THE BARBARA SERANELLA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
Coachella Valley High School was chosen for the Barbara Seranella Palm Springs Writers Guild (PSWG) Scholarship Program for 2020. It should be noted that the majority of (CVHS ) students (54%) are English Language Learners. The percentage of students achieving proficiency (meeting or exceeding the Language Arts Standards (ELA) for 2019 was 28.85% while the California State average was 50.87%. The Thermal, California (CA) school is ranked #6,876 out of 9,515 schools statewide. This essay contest was the brainchild of Vianey Holguin, a junior at Coachella Valley High School who designed and implemented the essay contest because she recognized the need for strong writing skills at her school. Vianey works closely with Keri Arrage, the Language Arts Department Chair. The papers on “The Power of Music” will be school-wide and written on the computer according to MLA standards. The Modern Language Association (MLA) specifies a standard format for essays and research papers written in an academic setting. The Language Arts teachers will grade the papers and determine fifteen of the most deserving papers. PSWG volunteers will then judge them for first, second and third place. Students and families will be honored at the May 2, 2020 membership meeting at the Rancho Mirage Library. The awards are as follows: First Place $500 Second Place $300 Third Place $200 The PSWG scholarship was named for Barbara Seranella, who was a respected writer in PSWG and the Crime Writers of America. Barbara died in 2006 after a courageous battle. The scholarship is intended to help the student winners with tuition, books or other expenses. The scholarship committee is composed of at least three PSWG members who are responsible for administering, promoting, and seeking funds for the scholarship program. The Palm Springs Writers Guild is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). |
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