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Rialto Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday All Across the City

03 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

Ana Gonzalez – 47th Assembly District Delegate took the liberty of posting this inspirational quote on her Facebook wall today. Thanks Ana Gonzales!

Rialto Police Department were out at Myers Elementry School. Rialto Police officers participated in the National Read Across America Day by reading to the children at Myers Elementary today – Great job to Officer Nic Parcher (not pictured), Officer Steven Wright, Officer John Lopez, Law Enforcement Technician Noretta Barker, and Officer Randall Peterson.

Photos taken from Rialto PD Facebook Page

“OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO,” and OH THE PLACES WE WENT!” Rialto Unified School District has a rich tradition of celebrating National “Read Across America” day, today, which is also the late iconic children’s author, Dr. Seuss’s Birthday! Thank you to Rialto Police, Fire, City and RUSD School Board officials who took time to develop connections with our wonderfully dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff, and to read to our deserving students. Enjoy some memorable highlights!

Myers Elementary Principal, Mr. Alberto Camerena and Library Technician, Ms. Julianna Hernandez hosted the guest readers.

Myers Assistant Principal said, “Tada! Join in.”

Myers teacher, Ms. Shannon McCreight, had her hat on and her eyes on the students.

Myers Principal, Mr. Camerena, held the microphone for Rialto Mayor, Mrs. Deborah Robertson, as she read lovingly to several classroom students on a sunny and cool morning.

Kathy McCracken, from the Rialto Host Lions Club, came in to read to students.

Noretta Barker, technician from the Rialto Police Department was all smiles and ready to read.

Rialto Police Department and Target Distribution Center were impressively represented well at Myers Elementary School.

RUSD Board of Education, Member, Mr. Joseph Ayala enjoyed reading at Myers and Casey Elementary Schools.

RUSD Board Member, Nancy G. O’Kelley read to a preschool class.

While Myers teacher, Mr. Thai happily stepped back, RUSD Board Member, Mr. Joseph Ayala spoke with the excited students. “We haven’t seen a real live Board Member before,” said one student.

Picture time at Myers El with Principal, Mr. Cat in the Hat Camerena, RUSD Board Member, Mrs. Nancy O’ Kelley and Preschool teacher, Mrs. Saunders-Hester.

Casey Elementary School Strategist, Mrs. Michelle Stoker walked students in and dressed accordingly for the day!

Casey Elementary School Assistant Principal, Mrs.Terry Helstad walked happy students out on Read Across America day.

Casey Elementary Principal, Johanna Cuellar was looking pretty and festive with her students – and ready to promote Literacy on her campus.

Mrs. Ida Davilla, stands with Rialto Fire Department Firefighter, Earl Meredith, monitoring some excited students who observed the fire engine after the reading portion. Rialto Fire Captain, John Lardner gave students a view of what is stored in a fire engine. “It was just so cool,” smiled one student. “I think I’ll be a fire girl!” Casey Elementary School Strategist, Mrs. Escobar organized the students as Firefighter Dewayne Frederick showed some excited students the fire truck.

Henry Elementary School’s creative and yummy treats were displayed for Read Across America.

Kordyak Elementary School Interim Principal, Mrs. Karen Good and Assistant Principal, Mrs. Emily Dominguez rocked their look!

What’s the 21st Century without a staff selfie? Kordyak Elementary School Secratary III, Ms. Margie Taylors knows the golden rule that before you ask students to participate, you have to model the behavior. Nice shirt Ms. Taylor!

Game on….Rialto High School student-athletes entered the Kordyak Elementary School library with the mission to read to students to help promote literary. “It’s far, one of the best things these students have done, and we’re so proud of them,” said RHS Athletic Director, Mr. Kevin Gilbreth.

Trapp Elementary School got a treat when newly elected Rialto City Councilman, Mr. Rafael Trujillo, came in to read to Mrs. Valvadino’s kinder class. “I read “Owl Moon,” he smiled.

Game on….Rialto High School student-athletes read to Kordyak Elementary School students to help promote literary. “It’s far, one of the best things these students have done, and we’re so proud of them,” said RHS Athletic Director, Mr. Kevin Gilbreth.

The Cat in the Hat doesn’t stick around for many pictures but when he realized that RUSD Board Vice President, Mr. Joseph W. Martinez, aka “Mr. Stem” came onto Casey Elementary School campus to read, he had to grab a picture! After reading, pictures! RUSD Board Vice President, Mr. Joseph W. Martinez, read to students at Casey Elementary School and made some friends on campus.

Star Readers! Werner Elementary School, much like many RUSD Elementary Schools, celebrated “Literacy Night,” raising a reader and strong emphasis on science and literacy. Kneeling up front, from left to right Werner Elementary School Assistant Principal, Dr. Ayanna Balogun and Principal, Mrs. Andrea Roman show the team spirit.

Even local businesses are teaming up with local elected leaders with Coffee Nutzz in Rialto hosted a Dr Seuss party where Mayor Deborah Robertson read to the kids and every kid received a free book marker and small vamilla cone from Cones Creamery.

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Rialto Fails To Get Community Input on New Park Improvements

28 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

There is nothing worse than not being included. This is the same theme that is constantly brought up in this community and it seems like we have yet another example.

From the message below the people living in the 1 mile radius from Frisbie Park were not included in the survey that asked residents what they would like to see in their neighborhood park. Now the right thing to do would be to stop the progress and put the survey back out to get the communities real opinions right? Well according to the message below that doesn’t seem to be what is going to happen unless the community floods the city council chambers tonight.

Why is it that we have to hold our elected leaders hands with every decision that requires just a little common sense?

City Administrator Mike Story said this about the Park Project:

“Survey was done. It was sent out to a large radius of both park projects. There was also a community meeting to get input. Tonight is to review the plans that were prepared with input from community and sub committee.”

City Administrator Mike Story refutes the statement from Omar Menjivar:

“That is incorrect. Perry in community services has the list of all the people who survey was mailed to. The survey was also available on line.”

This message was sent to use from Tennis Coach Omar Menjivar:

Hello Tennis Friends,
This Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 6:30p.m. there will be a city Council meeting in the City of Rialto at 150 S. Palm Ave, Rialto, CA 92376. They will be talking about the Frisbie Park renovation project.

Frisbee Park is located at 1902 N. Acacia Ave, Rialto, CA 92376

A few months ago I shared with you all that there will be a series of meetings in order for the community to express their ideas and concerns about this park. During the month of January and February everyone that lives within 1 mile radius from Frisbie Park should’ve received a survey where you could’ve shared what you like to have in Frisbie Park for you and your family to enjoy in the future. Unfortunately many of us that live within this 1 mile radius from Frisbie Park did not receive the survey.
The City Counsel is nearing the final stages of setting on paper what will be part of the final renovation project. I was informed that there is many things being left out from this project, including the addition of Tennis Courts. Today I got to speak with two city counsel members and I shared with them that Frisbie Park has the great potential of becoming a complete Community Park for everyone in the community, instead of just a park for Baseball and the Softball community. Madame Mayor Deborah Robertson and Counsel member Andy Carrizales ask me to show up to the next city counsel meeting along with everyone in the Tennis Community to advocate to have tennis courts added into the renovation project. However, they emphasized that the tennis community must show up and speak out for their tennis courts.
I will speak in front of the city counsel and I will talk about the following points.

1. We need a community park to the East of the City of Rialto (Frisbie Park is the perfect location)

(so far we have two community parks. One to the far North at Fergusson Park and one to the far South at Rialto City Park)

2. Our Tennis Community has grown in the past year from 5 kids in the tennis program to 50 kids.

(By the end of this year I’m projected to reach more than 100 kids to be in the tennis program. WE NEED MORE TENNIS COURTS)

3. Our Tennis Program is reaching mile stones. For the first time in many decades we have a team that was League Finalist.

(GOOOO Acing Pandas 1 for being League Finalist for the 10 & Under Jr. Team Tennis League)

4. The USTA has grants to help the City of Rialto build tennis courts for our community.

THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE TO PUT IN ALL THE MONEY TO BUILD THE TENNIS COURTS
I’M MAKING A CALL OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO SHOW UP THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017, TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE TENNIS COMMUNITY.

I would like to see someone else from our tennis community speak in front of the city counsel and advocated for more tennis courts and to ensure that Frisbie Park becomes a true community park.
Omar Menjivar

School of Tennis Rialto, CA

Certified USTA Tennis Instructor

schooloftennis@att.net

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World’s Longest Pizza 2017 Comes To Fontana

27 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

World’s Longest Pizza 2017-Fontana, CA

PizzaOvens.com and sponsors announce that they will be attempting to break the Longest Pizza World Record at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on April 9 th, 2017. The event is scheduled to run from 10AM to 7PM and is free and open to the public. Records are made to be broken. For leading pizza oven and equipment company, PizzaOvens.com, breaking the World’s Longest Pizza record was too tempting to resist. Backed by a team of top names in the pizza industry including Tony Gemignani, Giulio Adriani, Tom Lehmann, John Arena, Fred Mortati, Massimo Balacchi and Jimmy DeSisto, the event is destined to be a big success.

All proceeds raised and the finished pizza will be donated to local charities and food banks. America and pizza certainly go hand in hand. The fact that the Guinness World Record for World’s Longest Pizza is being held outside of the United States is unfathomable. PizzaOvens.com has accepted the challenge, recently announcing that it (along with a few hundred friends) will be taking on the challenge to break the record on a fun and exciting day at Auto Club Speedway on April 9th 2017.

Plenty of food and entertainment will be available to keep things lively with all the proceeds and food going to local homeless shelters and food banks. Not surprisingly, excitement surrounding the event is high. “Breaking records is a big part of anyone’s spiritual journey” commented Fash Asvadi, director at PizzaOvens.com & Italforni USA Ovens. “Facing challenges and pushing the envelope makes us better beings. With all the fun involved with a project like this and the fact that in this process we are sharing something with others less fortunate, it is not a surprise that the attempt has been received with true enthusiasm at every level.”

Official sponsors of the Longest Pizza World record challenge include Pizzaovens.com, Doghouse Carts, Italforni Authentic Italian ovens, Orlando Foods distributors for the Caputo flour and Ciao brands, Scaffold Works and Capstone Scaffolding with their amazing 7000’ scaffolding, SoCal Gas, Sysco providing the Riserva Cheese by Arrezzio, TFX Non-Stick and Venice Bakery with their generous contributions of the dough handling and preparation for the event. According to the Longest Pizza team, the April 9th challenge will be an attempt to make a 7000′ [2.13Km] pizza, that’s not just long but looks and tastes great. An official from the Guinness Book of Records will be present to document the challenge and officially judge the record attempt. Auto Club Speedway of California is located 45 minutes north east of Down Town Los Angeles, making it an easy drive for anyone not wanting to miss this potentially historic and indescribably fun day in America’s pizza time line.

Find the official event on Facebook

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City Council Seeks to Further Limit Community Access to Potential Elected Officials

26 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

Rialto Family Festival 2015 || Mayor Deborah Robertson – YouTube
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Rialto Family Festival 2015 || Mayor Deborah Robertson

Written by David Phillips

As a former City Council Candidate I can attest to how difficult it is to reach a large amount of people with your message. I mean signs are an easy way to clog up street corners and blanket the many shuttered buildings but is this the way we want to learn about our elected officials? I personally enjoyed being on both sides of the booth both as the candidate and the community member seeking a face to face with the candidate.

Well we caught wind of a certain elected official who had an issue with candidates having booths at public events. Now his concern has risen to the level of now making it illegal. The issue that the new ordnance looks to address is:

the intent of the City in sponsoring public events is generally to provide a nonpolitical, family-friendly, informative and/or entertaining, and non-controversial event environment;

So given the above statement this will stop not only people running for office but it will also stop groups that are there to spread information on behalf of a political organization and will limit your access to regional leaders who come out to their booths and provide staff to answer community questions. It will officially become harder to meet your elected officials. Is that fair to you?

Also at events like Halloween Hi-Jinks where more than a third of the booths were politically based booths where are Rialto youth going to go for a safe trick or treating environment? You see our leaders forget the consequences of their actions when they are trying to damage chances of certain people ever getting elected.

Questions that need to be answered are:

Will this apply to the mayors luxury cabana that she has every year at the Family Festival?
Will this ban groups like the teachers union, Rialto Democrat Club and Rialto Woman’s Club from having booths at Rialto Events?

I have been to a lot of events and I have never seen anyone get out of hand, there is no fighting and everyone plays by the rules except those who put random signs up and leave them on city property. So we have to wonder if our new council is counting the costs of their actions?

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Senator Connie Leyva Visits Jehue Middle School

26 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

A Senatorial Visit to Jehue Middle School….. 20th District Senator (D) Connie Leyva, visited Jehue Middle School students, staff and parent volunteers this morning to a roaring audience of engaged students. The Senator, who has roots in the Cities of Colton and Rialto (her husband coached in the RUSD District in the late 1980s) spoke to Jehue students in the MPR about the importance of history, education and work ethics “My first job at the union that I was employed for, I took out the trash. I dedicated myself to that task,” explained Senator Leyva. “They noticed. I worked from the ground up, and later, I became the first female President of that Union.” After some loud applause from students, she added, “Never stop working hard, at any level.” The Senator also recognized Jehue Middle School Principal, Mr. Armando Urteaga, much to his surprise, with a “Principal of the Year,” certificate. Mr. Urteaga was one of two RUSD administrators selected by ACSA, Region 12. The other RUSD employee was a former Principal of Jehue Middle School, now RUSD Coordinator of Child Welfare and Attendance, Mr. Leonard Buckner. Enjoy the highlights and GO JAGUARS!!

It takes a village of Jaugars to add success. State Senator Connie Leyva walked into Jehue Middle School with a team of smiling and welcoming District officials, students, staff and parent volunteers. The Senator came to speak to the school’s social studies students about history, work ethics and importance of earning a solid education.

Parent Volunteers add strength to any schools… Jehue Principal Armando Urteaga introduced the Jehue Parent Leaders, sitting front and center, and thanked them for support.

Listening to Jehue Middle School students on stage, RUSD Lead Innovative Agent, Dr. Jinane Annous (far right)and RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Cuauhtemoc Avila (middle) joined Senator Connie Leyva, (far left, in a white blazer) as she was the guest speaker, addressing Jehue Middle School social studies students.

Jehue Middle School student/ASB President, Christian Flores, Left) along with ASB Vice President, Lorely Ramirez, did an awesome job in introducing District 20, State Senator, Connie Levya, as their guest speaker. Jehue Middle School Principal, Mr. Armando Urteaga, was recognized by 20th District State Senator, Connie Leyva at Jehue Middle School, when she came to speak to the social studies class. “I found out that he was receiving an honor from ACSA ‘Principal of Year,’ so I also wanted to show my support. Our principals work tirelessly,” said Senator Leyva. A surprised Jehue Middle School Principal, Mr. Armando Urteaga was recognized by 20th District State Senator, Connie Leyva at Jehue Middle School, when she came to speak to the social studies class. “I found out that he was receiving an honor from ACSA ‘Principal of Year,’ so I also wanted to show my support. Our principals work tirelessly,” said Senator Leyva.

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Appointments Open for West Valley Water District

17 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

So what happens when a local governing body is so fractured that no more than two people can agree with each other? Another governing body has to do your work for you.

There are few governing, publicly elected bodies like West Valley Water District that cover Rialto, Colton, Fontana, Bloomington and other unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, and a portion of Jurupa Valley in Riverside County. West Valley Water fly’s under the radar of rate payers because until recently who cared about your water board right? Until the hyper controlling measures that state and local water agencies laid out on ratepayers nobody really took the time to watch what their water board is doing.

West Valley Water Board members Clifford Young, Linda Gonzles and Greg Young worked hard over the last two years to kick certain board members off the board, bring in new blood that wont question bad spending habits and fight to keep certain people from ever sitting on the board EVER…..

Well with twice appointed never elected board member Rafael Trujillo moving over to Rialto City Council there is once again a vacant seat. Normally the board has a politically charged person waiting in the wings but partisan politics coupled with a lack of ability to collectively agree on a person now has taken this choice out of their hands. The names that were floated around being considered were former Rilato Councilman Ed Palmer, Former Fontana Planning Commissioner Phil Cothran and Activist Irma Flores were just a few of the names that were talked about.

The community was ready to charge the doors of West Valley Water district if Phil Cothran was appointed to the water board. He is coming off a fresh election where he has been accused of trying to takeover the Fontana Woman’s Club, stories of failing to report campaign donations that Phil Cothran took from Young Homes prior to voting yes on their projects and running a local PAC that derailed some very good peoples chances of winning an elected seat. Apparently Ed Palmer who was supported by Clifford Young was not what Greg Young was looking for in a fellow board member. Greg Young didn’t want Ed Palmer’s drama from the recent election where he challenged current Mayor Deborah Robertson for her Mayor seat.

So since West Valley Water is punting this decision it is now up to the San Bernardino County Supervisors to make the appointment. The Board of Supervisors created a special advisory committee consisting of Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales to interview the applicants and recommend an appointment to the full Board of Supervisors.

What is funny is that West Valley may have a Board member that they fought long and hard against two years ago wasting thousands of dollars and wasting rate payer time advocating for their choice in the election.

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Rialto High Cheer Squad Hold 1st Place As State Champions Two Years In A Row

07 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

Photo provided by Rialto High ASB

Varsity cheer placed first at the CheerPros State Championships on January 29th at Citizen’s Bank Arena. Back to back titles. Their next stop will be USA Nationals on March 25th to defend their national title.

What do you get when your student is a Cheerleader from Rialto? Back to Back State Champions that’s what!!!!!!! Both Junior Varsity and Varsity cheer squads will be moving on to the National Championship.

Congratulations to both our varsity and junior varsity competition teams. They will both be heading to nationals in March!

Once again the dedicated cheer team at Rialto High School took the California State Championship and came out on top earning a 1st place finish.

Now our powerful girls head off to Nationals to defend their National Championship in March.

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Community Members Say Now is the Time for a Recall

05 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

Written by Carlos Bravo

Some people call Karen Larson Coleman “Brave.” Not me. I call anybody, that speaks truth to power, “Fontana.” Because this is exactly what being a part of THIS community is all about!!
“Fontana’s mayor needs to be recalled

Re “Attempted recall of Fontana mayor a waste of effort” (Editorial, Jan. 19):

Written by Karen Coleman
You called the recall effort of Fontana Mayor Acquanneta Warren a waste of time and silly. Do any of you live in Fontana and if so have you traveled our streets?
Have you attended a mayor’s round table meeting to supposedly discuss plans for future downtown renovations and not been allowed to speak.
The audience sat at round tables and were not allowed to speak or if they did speak they would be removed by police officers standing at the exits.
The abuse of power this mayor has forced upon the citizens of Fontana is not silly. Have you heard or listened to her declare war on her enemies? She is a bully!
I could fill a page of your newspaper with stories of abuse but whenever I have contacted your offices no one was interested in covering those stories.
Can Fontana take another 22 months of Warren and her cronies turning our city into a warehouse slum? Huge trucks and dirty air for our children to breathe. Can we take 22 more months of her traveling all over the country with no accountability?
She has broken the camel’s back and we cannot waste another day watching our city go down the drain. Why would any reputable newspaper support this kind of behavior?
– Karen Coleman, Fontana”

#RecalLMayorWarren #WarehouseWarren #Fontana #MyFontana #IntegrityMatters #CharacterCounts #VocalMajority

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Eisenhower High School Celebrates Athlete Full Ride Scholorship

03 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

This Football Season didn’t go as well as some would have hoped but the one thing that proved constant were the leaders of the team were not going to give up until the last game was finished. Lamario Howard not only was key to that leadership on the sidelines of each game but he put it all out on the field playing on offense, defense and special teams. One of my first games this season I watched Lamario Howard and Nick Freeman torch Rialto High School for a combined six touchdowns. The head coach of Azuza Pacific University had this to say about Lamario at the signing day press conference.

Eisenhower High School Principal Scott Sparks and Athletic Director Gilbert Pulido held a signing day event at Eisenhower on Wednesday where the education and sports community gathered to congratulate Lamario on this great day. The school is happy to see the leadership of new coach Al Brown producing talented young men that have the skills to attract the attention of Universities like APU. In our interview with Coach Brown he spoke to the importance of reminding student athletes the importance of hard work and dedication in the classroom and field. It is this old school approach that will continue to produce awesome young men coming out of Eisenhower High School.

Lamario Howard pictured at his signing celebration with family and coaches. Picture courtesy of RUSD Communications Dept

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Carter High School holds Signing Day for Two Athletes

02 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

A ROARING SUPPORT… Flanked by their peers, Carter High School student/athlete, CHS Quarterback, Sonny Robison (seated left) will head to the University of Redlands and Carter Girls Softball Player, Alicia Rivera, heads to Iowa Lakes, after graduation. They signed their letter of intent, this morning at Carter High School.

As Carter High School Principal, Dr. Patricia Chavez, once stated, “Great, quality coaching/teaching, results in great, quality students”… With that said, this morning, at 7:00 a.m., Carter High School Athletic Department. led by Athletic Director, Mr. Kennard Kapono held a full ride scholarship signing for two student-athletes at CHS Career Center. Enjoys some early morning, positive news from the Lions’s Den.

Taken from Rialto USD Facebook Page

A PROUD MOMENT….Carter High School Staff and District Leaders were overjoyed as Sonny Robison, Carter High School Quarterback, (seated left), signed to attend the University of Redlands and Alicia Rivera, Carter Girls Softball Player, signed to attend Iowa Lakes, after graduation. Also pictured are CHS Assistant Principal, Temika Morris, CHS Head Football Coach, Alex Pierce, Head Softball Coach, Omar Fernandez, Assistant Softball Coach, Amanda Alvarado, CHS Assistant Principal, Dr. Eric Schessler, RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Cuauhtemoc Avila, and RUSD Lead Innovative Agent, Dr. Jinane Annous

Taken from Rialto USD Facebook page

Signing for their future….All smiles as Carter High School student/athletes, Sonny Robison (seated left), CHS Quarterback, signed to attend the University of Redlands and Alicia Rivera, Carter Girls Softball Player, signed to attend Iowa Lakes, after graduation.

Taken from Rialto USD Facebook page

Signing for their future….Carter High School student/athlete, CHS Quarterback, Sonny Robison (seated left) signed a full ride to University of Redlands and Carter Girls Softball Player, Alicia Rivera, heads to Iowa Lakes. They signed their letter of intent, this morning at Carter High School. Pictured from left are Carter High School Head Coach Alex Pierce, Mr. (and CHS Asst. Coach) and Mrs, Robison, Carter HS Assistant Softball Coach, Amanda Alvarado, Head Softball Coach, Omar Fernandez, Mr. and Mrs. Rivera, and RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Cuauhtemoc Avila, who shared with the students that he also played football and baseball in high school.

Taken from Rialto USD Facebook page

Carter High School Athletic Director, Kennard Kapono describes the students, as they both intently listen. The students, Sonny Robison and Alicia Rivera signed for a full ride, this morning at Carter High School. “These are hardworking, bright, students and we couldn’t be more proud of them, both,” said Carter High School Head Football Coach Alex Pierce(standing far left), Carter High School Assistant Girls Softball Coach, Amanda Alvarado (middle) and Head Softball Coach, Omar Fernandez stands over Carter Girls Softball Player, Alicia Rivera. Rivera will head to Iowa Lakes, after graduation and Robison will head to the University of Redlands on a full ride.

Taken from Rialto USD Facebook page

Before signing it’s always fun to just be “a kid.” Carter High School student/athlete, CHS Quarterback, Sonny Robison (who heads to the University of Redlands) gets the bunny ears from Carter Girls Softball Player, Alicia Rivera (who heads to Iowa Lakes). They signed their letter of intent, this morning at Carter High School.

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