Dwyer students are bringing about changes Dwyer...

Dwyer students are bringing about changes

Dwyer Middle School students are making positive changes in their

community. In the spring, students canvassed grocery, convenience and

liquor stores in Huntington Beach to investigate if local stores are

in compliance with a city signage ordinance. They found nearly 50% of

stores were in violation.

The students are part of the school’s Club Mix, which formed in

December 2001 and was the first ethnic-based club on campus. The club

launched a project, Neighborhood Education and Window Signage, to

educate students about the adverse impact of alcohol/tobacco use and

the connection between advertisements and use.

California’s Lee Law permits 33% of a store’s front window to be

covered with advertising. In Surf City, however, no more than 20% may

be devoted to ads.

Stores that did not comply were given information packets by the

group about the law and the affect of advertising. Students also

continued to monitor the stores.

Of the 10 stores that were notified, one removed signage to be

compliant with the ordinance. The students made a difference and

learned much from this project.

“They learned to look at window coverage and what types of ads are

targeting them, they learned communication skills, and they learned

that their voices are heard,” said Martha Zavala, a health educator

for the Santa Ana-based Positive Action Toward Health community

service group.

The stores that did not comply were sent a letter in hopes that

they will make the necessary changes. Huntington Beach Code

Enforcement has also been informed of the violators and supports the

students’ efforts. Zavala hopes that the city will take action to

enforce the signage code and she expects the children to gather for

another push during the next school year.

“All the store owners were surprised to hear from the students,”

she said. “Many seemed totally unaware of the ordinance.”

Four students selected for InnerSpark

The California Summer School for the Arts, InnerSpark, attracted

1,400 applicants of which only 520 were accepted. Four aspiring

Huntington Beach artists were among the 520 selected to participate

in the esteemed program.

In a ceremony held May 30 Huntington Beach students Lindsay

Ashpole, Michael Herrera, Jason Sandler and Matthew Sandler were

honored and bestowed bronze medallions embossed with the state seal.

In recognition of the talented students across California, Gov. Gray

Davis has designated May 30, 2003 California Arts Scholars Day.

InnerSpark has been providing a head start for talented teenagers

with the desire to pursue careers in the arts and entertainment

industry for 17 years. InnerSpark has trained more than 7,300

students in animation, creative writing, dance, film and video,

music, theater and visual arts.