In addition to a Gates Millennium Scholar, Everett Alvarez has a Questbridge scholar

One of the things I love about covering education is how much of an education I get on a regular basis.

For instance, I've never heard of the Questbridge scholarship before. This week I found out about it, thanks to Yasmin Marquez, a Everett Alvarez senior who just became a Questbridge scholar.

A Questbridge scholarship is not as generous as a Gates Millennium scholarship (awarded this year to two North Salinas High students and another from Everett Alvarez -- see my story here) but I would not say 'no' to it. It's worth over $200,000 for four years, and it covers room and board, travel, books, with a combination of federal grants and other assistance. Students have to be matched with a top university that will accept them, and Marquez will be attending the University of Southern California.

Marquez is a first generation student. At Alvarez she earned a 4.428 GPA and has participated in  volleyball, theatre, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Puente Club, Interact Club, Math and Science at Alvarez (MASA).

"Over the summer, in my community, I volunteer as a tutor for the migrant education program. Also, I participated in the CHAMACOS Youth Community Council, and I helped plan Ciclovia Salinas, totaling approximately 420 hours of service in my community.

She plans to major in Business Administration and Public Policy, and she plans to return to Salinas to help improve the community.

Love my fellow Trojans. Fight on!

Everett Alvarez teacher Jordana Henry flanked by scholarship winners Rebeca Escamilla and Yasmin Marquez

Salinas student wins Central Coast Writers short story contest

Victoria Mazariegos, a senior at Millennium Charter High School in Salinas, is the top winner in the first Central Coast Writers short story contest for Monterey County high school seniors. Mazariegos won $500 for her story, “The Boy Who Found His Ears,” the tale of a deaf boy who discovers refuge, solace and hope in a graffiti-covered freeway underpass.

Congratulations to Victoria and her parents, Eduardo and Silvia Mazariegos. Victoria plans to attend the UC-Davis in the fall with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

The short story contest of the Central Coast Writers is designed to encourage and inspire the next generation of creative writers, as well as to carry out its mission of educating writers of all ages and interests. Open to all Monterey County high school seniors, the contest awarded over $1,000 in prizes and was themed around a photograph of a graffiti-covered tunnel taken by member Ken Jones.

Judging was conducted by members of Central Coast Writers with backgrounds in either education or publishing, and was based on the overall quality of the writing, the development of the story, and the mechanics of writing. Retired educator and College Board consultant Leslie Patiño was the contest chair.

Other awards included:

Second place—Katharine Tinney, Salinas High School
Third place—Jenna Garden, Salinas High School
Honorable mentions—Sheldon Ozaeta, Millenium Charter High School; Andrea Resendiz, Greenfield High School; Tatjana Tam, Carmel High School

The winning stories are posted on the Central Coast Writers website,

Congratulations, writers! Write on!

Leslie Patiño and Victoria Mazariegos

A big hug to all Monterey County teachers!

Many thanks to everyone who heeded my call and nominated a wonderful teacher to celebrate on National Teacher's Day. As it's often the case, only one could be picked for the honor, but I wanted to give a shout out to other teachers who are also wonderful.

Here's my honorable mentions. Drum roll, please!

May Higuera, 2nd grade teacher at King School in Seaside.

Higuera works very hard to make sure that students gain a love of reading. She writes grants so she can buy books to give to students and their families, and has spearheaded "Read Across America" for over 20 years -- did I mention "Read Across America" is my favorite education holiday? As part of her efforts, Higuera hosts Family Reading Night at King,  a very special event that compliments her efforts to increase literacy in her school.

Paul Karrer, 5th grade teacher, Castroville Elementary School

Paul is the type of teacher that is not only greatly concerned for the well being of his students, but also for the well being of his fellow teachers. He has an amazing rapport with his kids, and does a lot for and with them, even to jogging around the field with them during their P.E. time. He keeps in touch some of his former pupils. Paul's also a great writer, a frequent contributor to the Herald's opinion pages, where he shares his expertise about the world of education.

Teri Flanders, social studies teacher at Los Arboles Middle School in Marina

It is usually one teacher who makes History Day happen in those schools that participate, and Teri appears to be it for Los Arboles, She does a lot of the heavy lifting because she wants the kids to have an opportunity to do the research, write papers, make presentations -- in other words, to have a rich educational experience.

Ruben Pizarro and Jose Gil, Alisal High.

It's not just the teaching that makes them beloved. Pizarro and Gil -- who happen to be brothers-in-law -- devote countless of hours outside the classroom to mentor students -- not just their own students, but from all over the city. Pizarro founded the Dream Academy a few years ago to expand his students horizons through travel, and Gil founded the Gil Basketball Academy to provide youth with an after-school hoops program. Both programs are extremely successful.

I'll keep other nominations in my pocket for features in the very near future. Stay tuned.