BIRTHDAY: Eliodora Rios: Eliodora “Lola” Rios, longtime resident of Gilroy, turned 91 April 4. She was born in Del Rio, Texas, in 1921, and moved to Gilroy with her late husband, George Rios, and their 11 children in 1971. She enjoys her garden and spending time with her family.
At 91, Eliodora has 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
HONORS
Locals named to Dean’s List at Biola University
The following local residents were among 1,371 students named to Biola University’s Fall 2011 Dean’s List for academic excellence:
• Chelsea Hill, Gilroy
• Geralyn Moon, Gilroy
• Katie Whittaker, Gilroy
Biola students are placed on the Dean’s List to honor those with a grade point average of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 of more credit units and whose cumulative grade point average is at least a 3.2. This past fall, 33 percent of Biola students achieved this academic goal.
Biola’s grade point average requirement for the Dean’s List is one of the highest among Southern California Christian universities.
Michael Garcia
Army Pvt. Michael Garcia has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Garcia is the son of Dolores and Benny Garcia of Hollister and a 2010 graduate of San Benito High School.
Matthew Dickson
Army Pvt. Matthew K. Dickson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Dickson is the son of Debbie and Brian Dickson of Gilroy and a 2009 graduate of Gilroy High School.
Elodia Benitez
Elodia Benitez, of Gilroy, was recently selected to compete in the 2012 Miss Jr. Teen San Francisco pageant on April 29. Benitez will compete for her share of prizes and scholarship money with other young women 7 to 19, showing off their formal wear, personalities and interviewing skills.
