As a part of Arts Education Month, the annual Student Art Exhibition opened this week –showcasing hundreds of art pieces from students across the county. Over 530 pieces from 41 participating schools are available for virtual viewing at tcoe.org/ArtGallery.

Open to students in grades PK-12, the annual Student Art Exhibition showcases the county’s gifted young artists.

The exhibition includes visual and media arts in 2D, 3D, and digital.

Photo above:

~ Owl Sculpture was created by Madilyn Freitas, a sixth-grader from Oak Valley Elementary School in Tulare. 

This week, the CHOICES Prevention Program hosted the annual Anti-Tobacco/Marijuana Challenge Bowl. Twenty-six teams of over 175 sixth and seventh graders battled it out in the game show-style event, answering questions about the harmful effects of tobacco and marijuana use, and the industries that promote their use.

Taking first place in the sixth-grade competition was the reigning champ, Palo Verde Union School from Tulare, while Kings River Union School finished in second place.

In the seventh-grade championship round, Monson-Sultana Joint Union School defeated Liberty Elementary School (Tulare) for first place.

Teams also participated in the Soapbox component of the competition, sponsored by the state Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program. Teams created public service announcement (PSA) presentations, which will be judged later. Judges will select three teams to present their Soapbox PSAs live at the 2025 Lip Sync competition on May 2 at the Visalia Fox Theatre.

The Challenge Bowl was held again this year at Galaxy Theatres Tulare with support from Tulare Union High School Link Crew students. The competition is supported by TUPE and Friday Night Live.

Photo above:

~ The sixth-grade Palo Verde Union School (top) team and the seventh-grade Monson-Sultana Joint Union School (bottom) team were the winners of the annual Anti-Tobacco/Marijuana Challenge Bowl. 

In partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tulare, TCOE’s CHARACTER COUNTS! Program recognized this winter's Pursuing Victory with Honor (PVWH) student-athletes at a breakfast Tuesday morning.

For 16 years, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tulare has recognized student-athletes, nominated by their coaches, each season for their sportsmanship. The awards included a certificate, a PVWH patch, a PVWH t-shirt, and a lawn sign that read "An Athlete of Character Lives Here.”

The Tulare student-athletes receiving PVWH awards for their participation in winter sports include:

Tulare Western High School

Giuliana Valdez, girls wrestling: Coach Patton says that Giuliana may only be a freshman, but she is already a leader for the whole team. Modeling outstanding character, Giuliana will spend extra time helping teammates be their best on the mat. A true role model inside and outside the wrestling room, she will be doing great things over the next three years.

 Emmanuel Alatorre, boys wrestling: Coach Patton shares that Emmanuel is a great person with amazing sportsmanship. He works hard every day, even through injury and recovery, to stay in the best shape possible. His determination and perseverance paid off this year as he returned to competition after his injury and finished the season as a valley champion! Emmanuel is a guiding example for others around him.

Mission Oak High School

Isabella Melendez, girls wrestling: Coach Ramos praises Isabella as a model student and athlete. She consistently demonstrates a positive attitude both on and off the mat. Her leadership shines through, setting her apart from others, and the entire team benefits from her dedication and commitment.

Malakai Rodriguez, boys basketball: Coach Gallegos says that Malakai truly leads with heart every single day, whether on campus or in the community. He exemplifies exceptional character, ethics, and sportsmanship, leaving a lasting impact through his dedicated community service. It has been an honor to watch him grow.

Tulare Union High School

KaiLee Gilbert, girls basketball: Coach Diaz commends KaiLee for being a model athlete and student, highlighting her great attitude both on and off the court. Her leadership stands out above the rest and the team is better because of her unwavering commitment.

Ricardo Robles, boys soccer: Coach Mello appreciates Ricky for his four years of dedication to the TUHS soccer program. Over the years, Ricky has consistently exemplified respect for his teammates, coaches, and opponents. He is a student-athlete of great integrity and our team is stronger because of his positive influence.

Angela Aguilar and Edwin Marquez Gonzalez of Alpaugh High School led a team of fellow students on a two-year environmental impact study of land in Tulare County formerly used for dairy operations. The students looked at the impact of the cattle on the site now that it is now longer used as a dairy. For their work, the Alpaugh students were selected as one of the top six projects in the 40th annual Tulare County Science & Engineering Fair. Aguilar and Marquez Gonzalez will advance to the California Science & Engineering Fair next month in Los Angeles along with five other Tulare County students.

The Science & Engineering Fair was held on Saturday along with the annual STEAM Expo. This year, 85 students in elementary, middle, and high school worked to create 55 projects, applying the scientific method to explore issues in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth & Space, Engineering & Mathematics, and Behavioral & Social Sciences.

The Tulare County students advancing to the California Science & Engineering Fair are:

Angela Aguilar and Edwin Marquez Gonzalez
Alpaugh High School
“Restoration California Dairy Lands/Capinero Creek”

Caylen Wong
Westfield Elementary School, Porterville
"Filter Face-Off"

Abrielle Solmantil
Westfield Elementary School, Porterville
"Angles in the Air"

Jose Dorado
Summit Charter Intermediate Academy, Porterville
"Ocean Clean-Up"

Madeline Phan
Three Rivers Union School
"What's the Squeeze"

Joseph Landucci
Westfield Elementary School, Porterville
"Pervious Concrete"

A complete list of winners is available at tcoe.org/STEAMExpo/fair/results.

Photos above:

~ This year, students participating in the Science & Engineering Fair created 55 projects that explored real-world issues in a science fields.

 ~ Students who created the top six projects in the Science & Engineering Fair will advance to the state competition next month in Los Angeles. 

Last week, the Tulare Kings College and Career Collaborative (TKCCC) hosted its inaugural CTE Celebration to Honor Educators and Industry Champions. Eighteen Tulare and Kings county professionals were honored at an event that coincides with National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. The honorees included 15 local CTE teachers and college faculty, and three industry professionals, who have shown unwavering support for CTE in the region.

This year’s outstanding TKCCC CTE Instructors and Faculty are:

Rachel Bradley, Hanford Joint Union High School District/Hanford West High School
Guadalupe Capozzi, Lemoore College
Brian Carlson, Woodlake Union High School
Andrew Duffek, Tulare Joint Union High School District/Mission Oak High School
Randy Emery, College of the Sequoias
Emily Flynn, Burton School District
Misty Gann, Lemoore High School
Diana Garcia, Visalia Unified School District/Redwood High School
Jane Kisling, Porterville Unified School District/Granite Hills High School
David Lucero, Orosi High School
Shelly Lyons, Exeter Unified School District
Martha Macias, Dinuba High School
Aurora Martinez, Corcoran Joint Unified School District
John Olmos, Porterville College
Nancy Wills, Lindsay Unified School District/Lindsay High School

The 2025 TKCCC Industry Champions are:

Dr. Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, Sierra View Local Health Care District & Medical Center
Alexandra Martin, Valley Strong Credit Union
Donnette Silva Carter, Tulare Chamber of Commerce

The Tulare Kings College and Career Collaborative is a partnership of the Tulare County Office of Education, Kings County Office of Education, and high school districts in the two-county area.

With over 700,000 students enrolled in CTE pathways statewide, these programs play a vital role in providing hands-on learning opportunities and leadership development for students. CTE pathways equip students with the skills needed for high-wage, high-demand jobs, breaking the cycle of generational poverty and fostering economic growth, particularly in rural communities.

Last week, Educational Resource Services hosted the Best Results for English Learners event, bringing together nearly 200 educators for a day focused on supporting newcomer students.

Guest speaker Efraín Tovar delivered an engaging presentation, sharing valuable strategies and practical tools to help educators better meet the needs of their students. Tovar is a Central Valley teacher who founded @CAellchat, a global professional learning social network for teachers who teach second language learners, and the California Newcomer Network, which connects, equips, and empowers California educators working with newcomers. 

Participants walked away with a deeper understanding of how to create inclusive, supportive learning environments that foster success for English learners.

For additional resources, trainings, professional networks designed to support English learners, visit tcoe.org/ers/eld.

Last Saturday, six Tulare County high school wrestlers finished their seasons as medalists at the conclusion of the CIF State Wrestling Championships held at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.

Winning his school’s first individual state championship was El Diamante High School junior, Chris Creason. Competing in the 157-pound bracket, Creason defeated Leo Contino (Buchanan High School, Clovis) in a 4-1 decision. He is the 14th wrestler in Tulare County history to win an individual state championship.

Also for the boys at state, Caleb Rivas (120 pounds) of Mission Oak in Tulare placed seventh. Dominic Wilson (215) of Tulare Union placed eighth and finished his high school career as a three-time state placer.

For the girls, AlexAndrea Corona (120) of Monache in Porterville became the school’s first-ever freshman medalist with a fourth-place finish. Audrey Segura (145) took seventh and finished as four-time state placer. Kayliegh Fernandez (105) of Visalia’s Golden West placed eighth. Fernandez and Corona also helped lead Golden West and Monache, respectively, to CIF Central Section Division Championships.

Photos above:

~ Chris Creason of El Diamante High School in Visalia, is recognized as the winner of the boys 157-pound championship match at the CIF State Wrestling Championship held at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield. Photo courtesy of Manny Santoyo

~ AlexAndrea Corona (120) of Monache High School in Porterville, was the highest place finisher for Tulare County girls at the state championships with a fourth-place finish. Photo courtesy of Manny Santoyo

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Juliana Davidian, Brittaney Quinonez, Kelley Petty, Paula Terrill, Therese Arnold, Bill Davis, Sandi Cahill

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