Modesto High student named state Mock Trial’s outstanding bailiff

Modesto High School’s Damian Sablan earned the outstanding bailiff honor in the Califonia Mock Trial Championship in Sacramento this past weekend.

It’s the first time a Modesto High student has won the category. This year’s event included 36 teams from 34 counties and more than 900 students.

Mayor’s Top Teens for 2015-16 named

Some 34 students are taking part in the Mayor’s Top Teens program for 2015-16. The program recognizes the good acts and accomplishments of local teens. The program is a partnership between the city and Modesto City Schools. The city also recognized the program’s sponsors. More information about the program is available at www.modestogov.com/council/topteens.

The class includes: Katherine Chance, Divinee Chidme, Silvia Cruz, Sorita Danh, Cassidy Estes, Matthew Henriques, Sabrina Hills-Villalobos, Jennifer Joseph, Analiese Machado, Samantha Navarros, Riley Noland, Mackenzie Nunes and Christian Von Rotz, Modesto High; Hannah David and Meredith Lane, Big Valley Christian; Bryce Deniz, Jared Garcia, Joseph Gardella III and Jordan Tam, Enochs High; Katya Flores and David Phillips, Central Catholic; Miriam Frayle, Alondra Ramirez Gonzalez, Emanuel Perez, Ashley Pierce, Stephanie Velasco and Tanzania Williams, Johansen High; Emilia Gonzalez, Davis High; Bethany Harper, Beyer High; Borum Long, Davis Language Institute; Claire Machado, Downey High; Alexa Ruiz and Alyssa Webb, Gregori High; Megan Saavedra, Valley Charter.

Golden Valley freshman Rotary speech titlist

Lucca Lorenzi, a freshman from Merced’s Golden Valley High, took first place in Rotary District 5220’s speech contest last weekend in Turlock. Lorenzi took home the $1,000 first prize. Anoopjot Bains, a Turlock High junior, took third place and its $500 prize. And Jesus Cervantes, a senior at Enochs High in Modesto, received honorable mention.

They were among the participants who emerged from the 45 individual Rotary Clubs holding their own contests before going on to area events to qualify for the district finals. District 5220 spans an area from Madera to Galt and from the Sierra Nevada to the West Side.

Reading tutors needed

LearningQuest’s Stanislaus Literacy Centers are looking for tutors who can help teach adults to read or improve their reading, writing, math or English skills. The agency will conduct a one-hour orientation session beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 21 for its next volunteer tutor training, which will be April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both sessions will be at the LearningQuest Building at 11th and K streets in Modesto. Students are 18 or older, with many wanting to improve their skills to pass the test for their high school diploma.

There are 35 waiting students requesting to meet individually with a volunteer tutor. For more information, contact Karen Williams at 209-522-0656, ext. 113.

Hickman student on to state NatGeo Bee

Hickman sixth-grader Ryan Kano won the school’s National Geographic Bee and will advance to the state competition April 1 at California State University, Fresno.

He is the first Hickman student to reach the state event, which involves scoring highly on a geography test.

Library’s Veterans Resource Center to open April 4

The Stanislaus County Library in Modesto will open its new Veterans Resource Center with a ceremony April 4 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The center will provide veterans help on what services and resources are available. It will offer books, DVDs and literature on topics of interest including state and federal benefits for veterans, housing, health care, education and employment for veterans and their families. The facility also will dedicate a computer to give veterans online access. Assistance will be available Mondays through Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Modesto main library is one of 38 public libraries statewide offering a Veterans Resource Center through the State Library and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. The ceremony will include participation by the Johansen High School band, local politicians and other officials.

Modestan’s art on display in Maryland

Modesto resident Susan Levy’s artwork will be on display at the Artists and Makers Studios in Rockville, Md., from April 1-28. The exhibit is titled “Finding My Own Voice” and coincides with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in April. Levy’s daughter, Chandra Levy, was slain in 2001 in Washington, D.C., where she interned for the federal Bureau of Prisons, in a case that gained nationwide attention.

She will be among the artists who will tell their stories during a special event at the gallery April 2. Levy hopes to show her works in Modesto in the near future.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Modesto High student named state Mock Trial’s outstanding bailiff."