Names of Note: Modesto Chamber gives awards. Stanislaus schoolkids know their history
The Modesto Chamber of Commerce presented its 108th annual awards March 10. It was a live event once again.
The honorees:
- Nonprofit of the Year: Downtown Street Team
- Green Business Award: Audi Modesto
- Small Business of the Year: Stonefire Pizza by MidiCi
- COVID Resilience Award: Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center
- Chamber Member of the Year: Valley Builders Exchange
- Citizen of the Year: City Councilwoman Jenny Kenoyer
- Distinguished Service: George Boodrookas, executive director of Modesto Junior College Foundation
- Chamber Welcome Team Member: Dandi Manuel
- Ambassador: Ramon Mendez
- Leadership Modesto: Melinda Hamon
- Excellence in Education: Jeff Albritton, assistant county superintendent.
Students shine at History Day
Students excelled in various media at the annual Stanislaus County History Day.
The theme this year was “Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures and Consequences.” Students displayed their knowledge via papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, websites and other means.
The event involved elementary, middle and high school students. Their entries were judged online. A live award ceremony took place March 19 at Creekside Junior High School in Patterson.
The first-place students in each category:
- Elementary Group Poster: Walnut Grove School students Jesamine Coughran, Samantha Garcia, Ellyana Diaz and Yuritzy Palomino
- Elementary Individual Podcast: Stirling Soelberg of Agnes Baptist School
- Elementary Individual Poster: Naek Singh of Agnes Baptist
- Junior Group Documentary: Sabrina Toor and Lavanya Bansal of Prescott Junior High School
- Junior Group Exhibit: Walnut Grove students Isadora Contreras, Londyn Dillard, Viviana Mandujano and Liliana Baeza
- Junior Group Performance: Prescott students Emma Burkett, Hailey Butler, Sophie Rhoads and Arabella Port
- Junior Group Website: Yolo Middle School students Cynthia Hernandez and Carlos Gutierrez
- Junior Historical Paper: Prescott student Deetya Thogarucheeti
- Junior Individual Documentary: Prescott student Rachel Warter
- Junior Individual Exhibit: Prescott student Aneel Brar
- Junior Individual Website: Yolo Middle School student Connor Orr
- Senior Group Exhibit: Catelyn Mendoza and Dayana Venegas of Patterson High School
- Senior Group Performance: Modesto High School students Dzifa Ackuayi, Saloni Bansal, Baani Pannu and Eve Youkana
- Senior Historical Paper: Patterson High student Daneilla Garcia
- Senior Individual Exhibit: Patterson student Kaelyn Tongson.
History Day was sponsored by the Patterson Unified School District and the Stanislaus County Office of Education.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published April 2, 2022 at 8:37 AM.
