Watch out for the motorcyclist

passengers do. Please share the road with motorcycles and drive safe.” moving ahead.

Motorcyclists

Retorts

Jim Tortolano

Hey, have I got a deal for you. I will sell you a piece of paper for the wonderful price of $28,000. If you want a really fancy piece of paper, I can let you have it for $50,000. Sound like a bum deal, doesn’t it? But that – in part – is what’s happening with the student debt crisis in America today. Students taking out loans to get a public fouryear college degree, according to the U.S Department of Education, owe an average of $28k. For a private school the number goes up to $50k.

I’m not here to tell you whether Uncle Sam – who holds 92 percent of those loans – should forgive those loans or not. My point is that most of them needn’t even exist.

Prospective college students (and parents), here comes some tough love. Too many folks place too much emphasis on the “status” conferred by a “big name” school. Too many students aren’t sure what they want to study or why. Too many students don’t even belong in college.

Part of the blame belongs with school districts. They make a big deal out of a teenager who gets admitted to a Stanford or MIT. Pretty impressive accomplishment, but is he really more praiseworthy than an immigrant kid who has to work two jobs, help take care of his or her siblings and is the first person in the family to ever graduate high school, let alone attend a college?

We tend to reward the kids who were born on second base and think they hit a double, more than the kid who had to cut

During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Garden Grove Police Department reminds drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. Safe riding and driving practices and shared responsibility from all road users will help everyone get to their destination safely.

“Motorcycles may be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes,” Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said. “Motorcycle riders do not have the same protections drivers and

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

• Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before

• Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

• Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles, and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

• Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid

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Ocean View teacher is honored

Chris Young, a teacher at Ocean View High School, has been recognized as a National 180 Award recipient, being honored as the 2023 System 44 Outstanding Educator of the Year.

Each year, learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt selects students and educators to be recipients of the 180 Awards. For educators, these awards signify their dedication to the growth and success of their students, with a focus on helping them overcome both personal and academic obstacles.

The 180 Awards are divided into three categories, based upon demonstrated improvements in reading or math: Read 180, System 44, and Math 180. Mr. Young was recognized as one of four secondary educators under

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GG Summer Day Camp has new location

The City of Garden Grove Day Camp program is moving to a new location. This year’s Garden Grove Day Camp will be held at Edgar Park, located at 12781 Topaz Street.

Open to youth ages 5 to 12, day camp runs Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 12 through Aug. 11. Participants may sign up for the entire 9-week program or on a week-by-week basis at ggcity. org/daycamp.

A complete listing of camp weeks, excursions, and fees follows:

• June 12-June 16, John’s Incredible Pizza (lunch included), $150

• June 19-June 23, Discovery Cube/Garden Grove Park, $150

• July 3-July 7, Medieval Times (lunch included), $150

• July 10-July 14, AMC Theater/Dave & Buster’s, $178

• July 24-July 28, Aquarium of the Pacific, $165

• July 31-Aug. 4, Knott’s Soak City (lunch included), $179

• Aug. 7-11, Boomers! (lunch