Los Gatos Weekly-Times

On Campus

Playground equipment brings renovation closer to completion

Playground renovations at Blossom Hill Elementary are one step closer to completion with the installation of two new pieces of equipment for kindergarten and first-grade classes.

School officials, volunteers and students celebrated the installation of the equipment Oct. 1 with a ceremony that included a song by fifth-graders, speeches and a release of a covey of doves.

A dome-shaped climbing apparatus and a huge red-and-yellow jungle gym with a bridge and tiny benches, among other features, were installed Sept. 20 by a dozen parents and an equal number of Kiwanis Club members. The equipment is worth about $25,000.

Kiwanis donated $3,000 for the equipment. Other donations came from parents, and some of the money accrued in the form of pennies saved by Blossom Hill students.

The students selected the equipment in classroom elections, in which they chose their favorites from pictures on a poster board.

Kindergarten teacher Amy Despars said the new equipment is much better than the wooden structure that used to stand in front of her classroom.

"They love it," she said of her students.

Tyler Perry, a kindergartner, said the swaying rope bridge is the best part of the new playground. "It's fun," was her opinion.

Los Gatos resident takes the lead role

Los Gatan Megan Toeniskoetter will play the lead role of Francis Nurse in the upcoming production of Arthur Miller's Tony award-winning The Crucible at Presentation High School, Nov. 13-16.

Director Gary DeMattei says the production will stay close to the original concept and also include additions from the recent movie.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 14, 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 16. A special student matinee for school groups is available for $5 a student on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices for other shows are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $6 for children under 12. For more information, call the box office at 264-1664, ext. 10.

AYUSA announces scholarships

AYUSA International recently announced that academic scholarships are available to high school students and recent graduates to study in Japan and Mexico for the 1998 spring semester.

Three scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, are available to students between the ages of 18 and 20 for Japan. One $2,500 scholarship is available to a student age 15 to 18 for Mexico. Scholarships include departure and arrival orientations, assistance in obtaining visas, counseling and more.

The application deadline is Nov. 15. For more information, call AYUSA International at 1-800-727-4540, ext. 503.

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