Aug 27, 2026
Sarah-Jane Osborne. Photo courtesy of Distinguished Young Women
Shafter’s Sara-Jane Osborne of Shafter High School and Bakersfield’s Aundrea Moore of Stockdale High School recently represented Kern County at the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2027 State Finals at CSUB’s Dore Theatre. Having received scholarships from their local community programs, they were two of 24 high school juniors from across California competing for the state title. The competition included evaluations in scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression.
Aundrea Moore. Photo courtesy of Distinguished Young Women
Jessie Cai. Photo courtesy of Distinguished Young Women
For more information, please visit www.distinguishedyw.org/find-your-program/california.
Milan Institute Instructor Wins National Educator of the Year Award
Lynnette Garrett. Photo courtesy of Milan Institute
Garrett's career shows a full-circle journey. She began as a massage therapy student in Bakersfield before becoming an educator who now trains skincare professionals. The honor spotlights Garrett's dedication to education, mentorship, and the advancement of excellence in the beauty and wellness industry.
For more information, please visit www.milaninstitute.edu.
Photo by EJ Medellin. Photo courtesy of CSUB
California Resources Corporation (CRC) is donating $75,000 to California State University, Bakersfield to support students and equip a new collaboration space in the university’s Energy Innovation Building. The space, located on the building’s second floor, will provide a place for students, faculty, and community partners to work together, share ideas, and conduct research. In recognition of the gift, CSUB will name the area the California Resources Corporation Collaboration Space.
Currently under construction and expected to open next year, the 56,000-square-foot Energy Innovation Building will act as a hub for STEM education and research at CSUB. The three-story facility will feature more than 10,000 square feet of teaching labs, more than 8,000 square feet of research space, a 240-seat event hall, and 20 faculty and administrative offices. It will also house CSUB’s California Energy Research Center, Extended Education and Global Outreach, providing new opportunities for students, researchers, and community partners to collaborate on energy and other emerging fields.
CRC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Omar Hayat said the gift is a symbol of the company’s commitment to the community and to the university. CRC is one of the largest local employers of CSUB graduates. “It’s a great honor for us to do our part in this great project,” he says. “We believe that projects like this will pay dividends for a long time to come and that our future generations will benefit from that.”
For more information, please visit https://news.csub.edu/crc-donates-75000-to-support-students-in-energy-innovation-building
Photo courtesy of BMoA
Artists ages 18 and older are invited to participate in the 28th annual Via Arté Italian Street Painting Festival, set for Oct. 17-18, at The Marketplace. Hosted by the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA), the festival allows artists to create temporary works of art using chalk pastels on the pavement. There is no fee to participate, and the Via Arté Chalk Festival is a juried exhibition showcasing artistic talent from the community. Artists can compete for a variety of awards, while those under 18 can participate as part of a high school group. Artists of all ages and skill levels are also welcome to take part in the Via Bambino area.
Interested participants must submit an application by Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Applications must include a description and a photo of the masterwork being copied or a concept for an original work, with up to three images per application.
To apply, visit www.viaartebakersfield.com.
Garces Memorial High School Opens New Classroom Buildings
Garces Memorial High School recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 30s, 40s, and 50s Classroom Buildings, marking a significant milestone for the school. The new classrooms are the first completed project of The Next 75 Capital Campaign. They are designed to support Garces’ dedication to providing students with a Catholic college-preparatory education in a modern learning environment.
The project is the first major accomplishment of Phase 1 of the campaign and was made possible through the support of Garces alums, parents, grandparents, and friends of the school. For more information, please visit www.garces.org.
Photo courtesy of UWCEC
Children ages five through seven can receive a free children’s book in the mail each month through READ United, a program of the United Way of Central Eastern California (UWCEC). Along with a new book, participating families receive important resources developed to support children’s learning and encourage reading at home. United Way believes students are most successful when they have books to read at home and when adults read to them, emphasizing that a book today makes a difference for tomorrow. Sign up for READ United by calling 661-834-1820 or visiting www.uwcec.org.
