May 2, 2022

Dear San Benito High School parents, students, staff and community:

San Benito High School's Career Technical Education building was formally named in honor of longtime administrator, coach board member and educational leader Steve Delay, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday. Mr. Delay began his teaching career at SBHS in 1973 and was the wood shop teacher from 1973 to 1986. He later served as special projects director and director of finance and operations, leading the district through construction projects while maintaining a fiscally-sound budget. Since retiring in 2005, he has served as an SBHS District Trustee for the past 16 years. The Board approved naming the building in honor of Mr. Delay for his leadership, teamwork and support over the past five decades. Prior to the ribbon-cutting, District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum said one of Mr. Delay's "greatest legacies over the past five decades has been his commitment to career technical education. The very facility we are in today is a testament to his belief that working with your hands and head are instrumental to the greater good in our society. This unwavering belief will carry forward for years to come."

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren took a tour of San Benito High School on Monday, meeting teachers in the Career Technical Education building and visiting the Baler Wellness Center. She was joined by SBHS District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennnenbaum, Hollister Mayor-Ignacio Velazquez, San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Krystal Lomanto.

On Saturday, 40 students from San Benito High School's Migrant Program boarded the school bus bright and early to visit U.C. Davis and Sacramento State. For the past three weeks, the students researched the universities and met with Migrant Education Program Specialist Liliana Ruiz during Haybaler Support Time, working on an interest inventory and doing activities around college, career and major exploration. At U.C. Davis, the group enjoyed breakfast and listened to students talk about their college experience, including Baler alumni, Alexis Lozano (Class of 2020) and Enrique Cabrera (2019), who provided a tour of campus. At Sacramento State University, the students enjoyed lunch in the dining commons before heading on a campus tour led by former migrant students and Baler alumni Bernardette Hernandez and Javier Diaz de Leon (both from the Class of 2016). For most students, it was the first time visiting a university campus. One sophomore said, "I don't really have anyone to take me to see universities, so this gives me an opportunity to see them." A junior said of the universities, "Both are places I'm looking to apply to and would like to get a feel for the campuses." The students are looking forward to the next college tour to CSU Stanislaus on May 14. Ruiz thanked Lizzette Ortiz and Claudia Mendoza for helping chaperone the field trip and Jim Lewis and his Baler Food Service team provided a breakfast for all students.

Site work has begun for seven new portable classrooms on the east side of campus, near the Barragan Softball Stadium parking lot along San Benito Street. The project, designed to provide additional classroom space at San Benito High School's student population continues to increase, is expected to be completed by August.

Save the date! On Thursday, May 26, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., San Benito High School's Visual and Performing Artists will present the annual Awareness Campaigns and Art Show. Culinary artists will provide delicious cookies for the event, which will take place on the VAPA campus. The Advanced Artists have been building their Awareness Campaigns on topics of their choice. They will have coloring pages, buttons, cookies, and more to hand out to their booth visitors. Art teacher Christina Ross said, "It has been great to work with these talented artists, to see their passion, and witness their growth as global citizens designing artwork to help create an inclusive and diverse community." The link below is for anyone not on campus who wants to be added to a guest list. All guests will be required to check in at the office that day.