Colton goes ‘big’ at school board meeting for monthly Student Showcase
ASB, Athletics, and Band come together to show off the wide range of programs and achievements the high school has experienced during second semester
The Colton Joint Unified School community was greeted to a new entrance for the May 5 school board meeting.
Bloomington, CA—As board members, district employees, and community members entered the Board Meeting Room for the May 5 School Board Meeting, they found the entrance to the building radically transformed.
Colton High’s ASB, athletics, and band departments collaborated for the monthly “Student Showcase” for a wild display of Colton High’s culture and excellence. The brand new Yellowjacket tunnel was erected in front of the Board Room, members of the CHS band’s drumline pounded on the skins, and school mascot Yogi ran about welcoming everyone to the festivities.
“It was awesome!” school board member Patt Haro said. “We just thought they were presenting, but not to that extent.”
Inside the boardroom, ASB decorated the walls with posters honoring the names of the donors responsible for the new tunnel.
The student showcase was led by ASB juniors Denise Diaz, Duke Medina, and Mercy Mgbemere. They led the school board and audience members through a slideshow presentation highlighting the high school’s achievements second semester, including Link Crew’s incoming freshmen orientation, the Lunar New Year celebration, the successes of various sports programs as well as the individual accolades for athletes, the ribbon cutting for the new Cafetorium, the BMX No Hate assembly, the Glow-in-the Dark pep rally, the establishment of a boys’ volleyball team, the number of National Honors Society inductees, the success of the HEAL Pathway’s students in passing the CNA exam, and more.
“Our Yellowjackets brought the hometown energy today,” board member Dan Flores said. “Their presentation covered all things CHS, from academics to activities and athletics. Our student leaders were phenomenal.”
The decision to “go big” came about earlier this week during a brainstorming session with ASB students, director Alexandra Buskirk, and principal John Abbott. The parties all agreed that they want to really inspire school spirit and bring pride back to the community for Colton High.
“I wanted the tunnel and mascot and drumline there,” Abbott said. “Buskirk made it happen. She’s awesome.”
Like in a madcap caper movie, Buskirk and ASB brought all the parts together up to the last moment. Football head coach Ray Rodriguez made sure the tunnel arrived at the boardroom, and band director Kenneth Taber and his drumline students were on board as early as yesterday afternoon.
“It was super fun and we got tons of compliments,” Buskirk said.
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
Jeremiah Dollins is in his third year as adviser for the award-winning Pepper Bough, Colton High School’s official source of news and entertainment....
