Class notes

Redwood City resident Karl Spiker is a winner of the 2007 California Youth Symphony Senior Soloist Competition. Spiker will be a soloist in the California Youth Symphony March concerts — 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center — performing the Cimarosa Oboe Concerto.

Spiker is a senior at Carlmont High School in Belmont where he is principle oboe in the symphonic band, entertainment editor for the school newspaper and a council representative for the men’s choir. He is a lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation, a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Musicianship Award.

Spiker began studying flute at age 10 but found his true passion when he discovered the oboe and English horn in ninth grade. For the past five years, Spiker has been a member of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra where he had the opportunity to perform in such venues as Carnegie Hall, several 14th century cathedrals in France and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. This year he is principle oboist for the California Youth Symphony, as well as the assistant-principal Oboe/English Hornist with the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. Next year Spiker plans to major in Oboe and English Horn performance at Mannes College of Music in Manhattan.

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The Sequoia High School Alumni Association is looking to honor a Purple Patriot and is soliciting nominations for its annual Purple Patriot Award. Recipients will receive a framed certificate as well as have their name inscribed on a perpetual trophy on permanent display at the high school.

The Purple Patriot Award is an annual award instituted to honor both individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service or provided a significant benefit directly to Sequoia High School. Nominees may be from Sequoia High School or the community at large.

Please indicate the nominee’s individual name or organization name, stating why the nominee should receive this award. Specify what role the nominee played in directly providing a service or benefit to Sequoia High School and explain in detail the service or benefit.

Nominations should be submitted in writing to the Sequoia High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064, or placed in the Sequoia High School Alumni Association mailbox in the Principal’s office no later than March 23.

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Students at Crestmoor Elementary School in San Bruno participated in the science fair and some projects will be moving on to the county level. These budding scientists include sixth grader Joey Himuro who asked what is the difference between the most expensive golf balls and the least expensive golf balls?; sixth grader Carly Balmana with the project called Brace Yourself — what is the strongest type of wall bracing?; sixth grader Miranda Guerrero with a project called Sudden Impact — which is the best shock absorbing packaging material?; fifth grader Mikayla Spooner who asked how clean are public rest rooms?; fifth grader Jacqueline Boland who asked who obeys more stop signs males or females?; and fifth grader Soham Bhatia with the project called Newton to Neptune — how does gravity affect the human body on earth and space?

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Jefferson Elementary School District was awarded a $836,090 grant for math and science funding by the California Department of Education in December.

Class notes is a weekly column dedicated to school news. It is compiled by education reporter Heather Murtagh. You can contact her at (650) 344-5200, ext. 105 or at heather@smdailyjournal.com.