Results tagged “Canyon Middle School” from Yucaipa Now

Canyon Middle School students and staff took part in the school's eighth annual Renaissance Faire on Friday.
Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - 12-year-old Addie Miller's eyes widened in dread of the thought. If she had lived in the Renaissance Period from about 1450 to 1600, in another year or too she'd be someone's wife.

"I wouldn't want to get married that young, that wouldn't be any fun," said Addie. "I know I wouldn't have liked living back then."

Back then people were fortunate to live into their 40s, which meant that married life had to begin much sooner - at about age 13 and 14, and sometimes as young as 12.

But the Renaissance Period was also, "an age of enlightenment when art, music and drama, and science flourished," said 22-year dance and physical education teacher, Gayle Timilione. "It was a wonderful period of time."

YUCAIPA - On Thursday, April 2, the California Department of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell named Canyon Middle School a 2009 California Distinguished School.

Of nearly 2,400 California middle and high schools, only 341 were eligible for this recognition. And of 261 schools earning the esteemed prize, only six came from San Bernardino County.

Canyon Middle School students were recoginized for their achievements in the 2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest. Group Photo: Garrett Dycus, lower left, Danielle Sanchez, Canyon Middle School Principal, Jim Stolze, top left, and Canyon Middle School Art Teacher, Mike Bennett.
Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Melissa Langeland made a special trip form Sacramento to Yucaipa to present special awards to four Canyon Middle School students at the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District school board meeting on Tuesday.

The Boating Education Analyst was on hand to present Danielle Sanchez with an award and prizes for her winning poster in the 8th grade division of the "2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest." The contest is sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways and students in Kindergarten through 8th grades from throughout the state participated.

Danielle took first place in the 8th grade division with her poster entitled, "The Evolution of Pollution." The poster depicts how - if left unchecked - pollution of our oceans affects marine life.

"We received over 3,000 posters from across California," said Langeland. "It was narrowed down to 10 finalists per grade level based on artistic merit, and the message it conveys about boating and aquatics. This is an incredible feat she accomplished."

Danielle's reasoning for designing and creating her poster reveals a maturity beyond that of a 14-year-old in understanding the destructive affects man is capable of on his environment.

"I wanted to show how we hurt our environment and I don't like the abuse it causes animals, birds, and marine life," Danielle said. "I want my art to educate people and make them realize what they are doing so that they will stop."

Danielle's poster is now on display at the state capitol in Sacramento and her poster appears on the 2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways calender as the lead art for the month of February. Along with a variety of prizes, Danielle received a $200 savings bond.

But Sanchez wasn't the only Canyon Middle School student to be recognized. Drew Flowers, Garrett Dycus, and Nehad Mahroum were all finalists in the contest.

"Danielle is quite artistic and a self driven artist who does a lot of work on her own," said Canyon Middle School art teacher, Mike Bennett. "The other three are very talented and artistic too."

Canyon Middle School celebrated the 200th anniversary Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Tuesday, Feb. 12 with birthday cake, and wishing Mr. Lincoln a happy birthday.
Photos By Bob Otto / SUN Staff

YUCAIPA - Many polls rate Abraham Lincoln as one of the most influential and revered presidents and Americans in our nation's history.

And by the chorus of, "Happy birthday Mr. Lincoln!" the 16th president (1861-1865) scores high marks with the 420 seventh and eighth grade students of Canyon Middle School. On Thursday, Feb. 12th, the school celebrated the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birthday with birthday cake, balloons, and a party-like atmosphere.

And it all came about because Mike Bennett, the school's art teacher, and Principal, Jim Stolze, petitioned the school to become a Lincoln Legacy Bicentennial School. There are 471 Lincoln Legacy schools (nationwide) listed on the Lincoln Bicentennial 1809 - 2009 "Live the Legacy" website.

Canyon Middle School is one of only 19 California schools that participated in the program.

"When we applied, we had to make a list of activities to honor Lincoln," Bennett said. The list included a Lincoln portrait contest, an essay contest, writing poetry, writing Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and hosting a birthday party.

File Photos / Bob Otto

News Release:

By Mike Bennett
Canyon Middle School
Art Teacher

YUCAIPA - On Feb. 24th at 6:30 pm at the Yucaipa School District office, a representative from Sacramento will award Canyon Middle School student, Danielle Sanchez, with her first place award in the "2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest."

Along with Sanchez, three finalists, including Drew Flowers, Garrett Dycus, and Nehad Mahroum, will also receive their certificates.

"Danielle is quite artistic and a self driven artist who does a lot of work on her own," said Canyon Middle School art teacher, Mike Bennett. "The other three are very artistic too, and Garrett was the seventh grade first place winner in the Abraham Lincoln portrait contest."

Excerpts from previously reported story about Danielle Sanchez on Dec. 8 entitled, "Canyon Middle School gifted artists."

... Danielle Sanchez received the honor of her short artistic career by winning first place in the 16th annual "2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest." The contest is sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways and students in Kindergarten through 8th grades throughout the state participated.

Danielle took first place in the 8th grade division with her poster entitled, "The Evolution of Pollution." The poster depicts how - if left unchecked - pollution of our oceans affects marine life.

News Release:

By Mike Bennett
Art Teacher
Canyon Middle School

YUCAIPA CANYON MIDDLE SCHOOL - On Feb. 12 Canyon Middle School, will celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday with birthday cake in front of the mural of Lincoln on school grounds.

An art show featuring nearly 30 portraits of Lincoln is on display at the Yucaipa School District office. There are two sets of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for 7th and 8th grade already chosen. Also, the Lincoln essay contest winner will have been announced by that time.

The Lincoln portraits are now on display at the district office on Third Street from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

"These six students created a set of beautiful and detailed Lincoln portraits," Bennett said. "Well done students!"

Lincoln Portrait Winners:

7th Grade
1st place - Garrett Dycus
2nd place - Evan Woolsey
3rd place - Sarai Diaz

8th Grade
1st place - David Cash
2nd place - Garrett Hewitt
3rd place - Austin Smith

Canyon Middle School
35948 Susan St
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-8580

Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District
12797 Third Street
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-0174

Canyon Middle School art teacher, Mike Bennett's, paintings are varied and creative.

YUCAIPA - Besides being the art teacher at Canyon Middle School, Mike Bennett paints and sketches in his spare time.

"Art has always been my passion, I would probably whither away if I could not have a brush in my hand at least once every couple of weeks," said Bennett.

Canyon Middle School murals

YUCAIPA - On the outside walls of two classrooms at Canyon Middle School, art teacher Mike Bennett painted two murals with the help of his students - the September 11th mural, and the American Presidents mural.

The September 11th mural was completed in the 2002-2003 school year. It was part of the contest that Social Studies and Student Council teacher, Karla Christie, proposed, said Bennett.

"She decided to award $9.11 for the student with the best idea for a mural to commemorate the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 (terrorist attacks) tragedy," Bennett said.