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Water polo leader goes to the East coast

May 29, 2019, 3:12 pm
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Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera Coyotes water polo standout Robby Niino, and his parents Kathy and Eric, are all smiles after he signed his National Letter of Intent to William and Jefferson University, a Div. III school in Pennsylvania.
Madera Coyotes water polo standout Robby Niino signed his National Letter of Intent to attend William and Jefferson University in front of family and friends in the Madera High School cafeteria before family and friends.
In addition to earning an academic scholarship, Niino will also get a chance to play water polo with the NCAA Div. III Presidents at the Washington, Pennsylvania school.
“One day, I got an email from the coach,” he said. “They said they were interested. I started to email the coach back and forth in October. In November, I went on a trip back East to there. The reason why it took so long was I was indecisive on where I wanted to go. I didn’t know if I wanted to stay local, go to a UC or play water polo. I thought about it and decided to go.”
“It’s awesome to get one of my kids signed,” Madera boys water polo coach Rick Martines said. “It’s a really cool thing. I hope it gets out here. Our kids come in without a vast knowledge of the sport, but we’re always top three in league.”
Like he does with his academics, Niino took some time to decide where he was going to take the next step.
“I put a lot of thought into it,” he said. “I thought, ‘Do I really want to compete at a higher level and take the next step?’ The answer to that was yes. It was within me and I wanted to keep up with that competitiveness.”
However, thoughts of playing in college didn’t occur to Niino until he started to stand out his senior year.
“He did mature and did fall into line,” Martines said. “He had a great year and was able to work on being a team player. It was a huge gain for us. It’s always hard for us in my program, when we mature into that critical thinking stage that boys turn into, it’s time to go. With the junior high program, we’re getting in kids that know the background and understand what the game is. It sucks to have him leave, but I’m happy he’s going. He told me that he wasn’t going to be playing in college. During swim season, his ethics bogged down a little. When he got the phone call that he was going to sign, he understands now where he needs to be. I believe he will be successful.”
However, Martines wasn’t too sure Niino would become the leader he became when he first started.
“Robby is kind of like the class clown,” Martines said. “It took him a while to get into the maturity it takes to be a team captain. The last couple of years, after his brother graduated, he started to fill that. I wish it would have happen a little faster than it did. He is the nucleus of that team and now he’s gone. Him leaving us, there’s some big shoes to be filled. The underclassmen have seen what Robby has done and I think we’ll be okay. It’s always sad to see one leave.”
However, once Niino worked to become a team leader, his teammates all gravitated towards him.
“I tried to build a family atmosphere,” he said. “The bond between us is even stronger than the game. Once the game is over, you have to see each other. They are some of my closest friends and will be for the rest of my life. My sophomore year, Austin Wade was a big inspiration, leadership wise. Last year, it was a struggle in the pool. This year, I stepped up. I thought someone has to take charge and no one was doing it. I just tried to fill those shoes. I guess it fit because it worked. The guys went along.”
Niino had to negotiate with the William and Jefferson coach to get the price more affordable for his parents. Carrying a 4.0 grade point average didn’t hurt.
“For them, if they could get the price down to what a UC is, that was my goal,” he said. “They were able to do that. It’s a benefit to play water polo in college. The grades are what pushed me over. They said with my grades, they were able to give me that extra scholarship.”
However, with Niino’s family background, academic success is in the family, although Niino said his parents tried not to pressure him.
“I feel that pressure to succeed, but my parents did their best to try to limit that,” he said. “Having a brother in military academy and a sister at UCLA medical school is tough. It’s a new experience that I’m ready for. That was a big, decisive factor because I’ll be so far away from friends and family.”
William and Jefferson is just 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh and Niino is ready to head east, although he’s not sure about the East Coast winters.
“I’m going to have to go shopping for winter clothes,” he said. “When I went to visit, it was 9 degrees. The pools are all indoor. My parents will tell you they are excited. After a year, they will probably be over it.”
Niino plans on majoring in chemistry with the goal of becoming a science teacher.
“I was thinking about it,” he said. “I didn’t know about being a biology or chemistry teacher. I love both subjects a lot. It came down to experiments. Chemistry is going to be more fun for me to teach, I think.”
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County held scoreless for second straight game

May 29, 2019, 3:22 pm
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Tyler Takeda/The madera Tribune
Madera-area baseball players populated both teams at the 53rd annual City/County All-Star baseball game on Friday at Chukchansi Park. The City held the County scoreless for the second straight game for a 9-0 victory. From left are Gage Arter (Liberty), Bret Carrell (San Joaquin Memorial), Cole Brincefield (Madera), Shane Pursell (Madera), Matt Alvarez (SJM), Jalen Gray (Madera South), Nikayha Castro (Madera), Austin Hickman (Chowchilla), Tommy Molina (Madera) and Cody Woolsey (Chowchilla). Carrell and Alvarez played for the winning City squad while the rest represented the County.
FRESNO — The City made it two shutouts in a row over the County in the 53rd annual City/County All-Star Baseball game at Chuckchansi Park.
The City team scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning off Sanger ace Jake Harrell and cruised the rest of the way for a 9-0 victory Friday night.
Cole Brincefield (Madera) and Shane Pursell (Madera) earned starts for the County. Brincefield had a single and Pursell stole a base.
Also joining Brincefield and Pursell from Madera were Tommy Molina, who flew out in his only at-bat, and Nikayha Castro, who threw a perfect fourth inning.
“I was ready coming in,” Castro said. “I felt really good and coming on. It was my last high school game so I came in ready. It felt really good to see everyone happy to play one more time. It was a great feeling.”
Liberty pitcher Gage Arter, of the back-to-back Div. V champions, tossed 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, one earned in the eighth.
“It was different not having the team around,” he said “However, I got to meet some of the guys so it was a good experience. It was tough talking to guys i wanted to strike out, but we gave each other a bad time, but it was all in fun.
Jalen Gray (Madera South) also had a single.
“It was the highlight of my night,” Gray said. “I was nervous at the beginning. Once I started to settle down, I realized it was another game and had to do what I do.”
Chowchilla ace Austin Hickman tossed a scoreless inning and grounded out. Teammate Cody Woolsey struck out in his only at-bat.
On the City side, San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno players from Madera, Matthew Alvarez went 1-2 on the day in the first three innings and scored a run, and Brett Carrell played shortstop in the middle three innings and went 0-1 at the plate with a walk.
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Arrests made after traffic enforcement

May 29, 2019, 3:34 pm
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Madera Police Department
Suspect Jordon Ocampo.
Madera Police held a DUI and drivers license check point and screened 300 cars on Country Club Drive Saturday night.
One arrest for DUI was made at the checkpoint, and 16 other drivers were cited for not having valid driver’s licenses according to officers. Five arrests for DUI were made by Madera Police over the three day holiday weekend period, with two of those being DUI collisions. No major injury collisions were reported.
CHP reported making five DUI arrests for the same period and no major injury incidents in the county.
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Car shot up; driver asks no police assistance

May 29, 2019, 3:37 pm
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Madera Police Department
A Mercedes, riddled with bullet holes, sits abandoned with its engine still running after crashing into a pole on South Granada Drive near Merlot Avenue.
Multiple shots fired into a car injured a passenger Friday night on south Granada Drive near Merlot Avenue and caused the driver to lose control of his Mercedes and crash into a power pole. Both the driver and passenger fled the scene on foot and allegedly were uncooperative when they were found a few minutes later by police.
Citing the ongoing investigation, police are not releasing the names of the men involved or the possible description of the other vehicle involved.
Sgt. Josh Chavez said, “The injured man was found in the 2700 block of Chianti and was taken to Madera Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. They did not want any police assistance. The incident remains under investigation with detectives.”
Police are considering the shooting incident to be gang related and are requesting further information from the public. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD Dispatch at 675-4220.
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Minturn Scholars to gather

May 29, 2019, 3:42 pm
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For the first time in 34 years, Howard School’s Minturn Scholars will reunite as Madera Unified celebrates their uncommon achievement as 6th graders. They will meet in the Madera South High School Media Center at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
In 1984-85, the 12 year olds discovered the graves of the forgotten Minturn family on the banks of the Chowchilla River. The young sleuths researched the Minturns, taking them as far back as 17th century Rhode Island and connected them with living descendants. The kids then wrote a book and entitled it “The Minturn Chronicles.”
Their project drew national attention as well as that of renowned author Irving Stone, who came to Madera to visit the young authors. Stone said he was “amazed” at the students’ work and gave it a name, “The Madera Method.”
The reunion will also be the occasion for unveiling the Madera Method Archive and Special Collections at MSHS.
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William tried everything to stay out of jail

June 1, 2019, 8:00 am
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Madera County Historical Society
While Madera County was building its new courthouse, William McNaughton was serving a five month jail sentence for resisting arrest. Not even an appeal to the Governor could get him out of this dungeon.
It was a quiet morning when the scream shattered the calm in Madera. People at first thought that the yell had come from the courthouse construction that was going on in June 1901. When a search of the half finished building turned up nothing, everyone rushed to the jail, which had only one occupant, William McNaughton.
Sheriff Jones ran to his cell and found the prisoner sitting calmly on his bunk with a sly grin covering his face. One look told the lawman that he had been bamboozled by the most notorious trouble maker ever to come out of the Madera County hill country. The jailbird wanted people to think he was crazy.
McNaughton’s trouble with the law began when he pulled poor, old Charlie Wear’s whiskers a couple of months earlier in O’Neals. Charlie reported the assault to Constable Harmon Bigelow, and he deputized a Mr. Patterson to go with him to get McNaughton. That turned out to be a job easier said than done.
The lawmen rode their horses down to Hildreth and knocked on McNaughton’s door. Mrs. McNaughton answered and said that her husband wasn’t home. Not being convinced, Bigelow and Patterson went inside for a look under the bed. What they found was McNaughton who quickly crawled out holding a pistol and ordered Bigelow out of the bedroom. The Constable did as he was told.
With the bedroom door closed, Bigelow tried to persuade Mrs. McNaughton to convince her husband to give himself up. Her response was to grab a shotgun and run the Constable off the place.
Bigelow then went back to O’neals to get more help. He returned the next morning to McNaughton’s with half a dozen men, including Charles O’Neal. The fugitive wasn’t there but his wife was. When Bigelow placed her under arrest, she said that she would show the posse where her husband was hiding. She took them to the Magnet Mine nearby.
While Mrs. McNaughton stood there, Bigelow and the others slipped up on the mine shaft, and while they were looking in, William jumped out of the bushes holding a revolver.
Mrs. McNaughton saved the day by appealing to her husband not to shoot. She convinced William to go with the Constable, but he refused to give them his gun, which he put in his waistband.
As they continued their walk, O’Neal decided to make his move. He grabbed McNaughton around the waist and shouted for Bigelow to grab his gun. In the next instance, everyone was rolling around on the ground. As fate would have it, Charles came up with the gun and gave McNaughton such a blow on the head that it rendered him almost unconscious.
Both of the McNaughtons were taken to the Madera County Jail, and the next day stood before Superior Court Judge William Conley. The judge fixed Mr. McNaughton’s bond at $1,000 and his wife’s bond at $250. She was released from jail, and they put McNaughton in a cell.
To add insult to injury, McNaughton was charged a few days later with stealing hogs from William Keller. He was served the warrant in his jail cell. At his preliminary hearing, the charge of assault with a deadly weapon was dismissed but the charge of resisting arrest remained as did the $1,000 bond. The hog stealing charge was dropped later.
William McNaughton’s trial for resisting arrest began on June 26, and three days later, the jury entered a verdict. After being deadlocked for hours at 8 to 4 for conviction, a unanimous guilty verdict was rendered. Judge Conley sentenced the convicted man to a fine of $300 or 150 days in jail. McNaughton took the jail time.
Over the next few weeks Mrs. McNaughton circulated a petition asking for a pardon for her husband on account of poor health. That request even made it to the Governor’s office and prompted an inquiry from Sacramento.
Governor Henry Gage sent a telephone dispatch to District Attorney R.R Fowler asking the extent to which McNaughton was ill. Fowler asked Dr. Reid and Dr. Byars to examine the prisoner, and they concluded that they could find no reason why he should not have to serve out his sentence. Fowler responded to the Governor, “I do not regard him to be in a serious condition, and I believe he simulates his sickness in great measure.”
So William McNaughton stayed in jail until Nov. 5, 1901. He had tried every trick in the book to evade jail — hiding under the bed, hiding in the bushes, pretending to be sick, appealing to the Governor, and even pretending insanity by screaming.
One has to wonder if he ever thought about what got him into trouble in the first place. He would never have been arrested if he had not pulled that old man’s whiskers.
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Jury duty

June 1, 2019, 8:30 am
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I recently spent three days doing something that we as American citizens can do to help ensure that our justice system is fair. It is called “Jury duty.” The name itself implies that to serve on a jury is something we are obligated to do. In fact, it truly is an obligation for us as citizens. It is required by law to appear for Jury Duty when we have been summoned to do so. However, the word “duty” also gives some of us a feeling of dread and drudgery. I have often thought that if they just changed the name of this responsibility, it might be perceived differently for people who receive a summons. Maybe they should call it “Jury Service,” or “Jury Assignment.”
During my most recent turn in the jury process, I was called to be questioned in the jury box, but I was not chosen to be a juror. After I was questioned, the prosecuting attorney said, “The People would like to thank and excuse juror number seven,” which was me. It might have been because I recognized someone on the list of potential witnesses, and had interacted with him at one time. It may have been due to some of my answers to the questions they asked, or because of the way I was dressed that day. Whatever the reason, it was an option of the prosecuting team to select or not to select me based on whatever criteria they chose. I believe that my dismissal may have been due to the fact that I work for The Madera Tribune. Who knows?
The jury selection process is very interesting, but I think it must be very frustrating for the judge and all the others who are actual participants in the trials. It takes a long time and many rejections of potential jurors before the “perfect” complete set of jurors has been chosen.
I have served on a jury only one time, and it was the very first time I had ever been in a courtroom. My badge number was the very first one called, and they placed me in seat #1. Throughout the jury selection, they never moved me from the first seat, and I was chosen as Juror #1. The trial lasted about a week. When we went into deliberation, I was chosen as the foreman. Never was I more shocked in my life than when I became the foreman of the jurors on that trial.
The experience of being a juror was not as intimidating or torturous as I had dreaded it would be. In fact, I found it very interesting. Before serving as a juror, I had always thought I could never vote to determine another person’s innocence or guilt. However, after sitting through an entire trial, I found that my decision was much clearer than I thought it would be. As jurors, we do not judge a person. We only try to determine if that person committed something that is against the law. The evidence we see and hear in the courtroom is what we use to establish in our minds whether the person should be found guilty, or not guilty of the crime.
In deliberating, the jury of my peers were not able to reach a verdict for the trial in which I was both a juror and a foreman. We were what they call a “hung jury.” In this case, we had one juror who refused to vote the same as the other 11 members of the jury. Alas, I was the one who had to break the news to the judge. The trial was considered a “mistrial.” And the defendant had to be retried on a later date. Thus, our jury was dismissed, and the jury selection process began again.
Meanwhile, the members of the jury had a potluck in the deliberation room that day. All was not lost for us.
Have a great week!
— My love to all,
Nancy
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“Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God.”
— Romans 13:1
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F.A.N. to host Spirit of Sport banquet

June 1, 2019, 9:00 am
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The Madera F.A.N. will host its annual Spirit of Sport banquet to honor middle school and high school student/athletes Monday at the Madera South High School cafeteria, beginning at 5 p.m.
Both Madera and Madera South high schools will honor a coach with a Most Inspirational Coach award. The Madera F.A.N. will honor a student from each high school with the Kenny Taylor Athlete of Integrity Award.
Spirit of Sport/Most Inspirational Coach honorees
Madera Coyotes
Coaches- Russ Stanford (cross country), David Lozano (girls basketball) and Judy Shaubach (softball)
Madera South Stallions
Coaches- Travis McEowen (girls volleyball), Enrique Garcia (boys soccer), Steve Guglielmana (boys Volleyball)
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Fall- Natasha Griffin and Benji Molina
Winter- Alexiah Gonzalez and Isaiah Pinto
Spring- Leah Resendez and Eduardo Enriquez
Coaches- Angel Guillen and Jose Hordaz (girls volleyball), Juan Carillo (soccer) and Luis Flores (baseball).
Martin Luther King Middle School
Fall- Zoe Guzman and Gabriel Garza
Winter- Alannah De La Cruz and Daniel Valdez
Spring- Bianca Scott and Jesus Perez
Coaches- Alex Fierros (cross country), Paul Adams (boys basketball) and Sky Fierro (track and field)
Desmond Middle School
Fall- Savanna Rivera and Erik Cervantes
Winter- Jocelyn Mendez and Estevan Medina
Spring- Vanessa Rivera and Xavier Cantu
Coaches- Latoya Schoals (girls volleyball), Jode Bishop (wrestling) and Kathryn Van Loon (boys volleyball)
Madera F.A.N. Spirit of Sport nominees
Fall Male Spirit of Sport
Robert Niino
Grade: 12. GPA: 3.98
Sports: Water polo, (4 years); Swimming, (4 years)
Volunteer Work: Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout, Boy of the Month, Senior Class Vice President, ASB Spirt Commissioner, Link Crew Leader, CSF Member
Coach Rick Martines’ comments: Robby’s positive attitude and work ethics earned him the team captain title for the water polo team. He received second-team Al-CMAC in 2017. This year, he made First-team All-CMAC and he was recognized as an honorable mention of CIF Central-Section Division III All-Valley Men’s Water Polo Team. Out of the pool, he has held a GPA of 3.98, while also holding a part-time job. He has been active in numerous organizations and will be attending Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania on an academic scholarship playing water polo.
Fall Female Spirit of Sport
Alizae Vasquez
Grade: 11. GPA: 3.30
Sports: Girls Volleyball (3), Softball (1)
Volunteer Work: 2014-2016 - Peer Helper, 2017-2019 - Treasurer of 2020 Club; Church Volunteer; 2017-2018 - Blue Crew member.
Coach Meghan Haas’ comment: Alizae is a three-year program player and is ecstatic about the upcoming volleyball season. Despite not having a starting role on the varsity team last year, she was a vital member of our squad and constantly demonstrated a “team-first” mentality. Standing on the sideline, actively cheering on her teammates was a tough position for her, but she never let her lack of court time affect her enthusiasm or passion for her team’s success. She was eager to make a difference and desperate, in the best way possible, to improve upon her weaknesses to earn herself some playing time. She brought a positive attitude to practice every day and never, ever put herself above her team.
Winter Male Spirit of Sport
Oscar Ruiz
Grade: 12. GPA: 2.71
Sports: Water polo (3); Wrestling (3)
Volunteer Work: Volunteer MULES coach at Washington, MULES referee, church activities
Coach Joe Romine’s comments: Oscar Ruiz demonstrates what any coach would like to have as an athlete. He is hard-working, coachable, well-liked by his teammates, dedicated, puts in extra time, dependable, good student, a leader and he wins. Oscar is a three-year varsity letter winner in wrestling and a three-year varsity letter winner in water polo. Oscar was on top in several categories on the wrestling leader board. He was also a CMAC All-League selection in wrestling. It is Oscar’s off the mat success that sets him apart. He is a true friend to everyone and has never been known to let anyone close to him be let down. Oscar excels in the classroom and also volunteers his time in various activities. It has been my pleasure to know him and coach him.
Winter Female Spirit of Sport
Catherine Figueroa
Grade: 10. GPA: 3.20
Sport: Basketball (2)
School Involvement/Volunteer Work: Lil Coyotes (2 years); CVYL Basketball Tournament scorekeeper (2 years); MHS GIrls Basketball JV/Frosh Tournament Scorekeeper (2 years); 2019 Madera Unified Basketball Team Partner; Valley State Prison Family Night Volunteer; 2018 Valley Children’s Hospital wheelchair game participant
Coach Jason Smith’s comments: Cathy covers all the bases of pursuing victory with honor.
Respect: She shows respect for everyone on her team with her everyday actions. Responsibility: Good student, excellent team mate, coachable player, and a role model to those younger than her. Fairness: She encourages everyone, plays hard and within the rules, attends all classes and practices daily, Caring: She is a genuine people pleaser. She wants her team, teammates and friends to all be successful. Citizenship: Cat helps with anything and everything she can. She attends and assists at all Lil Coyote events, at youth tournaments and camps. She is an example to those younger and older than herself. Catherine has been playing basketball in our program since she was in fifth grade.Her overall dedication to her team and to her skill development led her to win the Miss Coyote Basketball Award in her sophomore year. She is the only sophomore to win the award in the past 11 years at Madera High School at the varsity level. Her dedication to her skills and team is outweighed by her dedication to her academic progress, making her the quintessential student athlete.
Spring Male Spirit of Sport
Alek Trukki
Grade: 11. GPA: 3.54
Sports: Baseball (3 years), Basketball (3 year)
Volunteer Work/ Community service: Coyote baseball youth camp; Madera parks and rec youth baseball camp; Madera Babe Ruth tryout volunteer; Bully awareness program for grades 1-5 at Our Lady of Victory school; Made sack lunches for Catholic Charities for eight years with Our Lady of Victory; Parochial Athletic League referee; Madera Coyote basketball Little Coyotes; MAD Net summer camp for underprivileged kids with the Madera Police Department; MPAKT Program with the Madera Police Department; Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Coach Andy Underwood’s comments: Alek is the perfect example of what we would want every student athlete to be like. He is dedicated to the classroom, the baseball team, his teammates, our community and his family. He is a leader by example and has gained the respect of everyone in the baseball program through his attitude and effort. He currently holds a 3.54 GPA and is setting his future up for success. His daily effort is second to nobody in our program and he is always doing the right things. Alek is trustworthy, honest and can always be depended on to get the job done correctly. Alek has had success and failure on the baseball field, but has remained the same positive and hard working person throughout. He has never demonstrated any poor body language towards coaches or teammates and has never questioned and coaches decision.
Spring Female Spirit of Sport
Nicole Gibbs
Grade: 12. GPA: 3.36
Sports: Girls Water polo (4) Girls Swim (4 )
Volunteer Work: Raking lawns for people in need; Serving food at a homeless shelters; charity fundraisers
Coach Erik Baymiller’s comments: Nicole is an incredible individual. Her freshman year, she had to experience something nobody should have to, especially as a happy kid excited about starting her high school career. Her mother’s battle with a terminal illness resided in her. Where so many other young minds in heartbreaking situations would lash out, bottle up emotion or make unwise decisions, Nicole made the conscious choice to not let this unfortunate situation to be a reason for her to be a lesser person, to quit or to fail. Nicole channeled her energy and emotion into aquatics as she continues to this day. Using her energy and putting countless hours in the pool, she has become a Madera High school record holder in all three relays, as well as being a Back-to-Back Valley Champion. She is truly an elite swimmer, and a pretty darn good water polo goalie, although she doesn’t like to admit it. In her spare time, Nicole surrounds herself with wonderful people and good influences. She has outstanding morals, character and requires the same of the people around her. She has not only turned out to be an incredible person, friend and high level athlete, she has turned out to be a source of inspiration for myself and those in our program. She is a shining example that our futures are in our own hands.
Fall Female Spirit of Sport
Aleecia Rosel
Grade: 12. GPA: 3.6
Athletics: 12-time varsity letter winner — 4 years volleyball, 4 years basketball, 4 years softball; 2nd Team All League- 4 times; 1st Team All League- 2 times; Captain- 6 times; Athlete of the Month- 6 times; Volleyball Div. III Central Section Runner-Ups- 2018; Volleyball Div. V State Nor Cal Semi-finalist- 2018; Girls Volleyball Iron Athlete; Stockton Classic Tournament MVP-2018; All-Madera Tribune Most Valuable Player for volleyball and basketball.
Classroom: 4.0 Award- 2 years; Block S Club- 4 years; Senior Class Club; refereed for MULES-4 years; Little Stallions- 4 years
Volunteer work: Volunteers at the local animal shelter in free time; Plays travel AAU basketball and travel softball; has taken 4 Honors/AP classes.
Future plans: Attend Fresno City to play basketball and then transfer to a four-year university. Career goals are to become a psychologist or study sports medicine.
Coach Travis McEowen’s comments: Aleecia Rosel is a very skilled volleyball player who led our team in many statistical categories in both offense and defense. Not only did she blossom into a great talent skillwise, she also was a leader on and off the court. Aleecia took extra care in helping teammates resolve issues that were not always volleyball related. She took pride in always doing what was best for her team and always put her team first. The coaching staff is so proud of who Aleecia became in not only as a volleyball athlete, but also a mature and confident woman with CLASS. Aleecia Rosel truly pursues victory with honor.
Fall Male Spirit of Sport
Dallas Hansen
Grade: 12. GPA: 3.89
Athletics: Football- 4 years, team captain; volleyball- 3 years; Madera All Tribune team for football- two years; Selected Madera South Athlete of the Month – 2 times; All League running back- 2nd team.
Classroom: Guitar Club; Scholar Athlete- 4 years; Red Ribbon Rally at Chavez- 2 years; Read Across America-1 year; 4.0 Award- 2 years; Leo Club member; Eagle Scout; Grape harvesting at Humanitarian Aid Vineyard; Lions Club Speech contest winner; three AP classes.
Future plans: Mission for Church for two years and then attend Utah State University to study Aerospace Engineering to become a pilot.
Coach Matt Johnson’s comments: Dallas is reliable, dedicated and eternally upbeat. His ability to lead and calm angry or frustrated teammates is unparalleled, and it is because of his excellence in this area that he was selected by his peers to be a team captain. Dallas multitasks effectively and is able to handle any high-volume workload. Dallas is a hardworking, top-performing student athlete and he has my highest recommendation.
Winter Female Spirit of Sport
Savaanah Garcia
Grade: 12. GPA: 4.19.
Athletics: Softball- 4 years; cross country- 2 years; tennis- 2 years; track- 1 year, Soccer- 1 year; Most Valuable Runner, cross country; First Team All League – 4 years (softball); Scholar Athlete – 4.0 Award-4 years; Defensive Player of the Year for softball- 1 year; Offensive Player of the Year for softball- 1 year; ESPN All Valley Team- softball; Athlete of the Month- 4 times; All Around Player of the Year- softball; Dynamic Duo Award- Tennis.
Academics: Leadership- 4 years; CSF- 4 years; Key Club- 4 years; Block S- 4 years; five honors or AP classes; Madera Little League- help run softball clinics- 3 years; Leo Club-Fundraise for kids in need- 2 years; MSHS Cross Country- provided socks for homeless shelter and organized and helped at elementary school XC meets.
Future plans: Attend Drexel University in Pennsylvania on a softball scholarship while exploring educational interests.
Coach Ramon Delgadillo’s comments: Savaanah was one of my captains on the soccer team. Even though she didn’t have experiences in soccer and it was her first year playing, she embraced the challenge to became one of my leaders. She had dedication, enthusiasm and hard work on the field and off the field. Savaanah was a very important leader to help with continuing the standards of her teammates.
Winter Male Spirit of Sport
Christian Garcia
Grade: 12. GPA: 3.21
Athletics: Soccer- 4 years; First Team All League- 2 years; 2nd Team All League – 2 years; Athlete of the Month- 2 times; All Madera Tribune Team- 4 years, Madera Tribune MVP- 2 years; Captain- 2 years; CIF Central Section Div. III Champions 2019; CIF Nor Cal State Div. III Champions 2019
Volunteer work: VFW support- put flags up at the Courthouse park- 2 years; refereed at Mules soccer games- 4 years; participated in clinics for Middle school
Future plans: Attend Azusa Pacific University to play soccer and study Kinesiology to become a Physical Therapist.
Coach Enrique Garcia’s comments: Christian has become one of our program’s most recognized student-athletes. But this is not the only thing that describes Christian. His respect, not only to his school and team, but also to his opponents and refs, his community care, his selflessness and humbling nature, his love and commitment to his school and town are some characteristics as why people are drawn to him. He is a student/athlete that represents what we are trying to build at Madera South.
Spring Female Spirit of Sport
Aunika Bull
Grade: 12. GPA: 4.22
Athletics: Water polo- 4 years; swimming- 4 years; Qualified for Valley Championships- 4 years; Most Dedicated Swimmer- 1 year; Athlete of the Month- 1 time.
Classroom: Vocalist for MSHS Jazz Band- 4 years; Choir – 4 years; Drama- 2 years Performed in: Once on this Island, Almost Maine, and Little Shop of Horrors; Upward Bound- 4 years; Honor Society for Music- Performed at Clovis North Festival -1 year; Honor Choir competed at Regionals in November 2018 and then competed at All State in March 2019.
Future plans: Attend Fresno State University as a Music/Vocals major
Coach Rich Petzinger’s comments: Aunika Bull is a highly organized, hardworking and creative person. I have known Aunika for five years. Aunika has been one of my best swimmers and water polo players all four years of high school. Aunika strives to be the best student/athlete she can be. Her attitude is infectious and those around her strive to be better because of the example she sets. Aunika has great work ethic and is constantly looking to improve herself as a student and a person. She is very compassionate and respectful to others because she is always concerned about those around her. Aunika has great drive which seems to come from a strong family dynamic. Her mom and dad are both strong in her life.
Spring Male Spirit of Sport
Niko Olivera
Grade: 12. GPA: 2.8
Athletics: Football -2 years, track and field- 2 years (100m, 200m, 4x100, 4x400, long jump); Athlete of the Month- 2 times; Football Impact Player; Track MVP.
Classroom: FFA- 3 years; Block S- 2 years; Red Ribbon Week Rallies at elementary schools- 2 years
Future plans: Attend West Hills Community College to play football and get his welding certificate. Then transfer to a four-year college.
Coach Eloy Quintana Montoya’s comments: Niko Olivera is a very hard working young man. He is always willing to help others and is always encouraging his teammates to do their best. He is a great leader and genuinely a great person. He is always stepping up when the team needs him. Every team needs a Niko Olivera to be the example of a great teammate.
Previous Spirit of Sport Athlete of Integrity nominees
Madera High School
2018
Cade Sherrod, Alejandra Lara, Seth Valencia, Elias Garcia, Amanda Sordi, Brian Hefner and Lola Gill.
2017
Matthew Ylarregui, Jessica Diaz, Mario Moreno, Samantha Valencia, Tyler Mallonee
and Priscilla Torres.
2016
Eric Niino, Kinsey Kerby, Vincente Frutis, Creona Harshaw, Caleb Pursell and Morgan Grisby.
2015
George Martin, Flora Flores, Nathaniel Nelson, Angelica Hernandez, Tristen Alvarez and Kylie Gill.
2014
Julian Martinez, Cassie Vera, Daniel Ruiz, Elizabeth Tornero, Robert Espinoza and Mariah Davis.
Kenny Taylor Athlete of Integrity award winners: 2018-Seth Valencia, 2017-Samantha Valencia, 2016-Creona Harshaw, 2015-Nathaniel Nelson, 2014-Mariah Davis
Madera South High School
2018
Veronica Ortega, Seth Garcia, Junior Segura, Destiny Pursell, A.J. Martinez and Matt Estrada.
2017
Elizabeth Sorenson, Miguel Villar, Gigi Gutierrez, Mark Davila, Alexis Garcia and Jiovanni Saavedra.
2016
Lalo Herrera, Dominique Andres, Bryan Orozco, Kim Montoya, Angel Barriga and Jonnie Montano.
2015
Juan Macias, Jocelyn Salazar, Julian Zertuche, Katie Johnson, Quinn Shippey and Cynthia Pinto-Cabrera.
2014
Jonnie Montano, Moses Salinas, Katie Johnson, ulian Zertuche, Cynthia Pinto-Cabrera and Godofredo Juarez.
Kenny Taylor Athlete of Integrity award winners: 2018-Veronica Ortega, 2017-Miguel Villar, 2016-Lalo Herrera, 2015-Katie Johnson, 2014-Godofredo Juarez
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Opinion: Past the rain and into the past

June 1, 2019, 9:30 am
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The rainstorms have abated and the temperature has returned to the high 80s and low 90s May and June are supposed to be. Weather is one of those topics it safe to discuss in polite company. Religion and politics can lead to discussions that turn family members against one another. A simple Sunday meal at Momma’s can turn into a huge brouhaha. In most cases, I can’t help but think there is a personal underlying grudge that is being avoided.
I heard a few people complain about the rain.
“Enough already, too much of a good thing and we are drowning here…” they say.
Paying attention to the Big Picture, we need five or six years of this kind of rainfall to have any hopes of recharging the aquifer.
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Family dinners with my Mom’s kinfolk were usually calm and friendly. While alcohol was on the premises, it was strictly “Bring Your Own Beer.”
The year we lived in Nashville and had, parties and family holidays with my father’s family were quite the eye-opener. The hosts laid in a huge supply of top-drawer spirits and beer by the keg. Each one tried to out-do the other in refreshments, cuisine and the furnishings of their homes.
These poor damaged people grew up with a father who went for a pack of cigarettes during the depression and never came back. Then these eight children had a stepfather whose crimes against his stepchildren are too horrific to tell no matter how drunk the aunt or uncle, they refused to share the stories.
My Mom’s family were blue-collar, hard-working men and women. My dad and two uncles worked at Quality Dairy for Mom and Pop Ferguson and after they retired their son, Clark Junior. Now there’s a job that has disappeared. Residential milk delivery may exist yet in some small communities but in Madera, it died out in the early 1970s.
My Dad’s people aspired to be more white-collar. Along with that came the large consumption of spirits and loud argument about stupid things. I heard my Dad’s baby brother Joe have a screaming match with his older sister Frances over a $20 camera from 20 years before.
Apparently, Claud Conley Hill Sr. was a really cold and distant man. On one of my trips to Nashville, I had a cousin take me to the cemeteries where he and my grandmother are buried so I could put flowers on their graves.
Following Daddy’s discharge from the Navy in World War II, he didn’t go back to Tennessee for more than 20 years. He never saw his mother again. I can’t help but wonder if he didn’t blame her for a miserable childhood.
He and his siblings spent their school years in a combination boarding school and orphanage. Poor families could send their children there for education if their grades were good and they were hard workers. Reading the history of TIS (Tennessee Industrial School) it cost about $50 a month to feed, clothe and house the students. The State of Tennessee paid $25 and the other half the students earned farming and performing other chores as requested.
When we lived in Murfreesboro my father threatened to send me to TIS because my mother was in the hospital; he worked long hours and I was a horrible 13-year-old with bad grades and a smart mouth.
His brothers’ wives overheard him threatening me and they came down on him like a ton of bricks. You see, they were alumni of TIS too. The horrible things the girls endured from the male students and the predominately men staff members were very ugly. They threatened to take him to court if need be if personally giving him a beat-down wasn’t enough. Luckily that was the last we heard of that. Inside of six months, we were back in Madera.
Long days and pleasant nights, have a great weekend.
• • •
Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.
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Letter: Recalling early thoughts on high-speed rail

June 1, 2019, 10:00 am
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I wrote a letter at the beginning of the HSR proposal. It said: “Let the Chinese build it and charge what they want for the riders.” Was I wrong?
Have a great day.
— Bill Hoffrage,
Madera
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President who carried tragedy to White House

June 1, 2019, 10:30 am
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For The Madera Tribune
Former U.S. President James Buchanan.
Robert Coleman was a self-made man who immigrated to America from Ireland and amassed a fortune by manufacturing cannonballs. His business acquisitions enabled him to become Pennsylvania’s first millionaire. All of that money, however, while making his life pleasant, couldn’t buy happiness for one of his daughters, and her distress had serious consequences for our nation’s history.
Coleman took his obligations as a parent seriously. He was particularly vigilant when it came to the men who began to show up on his doorstep as his daughter Anne reached womanhood. He wanted to make sure that none of them sought her hand because of his money.
As time passed, Anne began to return the amorous attention of a young lawyer who had just moved to Lancaster County to establish his practice, and this sent her father into paroxysms of fear. Robert suspected the barrister’s interest in his daughter was not entirely honorable. Coleman was apparently unhappy with the attorney’s reputation and his checkered history at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Then there was the matter of his money. Rumors came floating to him that Anne’s youthful suitor indeed had his eye more on his money than on his daughter, and if that wasn’t enough, people had seen the young lawyer visiting the wife of one of Coleman’s friends. When the couple sought her father’s approval of their engagement, he turned them down cold. Robert Coleman would brook no nonsense when it came to his daughter, and he certainly wasn’t going to take any chances with the man he thought to be a scoundrel. He demanded that Anne break off her engagement.
Anne was devastated; decent daughters just didn’t disobey their fathers in the early 19th century, so she submitted to his authority and ended her relationship with her beloved. Compliance with her father’s demands, however, had disastrous repercussions for Anne. She descended into the depths of such depression that a doctor prescribed laudanum, an opiate, to calm her nerves. In Philadelphia on Dec. 9, 1819, Anne used the medicine to commit suicide. As much as she loved her father, she couldn’t bear the thought of living without her man.
Anne’s death shattered her young attorney friend, and he vowed to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life. If he couldn’t take Anne for his wife, he would remain single, and that’s just what he did. He totally threw himself into politics, and by 1857, he made it to the White House.
You see, that young attorney over whom Anne Coleman committed suicide was none other than James Buchanan, our 15th President, and he was as good as his word. For 38 years he kept Anne’s portrait above his mantle and when the people elected him to the presidency, he took her picture with him. In a forlorn twist in time, Buchanan served one term and left the White House as America’s one and only confirmed bachelor president.
As for Anne’s picture, Buchanan took it with him back to his home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and there it hangs to this day, a symbol of the endurance of true love denied.
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CHP checkpoint planned

June 1, 2019, 11:00 am
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The California Highway Patrol, Madera Area, working in conjunction with the Madera Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver License Checkpoint beginning June 1 at an undisclosed location within the county from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., June 2.
Checkpoints serve three purposes — deterrence, removal of drunk drivers from the road, and public education. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.
The law and common sense make it absolutely clear that driving any vehicle (including recreational vehicles) or a boat after drinking is a critical mistake. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in alcohol-involved collisions in California during the past three years (2016-2018). During that same time, nearly 80,000 others were injured, statewide under similar circumstances. More than one-third of all traffic-related deaths in California involved alcohol. Just last year, Madera Area CHP officers made 765 DUI arrests, of which 125 were arrested out of a traffic collision. Of the 14 fatal collisions handled by Madera Area CHP, five were a result of DUI drivers.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing. These checks will only delay motorists momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.
The Automobile Club of Southern California estimates that a first offense misdemeanor DUI conviction in California for an adult age 21 or older can cost approximately $15,688 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and increased insurance costs.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone if you see an impaired driver, call 911.
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Chowchilla’s Ron Moore is heading back to space

June 1, 2019, 11:30 am
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For The Madera Tribune
Chowchilla’s Ron Moore will venture back into space with his new show “For All Mankind.”
Apple gave the green light, straight to series order to Chowchilla High grad Ronald D. Moore’s space drama. The show, titled “For All Mankind,” is from Sony Pictures Television and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions.
The show, which completed filming the first season in March, is tentatively scheduled to stream in October. The show will explore what would have happened if the space race had never ended.
The new series, which was written and created by Moore, involves Outlander executive producer Maril Davis. Fargo co-executive producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi, who previously worked with Moore on several projects at Sony, also join the new series.
The famed television and movie writer and producer received widespread acclaim and awards for his rebooted Battlestar Galactica series and recently with Season 4 of Starz’s Outlander. He is also an executive producer and installment writer of Amazon’s Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams.
Moore began his career with three Star Trek series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, before re-creating Battlestar Galactica. He also was the executive producer on Carnivale and Caprica before developing the Outlander series. He has writing credits on three movies including two Star Trek movies, Generations and First Contact and Mission: Impossible II.
Moore has received numerous awards including an Emmy, three Victor Hugo awards, five Saturn awards and the highly coveted Peabody award.
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1 killed on HWY 152

June 1, 2019, 12:00 pm
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A 22-year-old man from Madera was killed Monday afternoon as he attempted to turn from Highway 152 onto Road 13, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Servando Aguilar Lopez was driving a 2017 Honda westbound at 1:50 pm when he used the cross-over intersection and for unknown reasons turned in front of and struck an eastbound 2016 Honda with a 31-year-old male driver and four male passengers from Fresno. That car was moving at roadway speed. The force of the impact demolished and spun both cars around onto the shoulder of Hwy 152, where they remained upright and began to smoke.
Lopez was pulled from his vehicle as it burst into flames but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The five occupants of the car struck by Lopez all sustained moderate to major injuries with the front passenger being flown by Life Flight helicopter to Community Regional Medical Center.
Traffic on Hwy 152 was impacted for several hours as emergency crews worked to treat the injured, investigate and clear the scene of the fatality.
The collision remains under investigation. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in the collision.
Toxicology reports are pending.
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Police arrest Madera man in DUI crash

June 1, 2019, 12:30 pm
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Madera Police Department
Antonio Rivera, 24, of Madera was arrested on charges of DUI, reckless driving and fleeing from officers. He was spotted doing donuts Tuesday night in an intersection, hit a stop sign and then crashed his panel van into a wall. He was found to be three times over the legal limit for alcohol after failing field sobriety tests, according to police.
A 24-year-old Madera man was arrested for DUI after officers saw him attempting to do stunts and burning circles in a white panel van in an intersection near Merced and Ellis Streets Tuesday night, according to the Madera Police Department. The van then struck a stop sign, hit a curb and struck a concrete wall before coming to a stop. No injuries were reported.
Antonio Rivera fled briefly into a field before being caught by officers and arrested for DUI, reckless driving and fleeing from officers.
Rivera was found to be three times over the legal limit for alcohol.
Alex Martinez, 22, a pal of Rivera’s who drove to the site of the crash, was also found to be under the influence and was also arrested for DUI at the scene.
Madera Police Lt. Dan Foss said the problem with young, reckless drivers in Madera doing street stunts and racing was an ongoing and serious issue that police are targeting.
“This type of activity will not be tolerated, and places all of our citizens at unnecessary risk. Our officers (will) enforce a zero tolerance policy on all DUI violations or reckless driving. This includes the breaking of (tire) traction, donuts or street racing. For those who participate in this activity, it can result in incarceration at the county jail for up to one year,” Foss said.
Fines for reckless driving can be up to $1,000 and result in points on a driver’s record. Motorists convicted for reckless driving offenses often then pay extremely high insurance rates or find they have difficulty getting insurance at all.
Police are requesting residents report drivers who are driving recklessly, or planning stunts or racing and say you could be saving a life.
The number to call to report unsafe or reckless drivers is Madera Police dispatch at 675-4220. The line is answered 24/7 and you can remain anonymous.
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Class of 1973 bids Farnesi’s farewell

June 1, 2019, 1:00 pm
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Alan Beraldi/For The Madera Tribune
Members of the Madera High School class of 1973, from left rear, Mark Fleming, Doug Elliot, Tami Jo Nix, Arthur Zamora, Alice Tate Williams, Gilbert Molina, Rodonna Betts, Diane Allen, Donna Foster, John Beatty, Linda Castillo, Phil Gallegos, seated, Pam Pistoresi, Vicki Pratt, Kathy Row, Irene Vizcarra and Patty Lopes pose for a class picture at the Farewell to Farnesi’s luncheon on Saturday.
By now, word has made the rounds that yet another Madera icon is going out of business. Farnesi’s Restaurant at 2085 W. Kennedy Avenue plans to close for good the end of the month. May 30 will be the last day for the public with the 31st reserved for the regular customers who helped keep the doors open all these years, said owner Donnie Cedarloft.
“I’ve worked here since graduation from Madera (Union) High School in 1964,” said Cedarloft.
Working at the same job, cooking the same (comfort) food for 55 years is almost unheard of in the new millennium. Chicken fried steak, breaded veal cutlets or liver and onions have been some of the establishment’s mainstays for decades. Family favorites such as pot roast, meatloaf, burgers and club sandwiches joined breakfasts served with biscuits and gravy. These meals have been complemented by the restaurant’s freshly made bread pudding.
Anyone driving by has noticed the number of cars in the parking lot. Last Sunday there were 37 cars ln the parking lot. It is reasonable to assume the drivers needed one more Farnesi’s meal before it is too late.
On Saturday a group of 1973, Madera High classmates gathered for an impromptu mini-reunion in the Farnesi’s dining room.
Cedarloft’s late sister-in-law Pam Morgan was a member of the Class of 73 and her presence is greatly missed at class reunions. Her sister Carla Roberts was just one year ahead of us. She and Cedarloft have run the restaurant together for many years.
Unfortunately, a limit of 20 to 25 people had to be set as the restaurant dining room and the rest of the restaurant can only accommodate so many people. We had to clear out by 4:30 to give the staff a chance to reset the room for the Saturday night dinner crowd. All had moved on by 4:15 with a part of the crowd retiring to the lounge for an adult beverage and more conversation.
During these baby boomer’s childhoods, many came to Farnesi’s with their parents or grandparents as a special treat celebrating family milestones such as birthdays, promotions and anniversaries among them. While in high school a date to Farnesi’s with attendance at the Sadie Hawkins, Blossom Day and Junior Senior Prom dances showed your date you had high style.
As the kids grew up a 2 a.m. last call at the local bars breakfast followed a night of dancing and partying with one’s friends. When the cocktail lounges closed, entire parties moved their people to drink coffee and sober up before going home. This was especially helpful for the college-age crowd at home with their parents for a weekend or holiday break.
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The idea for a Class of 73 gathering was first suggested by classmate Doug Elliot. A Cal Fire firefighter and teacher of methods of extinguishing pyrotechnic incidents originally put forth the idea for the lunch on the classes’ Facebook page. Several of us chimed in and the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, 2 to 4:30 p.m. became the appointed gathering time.
Elliot drove up from San Diego, John Beatty and his wife came down from Oakdale. Classmates came from other Central Valley areas for the luncheon.
Born between 1954 and 1955 the class has seen many of its number die too young. Each gathering is an opportunity to catch up on family and friends who for 13 years were their first friends and constant companions.
That realization had many suggesting they not wait for the 50th reunion in 2023 to meet again.
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New schools to be K-8

June 1, 2019, 1:30 pm
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Vote not unanimous
After months of research and weeks of discussion, Madera Unified trustees decided Tuesday night to create two new K-8 schools in the district.
Voters gave approval last November for two elementary schools and a concurrent enrollment middle school when they passed Measure M, a school construction bond.
After passage of Measure M, the district began to address the issue of configuration — should the two elementary schools be K-6 schools or K-8 facilities?
In a May 2 workshop, the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet recommended maintaining the three middle schools that already exist but making both of the new elementary facilities K-8 campuses.
While acknowledging that there is “no single solution to the question of most effective grade level configuration…” the district’s leaders expressed the belief that a “hybrid approach” to the configuration question would be the best for Madera Unified.
The staff report noted that while the existing middle schools meet the needs of hundreds of Madera students, modern research “strongly supports K-8s as a viable option for students, family, and staff.”
The report went on to point out several advantages of the K-8 configuration, which included data comparing local K-8 schools with the district’s middle schools.
Students from Madera Unified’s K-8 schools show stronger reading and writing skills, stronger math results on local and state assessments, have stronger long-term achievement in high school, and have a higher high school graduation rate and higher grade point averages.
When the matter came before the school board at its regular meeting Tuesday, a majority of five appeared to favor the K-8 plan. Trustees Ricardo Arredondo and Ed McIntyre, however, had reservations. Both contended that more research was needed — Arredondo a bit more aggressively than McIntyre.
When the question was called, the motion to go with the K-8 plan passed 6-0. Arredondo abstained; McIntyre voted with the majority. When questioned after the meeting, McIntyre explained his yes vote by stating, “I’m a team player.”
Plans for the concurrent enrollment middle school, set to open in 2020, are not affected by Tuesday’s vote.
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This class met after school

June 5, 2019, 10:40 am
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Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera historian Bill Coate speaks during Madera Unified School District’s honoring of the Minturn Scholars on Thursday. As honored guests of Madera Unified, the group gathered in the library of Madera South High School to help the district unveil the Madera Method Special Collections and Archive.
There are places in Madera where all roads meet. One is the Madera County Historical Society Museum. Another is the California Room in the Madera County Library, and one of the newest is the Madera Method Archive in the Media Center of Madera South High School.
Madera Unified has been working on the school archive for well over a year, and last Thursday they had a ribbon cutting celebration to raise the curtain on this latest avenue into the past.
Last summer, district personnel renovated the Media Center at Madera South High and at one end they created space for the Madera Method Archive. Cabinets, book cases, drawers, tables, and display cases were installed. They purchased a microfilm reader/scanner and computer, and then began the search for primary source documents. Within months, they had drawers of manuscript diaries, letters, and memoirs. A huge microfilm collection was donated, and a couple of months ago, Superintendent Todd Lyle, his cabinet, Principal Oracio Rodriguez and his staff, and the school district maintenance staff began planning for the celebration.
The date of May 30 was set, and the word went out that the district wanted to build the event around the Howard School 6th grade class of 1984-1985 who inaugurated the Madera Method with their project, The Minturn Chronicles. The news of the celebration went out over Facebook, The Tribune, and from the district office. As the guest list grew, staff and volunteers set in to prepare the set.
Deputy Superintendent Sandon Schwartz and Director of Purchasing, Susan Harautuneian, used all of their persuasive, negotiating powers to see that the impressive, electric “Madera Method” sign was installed and working. Madera South teacher, Marianne Rock, led her culinary art students, the Stallion Caterers, in preparing a table of delicious appetizers. Guitarist Angel Maciel, got ready to perform, and Gladys Diebert, Secretary to the School Board and Lile’s administrative assistant, worked out the details of the program with her assistant, John Rieping.
All the while, Trustee Joetta Flores Fleak with assistance from the Historical Society, filled the display cases with artifacts from Madera’s past. By Thursday afternoon, everything was ready.
At 4 p.m., I walked into the Media Center and there in front of me was a group of my former 6th graders, the Howard School Minturn Scholars: Jason Baldwin, Chris Bateman, Angela Elliott, Tanya Gutierrez, Aaron Leavitt, Stephanie Metelko, Melissa Nolan, Jennifer Ogletree, Sophia Salas, Kelly Street, and Michelle Zackaria. (Some of them have different last names, and I may have misspelled some of them, But I knew each one of them, after 34 years).
I didn’t know that the feelings would run that deeply, but they did. I was consumed with such emotion; the tears flowed. I didn’t even try to hold them back.
As I made my way to my seat, I passed so many who had been pivotal in making this event happen. Many of the districts top administrators, school board members, David Holder, MUTA president, Dr. Julia O’Kane, former MUSD superintendent, Audrey Pool, our project genealogist, and Tim Riche, producer of the Madera Method video that was part of the program. I also saw our special guests Clay and Dusty Daulton and Al and Cecelia Sheeter.
And right in the middle of it all were Fredo and Renee Martin recording everything for the Online Madera Method Archive they are building.
I went to the large cypress clock hanging on the wall that held the photographs of every Minturn Scholar. I ran my hand over its surface, remembering each student and then turned around; there they were, in the flesh.
Some of them took the podium to share some memories. Each one gripped me. When it was my turn, I almost gave them a Minturn quiz — that’s how real it all was.
There were two other speakers who touched me deeply. Superintendent Lile and Principal Rodriguez’ remarks told me their interest in the Madera Method Archive was as intense as mine, which means it will be around for a long time.
The celebration was scheduled to end at 5:00. It lasted until 6:30. Very few wanted to leave.
So, the Archive is open and ready to serve, and the Minturn Scholars have had a chance to see how important their 6th grade year was to so many people, especially that 78-year-old teacher who saw a long time ago how special they are.
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Letter: Thank you, sir, for your respect

June 5, 2019, 10:59 am
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Went to the Home Depot car show last Friday. They opened with the National Anthem. A guy came out of the Home Depot during the playing. He appeared to be a Mexican Guy. He realized the Anthem was playing and stopped and stood at attention.
I was impressed. Many that are not involved with the event will not do that. Whoever you are, thank you.
— Bill Hoffrage,
Madera
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Letter: One school size does not fit all, reader says

June 5, 2019, 11:01 am
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Congratulations to the Madera Unified School Board, Superintendent Todd Lile and the school administration for having the courage and wisdom to approve two new K-8 schools for the Madera Unified School District! Both local experience and state research support the advantages of this configuration.
This decision will preserve and expand options for the district, for families and for students. One size does not fit all. It never has; it never will.
— Betty Scalise,
Retired Madera K-8 principal
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