KHSD Virtual Enterprise Teams Dominate at VE California Conference and Trade Exhibition

Ridgeview High School’s Virtual Enterprise (VE) team was recently crowned the overall Business Plan state champions at the VE California Conference and Trade Exhibition. Six other teams from the Kern High School District placed in the top nine in the same competition, securing their tickets to the VE International Youth Business Summit in New York City in April. The top 8 VE Marketing and Human Resources team will also advance to the national competition this Spring.

Congratulations to the following high school teams that will advance to nationals: Business Plan Competition; Ridgeview High School, Centennial High School, Stockdale High School, and West High School. Human Resources Competition; Centennial High School, Ridgeview High School, and Bakersfield High School. Marketing Competition; Ridgeview High School, Bakersfield High School, and Stockdale High School.  For more information, please visit www.kernhigh.org.

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The Wonderful Company Central Valley Community Grants Program Announces $1.5 Million in Funding for Central Valley Nonprofits and Schools

The Wonderful Company, owned by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, recently announced the latest recipients to its Central Valley Community Grants program. These grants, totaling $1.5 million, will provide direct support to help drive increased engagement with 30 local and regional organizations in California’s Central Valley.

“Guided by the Resnicks’ vision, Wonderful believes that the greatest impact comes from working closely with local partners. This year’s grantees and their programs provide essential resources that align with our commitment to serving as Wonderful neighbors by listening to community needs, increasing access to resources, and collaborating on transformative opportunities that improve the lives for future generations,” says Andy Anzaldo, chief operating officer of corporate social responsibility at The Wonderful Company.

The program focuses on serving nine rural communities in the Central Valley. Some of the 2024 grant recipients include:

Delano, The Open Door Network and Strider Education Fund; Lost Hills, Authorable and Kern Dance Alliance; Shafter, 746 Sports Foundation and Assistance League of Bakersfield; and, Wasco, Community Action Partnership of Kern and Kern Community Tennis Association. For more information and a complete list of grants, please visit www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com.

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Bakersfield College Athletics Announce New Football Head Coach

Bakersfield College Athletics recently introduced Tyler Thompson as the new head coach of BC Football. A Kern County native and a BC graduate, Thompson played for the Renegades in 2008-2009 and has been part of the coaching staff since 2014. With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada Reno and a M.S. from Fresno Pacific, he looks forward to working with current players and recruiting top notch talent to build upon its strong foundation. For more information, please visit www.bakersfieldcollege.edu.

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Bakersfield Museum of Art Construction Plans Announced

Bakersfield Museum of Arts (BMoA) recently launched a series of facility Improvements to its interior and exterior spaces that is expected to be completed this fall. These construction projects will help the organization better preserve and share its permanent collection of California art and help to serve even more students in the art education spaces.

The projects include an exterior entry redesign, expanded curatorial spaces, gallery enhancement, and classroom improvements. Each construction phase will result in temporary closures of select spaces at BMoA. Closures will be announced through email and social media.

“The community upside on these projects is tremendous,” says BMoA Board of Directors president Laura Cattani. “We’re taking another step toward achieving our mission to enhance the quality of life through art appreciation and educational opportunities in the visual arts for Bakersfield and Kern County.”

For more information, please visit www.bmoa.org/construction.

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Kern County’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Kern County’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with an Installation and Business Awards Gala. The night featured awards for eight individuals and businesses who have been instrumental in promoting the KCHCC’s mission for advocacy, education, and cultural celebration within the community.

Honorees included: Business Woman of the Year: Deanna "DeeDee" Watkins-Lewis; Corporation of the Year: Anthem Blue Cross; Large Business of the Year: Romy & Associates-Medicare & Health Plan Educators; Small Business of the Year: Jerry’s Pizza & Pub; Non-Profit of the Year: Anand Legacy Foundation; Community Service Award: Maritza Jimenez; Next Generation Award: Jessica Neeley; and Businessman of the Year: Jose Gaspar, 23ABC News. For more information, please visit www.kchcc.org.

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Author, Journalist Paola Ramos to Headline CSUB’s Kegley Institute Spring Lecture

Author and award-winning Journalist Paola Ramos will headline the Kegley Institute of Ethics’ (KIE) annual Charles W. Kegley Memorial Lecture this spring on April 8 at 6 p.m. in the CSUB Dore Theatre. The event, titled “The Rise the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America,” is just one of several events being held by the Kegley Institute this semester.

“We are thrilled to be hosting a wide range of thought-provoking speakers and events this semester,” says KIE Interim Director Dr. Nate Olson. “Many of our spring events focus on the importance of voice—which voices are heard and how. I encourage everyone to come out and add their own voices to the conversations.”

Ramos is the author of the books “Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America” and “Finding Latin-X: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity.” A former correspondent for Vice News, she is a contributor for Telemundo News and MSNBC as the host of “Field Report.”

Ramos worked in politics prior to her journalism career. She was the deputy director of Hispanic media for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and a political appointee during the Obama administration. For more information and a complete list of events, please visit https://www.cs.csubak.edu/~kie/.