Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Mireles goes to DC for the inaugaration
Livingston teen holds a ticket to history with invitation to inauguration in Washington
By CAROL REITER
creiter@mercedsun-star.com
Photo by George MacDonald
Merced Sun-Star
Livingston Middle School eighth-grader Izzak Mireles will travel to Washington, D.C., in January to see the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Read a list of accomplishments by Izzak Mireles
LIVINGSTON -- In a lot of ways, Izzak Mireles is a typical 13-year-old kid. He plays soccer, likes to listen to music, competes in track and cross country, and has a doting mother.
But Izzak is different from most 13-year-olds.
He's going to the presidential inauguration in January.
The Livingston Middle School eighth-grader got an invitation to Washington, D.C., through People to People, an organization based in Spokane, Wash., that offers educational international travel opportunities to elementary, middle and high school students. As a member of the group for the past couple of years, Izzak has been able to travel to Australia and Europe, learning about cultures and people.
At least 1 million people are expected to turn out for the inauguration Jan. 20. Some crowd estimates range much higher. Tickets to any of the main or peripheral events are both hard to get and expensive. Security is expected to be the tightest it's ever been for a presidential investiture because Obama has received a record number of threats both before and after his election.
Izzak's glad to be going under any conditions. The invitation to the inauguration came as a surprise to both mother and son. But Izzak is excited about going. Not only does he get to see Barack Obama sworn in as president, he also will meet newscaster Tom Brokaw and Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City.
"I'm so proud of him," said his mother, Flora Mireles. "I never thought that he would experience these things so young."
Livingston Middle School Principal Filomena Sousa agreed with Izzak's mother. "It's a dream of a lifetime, especially to an adult," he said. "We appreciate it so much, because we know how special this will be for him."
Izzak has worked hard to get where he is today. Raised by a single mom, Izzak has always been a good student. Sousa said Izzak is a lot more than that.
"He's a great kid, he's a strong academic student and a strong athletic student," Sousa said.
Izzak has played sports since he was in preschool, starting with T-ball. He was on the all-star baseball team three years, and he also played soccer at the same time. "I had to decide what I wanted to do," Izzak said. "I chose soccer."
That choice led the polite eighth-grader to play not only on the middle school's soccer team, but with the traveling soccer team, the Turlock Tornadoes.
And it's not just soccer Izzak excels in. He is also on the Livingston Middle School wrestling team and the cross country team. He has run the mile in 5:03, and loves cross-country.
Then there's his school- work. Asked if he was a straight-A student, he first said yes, then thought about it. "Well, I had a B once, so I guess not," he said.
Some of the academic achievements Izzak has earned include numerous student of the week, month and quarter awards, highest score in mathematics, perfect attendance, honor roll student, a Presidential Award in physical education and a third place in the Merced County Writing Festival.
Despite all the awards heaped on Izzak, he remains a humble kid. He's quick to smile, and his mother is justifiably proud of him.
"He's always been a good boy, a good student," Flora Mireles said. "I've been so blessed."
Sousa said that someday Izzak will be telling his children and grandchildren about going to the inauguration, but in the meantime, Izzak has plans for four years from now.
"I want to go to the 2012 Olympics," Izzak said. "I want to run in the long-distance track competition."
With the determination and hard work he's already shown, Izzak could be in London four years from now, representing the United States.
"He's the kind of student that we wish we had more of," said Sousa. "I am looking forward to seeing what he will do in the future."
There's a famous photograph of a 17-year-old Bill Clinton, wearing a Boys State T-shirt, shaking hands with John F. Kennedy in the nation's capital. We know what happened to young Bill.
Why not young Izzak?
Reporter Carol Reiter can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or creiter@mercedsun-star.com.
By CAROL REITER
creiter@mercedsun-star.com
Photo by George MacDonald
Merced Sun-Star
Livingston Middle School eighth-grader Izzak Mireles will travel to Washington, D.C., in January to see the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Read a list of accomplishments by Izzak Mireles
LIVINGSTON -- In a lot of ways, Izzak Mireles is a typical 13-year-old kid. He plays soccer, likes to listen to music, competes in track and cross country, and has a doting mother.
But Izzak is different from most 13-year-olds.
He's going to the presidential inauguration in January.
The Livingston Middle School eighth-grader got an invitation to Washington, D.C., through People to People, an organization based in Spokane, Wash., that offers educational international travel opportunities to elementary, middle and high school students. As a member of the group for the past couple of years, Izzak has been able to travel to Australia and Europe, learning about cultures and people.
At least 1 million people are expected to turn out for the inauguration Jan. 20. Some crowd estimates range much higher. Tickets to any of the main or peripheral events are both hard to get and expensive. Security is expected to be the tightest it's ever been for a presidential investiture because Obama has received a record number of threats both before and after his election.
Izzak's glad to be going under any conditions. The invitation to the inauguration came as a surprise to both mother and son. But Izzak is excited about going. Not only does he get to see Barack Obama sworn in as president, he also will meet newscaster Tom Brokaw and Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City.
"I'm so proud of him," said his mother, Flora Mireles. "I never thought that he would experience these things so young."
Livingston Middle School Principal Filomena Sousa agreed with Izzak's mother. "It's a dream of a lifetime, especially to an adult," he said. "We appreciate it so much, because we know how special this will be for him."
Izzak has worked hard to get where he is today. Raised by a single mom, Izzak has always been a good student. Sousa said Izzak is a lot more than that.
"He's a great kid, he's a strong academic student and a strong athletic student," Sousa said.
Izzak has played sports since he was in preschool, starting with T-ball. He was on the all-star baseball team three years, and he also played soccer at the same time. "I had to decide what I wanted to do," Izzak said. "I chose soccer."
That choice led the polite eighth-grader to play not only on the middle school's soccer team, but with the traveling soccer team, the Turlock Tornadoes.
And it's not just soccer Izzak excels in. He is also on the Livingston Middle School wrestling team and the cross country team. He has run the mile in 5:03, and loves cross-country.
Then there's his school- work. Asked if he was a straight-A student, he first said yes, then thought about it. "Well, I had a B once, so I guess not," he said.
Some of the academic achievements Izzak has earned include numerous student of the week, month and quarter awards, highest score in mathematics, perfect attendance, honor roll student, a Presidential Award in physical education and a third place in the Merced County Writing Festival.
Despite all the awards heaped on Izzak, he remains a humble kid. He's quick to smile, and his mother is justifiably proud of him.
"He's always been a good boy, a good student," Flora Mireles said. "I've been so blessed."
Sousa said that someday Izzak will be telling his children and grandchildren about going to the inauguration, but in the meantime, Izzak has plans for four years from now.
"I want to go to the 2012 Olympics," Izzak said. "I want to run in the long-distance track competition."
With the determination and hard work he's already shown, Izzak could be in London four years from now, representing the United States.
"He's the kind of student that we wish we had more of," said Sousa. "I am looking forward to seeing what he will do in the future."
There's a famous photograph of a 17-year-old Bill Clinton, wearing a Boys State T-shirt, shaking hands with John F. Kennedy in the nation's capital. We know what happened to young Bill.
Why not young Izzak?
Reporter Carol Reiter can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or creiter@mercedsun-star.com.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Mireles accounted for 275 of the Lancers' 320 total yards and led them to a come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Wellington Wolverines.
Football: John I. Leonard 27, Wellington 22
By TODD JOHNSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 14, 2008
GREENACRES — Push-ups never felt so good to the John I. Leonard Lancers. They can thank junior multi-purpose threat Quadarias Mireles for easing their pain and anguish on Friday night. Mireles accounted for 275 of the Lancers' 320 total yards and led them to a come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Wellington Wolverines.
The Lancers' post-game ritual of doing push-ups was festive just moments after Mireles' one-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining had given them the lead for good. The victory ended the Lancers' season at 2-8 and the Wolverines dropped to 1-9 overall.
With Leonard trailing 22-20, Mireles picked up where he had left off after leading his team on several key drives. With Leonard holding the ball on its 24-yard line, Mireles found a wide open Dillan Ovinas for 40 yards to Wellington's 35. Two plays later Mireles broke several tackles, reversed field and scampered 33 yards to the Wellington one. From there he scored the deciding touchdown.
"You don't go down easy," said Mireles. " You have to refuse to go down. You have to be determined.
"That big play to Dillan gave us confidence. ... It makes me feel like a leader. I can't let the team down."
The Lancers appeared on their way to an early blowout.
They moved the ball 80 yards in nine plays with ease. Mireles hit Walid Rahman on the game's first play and had runs of 9, 12 and he finished the drive with a 13-yard scoring run. Then Leonard surprised Welling with an onside kick and recovered the ball at Wellington's 40. Mireles capped the 40-yard drive with a 14-yard run to put Leonard ahead 13-0.
Leonard ran off 14 plays before Wellington had its first snap of the game.
"I trust them," said Wayne Monroe Jr. "They made plays and they never quit all year. I am very proud of them. It's been tough week in and week out. But we can win by doing what it right."
The game, however, was marred by 28 penalties between the teams.
Wellington made its way back into the game by receiving plenty of help from the Lancers.
Although the Wolverines trailed 20-7 at the half, they took the lead by scoring 15 unanswered points.
The comeback was led by quarterback Bret Alfredson.
His pass to Tyler Vanacore propelled Wellington into the lead for the first time but the Wolverines could not make it stand up.
By TODD JOHNSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 14, 2008
GREENACRES — Push-ups never felt so good to the John I. Leonard Lancers. They can thank junior multi-purpose threat Quadarias Mireles for easing their pain and anguish on Friday night. Mireles accounted for 275 of the Lancers' 320 total yards and led them to a come-from-behind 27-22 victory over the Wellington Wolverines.
The Lancers' post-game ritual of doing push-ups was festive just moments after Mireles' one-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining had given them the lead for good. The victory ended the Lancers' season at 2-8 and the Wolverines dropped to 1-9 overall.
With Leonard trailing 22-20, Mireles picked up where he had left off after leading his team on several key drives. With Leonard holding the ball on its 24-yard line, Mireles found a wide open Dillan Ovinas for 40 yards to Wellington's 35. Two plays later Mireles broke several tackles, reversed field and scampered 33 yards to the Wellington one. From there he scored the deciding touchdown.
"You don't go down easy," said Mireles. " You have to refuse to go down. You have to be determined.
"That big play to Dillan gave us confidence. ... It makes me feel like a leader. I can't let the team down."
The Lancers appeared on their way to an early blowout.
They moved the ball 80 yards in nine plays with ease. Mireles hit Walid Rahman on the game's first play and had runs of 9, 12 and he finished the drive with a 13-yard scoring run. Then Leonard surprised Welling with an onside kick and recovered the ball at Wellington's 40. Mireles capped the 40-yard drive with a 14-yard run to put Leonard ahead 13-0.
Leonard ran off 14 plays before Wellington had its first snap of the game.
"I trust them," said Wayne Monroe Jr. "They made plays and they never quit all year. I am very proud of them. It's been tough week in and week out. But we can win by doing what it right."
The game, however, was marred by 28 penalties between the teams.
Wellington made its way back into the game by receiving plenty of help from the Lancers.
Although the Wolverines trailed 20-7 at the half, they took the lead by scoring 15 unanswered points.
The comeback was led by quarterback Bret Alfredson.
His pass to Tyler Vanacore propelled Wellington into the lead for the first time but the Wolverines could not make it stand up.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Omega School staff
(L-R) Robb Sunde, Zeahannette Chandler, Paula DeAnda-Shah, Keziah Yosef, Antoine Vance, Oscar Mireles
Monday, November 03, 2008
Kid's Halloween Costumes
Joe & Fela's Grandkids: (not pictured - Ricardo & Joseph)
(Pictured: Gabriella Marquez as Alaska's Governor - Sara Palin)
(Pictured: Mireya Marquez as a witch) She was asked to dress up as Senator Hillary R. Clinton, but refused. I guess a witch was a lot more interesting.
(Pictured: Alex Sanchez as a race driver)
(Pictured: Lyla Salinas as 'Dora The Explorer')
(Pictured: Gabriella Marquez as Alaska's Governor - Sara Palin)
(Pictured: Mireya Marquez as a witch) She was asked to dress up as Senator Hillary R. Clinton, but refused. I guess a witch was a lot more interesting.
(Pictured: Alex Sanchez as a race driver)
(Pictured: Lyla Salinas as 'Dora The Explorer')
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Senator Joe Biden visits FireHouse (Milwaukee, WI)
Elsa Gomez is standing in front of Senator Joe Biden
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