I Choose campaign resumes in support of Sonoma schools

Students are rising up in the Plaza|

Sonoma residents and visitors may have noticed the addition of new smiling faces around the Sonoma Plaza. A fresh set of 'I Choose' banners was installed on Aug. 1 as a visual representation of the students and programs of Sonoma Valley Public Schools. This fall the campaign has expanded to include students from preschool through high school.

'The City is delighted to have the 'I Choose' banners with the faces of our youth surrounding the historic Plaza for the first time,' said Cathy Capriola, Sonoma city manager. 'Youth success, engagement and advancement are important for our community's health and vibrancy.'

The 'I Choose' campaign was first launched in 2014 by a group of parents to communicate 'the many ways to find success at Sonoma Valley High School.' The campaign continues to be a joint effort between parent volunteers and the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. In addition to the Plaza, banners can be found on the SVHS, Altimira and Adele Harrison school campuses.

Campaign volunteers Laura Stanfield and Megan Kaplan say that they are excited about the student, school and community pride that has been generated from the campaign.

Alex Hernandez and Maria Tellez, parents of one of the students on a Plaza banner beamed when their daughter was selected for the campaign. They said they were very proud of their daughter's involvement.

'She had some struggles but with family and school support she worked hard and finished last year with all A's,' said her mother.

Elementary and middle school principals helped select the students featured in the campaign.

'The 'I Choose' campaign is an excellent reminder to our students and faculty that future dreams and goals are within your reach,' said Kathleen Hawing, principal of SVHS. 'It also reminds us that we can define success in a variety of ways – be it academic, athletic, artistic or civic. The larger message to the community is Sonoma Valley public schools are 'Our Community. Our Future.''

Partnerships with community organizations are a key part of student success. This past summer, 30 students gathered to focus on civic engagement in Sonoma. A collaborative effort with Sonoma Valley High School, the Sonoma Chamber of Commerce and the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation to strengthen student involvement in their community.

'The City is proud to have recently partnered with SVHS's summer Youth Engagement Seminar and we look forward to continued investments in our youth,' Capriola said.

Andy Mitchell, photography teacher at Sonoma Valley High School, once again captured the faces featured on the banners. Local graphic designers Lisa Carlsson, Jacque Alanis and Lori Winter were the team who created the banners and collages.

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