Cawston Elementary students introduced to exciting future possibilities
From Hemet Unified School District:
Cawston Elementary School Flag Friday on October 5, 2018, progressed as each assembly has in the past. Parents came to take pictures as students were recognized for following the code of conduct and exhibiting the positive qualities of being respectful, honest, and safe.
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Students were given Brag Tags for being honest, certificates for completing lessons and challenges, and classes were recognized for the average class attendance rate. The assembly was following the same Hemet Unified School District timeline as the assembly before. That is, until Counselor Aida Sandoval stepped up to the microphone to introduce College Kickoff!
Cawston Elementary students recently enjoyed an exciting program designed to teach them about the importance of college and planning for the future. HUSD photo
Mrs. Sandoval explained to students the importance of education. She explained that after their time at Cawston, the majority of them would move on to Rancho Viejo Middle School, and then to Tahquitz High School.
She explained to them that after high school students could go to college to continue their education. She explained that their educational journey, which has begun at Cawston, will lead them to various opportunities.
She then asked for the Tahquitz High School cheerleaders to join her on the blacktop. The cheerleaders ran out smiling and clapping as they greeted the students.
“They are little ones so the entertainment value really hits home for them,” said Sandoval. The Tahquitz cheerleaders performed a dance routine complete with stunts and gymnastics. Sandoval said combining a fun performance while providing a message about college and how fun the educational journey is, will be more impactful if students are having fun at the same time.
Students gasped as the cheerleaders were tossed in the air, clapped as they performed complicated gymnastics, and danced where they sat as they watched the performance.
After the Tahquitz cheerleaders performed, Aida took to the stage again and invited two of the cheerleaders to join her. The students explained what Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is and talked about the importance of taking the PSATs and SATs.
At this point of the program, a few students came up to the microphone to announce what they would like to be when they grow up. Career fields varied from an illustrator to a veterinarian. Students were then taught about high school commencement and what the meaning of the cap, gown, and tassel are.
Tahquitz High School cheerleaders joined the event, much to the delight of the young students. HUSD photo
Students were then asked to join in as the entire crowd sang the chorus of a college version of “In My Feelings” by Drake. The chorus was changed to “Comets are you reading, are you writing, are you down with the knowledge? Cause I need you, and I want you to go to college!”
Preceding the event, students witnessed a dance battle between the Tahquitz Titan and Bennie the Bengal from Riverside Community College.
“It is important as educators that we encourage our students to think and get excited about school, especially at an early age. Planting the college seed early enlightens our students to strive, to be successful, and to have a positive outlook on their future.”
Thank you to Aida Sandoval, the Cawston Elementary School staff, Tahquitz Cheer Coach Sarah Peterson, and the Tahquitz cheerleaders for creating such a positive event for your students. It was an event they are surely going to remember!
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Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.