to name a few

The Ritzy Silent Auction baskets, along with ticket sales contribute to the District’s Sharing Our Love Foundation

“The Ritz has always belonged to anyone who shows kindness to students, through donation, attendance, and the generosity displayed towards our talented RUSD student performers,” stated Syeda Jafri, Communication/Media Services Agent and Chairperson for the Ritz “The Ritz Gala Committee works tirelessly for the success of this majestic event and is extremely grateful that Mr Pepe Serna, one of the hardest working and amazing veteran character actors in Hollywood but also a child advocate who cares about the education and wellbeing of students, will be this year ’s emcee at The Ritz Excitement is buzzing and we hope to see many of you at The Ritz

The show is near capacity with 500 chairs in the Eisenhower High School Performing Arts Center

Page A8 • February 09, 2023 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers
PHOTO RUSD Veteran actor and motivational speaker Pepe Serna will serve as emcee at the 15th Annual The RITZ Gala on February 11 at the Eisenhower High School Performing Arts Center Serna’s acting career has spanned more than five decades and includes notable appearances in movies such as “Scarface,” and “The Jerk ” Come see Serna and the finest student talent in the Rialto Unified School District take the stage!

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