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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
June 3, 2005
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MDES makes history at its 50th anniversary JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
They danced to popular 50’s tunes. They ate Fuddrucker’s hamburgers and hotdogs under a canopy of old rock’n’roll LP’s. They dressed in classic 50’s attire with poodle skirts, pink scarves tied in ponytails and tight black peddle pushers. Hundreds wore the commemorative tee shirt designed by MDES third grader Tyler Connel. As he looked around at all the people wearing his design, he smiled and said “outstanding.” The more than 900 people that attended the Mount Diablo Elementary School’s fiftieth birthday party had a blast. At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 20, the school bell tolled and lured birthday guests to the front of the school where MDES’s time capsule waited to be lowered into the ground, not to be opened again until 2055.
See MDES, page 3
Pete Cruz/Clayton Pioneer
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY OFFICIALS PREPARE TO BURY MDES’S TIME CAPSULE, not to be opened until 2055. Roger Bylund, assistant superintendent, Anne Eggelston, MDES vice principal, Mayor Gregg Manning, MDES Principal Linda Schuler and incoming principal Linda Hutcherson.
Clayton rewards graduating seniors JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton based businesses and organizations once again
recognized deserving young Clayton graduates with scholarships to help with their college tuition. The Clayton Business and Community Association,
GREGG MANNING
MAYOR’S CORNER The future looks bright for Clayton As the school year comes to a close, my thoughts are on the future. Some media outlets portray today’s students as stoned slackers. If you are having a “down” day this might lead you to believe that there is little hope for the future. However, as I reflect on a number of positive events occurring in the recent weeks, I have great hope for the future. CBCA SCHOLARSHIPS I recently served on the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) Scholarship selection committee. The candidates were all well qualified. They were not only smart, all achieving high grades and SAT scores, but they were also well rounded with participation in sports, community activities and tutoring of other students. These are the future leaders of not only this community, but of our state and nation. No matter what any of these students do in the future, they will bring positive attention to our town. You don’t hear much about them because they are not making “news.” They are just going
See Mayor, page 8
CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP chair Linda Bingham, Nicole Budesa and DVHS principal John Neary.
(CBCA) the Clayton defense in the Mock Valley Woman’s Club, Trial Club and she was a the American member of Senior Association of Service, organizing University Women three blood drives at and Council member Northgate. A varsity Pete Laurence member of the offered scholarships Northgate’s Women’s to Clayton seniors. Golf team, Lauren was Lauren Fong LAUREN FONG named Student received $3,000 from Humanitarian of the the CBCA to help further her Year by the Contra Costa education at Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. University where she plans to The CBCA also awarded major in Engineering. Lauren $2500 to Kelly Scroggs who will attends Northgate High School attend California State and was active in a number of University, San Louis Obispo extracurricular activities includ- (Cal Poly) in the fall majoring in ing President of the Northgate’s Aerospace Engineering. She was Best Buddies Club, which pairs a Clayton Valley High School students in special education (CVHS) CSF Seal Bearer and with other students at the high See Seniors, page 19 school. She was also captain of
Crowds lined Main Street to honor and remember those lost in war
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
VETERANS of the Lt. Jerry Novakovich Post 1525 retire the colors as the 14th Annual Memorial Day Observance draws to a close.
Claytonians were out in force Monday to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the service of their country. Veteran, Dave McDonald received a standing ovation from the audience as he shared painful memories of his experience in the Korean war. McDonald was near tears as he recalled the 6000 Koreans and Americans who were lost in in the General Van Fleet Operation. Master of Ceremonies Pete Laurence, himself a Viet Nam veteran, remembered by name all those from Clayton who died in war, beginning with WWI.
Brazen robber nabbed by cops TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
A 25-year-old Concord man took shoplifting to a whole new level last week in a brazen, midday robbery at Computers USA in the Pavilion Plaza. Store employee Chris Stuart was working on a computer behind the counter when the man entered the store around 1:30 p.m. He browsed around for a few minutes, then asked Stuart for permission to use the phone. The man made a local call and Stuart overheard him using his first name. After finishing his call, he browsed
See Robber, page 7
The Clayton Pioneer is having a
Birthday Party
and you’re invited
Join us for a glass of wine Enjoy live music by Vintage Meet your favorite writer Win some fantastic door prizes ALL proceeds from sale of raffle tickets to benefit the Clayton Community Library and the Clayton Museum
When: June 7 from 5-7 p.m. Where: R & M Pool, Patio and Gardens. 6780 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton
Help us celebrate our second birthday