This Week on the Central Coast
Local publications by students, a sixth-grade inventor, and pets for adoption
Two schools are producing publications tackling social justice issues
(NSHS article, Cabrillo College article)
The Japanese Honor Society of North Salinas High School will publish its second book, called “Our American Stories (Volume 2)”, featuring stories of students’ families immigrating to America. The book, which is currently only in Japanese, was originally intended to be an outlet for students to write about their own experiences, but with recent national crises, it has become much more. “Our American Stories” offers a perspective into another life, which their teacher, Cameron Chien, hopes will enlighten others: “If we can start seeing through other people’s lenses, we can hopefully cut down on these unnecessary tragedies.”
The Watsonville branch of Cabrillo College has also been producing local art from its English 1B class. Their publication, called “Xinachtli Journal” (“Journal X” for short), is a type of magazine that includes poetry, art, essays, and short stories that bring attention to current issues in social justice, diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, cultural identity, and much more. The class serves as an editorial board, reading over submissions from across the nation and interviewing authors for the publication. Rebecca Garcia, a Watsonville City Councilmember, will be featured in the upcoming second edition. Like, Chien, she believes that “writing is artistic, but it can also serve to heal.” When talking about the students, she said: “Whether they write for art or write to heal, I hope Journal X will motivate them.”
“Our American Stories (Volume 2)” is available via Amazon
Xinachtli Journal Vol. 1 is available for free on the Cabrillo website. You can find more information on Volume 2 there, as well.
Watsonville student selected for national invention competition
A student, Maxx Davis, at Ceiba College Preparatory Academy has qualified to compete at the Raytheon Technologies invention convention U.S. Nationals 2022. His invention is focused on ocean cleanup and features a net to catch floating debris paired with a sinking magnet to gather trash on the seafloor. The competition is at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan from May 31 to June 3, 2022.
Ceiba Preparatory has sent a student to the nationals three out of the four years it has offered the invention program. Ceiba Prep’s goal is “to ensure every student graduates from a four year university” and serves students from low-income families.
Davis received a scholarship to cover the cost of his registration and hotel, but his family still needs help to join him on the trip. The family created a GoFundMe to achieve this and has since met their goal.
Hitchcock Animal Services is at overcapacity
Hitchcock Animal Services, a Salinas animal shelter, has seen an increase in the amount of pets surrendered post-pandemic. The shelter says larger breeds, including Pitbulls, Huskies, and Shepherds, are more commonly surrendered and is offering a 50% discount on those breeds.
Cats have also been surrendered at a much higher rate and the shelter anticipates it to grow within the year.
Anyone who is considering surrendering their pet is encouraged to contact the shelter before doing so. The shelter is offering help by “assisting with neutering, Citronella collars to help with barking, dog houses, fencing and more.”
I couldn’t find an official website for the shelter, but their Facebook page has plenty of information. A separate page has pictures of all the pets available. Dog breeds mostly consist of Bullies, Shepherds, and Huskies, but smaller breeds include Chihuahuas and Jack Russel mixes.