San Benito High School District shares information with the public as it becomes available, including offering newsletter updates each Monday and Thursday. Make sure to follow us on social media as well through @BalerNews on Twitter and Instagram, @BalerSports on Instagram, and Hollister High School on Facebook.

Monday, January 30, 2023

Dear Hollister High School parents, students, staff and community:

Three new electric vehicles will replace the red carts that for years have been used to sell meals, snacks and drinks to students during break and lunch on campus. Food Service Director Jim Lewis said the vehicles -- two of which have already been delivered to campus -- have the capability of selling hot and cold food, along with snacks and drinks.

The vehicles will be deployed throughout campus to provide meals during Zero Period and will be accessible during breakfast, lunch and after school.

“We’re really looking forward to getting these deployed and start serving the kids,” Mr. Lewis said.

More than 40 Hollister High School students on Friday are participating in the fifth annual Student Voices Summit in the school library during 4th and 5th blocks. The students, who were recommended by school counselors, teachers or English Learner staff, are sharing feedback about the school, facilitated by English Language Development teachers, paraprofessionals, Principal Adrian Ramirez, Director of Academic Services and Instructional Programs Elaine Klauer, and summit organizer and English Learner Program Specialist JoAnne Zuniga-Kaplansky. Students discussed and shared, in English and/or Spanish, about topics such as their positive experiences and challenges at school, how teachers show they care, whether they feel represented at school, what motivates them to attend school, what makes them feel comfortable or uncomfortable in class, what they do when they struggle with their feelings, and what they wished they knew before coming to the high school. They feedback and perspectives will be shared with teachers, administrators and counselors.

Excellent progress is being made on San Benito High School District facilities projects including the new solar farm, storage building, vehicle and bus canopies along with the rooftop solar PV project on the Career Technical Education building.

A reminder the Hollister High School Spring sports tryouts begin Monday, Jan. 30 after school. Check the flyer for specific tryout information. All students must be academically eligible and have cleared all of their paperwork with Mrs. Doty in order to try out.

The Hollister High School Winter Homecoming Royalty court was announced at lunch on Friday. Rally Club Royalty Chairpersons Jada Speech and Erica Salinas announced that freshman Ryan Zamora will escort princess Alexa Avila; sophomore Anthony Felix will escort princess Alyse Harrison; and junior Carlos Garcia will escort princess Teresa Planas Martin-Saiz. The senior class royalty are Donno Haertel, escorting princess Emmia Rivera; Matthew Kashiwagi, escorting princess Autumn Salinas; Viktor Rodriguez, escorting princess Ashley Maupin; Dylan Freitas, escorting princess Heidi Andrade; and Anthony Weathers, escorting princess Kelly Taylor. The Unified Royalty are Xinia Cervantes and Nicky Matos. The Winter Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime of the Friday, Feb. 3 varsity basketball game and the queen will crowned at the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The San Benito County Local Assistance Center will be open this Thursday through Saturday for local residents impacted by the recent flooding.

Congratulations to the Hollister High School Athletes of the Week: cheerleaders Erika Barragan and Jade Ramirez! Coach Jaclyn Soto said, "Erika is an all-around great cheerleader. She shows much improvement in her stunting, tumbling, and her leadership this season. She works hard in and out of the classroom and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Way to go, Eta!" Regarding Jade, Coach Soto said, "Jade gives her very best at practice, on the sideline, and during performances. She has great energy, showmanship, and spirit. She has shown tremendous improvement since joining Baler Cheer three years ago and I am looking forward to watching her grow."

Hollister High School will host the SAT and ACT tests during the school day in April. The fee for the test is $15. Limited spots are available, so students must sign up and pay at the Student Payment Center between Jan. 24 and Feb. 15. Late signs-ups will not be accepted.

The Hollister High School Drama 3 and 4 productions of "Clue" and "Check Please" have been rescheduled for Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 in the school auditorium. Tickets are available online, at the Student Payment Center, or at the door.

Hollister High School metals teacher Tim Hammer on Wednesday, Feb. 1 will host an HST (Haybaler Support Time) session that will feature the "Welding Women Syndicate," an award-winning group from the American Welding Society that helps women get into welding and fabrication. Students can sign up for the session through Plus Time. Photo courtesy of Monterey County Now.

Attention parents and relatives of Hollister High School seniors: The February 3rd deadline to purchase a senior tribute in this year's yearbook is fast approaching. Don't miss out on your opportunity to celebrate your graduate's accomplishment. The online system allows you to create and pay for your tribute all in one. 

Auditions for this year's spring musical "Rock of Ages" will be Wednesday, Feb. 2 and Thursday, Feb. 3 from 3:30-7 p.m. in the Hollister High School Auditorium. Please bring a song to sing (if using sheet music, a pianist is only available Thursday), and comfortable clothes and shoes in which to dance. Please reach out to Derek Barnes at dbarnes@sbhsd.k12.ca.us if you have any questions.

Students who didn't purchase the Baler Pak can now order individual copies of the 2022-23 Hollister High School yearbook online for $75 through www.yearbookordercenter.com. Make sure to enter code 6779 when ordering.