Yael Palomero steered his electric go-kart back to the starting point of a circular course at Hanford West High School, bumping into the curb as he came to a stop. With his teammates asking what happened, the embarrassed eighth grader from Jefferson Academy in Hanford said the brakes didn’t feel right. The driver and the car were just fine, but teacher Ricardo Ramos wasn’t taking any chances. “This is a learning opportunity,” Ramos said. “Let’s look at the braking system to see if we have lost fluid.”

The little kart was lifted back on its dolly and pushed back to the workshop for inspection. There, Ramos directed students to disassemble the brake pedal and rods before accessing the brake fluid reservoir to check its level. For Gael Tolano, a second-year kart program participant, the opportunity to work on the kart is fun. “I like working on cars and I want to be a mechanic,” he said. 

Read more in the News Week GalleryNews Gallery Week.

Kate Verhoeven
Senior, Central Valley Christian High School, Visalia

Kate Verhoeven honored for excellence and character

Kate was selected by the Tulare County Office of Education to receive the Provident‑Salierno Pursuing Victory with Honor Scholarship, an honor reserved for students who exemplify integrity, sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the field. 

Reflecting on what “Pursuing Victory with Honor” means to her, Kate shared that her understanding of victory has evolved over time. “I used to think victory meant being the best player on a team and winning games. While that can be a part of it, true victory means showing up, working hard even when it is difficult, respecting teammates, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” Her words reflect the maturity and integrity she brings to every environment she’s part of.

Read more about Kate at Profiles in Character.