Two hospitality management exchange program students — Anthony Borges and Daniel Loaiza — from College of the Desert are currently in the midst of a two-week trip to Kansai University of International Studies.
“As Californians (in the hospitality industry), we interact with different people from different cultures, even micro cultures, every day,” Borges said. “And so, I think we’ll bring an openness and free spiritedness that we are known for (to Japan) and hopefully foster good communication and dialogue on how we can work together.”
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Also in our latest education news roundup: Cathedral City High School was recognized as a 2024 California Distinguished School; a free and inclusive prom for students with special needs; four high school seniors from Coachella Valley High School earned $20,000 scholarships each from BNP Paribas; Palm Springs Unified School District celebrates its Teachers of the Year; and our weekly program spotlight.
Did we miss a noteworthy story? Raise your hand and send it my way: jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
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Two students who are taking part in College of the Desert’s hospitality management exchange program will not only return with stamped passports after a two-week trip to Kobe, Japan — but with open minds and enlightened outlooks on the future of the industry.
Anthony Borges and Daniel Loaiza — as well as their instructor, Yolanda Bender — are participating in a hospitality summit, in partnership with Kansai University of International Studies, to expand their knowledge on a global scale. (COD recently hosted the Japanese students from Kansai.) Bender hopes that the exchange program will allow the students to “flourish and blossom” as leaders, adding that the two were selected for their entrepreneurial mindsets.
Loaiza said that Japan and the United States are facing similar challenges, “in terms of labor shortages and an increased growth of the industry,” he said. “When you take that into consideration, I think we could absorb a lot of their knowledge and bring that into the table here in (the Coachella Valley).”
Borges and Loaiza, who both work in hospitality, are eager to see how Japan implements sustainability practices and artificial intelligence into the industry — and they plan to bring this knowledge back to their classmates and communities.
“The hospitality industry is one of the largest industries, and it crosses borders and cultures,” Borges said. “It seems obvious, but you get to meet and interact with a lot of different people on a daily basis. It takes a lot of courage and strength to do this sometimes … and you get to help create a special experience for others.”
More:New College of the Desert hospitality class to send students to Japan
Cathedral City High School is among 293 secondary schools — and the only school in the Coachella Valley — selected statewide for the 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program.
The program “recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those closing the achievement gap and those demonstrating exceptional student performance,” according to a press release from the California Department of Education last week. CCHS will hold the title for two years, as “elementary schools are recognized in alternating years from middle and high schools.”
The selection process leaned on data reported through the 2023 California School Dashboard, focusing on excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate.
“All of us at Cathedral City High School are honored to be selected as a California Distinguished School for 2024,” said Principal Guillermo Chavez in a statement. “The key to success is nothing more than hard work and a dedicated staff. The students in our community come from hard-working families that want to see their children succeed. The variety of programs we offer and a staff that has low turnover also contributed to all of the variables came together this year that led to the distinction.”
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Students with special needs at Coachella Valley Unified, Desert Sands Unified and Palm Springs Unified school districts will soon be dancing and partying the night away at a free and inclusive prom event specifically tailored for them on Saturday, March 23 at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio.
Organized by Leadership Coachella Valley, a 10-month program designed to identify, motivate and develop future community leaders, the idea behind the All-District VIP Prom was to “include all the districts and not just focus on one. It’s nice to have them all come together,” said Kahlia Gainey, who serves as the board president.
Once inside the Hacienda Del Toro event venue, students — and their friends and families — will get the VIP treatment. There will be dinner, dancing, live entertainment, fun games and a professional photographer, so the evening’s events won’t soon be forgotten.
“There was a huge heart (among this year’s Leadership Coachella Valley cohort) for two things,” said Nicole Trigg, one of the members-at-large. “One was that we would incorporate students in the districts to help out. It’s a great skill to learn putting on an event like this. And the second is to be sustainable — that (the prom) won’t just be this one year.”
Volunteers are still needed for the day of the event, and there’s various shifts available.
“We just want the students to feel included, feel special and feel comfortable,” Gainey said. “That’s probably one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle: to just enjoy the night.”
For more information: Visit allvalleyvipprom.com
Four high school seniors from Coachella Valley High school will soon be awarded $20,000 scholarships each from BNP Paribas to support their future endeavors. They will be honored at an awards ceremony on Thursday, March 14 at Coachella Valley High School.
Jose Arreola, Kamila Cortes Ramirez, Miguel Gonzalez and Nevaeh Robles were chosen for “not only academic excellence but also exemplary leadership and community service,” a press release said. “These students have demonstrated remarkable dedication on and off the tennis court, embodying the values of perseverance, determination and service.”
The seniors and their families will also be treated to a special presentation during the final week of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, March 16 at the Stadium Court, where they will watch the semifinals from a suite.
“These scholarships will empower Nevaeh, Kamila, Jose and Miguel to pursue their passions and positively impact their communities and beyond,” Principal Socorro Sanchez said in a statement.
Out of the 28 teachers who were selected by their colleagues as Teacher of the Year at their respective school sites, three educators have been chosen to represent Palm Springs Unified School District in the 2024 Riverside County Teacher of the Year competition.
Kassandra Dorado, Cahuilla Elementary School in Palm Springs
Dorado was referred to as “the heart of Cahuilla Elementary.” One of her nominees stated that her most admirable quality was her ability to step up and lead with a smile. “Her excitement when students succeed is undeniable. Her passion and tenacity to fight for her students and get them what they need is unmatched,” one of the nominations said, which was shared by the Palm Springs Teachers Association. “She is the most dedicated and loving human, led by her heart and soul.”
Jon Eichinger from Sunny Sands Elementary School in Cathedral City
Eichinger, who teaches physical education, was lauded by his colleagues as a “cornerstone” of the school community for 30 years. “His commitment to shaping the physical and emotional well-being of students has been unparalleled and his impact on generations of learners is immeasurable,” the nomination said. “His contributions extend far beyond the classroom, creating a lasting legacy of excellence at Sunny Sands Elementary.”
Will Bodnar, Rancho Mirage High School in Rancho Mirage
Bodnar earned praise from his fellow educators for his unwavering dedication to enhancing the Rattler Automotive Career Education, or RACE, Academy — a career technical education pathway at Rancho Mirage High School designed to equip students for future endeavors in the automotive industry. “(He) has taken our at-risk students to be more motivated, show effort (and) to continue (with) their goals,” one of the nominations said.
The 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year honorees for PSUSD are as follows:
For more than four decades, the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program has organized summer leadership conferences tailored to Latino eighth and ninth graders in the Inland Empire region.
120 students will learn skills to excel as leaders in their schools and communities, while also fostering a sense of pride in their cultural heritage. The sessions range from college preparation and citizenship responsibilities to financial literacy.
The deadline to apply for this year’s summer five-day conference — from June 9 to June 14 in Idyllwild — is Friday, March 15.
For more information: Visit iefl.org.
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Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
