On March 13 at the Judge’s Breakfast in Clearlake several groups of students and staff from the Konocti Unified School District presented, giving an outline of what student life is like on campus.
Nikki Sabatier, Principal of Obsidian Middle School, graduated from Lower Lake High and began her career in education as a teacher at KUSD, working her way up to principal. She presented alongside the Leadership Class comprised of five students who work together in order to provide the best on campus student life possible for themselves and their peers. Working on various student projects, the group was most proud of a recent installment of outdoor workout equipment. Much like the workout equipment located at Austin Park in Clearlake these fitness additions are inspiring to the kids as the group agreed it was nice having something outside to be active with as the middle school does not have a playground structure.
Carle Alternative Education high school Principal Tara Bianchi introduced their Leadership Class composed of four students, Saphera Edwards, Faith Roofener, Jazmin Lovely, and Dylan Neuharth. This group shared their recent accomplishments in celebrating Spirit Week, where they encourage students to participate in the celebration of their school with entertaining activities like arm wrestling with sheriffs, twin day, and rap battles. This type of student involvement is made possible only with help, as Lovely noted “We are part of an amazing community.”
Students from the Lower Lake High School Associated Student Body (ASB), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Cheerleaders, and Upward Bound groups were introduced by Principal Airic Guerrero, who has worked as an educator in Lake County for over 20 years. Students from Upward Bound shared their enthusiasm for the program, which has helped qualifying students attain their college goals by providing access to schools as well as programs that ease students in their transition to secondary schooling since 2009. Detailing some of the different trips they have gotten to take to different college campuses as Mia Garcia shared “It’s a really big experience for some of our students… for some it was their first plane ride.”
The LLHS FFA representatives shared some of their exciting news as two of their members have achieved their State Degree, the highest award one can receive. They have also been competing in public speaking competitions as well as their participation in the upcoming State Conference in April.
The Cheer Team was represented by three students, some of which were also representing the ASB. The Varsity Cheer Team discussed their recent performance in Disney World in Orlando Florida, which according to one student was “a very exciting experience for them all.” The students shared how proud they were to be able to don their LLHS uniforms on Disney turf, representing their tiny hometown. The group is currently fundraising in order to travel for more performances.
The ASB group shared some of the behind the scenes work they do for the student body, including running social media outlets in order to spread awareness of these on campus events. Most recently they advertised a Pi Day competition, a fun event that challenged students to memorize and recite as much of the numeral known as Pi (3.14159) that they could. Top placing students were awarded a large pizza while the first place overall winner got to throw a pie in the principal’s face. Ninth grader Dax Stevenson took first place reciting an astonishing 230 decimal places.
The Judges Breakfast is held every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. at the Clearlake Highlands Senior Center. The breakfast is open to all and although full breakfast is available purchase is not required for participation.
