News Briefs

Free STEM Camp available to high schoolers this summer

High school students will have a hands-on learning opportunity at a free, week-long event this summer designed to inspire teens to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers in the water industry.

The camp will take place July 11-15 and provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and compete for team prizes of up to $1,000.

Those interested can sign up at www.evmwd.com/STEMPULL. The deadline to register for the camp co-sponsored by EVMWD and the Riverside County Office of Education is June 27.

TCHS Students of Year receive scholarships at district dinner

Both the male and female Temescal Canyon High School Students of the Year Awards and Scholarships were awarded to Canyon Lake students at a ceremony Tuesday at Lakeside High School.

Kylie Strange and Connor Martilla were selected for the honors by the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce. They won the award out of a pool of those students who were named Students of the Month during the school year. Kylie received her Student of the Month Award in November and Connor was named the October Student of the Month.

As Students of the Year, both Kylie and Connor received scholarships at the dinner at the Round Table Café. The event was the first in-person Student of the Year or Student of the Month program since the beginning of the pandemic. All had been held remotely via Zoom.

In addition to the Student of the Year award and scholarship, Kylie and Connor received numerous gifts from the myriad sponsors of the award. Five other Lake Elsinore Unified School District students from the other district high schools were also honored at the event.

Kylie is active in both student government and varsity athletics at Temescal Canyon High School. She has been in ASB for four years and serves as the school’s ASB Vice President. She is the team captain of both the varsity volleyball and basketball teams, playing on both teams for three years. She was named the October Athlete of the Month at the school. Kylie is also the ASL Club president.

Kylie has lived in Canyon Lake her whole life with her family, which includes, in addition to her parents, an older sister and younger brother. She attends Canyon Lake Community Church. Her future plans include attending college and majoring in Education. She wants to be a 2nd Grade teacher.

Connor holds a GPA of 4.6 and is on the National Honor Society, IB, CSF and Interact.

He received the Athlete of the Season Award last autumn for his performance in water polo. Connor broke the school record with 14 goals in a match and finished the season with 70 assists.

Not only does Connor play water polo, but he is on the varsity tennis and swim teams. He also finds time to participate in the club swim team for Riverside Aquatics Association.

Community Theater group needs community donations

The Canyon Lake Community Theater needs donations to stay afloat according to Nicole Garvito, publicity and PR on the board of directors for the organization.

Due to the recent pandemic, many of Canyon Lake’s clubs were affected financially, however, those that seemed to feel the biggest hit were the clubs and organizations that depended on in-person attendance.

The Canyon Lake Community Theater, which receives its funding from ticket sales to live shows, has set up a GoFundMe campaign in order to help save the club from shutting down.

“Our once-thriving company has sadly fallen on hard times,” Nicole Garvito, VP of Admin on the organization‘s board of directors, said. “We are on the brink of shutting down, and in order to continue our mission, we are asking for everyone’s help to save our organization.”

The Canyon Lake Community Theater is a non-profit theater company that has been bringing live theater arts and education to the community for over 30 years.

“This organization has been beloved by so many for years as we have been a constant in giving many talented young stars their start,” Nicole said. “Our mission is to educate and nurture budding actors with decades worth of knowledge from our directors and choreographers.”

The group also gives seasoned actors an opportunity to continue on with acting as their hobby well into their adult lives.

The Canyon Lake Community Theater’s GoFundMe goal is to raise $10,000.00. Those wishing to make donations, large or small, can visit the website and search for Canyon Lake Community Theater.

The funds received, Nicole said, will keep the organization alive so it can continue to bring quality live theater to the community and valley.