Clovis People in the News

Memebers of Clovis High School's Interact Club held a senior citizen prom for residents of L.C. Hotchkoss Terrace May 3.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

BHS bands receive top honors

The Buchanan High School Jazz Band "A" and the BHS Combo both took top honors at the 2008 Reno Jazz Festival April 25 and 26 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Both groups placed first in their respective category, earning them performance spots on the final Saturday night festival showcase concert. The BHS Jazz Band "A" was also named the "Outstanding High School Instrumental Ensemble" out of all 138 high school groups competing from Nevada, Washington and California. Senior trombonist Sean Shackelford was awarded "Outstanding Trombonist" for the entire high school division of the festival.

The BHS Jazz Band "A" also received national attention in "DOWNBEAT," the nation's leading jazz magazine. The band was awarded "High School Outstanding Performances" in the Big Band division. Student member Sean Richey was the winner of the "High School Outstanding Performances" in the Original Song division for his compositions "40 Days and 40 Nights" and "Peter's Crow."

The Buchanan Jazz Band "A" also received an invitation to perform in the professional Monterey Jazz Festival in 2007 and 2008.

Pep squad champions

The Clovis West Varsity Competition Pep Squad, coached by Krystle Wertenberger, received the highest score of all the competing cheer and pep squads at the Aloha Spirit International Competition and earned the title of "Grand Champions." The competition was held in Honolulu March 28 and 29. Members include Jordan Bates, Dannicie Kwan, Leah Monteleone, Makensie Morrow, Alli Go, Brooke Anderson, Sara Gregory, Lexi Zimmer, Allison Kaku, Allie Campbell, Lauren Zimmerer and Gina Monteleone.

COMMUNITY

Senior citizen prom

Clovis High School's Interact Club put on a senior citizen prom May 3 for the residents of L.C Hotchkiss Terrace. The Interact Club, headed by advisers Gary Prentice and Gina Dean, planned an "Evening in the Enchanted Garden" as their special project for this year. From 5 to 8 p.m., residents enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, music, dancing, and photographs. The most memorable part, said club president Bailee Hustedde, was when the ladies got up and danced with the club members. This is one event the Interact Club will never forget and hope to do something similar next year. The club would like to thank everyone who came together to make the night magical.

EDUCATION

Deans medalists

Nevin Ismail Hindiyeh, of Clovis, is one of nine top graduate students at California State University, Fresno, named Deans' Graduate Medalists for the Class of 2008. The medalists are chosen as the outstanding graduate students in each of the university's eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs, based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements.

Hindiyeh, of the Craig School of Business, completed her Master's of Business Administration with a 4.0 grade point average. She is the founder of Fresno's Leading Young Professionals, a 1,500-member nonprofit organization that helps keep talented young professionals in Fresno. She also started a two-year educational outreach pilot program at McLane High School, in which more than 25 professionals participated in presentations to disadvantaged youth. Hindiyeh is an active member of the City of Fresno's Economic Development Alliance and a charter board member of Creative Fresno. A full-time employee at Pacific Gas & Electric, Co., she was awarded the PG&E Mielke Award, which recognizes extraordinary employees who demonstrate the spirit of giving and volunteerism.

Other Deans' Graduate Medalists include: Namratha Pulla Reddy, Georgia P. Williams, Chie Maekoya, Curtis E. Hanson, Eiji Yamashita, Zhanna Bagdasarov, Shawna Ruth Herzog and Ambar Alicia Alvarez.