Hartnell to honor two alumni during commencement ceremony

Gary Tanimura and Jeff Nessen Schmidt will be honored as this year’s Distinguished Alumni during Hartnell College graduation ceremony on May 27 at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.

Tanimura will be the commencement speaker and Schmidt will be recognized posthumously.

This honor is conveyed to former students of Hartnell College who have made significant achievements in their field or in service to the community.

Gary Tanimura, vice president of production at Tanimura & Antle, graduated from Hartnell College in 1969 with an associate’s degree. He has remained involved in the college and is a founding member of the Ag Steering Committee and was President of the Foundation Board. Jeff Nessen Schmidt graduated from King City High School in 1941 and attended Hartnell College (then called Salinas Junior College). In January 1942, a few days after turning 18, Jeff enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He went on to attend the University of Texas and Midshipmen's School at Columbia University, and was the top student in his M.I.T. Radar Academy. Jeff ended the war studying at Bowdoin University in Maine and returned to California to earn his engineering degree from U.C. Berkeley. Mr. Schmidt died on January 2. For more information about the 2016 commencement for Hartnell College, click here.

MPC refinances one of its bonds, saves money in the long run

Monterey Peninsula Community College District officials have refinanced a portion of its bonds to get lower interest rates. Which means that taxpayers will end up paying less for them in the long run.

The bonds will now carry an interest rate of 2.8 percent, down from 5 percent. The rate will begin in 2017 and will continue until 2034. By refinancing its bonds, college officials say they have saved the community about $30 million since 2005.

“The Measure I Bonds have literally transformed our Monterey campus and allowed the district to serve our communities better by adding centers in Marina and Seaside," College President Walter Tribley said in a statement.

Approved in 2002, Measure I brought $145 million into MPC that was used to renovate old facilities and build new ones. Some of the projects financed were the renovation of the pool, the students services center and the Marina campus.

Math pays for Will Calciano during the Mathletics competition

Will Calciano of York School earned the $1,000 Richard Morgantini Scholarship for being the top-scoring student taking the advanced calculus exam during the 48th annual Mathletics Competition Saturday, May 14, at Salinas High School.

Mathletics is a math contest held annually to encourage excellence in math, and recognize the achievements of individual students and the schools they represent.

Nearly 300 upper elementary, middle and high school students from 36 Monterey County public and private schools participated in the event, which tests students in one of ten levels: fifth grade math, sixth grade math, seventh grade math, eighth grade math, integrated math 1, integrated math 2, algebra 2, math analysis, calculus AB and calculus BC.

First, second, and third place winners in each level received an Olympic-sized medal and gift card. In addition, top-scoring schools for each of the ten tests were awarded certificates.

More than 100 students were recognized for the top-scoring abilities, be it with a medal or an honorable mention. You can get the full list of the winners here.