Schools

Two weeks ago, the annual Vacation Bible School camp was held at St. Benedict's Church. More than 200 youths and young adults from various schools in Hollister from preschool to high school students participated in the camp. I had a chance to participate as a member of the camera crew. Whether they were campers, teen leaders or station leaders, everyone joined in the fun activities going on throughout the entire week. The theme of the program was Kingdom Rock, which was reminiscent of the times of kings, queens and knights in shining armor. Every day the campers learned various ways to “Stand Strong” in difficult situations, which was the sub-theme of the program.

San Benito High School junior Jasmine Rosales Castillo will be spending part of her summer at Stanford University, after being selected for the prestigious institution’s eight-week Summer Session Horizon Scholars program. Rosales Castillo earned the residential scholarship opportunity designated for low-income, high-achieving incoming high school...

Since 2008, Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics has provided $1,000 scholarships annually to five high school seniors from area high schools. This year, they doubled the amount of the scholarships to $2,000. Recently receiving scholarships were Cecilia Souza of Gilroy High School, Kianna Quinones of Christopher High School...

David Kaplansky was on a recruiting trip when he walked into the Humboldt State University gymnasium in the summer of 1996. The only person there was a man dripping with sweat wearing board shorts and beat-up sneakers. Of course, it was Gene Cotter.

The night before 11-year-old Joshua Rodriguez died in Monday’s accident—when a bus struck his bicycle on Memorial Drive—he had stayed over at the home of best friend Cody Cordova.

Hollister School District maintenance crews recently fabricated and installed stair railings at Rancho San Justo Middle School in an effort to enhance safety.  District staff members made the improvements in an outdoor area where there is a large section of stairs at the Hollister site....

If leukemia has taught Hollister resident Jose Rocha anything, it's that cancer teaches a kind of empathy that helps him understand other people. Rocha, 18, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia nearly five months ago. Since his diagnosis on Valentine's Day, Rocha experienced great acts of kindness and unkindness that left him wondering why people behave the way they do.