North County School News, Feb. 11

CARLSBAD

YES virtual meeting set for next week

The Youth Enrichment Services (YES) group holds a virtual meeting at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 18. Cyber educator Jon Moffat will present the latest information on TikTok and Discord. Resources, links and grant information will be included. Email reshelman@carlsbadusd.net for meeting links.

DEL MAR

District offers webinars on language program

The Del Mar Union School District has scheduled parent information webinars regarding its Spanish Language Immersion Program in kindergarten and first grade. To apply for the program, parents or guardians must attend one of the webinars. All DMUSD students will have equal access to the Spanish Language Immersion Program via a lottery, regardless of a student’s school of residence. The webinars will include information about long-term goals for the program, research supporting the benefits of biliteracy, the parent commitment requirement, application and enrollment details, and lottery information. Applications will be available only after parents have attended a Parent Information Webinar. Registration for all new students begins April 12. The next webinar is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at this Zoom link: delmarschools.zoom.us/j/82772040669. For future dates and other details, call Instructional Services at (858) 755-9301, ext. 3697, or visit dmusd.org.

ESCONDIDO

Art scholarship program taking applications

Graduating seniors enrolled in any Escondido-based high school can apply for the 2020-21 Art Scholarship Program sponsored by the Escondido Art Association. First-place winner receives $500; second place, $250; third place, $150; and two honorable mentions, $50 each. Students must fill out an entry form; obtain a letter of recommendation; write an essay; and submit three pieces of artwork (at least one original). Scholarship materials are available from scholarship coordinators at the high schools, as well as at escondidoartassociation.com. Submit completed packages to the Artists Gallery at 121 W. Grand Ave. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27, or from 4 to 6 p.m. March 1. Winners will be notified by March 3. Call Scholarship Committee co-chairs Rosemarie Woldin, (760) 743-6634 or Carol Crisci, (760) 745-3585.

NORTH COUNTY

Don Diego Scholarships open for applications

The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation will be offering $73,500 in 2021 college scholarships to 26 outstanding students who live in the San Diego area and have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Scholarships are offered in several categories, and individual awards range from $1,000 to $20,000. Scholarships are also awarded to several 4-H or FFA participants in the fair’s Junior Livestock Auction. Two $2,500 Vocational Education scholarships will go to qualifying students who wish to pursue an associate degree or certificate. Application deadline is midnight March 29. Details and applications are at www.dondiegoscholarship.org.

Canyon Crest music educator wins award

Music educator Amy Villanova of Canyon Crest Academy will be honored with the 2020 California Music Educators Association Byron Hoyt/Don Schmeer Band Educator Award, the top award honoring excellence in instrumental education and performance in California. Those eligible include music educators in public and private schools, colleges and universities. Villanova is the coordinator for instrumental music, wind ensemble, orchestra, chamber orchestra and jazz band at CCA. She is the first educator in the San Dieguito Union High School District to receive the award since it began in 2000. Villanova will be publicly honored Feb. 18 at a virtual event with the All-State Music Education Conference hosted by the CMEA. The 2021 California All-State Ensembles will perform, which include students from CCA, Carmel Valley Middle School, Earl Warren Middle School, Pacific Trails Middle School and Torrey Pines High School.

Writers Conference set for this month, next

The 10th annual Canyon Crest Academy Writers Conference will be held Feb. 20-21 and March 6-7. Each day features a keynote speaker and several award-winning authors presenting workshops on topics including how to start a story, character work, writing authentically about diversity, college essays and poetry. Last year’s conference attracted more than 300 middle and high school students. Register for this year’s free online event at ccawritersconference2021.weebly.com. Registration is required to receive the conference links.

Black College Expo will be held virtually Feb. 18

High school students across San Diego County can connect from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 with representatives from historically black colleges in the fourth annual virtual San Diego Black College Expo. Some students will even get on-the-spot college admissions and scholarships. The San Diego County Office of Education sponsors the annual event with the National College Resources Foundation. Live seminars include: How to Find Money for College, How to Start a Business, Why Attend an HBCU, and 411 for the Student Athlete. Representatives from about 50 historically Black colleges and universities will be available to consult with students. The expo seeks to educate all students about historically Black colleges and universities. Students and education professionals can register for free at hopin.com/events/black-college-expo-san-diego.

PFLAG program taking scholarship applications

PFLAG San Diego County announces its 24th year of academic scholarships available to LGBTQ high school seniors continuing on to higher education, or full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Since 1998, PFLAG San Diego County — a nonprofit organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents, families, and allies — has awarded more than 140 scholarships totaling more than $280,000. Applicants must be county residents and meet scholarship criteria. Selection is made based on demonstrated commitment to the applicant’s chosen field, financial need and academic achievement. Awards will be made via Zoom on June 5. Minimum scholarship amounts are $2,000. Visit http://www.pflag.com/scholarships.

P.E.O. offers loans, programs for students

The nonprofit P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) has helped more than 113,000 women pursue educational goals by providing nearly $366 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans and the stewardship of Cottey College. The P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund makes loans available to qualified women who desire higher education and need financial assistance. Loans are available at reasonable interest rates: $12,000 for associate and bachelor’s degree programs, technical or professional training, and post-graduate certifications; $15,000 for master’s degrees; and $20,000 for doctoral degrees. The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education provides one-time assistance up to $3,000 to women whose education has been interrupted and who must return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment. To apply for these and other financial opportunities for next academic year, contact Sharon Gher at SharonGher@yahoo.com or Marsha Ostertag at Marsha.Ostertag@gmail.com. Visit https://www.peocalifornia.org.

Scholarship applications open at NICU

North Island Credit Union invites college-bound students in San Diego County to apply for its 2021 College Scholarship Program. The credit union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize Southern California students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities. College-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible. Criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay. Learn more and apply at northisland.ccu.com/scholarship2021. Deadline is March 26.

Gregg Garon Scholarship seeks soccer players

Gregg’s Goals, a local nonprofit, is seeking qualified applicants for the 2021 Gregg Garon Scholarship. The scholarship was created in memory of Garon, who grew up in Penasquitos and played soccer for Mt. Carmel High School, as well as the Penasquitos and Poway soccer clubs. The scholarship aims to encourage young soccer players to continue their education after high school. Eligibility criteria include playing or having played soccer for a high school or club in north San Diego County, a high school GPA of 2.5 or greater and plans to continue post-high school education or training. It is open to young men and women who will be graduating in 2021. In 2020, Gregg’s Goals gave out nine scholarships of $2,000 each, and has awarded more than $88,000 in scholarships over the past 10 years. Learn more and find applications at www.wwggd.org. Contact Dennis or Maryanne Garon at wwggd68@yahoo.com.

Cyber Cup Challenge registration open

The SoCal Cyber Cup Challenge, designed to promote student interest and skills in cybersecurity in the region including Imperial, San Diego, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is open for registration. This is a free opportunity to enhance students’ hands-on cybersecurity knowledge. This year’s challenge runs from Monday through May 31, organized through National University, Palomar College, NDIA San Diego, and other area colleges. Students from middle schools, high schools, community colleges and universities are eligible to participate, along with their coaches and mentors, who receive specialized training to prepare them for the contest. Registration closes March 15 at cyberskyline.com/events/socalccc.

POWAY

Del Norte High student wins speech contest

The American Association of University Women Poway Peñasquitos branch held its third annual speech contest for high school students Jan. 30. Four students spoke on the topic, “Has social media helped or hindered the breaking down of barriers for women and girls?” Vidhi Kulkarni from Del Norte High School won first place and will represent the branch in the state semifinals in March. The top three semifinalists from throughout California will compete in the state convention in April. For more about this statewide contest and/or joining AAUW, email aauwboard@gmail.com.

Students selected for honor ensembles

Ryan Whitson

(Courtesy photo)

Poway High School senior Ryan Whitson has been chosen to perform in the virtual All-National Honor Ensemble for the National Association for Music Education. Ryan was also the only student chosen from San Diego County for this group. A bass trombonist, Ryan is a member of the PHS Emerald Brigade Marching Band, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band and pit orchestra. He performs under the direction of Mike Cook and Sylvester Sybilski, PHS instrumental music program directors. Another student, Wally Stenson of the San Diego Children’s Choir, was chosen for the 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles Mixed Choir. The All-National Honor Ensembles are made up of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, and modern band. Each ensemble creates a final recorded performance that will premiere online during NAfME Music In Our Schools Month in March. Visit nafme.org.

SOLANA BEACH

District logo contest closing soon

The Solana Beach School District invites the community to create a new logo reflecting its “Memorable Mission: Where learners find their voice, share their gifts and advance the world.” The logo should reflect the district’s mission and work well in color and black-and-white designs. The contest deadline is 4 p.m. Feb. 19. Email logo to logocontest@sbsd.net. The winner will be announced March 11. Visit sbsd.net.

Send items to ncschools@sduniontribune.com at least two weeks in advance of events.