Local teacher earns Crystal Apple
San Juan School teacher Julie Castaneda-Hicks last week received the Crystal Apple award from Salinas television station KSBW-8.
The teaching veteran, who has more than 20 years of experience, teaches an intervention reading and language arts program called “Read 180.” She received the award during school from KSBW anchor Dan Green and a representative from Dole Fresh Vegetables.
The Crystal Apple is presented to outstanding teachers in the tri-county area.
Castaneda-Hicks was nominated by her colleagues, Shawna Picha-Freitas and Cindy Lerma.
“Julie’s dedication to San Juan School, her students and the Read 180 program as a whole, is evident in her teaching,” Picha-Freitas said. “With primarily English language learners in the program, Julie is responsible for giving these students the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the future. Julie Castaneda-Hicks is well deserving of this award and we salute her.”
Jessica Aguirre named Miss American Coed
Jessica Aguirre, from Downey, was crowned the National Miss American Coed Victory 2012 Nov. 24 in Orlando at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. Aguirre is the daughter of Thomas and Teresa Aguirre. She is the niece of Jessica is the niece of Bob and Mary Castellano, and cousin of Lisa De La Cruz, of Hollister.
Her triumphant walk across the stage was just the beginning of a journey that will take her to every corner of the country during her year of service as Miss American Coed Victory 2012. She plans on attending charity events, award banquets and speaking to audiences about her platform “Get Involved” in which she promotes community service and giving back to others.
Aguirre is a 21-year-old student at California State University, Fullerton. Her scholastic ambition is to be a community services director. Along with the title of Miss American Coed Victory 2012, she also won overall photogenic in her division and a scholarship to continue her education.
American Coed Pageants annually holds state pageants for the purpose of recognizing and rewarding outstanding young woman between the ages of 3 and 24 for their past and present accomplishments and to encourage them to set and achieve high goals for the future. Aguirre qualified to attend the national competition by placing as a top finalist in the annual Miss Southern California Coed Pageant for 2011. Since 1983, millions of dollars in cash awards and prizes have been presented to outstanding girls at the state and national competition.
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