Town Parade Celebrates Oakland High and Oakland Tech Basketball Champions

By Carla Thomas

Oakland’s pride was at an all-time high on Sunday afternoon as the basketball state champions of Oakland High and Oakland Tech paraded from Children’s Fairyland to downtown City Hall at Oscar Grant Plaza April 16. The parade celebrated the girls’ basketball team of Oakland Tech, winners of the state championship for 3 years in a row and Oakland High making history by taking the state championship for the first time.

On a double decker bus, team members danced and waved as they were transported through the city circling Lake Merritt. Onlookers honked and clapped in support as team cheerleaders waved pom poms. Once arriving at Oakland City Hall, the students were greeted with a decorated plaza of arching balloons of white, purple and gold for the Oakland Tech “Lady” Bulldogs and blue and white for the Oakland High Wildcats.

The festivities unfolded in full force on the steps of Oakland City Hall as confetti blew through the air and photographers and videographers captured the excitement and happiness of the students.

Special guest MC’s featured Dr. Delores Thomp- son, a proud Oakland High graduate who said she also attended summer school at Oakland Tech, and Jonathan Piper II of King Makers of Oakland.

Nancy Skinner said, “I’m especially proud of the Wildcats and Lady Bulldogs. “Will celebrate your success at the state Capitol.”

Mia Bonta led audience with a cheer: “Hold up wait a minute, let us put some O. High in it. Hold up wait a minute, let us put some Oakland Tech in it. Hold up wait a minute, let us put some Oakland in it.”

Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Kyla Johnson Trammell, a self-proclaimed ’80s baby from Oakland expressed her appreciation for the students.

“Congrats to the dynasty at Tech and a dynasty emerging at Oakland High,” said Trammell. “Our students are scholarly athletes and role models on the court and off.”

Oakland Unified School District Board of Education president Mike Hutchinson encouraged the winning team members to reflect and embrace their contributions to Oakland’s legacy. “Thanks for all your hard work,” he said.

Bart Board Director and Congressional seat can-

Former Oakland Assemblymember Sandré Swanson authorized his campaign committee’s filing of paperwork to open his account to run for the new California Senate 7th District.

Following the state’s scheduled 10-year redrawing of election districts, the new California 7th Senate District now includes the cities of Oakland, Alameda, Piedmont, Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, East Richmond Heights, San Pablo, El Sobrante, Tara Hills, Pinole, Rodeo, and Hercules and there will be no incumbent.

Asked why he is running for the State Senate, Swanson said,

“I am running for the California State Senate 7th District because I have a record of demonstrated success in improving the quality of life for the people of our district.

“So, I am passionately offering my candidacy because I am qualified to serve my years of experience and ability to pursue my legislative priorities, to maximize resources for the education of our children, to ensure accessible Healthcare, support affordable didate Lateefah Simon spoke of the state champions as “the best in the state. The very best in the Bay Area … I’m so proud, thankful and humbled to be in the presence of young geniuses and the best ballers in the state,” she said.

Representatives of Oakland City Council addressed the teams at the rally.

District 3 City Councilmember Carroll Fife said, “Today you are my heroes, and you are an example of what Oakland truly is. You are exactly what we all need more of in our city.”

District 4 City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran said, “We need to learn from you and the lessons of teamwork and resilience.”

District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid said she proudly represents deep East Oakland. “Thank you for putting some respect on Oakland, we got your back,” she said.

District 2 City Councilmember Nikki FortunatoBas all congratulated the teams. “When you fight and practice, you win,” she said.

District 1 City Councilmember Dan Kalb was proud that the Oakland Tech Bulldogs were in his district.

Housing, advocate for small business growth and pursue strategies for a clean and safe environment.”

Swanson served in the State Assembly from 2006 to 2012 and represented the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont. Swanson continued, saying “I have already represented half of the voters in this new district very successfully for three terms as a member of the Assembly.”

Swanson served as chair of the Labor and Employment Committee in the Assembly and commented, “I never compromised my principles during the hard fights, and sponsored laws that improved the quality of life in our community. I sponsored laws for workplace safety and wage protection. I led efforts to protect pensions for retirement security and have always

District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo said his three daughters graduated from Oakland High and went on to Stanford University and UC Berkeley. “At one time Oakland was the 5th largest market for athletes in the U.S., so I know these teams will go on to do great things,” he said. “Congrats on your accomplishments.”

Medals & certificates of honor were presented to each team member by California Assemblymember Mia Bonta, California State Senator Nancy Skinner and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Each athlete posed for a group photo with the elected officials and were cheered on as they returned to their seat.

“You are special on and off the court, and we love you,” said Thao.

Thao also gave a special shout out to event organizer, Oakland Tech Parent Teacher Student Association Vice President Dunia Wilder and the “unsung heroes” behind the scenes. “Thank you Dunia, Myra, Brooklyn, and Vice Mayor Kimberly for making this event happen.” supported our ongoing equal pay for equal work campaign.”

As a member of the Assembly, Swanson led the Legislature in the passing of critical laws to protect our children from human traffickers.

“I felt it was very important to rescue our children from being victims of this criminal enterprise that is funding crime in our community,” Swanson said. “I would like to continue our work for the safety of our children.”

Swanson stood nearly alone against leadership’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment monies from cities like Oakland and Richmond. Swanson said “It was important for the inner city to fight to keep redevelopment programs for affordable housing, Senior housing and to fight homelessness. I warned my colleagues in real-time that the elimination of redevelopment funds would lead to more homeless and a growing housing crisis.”

Swanson concluded by saying “History has shown that my hardfought opposition to the elimination of redevelopment funds was right. I would like an opportunity in the Senate to fix our current housing and homeless problems. It is a moral imperative that we solve the growing homeless crisis in our California cities and regional parks.”

More information about the Swanson for State Senate campaign can be found by visiting www.sandreswanson.net

This story courtesy of Sandré Swanson’s campaign committee.