Marine View celebrates its ribbon

Marine View Middle School Principal Elizabeth Williams summed last

Thursday up nicely.

“It was a long day, but it was wonderful,” Williams said of the

school’s celebration for being named a National Blue Ribbon School.

“It’s an honor that’s well deserved by the staff and kids.”

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher took part in the ceremony, along with

Councilwomen Shirley Dettloff and Grace Winchell and City

Administrator Ray Silver. All joined an assembly of students, school

staff and parents.

Being selected as a National Blue Ribbon School is the highest

distinction that a school can receive from the federal government. It

takes time and dedication from the administration, staff and parents,

Williams said.

Developed by the secretary of education in 1982, the Blue Ribbon

program was designed to identify and give recognition to outstanding

schools nationwide.

Before a school can claim a Blue Ribbon, it must be named a

California Distinguished School. Once a school receives the award, it

is invited to apply for the national award. Those applicants are

evaluated by the state Department of Education, which determines

finalists to be forwarded for national evaluation.

-- Jose Paul Corona