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In this eUpdate:
More SIATech News
SIATech Treasure Island VEX Robotics Team Earns First Place
by Khristel Johnson
 On Saturday, November 7th, the Treasure Island Pirates VEX team competed in Fairfield, CA at Vanden High School. The "Pirates," previously called the Dragons, entered the competition as novices but left as winners. The Vex robot "Bob" (affectionately named after one of our mentors) performed well enough to be selected as one of the top seeded VEX teams for the semi-finals. The Treasure Island robot played strategically and effectively. The experience was a first for all our students and a lasting one, as the Treasure Island Pirates went on to take first place in the finals!
Winning first place could only be topped by the first place attitude and gracious professionalism the Treasure Island Team members displayed throughout the competition. They did us proud! The TI Pirates are moving on and look forward to our next challenge at the San Ramon Valley Vex Competition on December 12th! Go Treasure Island Pirates!!!
Khristel Johnson is the principal of SIATech Treasure Island. The Treasure Island Pirates and other SIATech Robotics teams have been invited to participate in the VEX Robotics competition at the Reaching At-Promise Students National Conference in February 2010. Click here for more info.
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Job Corps' 45th Anniversary
Celebrated at Centers
SIATech Students Participate with Fellow Job Corps Trainees
Fred Acosta Job Corps Center students and staff combined efforts with the United Way, on September 16th, for its Days of Caring event to clean up the Freedom Trail, clearing away debris and overgrown branches from the community trail.
Inland Empire Job Corps Center placed second in the Route 66 Rendezvous: Grill-To-Grill Culinary Cook-Off and the $300 prize money was donated to the San Bernardino Salvation Army.
The Miami Job Corps Center served their community by painting trade painted several blocks of homes in the Brownsville community. The homes belonged to elderly citizens in economically challenged neighborhoods. The project was a partnership between MJCC and Neighborhood Housing Services South Florida.
The Sacramento Job Corps Center’s 45th Anniversary event was celebrated with an Open House. The center also gave service this quarter with the facilities maintenance trade working on a 2-week community project with Sacramento Ronald McDonald house painting houses in the community. The cement masonry trade worked on a project at Antioch Progress Church, digging the foundation for and pouring 44 yards of concrete for a vault slab designed to divert ground water away from the complex.
This information was posted by the National Job Corps Association. More information on centers' 45th Anniversary activities can be found here.
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Erik Bose Elected President of the New Mexico Association of Secondary School Principals
SIATech Albuquerque Principal
Embodies Educational Leadership
 Congratulations to SIATech Albuquerque Principal Erik Bose! Mr. Bose is the new President-elect for the New Mexico Association of Secondary School Principals and will also serve as a board member for the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators. This is an exciting opportunity for Mr. Bose to share best practices with his peers as well as represent the perspective of educators working with at-promise students. As part of this new role, Mr. Bose recently traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the organizations' Leadership Conference. Pictured above is Principal Bose with the U.S. Senator from New Mexico, Tom Udall.
Mr. Bose has been with SIATech Albuquerque since its opening and has worked in several roles at this award-winning program. After spending time as a Social Studies / English teacher, Mr. Bose served as Assistant Principal for four years before being promoted to Principal of the school.
Thank you to Curt Szarek, Business Manager, for sending the news tip.
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SIATech's New Principal Honors Former Principal with Appreciation Garden
by Lesly Diaz
 SIATech at Homestead Job Corps Center has a new principal, Ms. Andrea Loring. In the time since she arrived, she has consistently looked for ways to make a difference. “I’ve heard wonderful things about the outgoing principal Ms. Marjorie Lopez and want her work here at SIATech to be honored. Hence, the idea for the Marjorie Lopez Appreciation Garden. The colorful flowers in the garden will be a beautiful way to say thank you to Ms. Lopez,” stated Ms. Loring.
Students, staff and community members joined together to make the Garden a reality. Dr. Marvin Dunn, local historian and urban gardener, contributed his time to teach the students about landscaping. A hand-painted mural frames the garden. The mural was painted by students under the direction of Mr. Collie Coats, Recreation Specialist and a well-known artist on Center.
In response to this heartfelt gesture, Ms. Lopez wrote to Lesly Diaz: "Thank you for highlighting the amazing work that Ms. Loring and the SIATech students have put forth to beautify the Homestead Job Corps Center. Ms. Loring has certainly made a positive difference in the short time she has been here and I know she will continue to do wonderful things. The fact that she attached my name to the garden is near and dear to my heart. I appreciate the attention you have given this project as it is well-deserved."
Shown in photo: Giovanni Hernandez and (right) Victor Ubieta are proud to work on planting the Marjorie Lopez Appreciation Garden in honor of their former principal, Marjorie Lopez, founding principal of SIATech Charter High School at Homestead Job Corps Center.
Lesly Diaz in the Business and Community Liaison at the Homestead Job Corps Center.
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Long Beach Student on the Path to Success through Hard Work
by Jose Estrada
 Brian Madden is a student who works very hard everyday in class. He is a student that is reliable, hardworking, and who is on track to complete and graduate from the high school program at SIATech High School, Long Beach. Brian is a student who is an ideal student. He is an ideal student because he is a student who respects himself, his peers, and his mentors. He is a student who can be trusted, a student who will help his peers, and a student who gives it one hundred percent everyday. He attributes his determination to his family; his grandmother in particular.
Growing up, Brian Madden did not have it so easy. His life took a twist for the worst when his mother was sent to prison. He described it as a time where everything became confusing in his life. This event did not only hurt him, but it had a life-changing experience for his siblings and him. He was sent to a foster home. It was not too long before his grandmother took them into her custody away from the foster home system. Brian Madden described it as a time where his siblings and he felt a sigh of relief. But it was not long before they were back in the foster home system for many reasons. Life felt as if it was a rollercoaster to Brian; he felt his life was taking a turn in the wrong way. He felt lost, confused, and scared, so Brian began to hang out with a crowd that was not so positive.
Brian knew he had to change. He knew that if he wanted to be successful, he would need a new approach to life. After his mom was released, he joined Long Beach Job Corps. Since his arrival, he has changed his outlook of life. Brian makes sure that everyday is a hardworking day. He sees his schooling like a job. He needs to be on-time, he needs to work hard, and he needs to be successful with his work. Since day one, Brian has shown charisma, strength, intelligence, and a mindset that will take him far into success. Brian deserves recognition this month because not only does he deserve it, but he fights hard for it.
Jose Estrada is a social studies teacher at SIATech Long Beach.
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Jacksonville SIATech Alumnus Gives Back
Graduate Motivates Current Students
by Juliette James
 One of our past students graduated and joined the Navy. His name is Israel Gonzalez and he completed SIATech Jacksonville in February 2009.
A couple months ago he came back on center to speak to the students at the morning business meeting and gave a great motivational speech on his experience here at SIATech. He shared how SIATech and Job Corps impacted his life because he is doing what he dreamed of doing.
Israel also gave kudos to Mr. Hayeck, our Social Studies Teacher for his assistance and encouragement. He received a standing ovation. Israel is schedule to be aboard the Aircraft Carrier - USS George H. W. Bush CVN77 out of Norfolk, Virginia.
Juliette James is the administrative assistant at SIATech Jacksonville. Thank you to Juliette and Principal Michael LaRoche for sharing this story.
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