ASPIRE students bring home awards

DOWNEY - The city of Downey's ASPIRE after-school program participated in the fifth annual Teen Adventure Challenge held April 20 at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas.It was the third consecutive year in which ASPIRE brought home first place in the middle school bracket. The after-school program sent representatives from Griffiths, Sussman and West middle schools. In all, seven ASPIRE teams participated in the outdoor event. The first place team from ASPIRE's Griffiths team included Victoria Villasenor, Ryan Cachu, Isabella Simoni and Xavier Valencia, along with staff member George Thomas. Other awards ASPIRE received included the Spirit Award, which goes to the team that showed the most positive encouragement throughout the event, and the Overall Performance Award, for showing teamwork, positive character and athletic ability. The event included a series of team building activities, brain teasers, mountain biking, kayaking and rock-climbing. Its purpose was to promote an active, healthy lifestyle while exposing students to local parks.

********** Published: May 2, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 03