W e e k l y COLTON COURIER
Vol 147, NO. 21
IECN
.com
May 09, 2 019
Head Coach Ray Rodriguez on bringing glor y back to Colton High School football By Manny B. Sandoval
THIS WEEK Gloria’s Cor ner Pg. 3
R
ay Rodriguez is not only a 2008 alumni of Colton High School (CHS), he is also a former center on its football team…and today he is head coach of the Colton Yellowjackets. After Rodriguez graduated from high school, he attended San Bernardino Valley College, where he played right tackle for the Wolverines. He then attended Texas Southern University and majored in social sciences and started right tackle for its football team. About 11 years later, Rodriguez is back, working with the community that helped forge who he is today.
National Day of Prayer Pg. 6
“I'm excited to be back at Colton High School. When you bring back coaches who are alumni, it means something more to us,” said Rodriguez. Previously, he was the offensive Rodriguez, cont. on next pg.
IECN PHOTO
Ray Rodriguez is the new head coach for Colton High Schools football team.
RICHARD CORRAL
Colton High School Senior Fer nando “Xavier” Vazquez is recipient of Gates Millennium Scholar ship Community News
C
olton High School senior and valedictorian Fernando “Xavier” Vazquez has been named as only one of 300 Gates Millennium Scholars, and will be able to attend the university of his choice with all expenses paid for four years.
Redlands Symphony extends Maestro Wilson’s contract
Pg. 12
INSIDE Gloria’s Corner
3
Words To Think About 5 Opinion
4
Legal Notices
8
H OW TO R E AC H US
Inland Empire Com munity Newspaper s Of fice: (909) 381- 9898 Fax: (909) 384-0406 Editorial: ie cn1@ mac .com Adve r tising: sales@ iec n.c om
IECN PHOTO
PAUL RASSO
The Vasquez Family participates in the Relay every year.
This exceptional scholarship, offered with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – covers all college expenses, including tuition, books, room and board, personal expenses and more. Xavier was chosen for the scholarship from among 36,500 applicants nationwide. Xavier hopes to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering and has been admitted to a long list of prestigious colleges. He is still deciding which to attend. Xavier said the accolades are encouraging, especially given the effort he has put in to realize his goals. “It’s hard work,” he said. “Even
if you have the most amazing talent in the world, if you don’t polish yourself, you’re not going to get anywhere.” Colton High School Principal Joda Murphy said Xavier’s efforts and accomplishments have influenced others around him as well. Students are encouraged to follow in his footsteps and teachers are inspired, she said. “He’s uplifted this whole school,” she said. “All of Colton is with him in this journey.” Xavier’s path to success has not been an easy one. When he immigrated to the United States at 9 years old, he struggled with a new language and new culture. He didn’t feel like he belonged and wanted to return to Mexico, he said. His mother told him something that changed his perspective: “She said I had an uncommon thirst for knowledge,” Xavier Xavier, cont. on next pg.