Gay Geiser-Sandoval-- Educationally Speaking

I beg to differ with Peter Buffa’s conclusions that the education

obtained inside our public schools is crumbling as fast as the buildings.

He should have accompanied me to the four awards ceremonies and academic

rally I attended this week.

I went to high school in the 1960s, and I would not be able to compete

today. School projects require kids to do research and find graphics from

all types of resources, including the Internet.

Then, the final product must be presented in a power point

presentation, or with video editing, in addition to more traditional

formats. As one mom put it, “I can finally use a computer to type a

letter, but I haven’t figured out how to turn it on yet.”

In all fairness to Buffa, the awards ceremonies I attended featured

our area’s best and brightest. There are many kids in our schools who are

not doing very well. But, when you see the end product of those students

who take advantage of every school opportunity, it makes your head spin.

The Academic All-Star breakfast sponsored by the Costa Mesa Chamber of

Commerce showcased those who had achieved academic success at our local

high schools and colleges. The top 16 at one school all had at least a

4.0 grade point average. The list of accomplishments besides academics

was staggering. How can they pack so much in their day?

My favorite was the Irvine Company’s 2000 Student Leadership Awards

Program. I don’t think you could meet a nicer group of 20 high school

seniors who appear to be running our county schools almost

single-handedly. Their first assignment was to meet a total stranger from

another school, talk to them for a few minutes, and then provide a

one-take videotaped biography of that student. That was our introduction

to each of the award winners. If these kids could anchor the nightly

news, I would start watching it again. They each had a unique style and

perspective that shone through.

The second assignment was to read about land management, then meet

with their designated team and design a community, while being judged by

urban and land use planners. Finally, each one faced a 30-minute

interview with a panel of judges asking them such things as their

platform as governor.

The most heart-rending part of the program was to hear the students’

words about their inspirational teachers. Those teachers had been invited

to hear what the kids had to say. If you could have heard those words,

you would rest assured that a fine education is available at every

district school. While teachers love to win grant money, I expect that

the few words of praise extolled by their students will keep those

teachers inspired for a very long time.

Costa Mesa High School held its first academic rally. It was the first

time that our academic teams have been acknowledged or showcased. It was

awesome to see our six academic teams lined up across the gym floor, and

to hear about their accomplishments throughout the year.

We also acknowledged the 100 kids who received straight As for two

semesters in a row. The college poster contest featured our seniors going

to Stanford, Yale, Brown, MIT, Wellesley, NYU, Marymount Manhattan,

Emerson, Chapman, Redlands, all of the UCs, OCC and more. Those colleges

don’t seem to think we have a failed educational system either.

GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column usually runs

Tuesdays. She can be reached by e-mail at GGSesq@aol.com.