Students from 20 different local high schools will face off in a battle of academic skill in the 2019 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which begins Saturday, January 26 in Oxnard. The competition continues on Saturday, February 2 and the awards ceremony takes place on Monday, February 4. The “Super Quiz,” a Jeopardy-like competition that tests students’ knowledge in a variety of academic subjects, is open to the public on February 2 as is the awards ceremony. Media coverage is welcome for all events.

Competition Day 1: Speech, Interview and Essay (Saturday, Jan. 26)

Pacifica High School: 600 E Gonzales Rd, Oxnard

8:30 AM Essay Event Begins
9:30 AM Student Choice Speech Awards in Performing Arts Center
10:30 AM Interview Event begins
10:45 AM Speech Event begins
4:30 PM Competition concludes (time is approximate)

Competition Day 2: Objectives and Super Quiz (Saturday, Feb. 2)

Pacifica High School: 600 E Gonzales Rd, Oxnard

9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Testing
3:15 PM March of the Decathletes
3:30 PM Super Quiz (open to the public)
5:00 PM Day 2 Competition Concludes (time is approximate)

Awards Ceremony (Monday, Feb. 4)

Oxnard Performing Arts Center: 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard

6:00 PM Award Ceremony Begins (open to the public)

The Academic Decathlon, coordinated by the Ventura County Office of Education, consists of ten events: essay writing, speech, interview, art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science and social science. The theme of this year’s competition is “The 1960s: A Transformational Decade.” The logo artwork for this year’s Academic Decathlon was created by Sophia Peate, a student at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks.

High schools fielding teams this year are: Adolfo Camarillo High School, Buena High School, Calabasas High School, Channel Islands High School, Fillmore High School, Hueneme High School, La Reina High School, Moorpark High School, Newbury Park High School, Oak Park High School, Oxnard High School, Pacifica High School, Rancho Campana High School, Rio Mesa High School, Royal High School, Santa Susana High School, Simi Valley High School, Thousand Oaks High School, Ventura High School and Westlake High School.

The Academic Decathlon is a unique opportunity for high school students in Ventura County to compete against like teams of students countywide. The top Ventura County team advances to the statewide Academic Decathlon. A California team then participates in the United States Academic Decathlon, which is the premier scholastic competition for students in America from both public and private high schools. Ventura County teams have made it to the national competition six times, placing second in 2000 and 2002, and taking first place in 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2009.

A particularly unique aspect of the event is that it is designed to include students from all academic backgrounds. A team consists of nine full-time students from the 9th through 12th grades from the same high school. Each nine-member team is comprised of three students whose grade point average falls into the “A” category, three students in the “B” category and three students in the “C” category.

New partnerships with online course providers ed2go and Lambers mean CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Extended University can now offer online courses to help professionals advance their careers or for the sheer joy of learning.

For those seeking certification in a profession, CSUCI’s Extended University already offers test preparation courses for those studying for their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or their Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) as well as the Society for Human Resource Management certification test. Some are all online and others are hybrids of face-to-face and online learning.

Now, thanks to the partnership with Lambers, CSUCI’s Extended University can now also offer online courses for anyone wishing to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“They are test prep courses for the financial industry,” explained CSUCI Extended University Professional Development Program Coordinator Jeff Ziskin. “This is for CPAs, tax preparers, etc. These are the courses that will prepare them to take specialized certification tests.”

For those wishing to learn for the sake of learning, ed2go provides hundreds of courses in arts, sciences, humanities, self-development, mechanics and a wide selection of other offerings in everything from mindfulness to mathematics.

“One of the advantages of taking an online course is the convenience and flexibility,” Ziskin said. “You can literally take the course anyplace, anytime, at your own pace, and you can do it all in your pajamas if you wish.”

The goal, Ziskin said, is to make the distinction between CSUCI’s Extended University, Lambers and ed2go seamless.

Courses can range from one day to more than 24 weeks, so each course is priced accordingly, beginning at $115. CSUCI employees receive a 15% discount. To learn more about the courses, visit CSUCI’s Extended University website.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive – serving as an engine for social and economic vitality that provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,200 employees and 14,000 alumni, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.

Helen Yunker

The Ventura College Foundation has received a $2 million donation from the Helen Yunker estate.

Honoring Yunker's request, the donation will establish endowments for the Ventura College Music Department and the Opera and Musical Theatre program. The gift will be split evenly between the two.

"Helen has been a fixture in Ventura since moving here in 1958," says Dr. Damon Bell, president of Ventura College. "She was a generous volunteer, supporter and donor to many local organizations in the areas of education, medicine, youth, theater and the arts. We are very grateful to Helen for her contributions to our art, heritage and culture at the college and in the community."

Yunker, who died in July at age 96, served on the Ventura College Foundation Board for 18 years. This past May, the Foundation Board of Directors honored her service and leadership by naming her as a Board Emeritus Member. Over the course of almost three decades, Yunker donated more than $945,000 to the Ventura College Foundation. She had taken a special interest in the Opera Workshop for many years and was known to do a little singing and dancing of her own.

The Ventura County Ballet, accompanied by the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra, paid tribute to Yunker at The Nutcracker performances held in December at Ventura College in the Helen Yunker Auditorium. For eight years and well into her 90s, Yunker had a cameo role as the maid at the beginning of the yearly production.

"Helen's gift will enable students who share her passion for music and theatre to express themselves and thrive in a creative setting," says Anne Paul King, executive director of the foundation. "It's a wonderful legacy."

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Anne Paul King at (805) 289-6461 or aking@vcccd.edu or visit www.VCgiving.org.

The Board of Trustees of the Ventura County Community College District held its annual organization meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, and welcomed new members Gabriela Torres, Area 5 and Josh Chancer, Area 1. Chancellor Gillespie administered the oath of office and newly elected Board Members, including re-elected Dianne B. McKay representing Area 2, were congratulated by staff and faculty during a brief reception.

Trustee Chancer’s priorities are to work with the Board and Chancellor to create a common sense budget and ensure that financial and technical resources make it into classrooms. “My hope is that we can increase student enrollment and support the continuing development of VCCCD as a sustainable, equitable, and accessible institution,” offered Chancer. He is a resident of Ventura, former Ventura College student, full-time social science teacher at Oxnard Union High School District, and current California Lutheran University part-time faculty member.

Trustee Torres is committed to social justice issues and serving students. “It is important to understand the needs of our students, staff, and faculty,” stated Torres. She is an Oxnard resident, a counselor for the Oxnard Elementary School District, and looks forward to working with community college trustees to better serve the needs of all students.

Trustees elected Dianne B. McKay to serve as Board Chair; Larry Kennedy was elected Board Vice Chair. The Chair and Vice Chair will serve one year. Chair McKay, serving Area 2, was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. “The Board is committed to increasing access for all of our students and we want to make sure that we provide a solid foundation supporting their success,” stated McKay. Since 2012, McKay has served on the Community College League of California Advisory Committee for Educations Services that plans training and events for new and continuing trustees throughout the state. She is a strong advocate for dual enrollment to increase opportunities for high school students to not only earn college credit, but also begin a path to higher education or certificate training and a living wage here in Ventura County. Chair McKay works throughout the county with elected and appointed officials to increase awareness about partnerships and opportunities to better serve the community.

Vice Chair Kennedy, serving Area 3, was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. Kennedy is a strong advocate for increased access for veteran students and is proud of the District’s use of technology as a means to enhance student success. Vice Chair Kennedy, a member of the California Community Colleges Veterans Caucus and the California Community College Trustees Board, says he is “excited for the opportunity to work with two new Board Members in our joint efforts to make all of the colleges more successful and better serve our communities.”

Dr. Gillespie, Chancellor of the District that includes Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges, Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula, and the District Administrative Center in Camarillo, will continue his focus of bringing quality education to students throughout Ventura County, increasing access and student success, and ensuring the viability and fiscal sustainability of the institutions. “I look forward to working with the Board to implement our strategic goals and continue to bring quality and relevant higher education to our students and communities,” commented Gillespie.

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

Moorpark College Performing Arts is pleased to announce its first annual “Holiday Spectacular,” presenting a holiday celebration that features the combined efforts of the College’s Theatre Arts, Music, and Dance programs. This production will feature the talents of more than 50 student actors, singers, musicians, and dancers—it is sure to be one of the highlights of this holiday season. Proceeds from the production will benefit the Performing Arts Center and its educational programs.

Moorpark College’s first annual Holiday Spectacular will feature bright lights, colorful costumes, and holiday entertainment with a side of musical comedy thrown in as well. This new event is sure to become a regular part of the community’s holiday celebrations. Music, Dance, and Theatre Arts students will all perform classic material that embraces a range of holiday traditions, including everything from full choral presentations to excerpts from A Christmas Carol.

“This variety-style show is sure to make you laugh, cry, and start counting down to the holidays!” shares Dr. Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz, Dean of Arts, Media, and Communications Studies at Moorpark College. “And for a special treat, we’d love to have the community join us for our VIP Reception offered by the Moorpark College Foundation at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15th, just prior to that evening’s 8:00 p.m. performance. Our entire Arts Division is so excited for this new event, working on a range of special treats including a live DJ in front of the theatre, free student-made holiday decorations, and a series of holiday-themed short films in the lobby produced by our Film and Television students, among many other surprises. We can’t think of a better way of thanking our community than by inviting your friends and families to welcome the holidays on our beautiful campus!”

The Moorpark College Holiday Spectacular” will run Friday, December 14th and Saturday, December 15that 8:00 p.m. with two matinee performances on Saturday, December 15th and Sunday, December 16th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale for both the “Holiday Spectacular” and the Moorpark College Foundation’s VIP Reception and may be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac. Purchase tickets online to save 20%. Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark, 93021.

MOORPARK COLLEGE, one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District, was founded in 1967. It is set on 150 beautiful acres, nestled in the foothills on the southeastern flank of Ventura County, about 40 miles from UCLA, and approximately 75 miles from UC Santa Barbara. It is also a short drive from CSU Northridge, CSU Channel Islands, and California Lutheran University. Moorpark College was recognized in the Huffington Post in March of 2015 as the fourth-best community college in the nation. It has an excellent reputation for university transfer preparation, and its signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiation technology, biotechnology, and exotic animal training, which incorporates the world-renowned America’s Teaching Zoo. The college also offers a dynamic range of classes and programs in the visual and performing arts, and its pristine athletic fields and mild climate provide an excellent home for student athletes.

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) mourns the passing of Moorpark College student Noel Sparks, who was confirmed as one of the victims from the recent shooting in Thousand Oaks. Also among the victims is former Moorpark College student Telemachus Orfanos, who attended Moorpark College as recently as 2010; and Blake Dingman, a Ventura College student. VCCCD and Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges mourn the lives of those lost including Ventura County Sergeant Ron Helus whose heroic actions saved countless lives.

“We are deeply saddened. This incident was an immeasurable loss for our community with a rippling impact felt by all of us,” stated Chancellor Greg Gillespie.

Moorpark College students led a vigil on Thursday evening to honor Sparks, Orfanos, and others impacted by this tragedy. “This event brought together students and our campus community as we grieved those who were lost in this tragedy,” shared Trustee Bernardo Perez. “We commend the Moorpark College Associated Students for organizing this vigil and helping Moorpark College come together and support one another.”

Moorpark College professor Wendi Baity remembered Sparks by saying, “I am completely heartbroken that Noel, this gem of a human being, was one of the victims at Borderline. Noel taught me more than I could ever teach her – she had a gentle spirit and always engaged her classmates. Noel’s honesty and openness touched us all and I am forever grateful that our lives crossed paths.”

Health Center professionals continue to provide valuable resources for students, staff, and faculty. Information is accessible through the District’s Health Center webpages:

Moorpark College Student Health Center:
https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/health-cent...

Oxnard College Student Health Center:
https://www.oxnardcollege.edu/departments/student-services/student-healt...

Ventura College Student Health Center:
https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/student-heal...

VCCCD and Moorpark College are moved by the community’s support in the aftermath of this tragedy. For media inquiries, please contact James Schuelke with VCCCD at (805) 553-4013 or jschuelke@vcccd.edu.

There is a villain out and about in this here town folks! Her name is Snyde (Played by Hannah Fairall). With help from her evil Henchman Whim (Played by Mariam Bazurto), they are out to steal all the water in the little dusty town of Dustville in the old west. But our Hero Reginald (Played by Sam Kafka) will tell you over and over again how he will stop them. The lovely Damsel-in –Distress Miss Lucy (Played by Erin Overton) will be caught in the middle of it all. The most unlikely of hero’s Fergus (Played by Jaymee Alvarez) will be there with his inventions to help.

This is a great play to see folks! The Writer, Director, and Producer, of this play is none other than Fillmore High School’s Drama Teacher Mr. Josh Overton. Mr. Overton brings this play back after ten years for you all to see again. This is a play where you can cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. So pull up a chair for only seven dollars for adults and five dollars for the young whippersnappers. And don’t forget the Jr. Mints at the snack bar!

Show times and dates are as followed, Opening night November 2nd, 3rd, at seven p.m. Sunday November 4th at two p.m., November 9th, 10th at seven p.m., November 11th at two p.m. and the last weekend is November 16th and closing night is the 17th both shows at 7 p.m. The play will take place in the Drama Room Theater at Fillmore High School on Central Ave and Second St. Tickets are again seven Dollars for adults and Five Dollars for students.

So come and see how Mayor Drumpf (Played by Drew Ferguson), will do all he can to make Dustville moist again. And see how Milly Van Nilly (Played by Joy Zerrudo) keeps her kid Lilly (Played by Presley McLain) and her friend Tommy, oh I mean Tammy (Played by Ramona Dalgram) out of trouble. Oh yes and by the way in case you get lost there are a couple of crazy hillbillies (Played by Judy Fairall-Woods, and Joe Woods) that will help you through the play.

We have given you all the facts that are needed, now all we need is you Fillmore. Come support the Drama program, with help from the Sespe Players. The cast and crew along with Mr. Overton are pouring all of their hard work and talent for you all so please come out and fill every seat we have, every night! You will love this show. It’s better than any movie out there, and it is live. Anything can happen and most of the time it does. Folks let me tell you all, the people in this here play will hit it out of the park, just like the Dodgers should have, oh sorry too soon? We will see ya all soon now! You Hear!

At least six museums from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties will participate in this year’s free CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Science Carnival on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History; the California Oil Museum; the Channel Islands Maritime Museum; the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology; kidSTREAM Children’s Museum; the Discovery Center for Science and Technology; and the United States Navy Seabee Museum will be contributing to the 120+ hands-on science activities at the Rio Vista Middle School at 3050 Thames River Drive in Oxnard.

The 10th Annual Science Carnival will offer science-rich demonstrations that flame, ooze, dance, explode, scream, play music and generally delight pre-K through 8th grade kids and kids-at-heart, all in the name of encouraging youngsters’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“You come to the Science Carnival and enjoy yourself, but what’s just as important is what you do after you leave to keep STEM learning alive,” said Science Carnival Founder & Director Phil Hampton, Ph.D. and Professor of Chemistry. “It’s a way to help families see ways to continue to enrich their kids’ STEM learning outside of the classroom.”

The 10th annual Science Carnival will include new exhibits as well as crowd-pleasers such as the screaming Gummi Bears; self-carving pumpkins; Flubber, Oobleck (the goop in the Dr. Seuss book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck), air-powered marshmallow shooters and glow in the dark slime that kids can create themselves.

“It’s so easy to turn a kid off to science and STEM education,” Hampton said. “But if you can get them interested in something that gets them excited, you can show them science doesn’t just happen in a classroom. You help them make slime and talk about something called a polymer. You can talk about solids, liquids and gases.”

Representatives from CSUCI’s STEM programs such as Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Anthropology, Physics and Environmental Science & Resource Management will all have activities designed to intrigue young scientists such as underwater remotely-operated vehicles, elephant toothpaste and the flaming magnesium lantern.

Moorpark, Ventura and Oxnard Community Colleges will be involved along with several schools from Ventura County. Students from Rancho Campana High School in Camarillo have built a PVC pipe organ, a devise first used by the famous Blue Man Group entertainers.

All three of the weapons commands from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) — NAVAIR, NAVSEA and NAVFAC — will have booths with hands-on displays representing what each command does.

Also new this year is the Young Scientist program in which parents can purchase a behind-the-scenes experience for their child for $25.

“It’s like a Science Carnival ride-a-long,” Hampton explained. “They get their own lab coat that they keep and they can get to assist with the science activities and help other children learn the science behind the activity.”

When the annual event began 10 years ago with help from two CSUCI student volunteers, it drew about 250 attendees. It has since grown to over 2,500 students and their families with over 400 volunteers. This year, Hampton expects attendance to exceed 3,000 visitors to the free event thanks to an ambitious social media campaign.

The Science Carnival is funded in part by a Title III U.S. Department of Education grant to CSUCI.

For more, visit: https://www.csuci.edu/sciencecarnival/index.htm.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channels Islands is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive, serves as an engine for social and economic vitality and provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,200 employees and 16,000 alumni, CSUCI is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Our strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Connect with and learn more by visiting CSUCI’s Social Media.

Congratulations to Maria Duenas on being selected Sierra High School's September 2018 Student of the Month. Maria plans to return to Fillmore High School in January to graduate with her class. After graduation, Maria plans on attending Ventura College and getting a part time job. She is unsure at this time what she would like to major in while attending VC. When asked what she will miss about Sierra High School she stated, “The staff because they have helped me a lot”. She feels that at Sierra High School you have the opportunity to talk to people you might not talk to at a larger high school. She is grateful that she was able to attend Sierra High School. Congrats Maria! Photo courtesy Katrina Tafoya, Interim Principal of Sierra High School.

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Sixty new iPads were delivered to Mountain Vista Elementary School as part of the districts initiative to get more technology into the hands of students. Each class in grades kindergarten through 2nd attended their first training. Students learned all of the external features of the device, how to take a selfie and send it to their teacher and how to open and close an app. This is the first step in supporting students to use and be responsible users of technology. We want to thank the district technology and curriculum and instruction departments for teaming up to support our students. Photos courtesy Charice Guerra, Principal at Mountain Vista Elementary.

On September 18th Sallie Brought motivational speaker, former educator and hip-hop artist Dee-1 to Fillmore High School to promote the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Sweepstakes and get Fillmore students excited and motivated about going to college. At the assembly, Dee-1 shared his personal story and helped raise awareness about planning for college, and the benefits and importance of student loan management. Sallie Mae’s partnership with Dee-1, along with offering the scholarship, fulfills and important part of Sallie’ Mae’s promise to help students and families learn about the importance of an education. It also gives outstanding, hardworking high school juniors and seniors a chance to overcome financial obstacles that stand in the way of making college happen. The scholarship awarded $225,000 in scholarships to deserving students in previous years.

California Lutheran University has been awarded more than $6 million in federal grants to implement new programs designed to increase the number of Latinos and other underrepresented students who graduate from college and earn teaching credentials.

A $3.75 million Title V grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program will fund a joint project with Moorpark College to increase transfer, retention and degree-completion rates for students who are Latino, low-income or the first in their family to attend college.

Faculty from both colleges will work together to redesign courses to incorporate more active- and experiential-learning opportunities and content that is culturally relevant to students who are underrepresented in higher education. Up to 50 classes at each campus will be revamped. The colleges also will launch a transfer center and a cross-campus mentoring program and enhance advising and career development services. Leadership development activities for Latino males will be offered to increase the number who continue on past the first year of college. Events at Cal Lutheran will expose Moorpark College students to life on a university campus.

“This grant is all about student success,” said Cal Lutheran Provost Leanne Neilson. “It gives us an opportunity to work with Moorpark College to increase transfer rates and help Latina/o, and other, low-income students complete their bachelor’s degrees.”

“For years, Moorpark College and Cal Lutheran have collaborated to develop an educational pipeline serving the students of Ventura County,” said Moorpark College President Luis Sanchez. “We are proud to now build on that foundation by broadening our joint capacity to serve Hispanic students through the transformational power of a college education.”

With the other $2.7 million Title V grant, Cal Lutheran will address the shortage of Latino teachers. Nearly one out of four public school students are Latino, but Latinos make up less than 8 percent of teachers, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Cal Lutheran will create a pre-credential program for Latino students and others who want to become teachers, enhance undergraduate advising, and hire an outreach coordinator and math and writing specialists. An administrator will be hired to apply for grants to fund scholarships and enrichment activities for the students. Activities for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, their families, community college students, teachers and community members will be organized to stimulate interest in teaching.

“This project will address one of the most pressing needs in teacher education – diversification of the candidate pool,” said Michael R. Hillis, dean of Cal Lutheran’s Graduate School of Education.