The 'American Graffiti' award
A rose to the Downtown Business Association of Escondido for 10 years of Cruisin' Grand.
For a decade, this event has drawn car lovers from all over Southern California. In the process, the association has helped to showcase downtown Escondido, one of the county's last remaining authentic main streets. It's a little slice of "American Graffiti" right here in North County.
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The 'Apple for Teacher' award
A rose to the nine North County schools recognized as California Distinguished Schools.
They are San Elijo Middle School and Woodland Park Middle School in San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo High School and Bernardo Heights Middle School in Poway, El Camino High School in Oceanside, Rincon Middle School in Escondido, Valley Middle School in Carlsbad, Carmel Valley Middle School in San Diego and Earl Warren Middle School in Solana Beach.
The schools were among 261 to be named California Distinguished Schools, which recognizes top-performing public schools in the state. To qualify for the program, schools must show improvement in the Academic Performance Index, which the state uses to measure student performance and growth of schools.
We hear so many bad things about our public schools; it's nice to hear some good news once in a while. Congratulations to the teachers, principals and students at these nine schools who made this achievement possible.
The 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' award
A rose to the Assistance League North Coast and the Westfield Mall Payless Shoe Source for providing shoes to needy students.
The group started the Footsteps program locally 15 years ago with only five schools and about 150 kids. This year, organizers expect to give shoes to nearly 1,500 students from nearly 30 schools. Each of the students gets a new pair of shoes, six pairs of socks and a bag of toiletries.
The league brings students from various schools in Oceanside, Vista and Carlsbad to the Payless Shoe Source in the Westfield Mall each Wednesday throughout the school year. The shoe store gives the nonprofit group a 30 percent discount.
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Additional information:
ESCONDIDO: Cruisin' Grand rolls into its 10th year
REGION: Schools recognized as distinguished in annual state program
OCEANSIDE: Local nonprofit buys needy students new shoes
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