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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
MARCH 6, 2020
Vista teen ‘perfect’ example of Boys & Girls Club By Steve Puterski
WALK FOR ANIMALS On Feb. 22, more than 2,000 registered walkers, along with hundreds of their dogs, showed up to support the San Diego Humane Society Walk for Animals in Escondido. Scattered showers did not dampen the spirit and many dogs were dressed for the weather in colorful raincoats and jackets. The next Humane Society Walk for Animals is May 4 at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Courtesy photo
MEASURE Q CONTINUED FROM 1
school district, said before the election that many of the district’s schools are aging and have long needed repairs. The district conducted an assessment back in 2014, when the decision was made to put Propo-
sition E on the ballot and found the district at that time had close to $340 million in repair needs. “We realized we could not pass a bond in the city of Escondido with that amount, and we whittled it down to $182.1 million dollars for critical needs only,” Taylor said. But the district’s re-
VISTA — Each year one member is selected as the club’s very best. The competition is more than 40 years old and part of the fabric of the Boys & Girls Club. In Vista, this year’s overall winner of Youth of the Year was an obvious choice to those staff members who’ve watched her grow over the past six or seven years. And on March 10, Jimena Villalobos, a 16-year-old junior at Guajome Park Academy, will participate in the countywide contest representing her club in Del Mar. She will also take center stage at the club’s 10th annual gala on March 7 at the Westin Carlsbad, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year. For winning the Vista club’s Youth of the Year, Villalobos earned a $1,500 scholarship and if she wins the regional competition, she’ll tack on another scholarship worth several thousand dollars. Each year the Vista club hands out 25 winners over a range of disciplines from poetry to athletics. “For me, it’s the best night of the year,” said Matt Koumaras, the club’s chief executive officer. “I like it because we get to honor kids across all the departments.” Villalobos has been a rising star at the club for
pair needs have only increased since 2014 — Taylor said the Escondido Union School District now needs more than $700 million to fund school repairs. “That’s due to labor, cost of materials and supplies going up,” he said. “The longer you wait to modernize a school, it’s not going to wait for you,
JIMENA VILLALOBOS, 16, was named the Boys & Girls Club of Vista’s Youth of the Year and awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Courtesy photo
years, Raul Castillo, director of operations and programs, said. He said her natural leadership abilities draw other kids, especially younger ones, to her whether it’s for dance programs, gardening or other interests. In school, Villalobos earns As and Bs, plays softball and volleyball, is in student council and is a member of the Key (community service) and conservation clubs. Once she graduates, she plans on attending the University of California, Davis to major in forensic science or dance. At the club, she helps the staff checking in and out other kids or she can
it’s going to get worse over time.” According to the Registrar of Voters website, the bonds from Measure Q may be issued in several series and may mature in 40 years or less. The district can expect to pay back $408 million for the bonds, including principal and interest.
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be found in the art shop or working with kids on their dance moves. She’s also been involved with the Torch Club, a community service project, drama and being active with a healthy lifestyle. “The whole process was quite difficult,” Villalobos said. “It really made me question everything that I do. I was surprised that I was chosen. This whole experience was overwhelming and I’m just thankful.” Youth of the Year is a nationwide program created in the 1940s, Koumaras said. It honors the best member of each club, who must show a variety of success such as academics,
community service and club involvement, to name a few. As for Villalobos, Koumaras said her leadership and her natural ability to connect with the younger kids has been a valuable part of the club. “She is the perfect example of what we do … a kid with a great future,” he added. “Her school has given her a great future. We’ve given her a great future and when you combine that, you can’t lose.” The Vista club was formed in 1963 and has called its 410 W. California Ave. location home since 1966, Koumaras said. The other locations include three schools and at Raintree Park Learning Center. As for the gala, Koumaras said this year it will be a James Bond theme featuring a casino night. The proceeds help offset the actual cost for each of the 1,200 members across five locations in Vista and Oceanside, he added. The event will be emceed by Mari Payton of NBC 7 along with special guest, retired San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman. “Our annual membership fee is 50 bucks a year,” Koumaras said. “The actual cost per club members is $700 per child. It’s through this event that we can break that down and serve more kids.”
State to seek death penalty in Poway synagogue shooting REGION — The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced March 5 that it will seek the death penalty for a man accused of opening fire inside a Poway synagogue last year, killing a woman and injuring three others. John T. Earnest, 20, of Rancho Penasquitos, is charged with murder, attempted murder, arson and hate crime allegations for the April 27, 2019, shooting at Chabad of Poway and the March 24, 2019, blaze at the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque, also known as the Islamic Center of Escondido. Earnest's trial is currently set for June 2, though his attorney is expected to ask that it be delayed to prepare for a defense against capital punishment. His next court dates include
a March 20 hearing in San Diego federal court, and an April 17 status conference in state court. In addition to the state’s case, Earnest faces more than 100 hate crime-related counts filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and could also face the death penalty in the federal case. The former Cal State San Marcos student is accused of carrying out the shooting on the last day of Passover, fatally wounding 60-year-old Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was shot twice in the synagogue's foyer. Kaye, a longtime member of Chabad of Poway, was at the temple with her husband and daughter to honor her mother, who had recently died. — City News Service