Vol. 53, No.44 Special Section Temple City, San Gabriel, & ROSEMEAD PAGE 5
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966 Local Events page 2, 3
November 04, 2015
Entertainment
Sports
Student Corner
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pages 8-9
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Mt. View School District Celebrates Nationwide “Lights On Afterschool” by Michele Earle El Monte
On October 22nd, schools in the Mountain View School District (MVSD) joined more than 8,000 communities, and one million people nationwide to celebrate Lights On Afterschool, an annual event calling attention to the importance
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of afterschool programs for youth, families, and communities. A project of the Afterschool Alliance, the Lights On Afterschool Celebration is in its 16th year and is dedicated to ensuring all children have access to quality, affordable, extended learning time programs. MVSD’s afterschool THINK Together programs spearheaded the events which included a variety of fun and educational activities for students and families. According to Jodi Grant, Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance Lights On Afterschool events give children and youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and talents they develop at their afterschool programs. “Lights On Afterschool is a great way to send the message that millions more students need quality
afterschool programs. We are happy to spotlight the fun, educational, hands-on learning activities that quality afterschool programs like THINK Together offer children each afternoon.” The goal of the Lights On event at the Magnolia Learning Center (MLC) was to involve parents in the THINK Together afterschool program and it was a big success. Under the direction of MLC’s THINK Together Coordinator, Johanna Staup, the THINK staff provided a great afternoon for MLC families. Photo Right: Magnolia Learning Center’s THINK Together students and families celebrated Lights On Afterschool, an annual event to increase awareness of the importance of afterschool programs for youth. Students and families carved pumpkins, played games and enjoyed a fun time together.
“Lights On Afterschool” continued on page 6
American Pharoah Triumphant!
by Annick J. Downhower Arcadia / Santa Anita Park
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Horse racing’s first-ever Grand Slam Champion has been crowned. Appropriately, he already has a royal name- American Pharoah. In front of a sold-out crowd of 50,155 at Keeneland racetrack in Kentucky, Pharoah won the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic, the first Triple Crown winner to do so. He faced a smaller field than originally anticipated. Beholder, the 5-year-old mare considered the greatest threat to American Pharoah, had to be scratched Thursday, October 29 due to bleeding from a possible lung infection. Smooth Roller was also scratched because of an issue with his left front tendon, leaving seven contenders for Pharoah to face. Before the Classic, American Pharoah paraded calmly to the starting gate, bobbing his head. Under guidance from jockey Victor Espinoza, the 3 to 5 favorite was taken immediately to the lead and never looked back. American Pharoah faced
Courtesy photos from Breeders’ Cup Photo ©
some pressure from TriBone Stables’ Effinex, but wasn’t phased. The Triple Crown winner pulled away at the final turn of the 1¼ mile race to beat the field in a track record time of 2 minutes, .07 seconds. He finished 6 ½ lengths in front of Effinex; Honor Code was third. Saturday’s victory assures American Pharoah’s place in US horse racing history alongside such greats as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. Espinoza insisted
the winner walk the length of the grandstand before going to the winner’s circle so the crowd could get a good look at their champion. American Pharoah then headed back to the barns escorted by eight National Guard soldiers. The Classic was American Pharoah’s last competitive race. He is scheduled to retire to stud at Coolmore in Kentucky. Jockey Espinoza described the win as “amazing” while trainer Bob
Baffert said, “This (competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic) was for Pharoah. I wanted him to go out the champion he is.” Mission accomplished, leaving Team Pharaoh and worldwide horse fans very happy for the reigning king of the sport.