THEMVCSVISTA
Monte Vista Christian School Newspaper
Monte Vista Christian School News
WATSONVILLE-- What started as a fun way to talk about their Star Wars obsession and spend time together has turned into a respected and followed podcast for three Monte Vista Christian teachers.
It has already been nominated for three Star Wars Podcast Awards, and has even drawn attention from some of the film series’ cast members
Teachers, Jeremy Scott (Bible Leadership), Devin Kleffer (U.S. History) and Tyler Sharp (U.S. History) are the main masterminds behind the podcast series, Unmistakably Star Wars, a project they started in October.
Are you obsessed with Star Wars? “During times of my life, yes I was” said host Jeremy Scott.
History teachers Donell Lindner and Grant Craton and English teacher Alejandro Martinez also contributed to the series.
Unmistakably Star Wars was nominated for Best New Show and Best Logo. Scott was also nominated for Best Host.
The creators post two podcasts per week, and they have even started a YouTube channel where they occasionally post videos. The podcasts are available on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Stitcher. They have rapidly gained popularity, as new listeners tune in each episode.
The teachers are even selling T-shirts and sweatshirts, and have an Instagram for the series.
“We have around a thousand listeners,” Kleffer said.
The podcast has picked up enough attention to claim recent interviews with popular personnel within the Star Wars Universe, and more media attention is to come.
Star Wars world notables interviewed in the podcasts include: Bonnie Piesse (Aunt Beru from Episodes 2 and 3), Gloria Garcia (Jakku villager from the Force Awakens, interview happened on March 15th, flew out from filming episode 8 in London for this interview.), Adam Bray (author of “ Ultimate Star Wars” and "Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know"), Michael Kogge (The Force Awakens, Jr. novelization; various Star Wars Rebels books), John Jackson Miller (Author of Kenobi; Lost Tribe of the Sith; and various other Star Wars books), Brynne Palmer (LucasFilm licensed tattoo artist).
Monte Vista has previously connected with the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas’s sister, Kate Nyegaard, worked at Monte Vista Christian School as a secretary for about 8 years. This was during the 90’s.
“She used to call me over to the office to come check out pictures on what her brother was doing.” Said Estee Martin, Arc Supervisor.
Varsity Baseball Excused to Attend Funeral
By Schyler Sicoli
Staff Writer
schylersicoli@students.mvcs.org
Watsonville -- After the Monte Vista Christian baseball team beat Salinas March 15th, coach Don Keathley told the team that any player attended Jaime Fernandez’s memorial, that player would not be able to play in the game against Salinas later that day.
A school rule states that if any athlete misses more than half the school day, he or she cannot participate in athletic competition that day.
Yet the players came together that night and decided that showing their support for Fernandez was far more import than a baseball game, and were willing to take a loss.
Fernandez was hiking in Big Sur with his cousin the week before when he fell off a cliff and into the ocean. His body was never recovered.
In the baseball group message the night before the memorial, the team told Keathley the choice they had made, his response being “totally agree.” So that morning at 7:20 a.m. the team all met up and left in three cars packed full of players ready to make a statement that this was bigger than baseball.
While driving over to Carmel, Keathley texted the group, saying that administrator Josh Davis had cleared them to attend the funeral and that they would be allowed to play in the game.
“When I found out, I wanted you guys to be able to go,” Davis said. “First thing I did was called CIF and wanted to see what the rule was. Right after getting off the phone i went straight to Sharp and told him and we made an exception.
“Since this whole situation was out of the ordinary and tragic we had to make an exception so that as a school and a baseball program we could support the Fernandez family,” Davis said.
Fellow teammate Sam Kent also thought it would be a great idea if the team did something at the baseball game. So, before the first pitch, Kent said a speech on the team's behalf and flowers were placed on home plate followed by a moment of silence.
“It was very nerve racking, going out there to represent our team.” Senior Sam Kent said.”But I am very glad I got the opportunity and wouldn't want it any other way.”
WATSONVILLE-- Ivy League schools only take seven percent of the most qualified, prestigious applicants in the world. At least two Monte Vista Christian School students meet those qualifications.
Elijah Ezeji-Okoye and Justin Cong have been accepted into the ranks of scholars that reach back to before the beginning of America. Ezeji-Okoye has been accepted to Princeton, Cong to Yale.
The 17-year-old Ezeji-Okoye, with a 4.3
weighted GPA, was the first to hear back from his school of choice. Princeton University, with a seven percent acceptance rate, accepted Ezeji-Okoye last month. The official Ivy League Day is not until March 31 for regular decision applicants.
Although he has not committed to a major yet, his future already looks bright.
“I'm thinking about international relations, economics, and biomedical engineering,” says Ezeji-Okoye. “I’m also thinking of minoring in Spanish, because I want to be fluent.”
While it is an honor to be accepted to one Ivy League, Ezeji-Okoye has applied to two others: Harvard and Yale.
He spent his summer working at Veterans Affairs Hospital putting together files on medical techniques, and presented his work at a medical conference in Las Vegas in December. Despite his experience in the medical field, he does not want to limit his options.
“I want to go into business, law, or the medical field, but I haven't decided yet,” says Ezeji-Okoye.
Cong has also been accepted to Yale University, a school with a 6.5 percent acceptance rate, and the alma mater of Hillary Clinton, Ben Carson, and George W. Bush. The historic university gave Cong the good news last week, also before the official day. He plans to study engineering or computer science.
While many would be overwhelmed playing running back and safety for the MVC football team along with taking top notch AP classes and participating in the Young Marines, Cong has not only managed it, but has come out on top.
“It's not about being president of 50 different clubs,” he says. “It’s about focusing on a few activities and really getting involved with those.”
Cong’s involvement in the Young Marines impressed the Admissions Board at Yale. The Young Marines is an organization for high school students which promotes mental, moral and physical development of integrity and respect in its members.
He has maintained a 4.5 weighted GPA, a good attitude on the football field and in the classroom, as well as leaving a lasting impression on his peers.
“What got him in were his looks and charm,” Cong’s friend senior Jaime Fernandez said.
Two more MVC students have applied to Ivy Leagues and await their response. Zach Williams is waiting to hear back from the University of Pennsylvania on March 31, and Brittany Marshall awaits Yale and UPenn.
Monte Vista offers a rigorous workload which it claims prepares students for their college education. These students will put this “college prep” school to the test as they approach the behemoth of college on the horizon.
For more information on the prestige of the Ivy League university click here: https://www.ivycoach.com/ivy-league-admissions-statistics/