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May 2000 News Archive

News Archives

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Sarah Solter Receives Multiple Awards for Academic Excellence

Sarah Solter, a senior at Dos Pueblos High School (DPHS), has been awarded the following academic scholarships:

Sarah’s exceptional academic record, potential as a leader and role model, and commitment to study in the areas of science and technology were cited for her selection of these prestigious awards.

Sarah is currently president of the DPHS Math Club. She has also been active in the school’s Peer Mediator program. Sarah is a National Merit Scholar Finalist and will attend Stanford University in the fall. She is planning to major in computer science.

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

La Colina’s California Endangered Species Quilt

Culminating a yearlong collaboration, students at La Colina Junior High created a unique tribute to California’s endangered species animals: they created a quilt. The collaboration involved students, teachers, and parents and coordination between the school’s science and health classes. It began during the 1998-99 school year, when teachers of 7th grade science and health classes received a $700 grant from the Santa Barbara County Education Office to conduct special learning opportunities and create a California endangered species quilt. The recently completed quilt is currently on display in the La Colina library.

Initially, the students researched a California endangered species animal in their science class. Then, they chose an animal and did research in the library to learn about the animal’s habitat, food sources, and reasons it became endangered.

In health class, students created a drawing of their species as well as a written message calling attention to the animal’s plight. Students then transferred their design onto fabric and stitched a quilt square. During the fall of 1999, parents helped assemble the quilt.

Plans are currently underway to have the quilt on display throughout the community before being auctioned off next year at La Colina Junior High School’s annual open house.

Providing support to this project were teachers Becky Riley (health), Kristi Manion (health), Ron Pembleton (science), Peggy Lubchenco (science), and David Marchetti (science).

La Colina Junior High School is located at 4025 Foothill Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Math Superbowl Results

On May 10, 2000, 279 students from 28 local schools in grades 4, 5, and 6 traveled to the Santa Barbara County Education Office for the 19th annual Math Superbowl. The students competed individually and as grade-level teams. They answered multiple choice questions and tackled group problems and hands-on activities. Young mathematicians from the Santa Barbara Elementary School District had an exceptionally strong academic presence in the competition:

Overall Score of Elementary District Teams. As a school team, Washington Elementary School earned first place with 460 points overall and Peabody Charter School earned third place recognition with 453 points overall.

Grade-Level Results. When the grade-level results were tabulated, Washington’s 4th grade team earned First Place honors. Their 6th grade team came in third. Peabody Charter School’s 4th grade team took Second Place honors, the 5th grade team took Second Place, and the 6th grade team took Sixth Place.

Individual Results/Washington Elementary School.

Individual Results/Peabody Charter School.

Individual Results/Harding Elementary School.

Individual Results/Roosevelt Elementary School.

Individual Results/Santa Barbara Charter School.

Wednesday, May 24, 2000

Take a Teen to Kennedy Space Center Assembly at San Marcos High

On Thursday, May 25, 2000 at 12:30 p.m., California’s First Lady, Mrs. Sharon Davis, and representatives of Boeing Company will speak to an assembly of San Marcos High School students. They will talk about the recently established Take a Teen to Kennedy Space Center program.

Sharon Davis
 California’s First Lady,
 Mrs. Sharon Davis

In 1999, the Boeing Reusable Space Systems, in conjunction with California Governor Gray Davis, began the Take a Teen to Kennedy Space Center program as a means to motivate students to learn about the U.S. space program and encourage them to pursue careers in math and science.

The idea for the program arose during California First Lady Sharon Davis’ visit to the Boeing Company’s annual Educator Enrichment Day program. She and Boeing executives discussed how Boeing and the Governor’s Office could work together on educational issues. Mrs. Davis suggested sponsoring an essay competition on "What the U.S. Space Program Means to Me." Boeing agreed to sponsor a three-day trip to Florida and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

At Mrs. Davis’ request, last summer California legislators nominated more than 300 high school student participants from throughout the state. The nominees were students from their district who demonstrated a high level of academic success and interest in the areas of math and science. A panel that included Mrs. Davis and members of the California Legislature selected eight winning students, based upon their essay submissions and their outstanding academic performance. San Marcos student, Paul Allyn, was one of the eight teens selected to participate. His essay was entitled "Discovering the Unknown."

This trip, held in mid-January, provided students with the opportunity to experience first hand the science and technology of the U.S. Space Program. Kennedy Space Center highlights included tours of the International Space Station Processing Facility, Space Shuttle Orbiter Processing Facility, Space Shuttle Main Engine Assembly Facility, Shuttle Launch Complex 39, the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Center, and Astronaut Crew Quarters, where they met with a group of NASA astronauts. Students had the opportunity to visit NASA’s Space Camp, designed to simulate astronaut training facilities. As part of the Space Camp, the teens were able to experience a simulated moon environment (with one-sixth of the Earth’s gravity) and a "zero" gravity environment.

The Take a Teen to Kennedy Space Center competition is currently underway. The application deadline is May 31. Plans are to expand the program to ten student participants in 2001.

Monday, May 22, 2000

Goleta Valley Junior High School and Dos Pueblos High School Receive 1999-2000 National Blue Ribbon School Recognition

Today, the U.S. Department of Education listed 40 California public and private secondary schools in the lineup of 1999-2000 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Originally, 377 schools from throughout the nation were nominated for the honor and, ultimately, 198 were selected. Goleta Valley Junior High School and Dos Pueblos High School are two of the schools included in today’s posting on the Department of Education Web site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/BlueRibbonSchools.

Blue Ribbon logoGoleta Valley Junior High School, located at 6100 Stow Canyon Road, serves the needs of 887 students in grades 7 and 8. The school was established in 1964. Dos Pueblos High School, located at 7266 Alameda Avenue, serves 1,884 students in grades 9-12. Dos Pueblos was established in 1966.

Upon learning of the national designation, Santa Barbara School Districts’ Superintendent Deborah Flores said, "The quality of our secondary schools is exceptional and we are very proud that Goleta Valley Junior High and Dos Pueblos High School were both selected in this prestigious national competition." Dr. Flores went on to add, "Blue Ribbon selection speaks highly of the positive learning opportunities and educational environment at both schools. We congratulate the staff, parents, and students, as well as the business and community partners of Dos Pueblos High and Goleta Valley Junior High!"

Dos Pueblos Principal Dave Cash said of the distinction, "Blue Ribbon recognition is a tremendous statement about the level of academic excellence that has existed for a number of years at Dos Pueblos High School." He went on to add, "Clearly, this is a wonderful moment in time for Dos Pueblos High School. It [the rigorous selection process] has been our opportunity to reflect upon our academic programs and continue to move forward into the 21st century."

An elated Principal Nan Madson stated, "National Blue Ribbon designation is a great honor for our school, our community and our District. This recognition reflects years of parent, staff, and community investment in Goleta Valley Junior High School. I hope that past parent groups, former Principal Dave Cash, and former students of this outstanding school are out there sharing the pride that we, on campus, feel at this moment. They helped build the foundation that we enjoy and celebrate today."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982. Since its inception, almost 4,000 school have been recognized. It was created to recognize highly successful school-parent-community partnerships, exceptional levels of academic leadership, noteworthy teaching and teacher development, rigorous school curriculum, and outstanding student performance on measures of achievement.

In order to be considered for Blue Ribbon status, schools must be nominated by state education agencies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Council for American Private Education. Blue Ribbon consideration focuses on elementary schools one year and secondary schools during alternate years.

This academic year, forty-nine California public secondary schools, including Dos Pueblos High and Goleta Valley Junior High, were nominated for the program. In mid-January, their applications – which included a rigorous self-study of every facet of operation – were assessed by a national review panel. A two-day site visit by a national reviewer took place in March. The self-study required many hours of staff time and input. Principal Madson stated, "All staff contributed to what was an exhaustive writing process. I would like to extend a special thanks to Gerry Sottak, our library media teacher, who led the assessment and proposal writing team. Also, Carol Soltysik was an invaluable support to this project."

"The application process helped us focus on our strengths as well as areas for improvement," noted Principal Madson. She went on to add, "Areas of considerable strength are our math and science programs. With students performing at outstanding levels in local and state competitions, we know we are on the right paths in those areas. Additionally, our performing arts and technology programs have provided exceptional learning opportunities for students. With 250 computers on campus, one for every four students, we utilize technology to appropriately deliver curriculum. Reading will continue to be a schoolwide goal. In fact, four classes of developmental reading are expected to raise the scores of all of our students. Literacy is the cornerstone of education and an important asset is the library. Our students benefit from a dedicated, professional library media teacher and a library that is the hub of our school’s literacy efforts."

Each school will send a representative to Washington, D.C. in the fall to accept recognition plaques and a Blue Ribbon flag for their school.

Monday, May 22, 2000

Sara Holms Returns from RespecTeen National Youth Forum

Goleta Valley Junior High School student Sara Holms was recently chosen as the California representative to the 12th annual RespecTeen National Youth Forum in Washington, D.C. The conference, sponsored by the Lutheran Brotherhood, a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, took place April 29-May 4, 2000. The Youth Forum is intended to assist teens in understanding the legislative issues that affect them and the role that they, as citizens, can play in addressing those issues.

The Youth Forum is designed for students in grades seven and eight. Using curriculum provided by the organization, students are encouraged to learn about how their government works and then submit a letter to their U.S. Representative on issues that concern them. According to Ellen Albee, Director of the RespecTeen National Youth Forum, letters were judged by a panel of educators based on quality and clarity of thought, argument, supporting data, expression, sincerity and originality. Sara’s letter addressed the issue of National Endowment for the Arts.

Fifty-one applicants are selected annually to attend the Youth Forum, one from each state plus the District of Columbia. This year, the Youth Forum attendees were chosen from a pool of 10,000 applicants.

Of the experience, Sara said, "It was amazing. I got to talk members of Congress. I came back with great respect for their staff. I realized that their staff does a lot to keep them [members of Congress] informed about their district and the issues ."

Friday, May 19, 2000

Cleveland Elementary Students to Sample Career Opportunities

Cleveland Elementary School will conduct Career Day 2000 on Monday, May 22nd. Career Day, which may become an annual event, is designed to provide young children with an exciting way to learn about a variety of careers.

At 8:45 a.m., Cleveland’s 530 students in grades K-6 will gather in the school’s playground for an opening ceremony. Vehicles from 12 agencies will be on display on the playground, including: ambulance, mail truck, cement truck, parking enforcement vehicle, fire truck, military vehicle, police car, street maintenance vehicle, lifeguard vehicle, etc. Each agency’s vehicle will be staffed by a representative who will answer student questions.

Additionally, several professionals will conduct 20-minute classroom "seminars," talking to students about their jobs and answering questions. Presenters will include an aerophysicist, chef, dancer, basketball coach, photographer, dentist, grocer, author, nutritionist, and representatives of the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The presenters have been encouraged to talk about how they became interested in their field of work; education, skills, and training necessary for their job; the role of math, reading, writing, and science in their work; demonstrate, where applicable, the tools of their profession; outline a typical work day; outlook for future employment in their profession.

Career Day will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

Cleveland Elementary School is located at 123 Alameda Padre Serra.

Thursday, May 18, 2000

McKinley Elementary, Washington Elementary and the Santa Barbara Community Academy are Recipients of the First Annual Governor’s Reading Award

According to the Office of Governor, 400 public schools in the State were selected to receive cash awards as part of the Governor’s Reading Award Program for the 1999-2000 school year. In a press released issued yesterday, the Governor was quoted as saying, "Last year, I challenged kids to read more pages than ever before and I established these awards to pay tribute to those students who rose to the challenge. I am proud to announce today that more schools and more students have responded to the challenge of higher expectations than I ever dreamed possible."

During the six-month program, which began October 15, 1999, and ended on April 15, 2000, more than 400,000 students from throughout California read a total of 689,465,287 pages. Teachers maintained reading logs and principals monitored teacher tally sheets as part of the program requirements.

Locally, three Santa Barbara Elementary District schools contributed to the success of this program: McKinley Elementary (1,190,882 pages), Washington, Elementary (1,394,212 pages), and the Santa Barbara Community Academy (263,036 pages). These three District schools are among the 400 public schools that will each receive a $5,000 in discretionary funds. Santa Barbara Elementary School District principals Beatrice Powers (Washington), Juanita Carney (McKinley), and Tim Quiroz (Santa Barbara Community Academy) plan to use the funds to further literacy efforts at their respective schools. The Reading Award Program, part of the Governor’s Elementary School Intensive Reading Program, was funded through a $2 million allocation established in AB 2X (Mazzoni, 1999). Indications are that the Governor hopes to continue the program next year and may even increase the number of awards granted.

Thursday, May 18, 2000

Leeches, Medieval Fashions, Henna Painting and Jugglers are Part of the Santa Barbara Junior High Renaissance Fair

Santa Barbara Junior High will hold its second Renaissance Fair on Friday, May 19, 2000, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Fair activities will take place in front of the the main building, located at 721 East Cota Street. The area will be clearly visible as pennants, banners, flags, and trumpeters welcome students in grades 6-8. Food booths will be part of the event.

Gerrie Fausett, Santa Barbara Junior High principal, reports that the Renaissance Fair fosters two important objectives:

  1. demonstrate part of the 7th grade social studies curriculum in a manner that is educational, informative, and fun;
  2. provide an opportunity for incoming 7th grade students to participate in an activity at Santa Barbara Junior High.

Students from Santa Barbara Junior High feeder schools (Cleveland, Roosevelt, Peabody, Franklin, Cold Spring, Washington, Montecito Union) have been invited to attend.

Santa Barbara Junior High 7th graders begin the academic year studying world history, and finish their spring course work with the Renaissance. In keeping with their studies, all 7th grade students and teachers are involved in planning and implementing this event. Highlights will include various demonstrations and hands-on activities such as: Renaissance fashion show, sword fighting, calligraphy, jugglers, and magicians. There will also be an area focused on medieval medical practices. Students will be able to observe leeches while they are feeding. They will also conduct leech races (the leech "racers" will have unique monikers, such as Sir Lance-A-Clot, Sir Slug of the Swamp, Count Dracula of Tranfusia, King Ventral, etc.).

Some booths will require a ticket. Tickets will be $.25 each.

The public is invited to attend.

Tuesday, May 16, 2000

Kliman Essay Results in Honorary Membership to SPAACSE

Dos Pueblos High School senior Daniel Kliman was recognized as the first place runner up for the George R. Faenza Scholarship, awarded by the Society of Performers, Artists, Athletes, and Celebrities for Space Exploration, Inc. (SPAACSE). As first place runner up, Kliman received an honorary membership to SPAACSE. The scholarship committee focused on two areas: (1) an essay entitled "Why the United States needs a space program," and (2) the contributions the applicant has made to space education.

Following is Daniel Kliman’s essay. In mid-May, SPAACSE will include the essay in materials to be shared with members of Congress and the Senate.

Kliman’s space education activities focused on research aimed at developing agricultural techniques that will successfully allow astronauts to grow a healthy food supply, using biological organisms as an alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. Additionally, Kliman’s work on the Mars Petition was recognized by the George R. Faenza Scholarship committee. The petition calls for a global commitment to placing humans on Mars by the year 2015. The petition was embraced by space enthusiasts and placed on the worldwide Web in early December.

Daniel Kliman is slated to begin Stanford University in the fall. He has been admitted as a President’s Scholar. As part of his invitation to attend Stanford, Kliman has been offered an Intellectual Exploration Grant which will enable him to pursue unique research opportunities.

Why the United States Needs a Space Program
Daniel Kliman

Today the United States stands at a crossroads in history. We are the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth, a land of entrepreneurs and advanced technology, a country fully prepared for the challenges of space exploration. The choice – whether we shall embrace this challenge, or choose an easier path - will decide our place in the 21st century. Only through a strong, visionary, space program can we realize the opportunities this new frontier holds.

Space represents a new field of exploration, an infinite, inexhaustible West where new ideas and cultures can flourish. We are a nation built by pioneers, men and women who traveled through forests and desert, or sailed across stormy oceans in search of a better life. Their sweat and toil gave rise to a new dynamic country whose prosperity we now enjoy. For most of our nation’s history, these pioneers carried the torch of exploration, a torch that will be reignited as we push outward into the unknown. The American space program is a fitting way to honor their memories and uphold the legacy of exploration so important to this country’s character.

The new century we embark upon will be dominated by science and technology. The United States has been at the forefront of discovery throughout much of its history. Space exploration will generate unprecedented numbers of scientific advancements, as we are forced to overcome the many technological difficulties inherent to pushing back any frontier. One of the great questions of our age is that of life in the universe. This question can only be answered through a vigorous space program capable of sending humans beyond earth orbit. Without continued space exploration, our country will lose the mantle of scientific leadership.

The commercial potential of space is boundless. Already the satellite industry is a multi-billion dollar undertaking, and space related technologies and materials benefit every aspect of our lives. Microgravity factories, asteroid mining, and the construction of human settlements – both in earth orbit and on Mars – promise fabulous rewards to any country or company willing to take the initial risk. The endless natural resources of space will also prove vital as we exhaust the earth of metals necessary for modern civilization. If the United States ignores this commercial frontier, we will find ourselves excluded from one of the greatest economic expansions in history.

The exploration of space will serve to inspire America’s youth, a generation whose talents are vast, but lie dormant for lack of challenge. Space exploration represents a unifying event that will draw forth the best in us. The challenges of space will test and strengthen my generation’s courage and ingenuity.

The many potentials of space exploration dwarf even the sheer distances that must be crossed. America’s space program will allow my generation our chance at greatness as we voyage forth into this new frontier.

Friday, May 12, 2000

Graduation Schedule

Wednesday, June 14, 2000

Thursday, June 15, 2000

Friday, May 12, 2000

La Colina Student’s "Journey" Reaches State Level of PTA Reflections Program

Motivated by the theme, "Anything Is Possible," La Colina Junior High student Thomas Myers composed "Journey," a poem for the annual PTSA Reflections competition. Over a period of several months, "Journey" won at the unit, council, and district levels* of the competition. As a district-level winning entry, "Journey"was submitted to the state level of the PTSA Reflections program.

According to Cindy Emery, La Colina Junior High PTSA Reflections chairperson, "Reflections is a cultural arts program developed in 1969 by the National PTA to interest children in grades preschool to 12, parents, teachers and communities in the arts. The main purpose of Reflections is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works." Emery continued, "The arts are an important part of every child’s education. Each year a new theme is selected allowing students to explore their thoughts and feelings through creativity and interpretation. The theme must be reflected in the student’s work and clearly related in the title or subtitle of the entry. This year’s theme was ‘Anything Is Possible.’ Entries can be submitted in the area of visual arts, literature, photography and music."

The La Colina panel of judges were: Ed Inks, faculty member/artist from Santa Barbara City College; Camilla Cohee, education reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press; Dean of Music David Rosenboom, CalArts.

Following is the winning poem:

Journey
by Thomas Myers
October 1999 

Once upon a dreary day
In the middle of the fall
When the sky was a lonesome gray
With nothing to do at all. 

I was lifted off my feet
And an eagle I became
Soaring along golden rainbows
Majestic and untamed. 

Then a swift and fatal dive
Plummeting down from space
And in an instant
A dolphin took the eagle’s place. 

I swam and played
In the ocean light
Jumping freely
The sun so bright. 

I strayed too close to shore
And was beached upon the land
Then I became a small crab
Digging beneath the sand. 

I dug a maze of tunnels
A labyrinth of ways
I alone knew the path
And others would be there for days. 

But I reached the surface
And I was feeling blue
For I was to be squashed
Instead I turned into the shoe. 

I walked the sandy shore
And climbed the mountain up so high
Gazed upon the sunset and
Colors of the sky. 

The night swept in I lost the path
And could not find the way
So I became the shadow
Dark mysterious and gray.

I crept along the alleys
And everything that saw me squealed
I caught a ride on the underside
Of a truck that drove through a field.

The sun is coming up again
And I will fade away
Then I am myself again
As I was just yesterday.

Was it all a dream?
All the changing and the fun?
Or was it all real?
Could it all be done?

Friday, May 12, 2000

Monroe Educator Wins Coveted Crystal Apple

Ruth Van Dyne, kindergarten teacher at Monroe Elementary, was recently recognized by Venoco, Inc. and the Santa Barbara County Education Office as the Crystal Apple 2000 Outstanding Elementary Teacher-South County.

According to Venoco, Inc., Ruth Van Dyne exemplifies the finest qualities of an outstanding teacher for the following reasons:

"In 1967, a young educator, Ruth Van Dyne, came west to Santa Barbara to begin a teaching career. She brought with her a gift and a passion for working with primary age children. As she began working with kindergartners, the passion she carried inside became more focused, and evolved into a vision that was to consume her and anyone that came into her world. It was a vision that encouraged children to explore and risk, that included the disadvantaged the limited English speaker, and the special needs and at-risk children. Most importantly, it brought the parents into the education process. Ruth’s gifts, talents and leadership in early childhood education have been recognized by UCSB and Westmont College, where she serves as a respected master teacher.

The quality we all admire in Ruth is her great sense of humor. It rubs off on friends, colleagues, parents and students alike. It is the fabric that clothes her vision and fuels her passion."

Friday, May 12, 2000

District’s Content Standards Information Recognized as a California Gold Winner

On May 5th, the Santa Barbara Elementary School District’s Content Standards information (brochure, posters, video, report card, etc.) received Second Place recognition in the California Gold category at the California School Public Relations Association’s "Communications Workshop."

Thursday, May 11, 2000

Neal Abello is 2001 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Educator

Recently, County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone named the 2001 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Educators. One of the two individuals named was from the Santa Barbara High School District: Neal Abello. Distinguished Educators comprise a category formed to acknowledge outstanding teachers in the County’s Teacher of the Year awards program.

Abello, a biology teacher, has served at Dos Pueblos High School for the past 18 years. He received a B.A. in history from the University of Delaware and an Masters in Biological Sciences from U.C. Santa Barbara. Prior to his assignment at Dos Pueblos High School, he taught biology and AP biology at Santa Barbara High. Abello has served as a technology mentor for the District for three years. He has also served on the Dos Pueblos High School Technology Committee.

Neal Abello’s previous recognitions include: Hughes Excellence in Mathematics/Science Education Award; the Cox Cable Award for a trip to the Amazon Rainforest; School Watch Excellence in Advanced Placement; the U.C. San Diego Award of Excellence; principal’s nominee for Radio Shack Science Award; PTA selection as an Honored Teacher; inclusion in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Dave Weaver, a counselor at Dos Pueblos, shared the following words about Neal Abello: "His use of hi-tech video/computer equipment to enhance his teaching started long before most of use even knew such things were available. While challenging the advanced placement student, he strives to provide multiple ways for the average student to learn...Over the years he has developed a reputation of being one of the best science teachers as well as one of the most demanding. Neal creates an atmosphere of scientific inquiry that is also interesting and fun."

Thursday, May 11, 2000

Measure V Bond Oversight Committee

A Measure V Bond Oversight Committee has been formed and will be meeting monthly. The first meeting is May 17 at 7:00 p.m. The Superintendent will chair each meeting. Members of the Bond Oversight Committee are: District Office representatives Mike Couch, Robert Gonzalez, David Hetyonk; school site representatives Larry Vranish, Moe Claydon, Otto Layman, Robert Hubbell, Ramona Marten, Gerrie Fausett, Ann Fischer; parent representatives Nancy Harter, Karen Kegg, Tomaso Falzone; community representatives Mirna Ramos (Latinos for Better Government), Roger Himovitz, Jean Blois (Taxpayers Association).

Tuesday, May 2, 2000

Santa Barbara Junior High Students are Academic Rodeo Champions

The pressure was on and Santa Barbara Junior High School students met the challenge over the weekend at the annual "Youth in Action Academic Rodeo," held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds during the 2000 Santa Barbara Fair and Expo. Established in May 1998, this academic competition is open to local public and private junior high/middle school students and organized youth groups. Teams can be composed of no more than six members and no fewer than four members. This year’s "Youth in Action Academic Rodeo" took place on Saturday, April 29th.

This was the first year of participation for Santa Barbara Junior High’s team, who went up against a defending team from La Colina Junior High School and a team from Goleta Valley Junior High School. The La Colina and Goleta Valley teams came in second and third, respectively.

The following students represented Santa Barbara Junior High: 8th graders Albert Aumentado, Zach Beiley, Morganne Suding, Sarah Wise; 7th grader Zev Weiss. Linelle Glass, SBJHS library media teacher, was the team advisor.

There were three fast-paced rounds in the Academic Rodeo competition:

  1. each team was given four minutes to answer 20 questions from one of four randomly selected categories;
  2. as part of a Jeopardy-like round, the students simultaneously answered questions from a wide range of subject areas such as literature, mathematics, science, history, sports, entertainment, arts;
  3. an old-fashioned spelling bee.

Four team members participated in each round.

The team with the highest cumulative point total is declared the winner. The First Place team received a trophy, $500 for their school, and the right to represent their community at the event finals, which will take place on August 12, 2000, at the Ventura County Fair. The Second Place team was awarded $300 and the Third Place team was awarded $200.