The Saratoga Lions Club held a February meeting featuring five students from Saratoga High School. The occasion was the annual club-sponsored speech contest, which packed the meeting room with twice the normal number of attendees to hear the future leaders of the community.

The speech topic was: "Democracy ... is it for everyone?" The sophomore high school speakers included Andrew Suciu, Jennifer Yau, Dennis Chen, Vicky Lee and Sudha Pillai. The students all received awards for their outstanding performances.

Andrew was recognized as the winner of this competition. He will move on to address larger audiences in successive competitions, with the opportunity to win a $25,000 scholarship at the highest level.

For more information about the club, call Marge Bunyard at 408.255.3594.

West Valley hosts
a transfer fair

West Valley College students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university are invited to a free transfer fair on April 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the campus center, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga.

Representatives from University of California and California State University systems and private colleges and universities will be on hand to answer questions about transfer requirements, housing and financial aid. WVC counselors and student-services staff will be available to tell students about transfer-admission agreements with participating universities and career programs.

For more information, call 408.741.2040.

Superintendent to chat with residents

Saratoga Union School District Superintendent Lane Weiss will host an informal open office session April 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library at Foothill Elementary School, 13925 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. The event is for parents and community members to drop by for one-on-one conversations with Weiss. Compliments, questions and concerns are welcome. For more information, call 408.867.3424.

Forum will cover development days

The Saratoga Union School District is holding a parent forum sponsored by the Professional Development Committee and the Redwood Middle School Task Force. The informative meeting of interactive dialogue will take place April 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Foothill Elementary School library.

The meeting will address the continued need for collaborative professional development time of teachers to ensure academic success for all students. For more information, contact assistant superintendent for educational services Louise Levy at 408.867.3424, ext. 212.