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ENTERTAINMENT: What’s this craze for ‘NFTs’ all about, anyway? | Page C1
Weather: 72o/45o | Volume III | Issue XI
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REAL ESTATE | Page C2
Thursday, March 18 - 24, 2021
A EDITORIAL
www.HSJChronicle.com |
B POLITICS
San Jacinto City Council Three Item Meeting
HEALTH | Page D1
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D HEALTH
Child border crossings surging, straining US facilities
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Under-the-radar program could push Medicare into private hands
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Soboba Program Trains New Workers SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS | CONTRIBUTED
T Photo courtesy of John P. Hess/Creative Industries Media Group.
SAN JACINTO, CA.
San Jacinto Valley Students Honored DIANE A. RHODES | CONTRIBUTED
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he Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program recently recognized seven local high school seniors for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school activities, athletics and community service. Students were nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their home, school and community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic limitations for public gatherings, the event was held virtually on March 11. About 60 participants logged onto the Zoom meeting where students shared their stories and sponsors and administrators offered their support. Program founder and meeting facilitator Karena Zermeno also represented one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a plaque, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors and will
be delivered to each recipient. The students were given the opportunity to thank their families and school staff who have supported them and helped them plan their future life goals. March’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District schools were Yenifer Aparicio Galindo, Byron Gonzalez, Charlotte Halliday, Devon Martin and Christopher Williams. San Jacinto Unified students were Destiny McKenna and Yailene Perez. In his opening prayer, San Jacinto Assembly of God Pastor Jeff Johnson reminded everyone that a year ago students were put on a new path they had to learn to navigate in a new way. This was the last monthly meeting of the school year and a Student of the Year celebration to announce scholarship winners from all those previously honored is being planned. West Valley’s Yenifer Aparicio Galindo was nominated by her Spanish teacher, Antonio Ramos. She aspires to be a pediatric nurse. Principal Shannyn Cahoon said in talking to all the senior students,
she has noted a sense of maturity and growth and Yenifer is no exception. “I’m proud of all of our students and how they have adapted to everything,” she said. Byron Gonzalez is a standout student at Western Center Academy and was nominated by his Academic Decathlon Coach Rex McDonald. He said Byron received overall high marks as the team’s leader and has a 4.8 GPA with 10 college courses and 11 AP courses to his credit. “He has been able to create a culture of inclusion and of kindness and has the ability to work through adversity and find those people that are in need and to be a person of support to them,” Executive Director and Principal Paul Bailey said. “It’s pretty incredible to see some of the things that he’s been able to do and the impact that he’s had in building lasting memories for everyone at our school site.” Byron said money has always
See STUDENTS on page A2
he Soboba Tribal Member Employment Development Training Program was launched in 2014 and has been successful in meeting its goal of preparing workers to follow their career choice. By investing in its people, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has been able to build a productive workforce that contributes to the social and economic livelihood of its Tribal community. Gaining valuable experience in a field of interest was the basis behind the establishment of the training program. More than 20 Tribal Members have completed the annual program since it has begun. This year, four Tribal Members have been placed and are receiving onthe-job training at various departments at the Soboba Reservation and one is pending placement. Emma Arres is a college student who was seeking real-life work experience. She has worked in nonpaid internships and various jobs on campus but nothing outside of school. She applied for the development program because she saw it as a great opportunity to learn more about Human Resources which is the department where she was assigned. However, she is also invited
EMMA ARRES: One of this year’s participants in the Soboba Tribal Member Employment Development Training Program. | Photo courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
to join Soboba Tribal Environmental Department staff when they conduct field work. “My majors are business administration and environmental science so I thought those would best fit my potential career choice and give me an idea where I want to work after college,” Arres said. “As of right now, I am being trained in the hiring process. I really enjoy what I am doing
See SOBOBA on page A2
ALEX VALLEJO: Vallejo has joined Soboba Public Works as part of the Soboba
Tribal Member Employment Development Training Program. | Photo courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Three exceptional educators announced Amy Helm, Mary Rust and Irahis Esquivel picked for DKG Awards MELINDA WEST | CONTRIBUTOR
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amma Theta, the local Hemet/San Jacinto Chapter of the International Society of DKG (Delta Kappa Gamma), an organization that promotes professional and personal growth of
MOMENTS IN TIME
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women educators and excellence in education, proudly presents three 2020-2021 awards. Amy Helm has received the Outstanding Service to Chapter Award. She joined Gamma Theta in 2017, served as first vice resident in 2018 and 2019 and is currently the re-
On March 18, 1911
Irving Berlin copyrights the biggest pop song of the early 20th century, "Alexander's Ragtime Band." The song was easier to play than Joplin's "The Entertainer," which encouraged sheet music sales. Those topped 1.5 million copies in the first 18 months after publication.
On March 19, 1953
For the first time, audiences are able to watch from their living rooms as the movie world's most prestigious honors, the Academy Awards, are given out at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California.
On March 20, 1861
President Abraham Lincoln's sons, Willie and Tad, are diagnosed with the measles. The boys re-
cording secretary. Amy has been a teacher for the Hemet Unified School District since 1989. She has worked in grades K-4, as a site-based instructional coach and is presently a reading intervention teacher. Throughout her years, Amy has been part of the charter
covered, but in 1862 Willie contracted typhoid fever and died. Tad died at age 18 in 1871. Of Lincoln's four boys, only the first child, Robert, lived to an advanced age; he passed away at age 82 in 1926.
On March 21, 1971
"The Andromeda Strain," the first movie to use computer animation, opens. Based on a Michael Crichton book, the sci-fi thriller featured scientists racing against time and an alien virus.
On March 22, 1947
President Harry Truman establishes a sweeping loyalty investigation of federal employees in response to public fears of communism in the U.S. Congress had already launched investigations of
staffs opening three schools and has worked on many district leadership committees. As an active member in Gamma Theta, she volunteers in the chapter's fundraising efforts and
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communist influence in Hollywood.
On March 23, 1839 The initials "O.K." are first published, in The Boston Morning Post. Meant as an abbreviation for "oll korrect," a popular slang misspelling of "all correct" at the time, OK steadily made its way into the everyday speech of Americans.
On March 24, 1989
One of the worst oil spills in U.S. territory begins when the supertanker Exxon Valdez, owned and operated by the Exxon Corporation, runs aground on a reef in Prince William Sound in southern Alaska. An estimated 11 million gallons of oil eventually spilled into the water, polluting more than 700 miles of coastline.
The Inland Empire’s Largest Baby Shower Help Collect Baby Products for Community Partners
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