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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 12, No. 8
Grant to enrich after-school arts by Justin Lafferty
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February 24, 2012
The spirit of seniority
Staff Writer As art programs across the country fall victim to budget cuts, Antioch’s Delta Academy for the Performing Arts is bucking the trend and looking to expand. Delta Academy recently received a $20,000 grant from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation, a major Bay Area arts philanthropic organization. Lead teacher Rob Seitelman plans to use the money to enhance the academy’s after-school program, in which students plan, rehearse and perform plays. Delta Academy recently concluded a run of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and is already preparing its next show for the end of March. “We’re thrilled and absolutely honored that Lesher would support us and the work that we’re doing in East County,” Seitelman said. “It’s truly remarkable that we’re able to provide this for our students and that Lesher is able to support us in
Devin Beard, a student at Delta Academy for the Performing Arts, performs the improv game “Kitty Wants a Corner” during class.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
that work.” Housed at Deer Valley High School, Delta Academy takes students through a high school curriculum focused on the arts, but draws from several foundations to ensure a complete education. The school is one of Antioch Unified School District’s linked learning academies, such
as the Deer Valley Law Academy and Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, which incorporate career preparation into the four-year curriculum. Through these academies, students can receive a well-rounded education while preparing for their chosen careers. For instance, students performing Shakespeare’s “Romeo
and Juliet” would look at the play’s language and plot from the perspective of English literature, the family relationships from a psychological perspective, and the poison Romeo drinks from a biological perspective. The approach is working. Del-
From fitness to facilities to self-defense, our Senior Living section celebrates the classiest of classes. Page 1B
War hero laid to rest A survivor of the World War II Bataan Death March died recently at the age of 93. Page 17B
Taking it to the iron
see Grant page 15A
Surprise for returning Army veteran by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Staff Sgt. Jon Adams is congratulated by Lt. Col Bill Carter, who has just presented the Knightsen resident a Purple Heart for being wounded in Afghanistan. For a slide show of Adams’ welcome-home celebration, log on to www.thepress.net.
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It’s not an easy thing, sneaking up on a sniper. But if you thought it couldn’t be done, you might have underestimated the power of a mother. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Adams, a Knighsten resident and Liberty High School grad, returned from his most recent deployment to Afghanistan last month. He was greeted at the airport and escorted home by the Warrior Watch Riders, just like dozens of other service members in recent years. The appreciative Adams figured the celebration ended as the last bike roared out of sight.
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Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed is a national finalist in a grant competition.
He was wrong. On Sunday, as he enjoyed dinner with family and friends at a local restaurant, the roar returned, louder than before. Nearly three dozen motorcycles, emergency vehicles and police cruisers rolled in, horns and music blaring, to surprise Adams and whisk him away – in a limousine – to the Antioch VFW Hall. Waiting there were more than 100 grinning, flag-waving patriots, including Lt. Col. Bill Carter and Maj. Eric Sharyer. The two officers had a special reason for attending. Wounded by an improvised explosive device last year, Adams had subsequently returned home on emergency see Veteran page 15A
Grand duty
go to news/press releases The county is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury service.
Deer Valley’s hardcourt warriors tip it off tonight in the NCS playoffs. Page 17A Arts ....................................... 7A Business ............................... 6A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 12B Cop Logs ............................ 18B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty .............. 11B Milestones ........................ 17B Opinion ..............................16A Senior Living ...................... 1B Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
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A baseball pro and Antioch native hit a home run with local fans.