Mount Madonna graduating seniors, back row, left to right:

Mount Madonna School announced Jonji Barber as its 2007 senior
class valedictorian; and Emily Crubaugh as the 2007
salutatorian.
MMS Announces 2007 Speakers

Watsonville – Mount Madonna School announced Jonji Barber as its 2007 senior class valedictorian; and Emily Crubaugh as the 2007 salutatorian. The two students earned the distinction is based on hard work and focused effort, edging out their peers at the small Central Coast school known for strong academics, performing arts and producing volleyball champions.

Barber, who lives in Watsonville, will attend the University of California at Davis this fall. Located in the heart of the Central Valley, U.C. Davis was originally established as the University Farm in 1905, and then in 1959 formally enrolled as a U.C. campus. With its prominence in the biological, physical and engineering sciences – and its distinguished programs in agriculture and environmental sciences – UC Davis continues to maintain a strong reputation as one of the nation’s top public research universities.

Crubaugh, a Corralitos resident, will head to the East Coast to attend American University in Washington, D.C. The concept of establishing a great “national university” in the nation’s capital city was an idea proposed by George Washington during his lifetime.

It came into being a century later, when in 1893 American University was established by an Act of Congress.

Since its inception, AU’s mission has been to train young people for future public service. Today it is known for educating students who want to understand – and influence – how the world works.

In addition to Barber and Crubaugh, Mount Madonna School’s Class of 2007 includes 12 other students. They are listed below with their college choices:

Alexander Crawford, Soquel, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo; Daniel Nanas, Aptos, University of California, Davis; Madeline Weston-Miles, Morgan Hill, University of California, Davis; Jeremy Thweatt, Santa Cruz, University of Redlands; John-Nuri Vissell, Aptos, Lewis & Clark College, Portland; Kristen van’t Rood, San Martin, University of Arizona, Tucson; Luke Sanders-Self, Santa Cruz, University of California, Santa Cruz; Mark Hansen, Watsonville, Santa Clara University; Naomi Magid, Aptos, University of San Diego; Nina Castanon, Morgan Hill, Lewis & Clark College, Portland; Prabha Sharan, Watsonville, Cabrillo College, Aptos; and Tom Shani, Corralitos, Cogswell Polytechnical College, Sunnyvale.

St. Mary’s Students Bid Farewell

Gilroy – Eighth-grade students at St. Mary’s School will say good-bye to middle school when they graduate today. The festivities start with a Baccalaureate Mass at 10:30am in the church on the corner of First and Church streets. The 31-student class will take part in the service and the school’s younger students will bid farewell to the graduates by forming an honor guard outside the church. At 6pm, graduates will receive diplomas and scholarships during a two-hour ceremony, also held in the church.

Buy Plants, Help Gilroy High School

Gilroy – Horticulture students at Gilroy High School are hosting a plant sale from 8am to 1pm June 2 at the high-school greenhouse behind the football field. Vegetables, annuals, perennials and color bowls will available for purchase. Proceeds support the horticulture program.

Las Madres New Members Brunch

Gilroy – Las Madres will hold their Annual Brunch from 11am to 1pm, Saturday at Goldsmith Seeds, 2280 Hecker Pass Highway and meet local moms and moms-to-be.

Las Madres is a nonprofit network of neighborhood playgroups where members find friendship, support and helpful information, as well as an opportunity for their children to make friends their own age.

Italian Festa and Charity Benefit

Hollister – The third annual Italian Festa and Charity Benefit will be held from 10:30am to 6pm, Saturday at Casa De Fruta. Authentic Italian food, dancing and Italian games including bocce ball will entertain guests.

Adults pay $35 and children younger than 12 pay $15. Children younger than 5 are free. The donation includes a meal and dancing.

Details: (831) 638-1742

Ducks Unlimited Celebrates

Gilroy – The Gilroy chapter of Ducks Unlimited will celebrate 30 years of fundraising with this year’s dinner June 5. This year, the annual event will be held at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, 2951 Club Drive. Doors open at 6pm with dinner served at 7:30pm. A live auction and raffle will follow featuring unique Ducks Unlimited items as well as many items donated by local supporters. A special raffle for youth members will be held . Proceeds are used to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl.

Details: Pat Knowles at 472-8106, Dennis Springgay at 847-4682 or Tom Chavez at 710-9995.

Gavilan College Fly Fishing For Fun

Morgan Hill – A “Fly Fishing For Fun” event will be held from 10am to 1pm, Saturday June 9, the Morgan Hill Community Center, 17060 Monterey Road. Cost is $30 plus $15 for equipment rental and a booklet.

Details: 847-2514 to register

Give Blood and Help Save Lives

Gilroy – The next blood drives will be held from 1:30 to 6:30pm Monday, June 14, at Community Church Hall, 8455 Wren Ave., and from 10am to 3pm Saturday, June 23 at South Valley Church Hall, 8095 Kelton Dr.

Details: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to www.BeADonor.com (Code: GILROY) , to schedule an appointment.

Enjoy Bird Walk Along Coyote Creek

Morgan Hill – A series of bird walks led by Jane Haley, a National Park Service docent for 20 years and Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center volunteer, continues from 9 to 11am June 16 along Coyote Creek, north of Morgan Hill. These walks are not recommended for young children. The programs are free, space is limited and reservations are required.

Details: 779-9372, or visit www.werc-ca.org.

Elks Lodge Classic Car Show

Gilroy – The Elks Lodge presents its 4th Annual Classic Car and Truck Show from 11am to 3:15pm, June 16 at 2765 Hecker Pass Highway.

A special invitation is extended to all autos and trucks built prior to 1977. Entrance fee is $35 which includes a lunch ticket and a T-shirt. Send entry prior to June 7 to guarantee T-shirt.

Enjoy food, music and family fun.

Details: 842-9397

Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail

ed****@ga****.com











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