December 11, 2009 | www.DanvilleExpress.com | PAGE 1

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There’s snow place like homeDanville and Alamo awakened to a cover of white this morning after about an inch of snow fell overnight in the Valley. By noon, snow was still stand-ing in shady spots, Mount Diablo was covered down to its foothills, and the west hills were still sparsely coated. (Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM)

College aps: Is an ‘early decision’ a good decision?Advisor Elizabeth LaScala shares information about the early college application process. Next, Teen Wire blogger Daniel Morizono, who is currently undergoing the college application process, will weigh in with his viewpoint. (Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM)

Kids set World Record for readingSt. Isidore’s kids set a record for hitting the books this summer as the Danville school took part in the World Record for Reading program. They placed sixth overall out of 8,725 schools that participated, landing them in the 2010 Book of World Records. (Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 at 9:31 PM)

Crews repair damaged joint on Bay Bridge this morningCaltrans workers conducted an emergency repair early this morning on a damaged joint on the Bay Bridge’s eastern span, a spokes-man said today. Crews were performing maintenance on the bridge at about 4 a.m. when they noticed a damaged joint in an outer lane, Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney said. (Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 at 11:38 AM)

Deputies arrest Alamo man in jewelry storeshootingThe Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into the jewelry store shooting in Alamo last night that led to the arrest of an Alamo man on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery.Last comment from Stud, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2009 at 7:57 pm (Comments: 3)

Business Ethics and Youth BasketballPosted by See, a resident of another community, on Dec 4, 2009 at 8:52 am (Comments: 12)It is interesting that an individual is talking about ethics, yet does not know the SportStrong philosophy. The SportStrong basketball program also was not started by anyone associated with now or ever has been with the Monte Vista High School program.

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When Anna Hoyt looks up at the stars, she thinks of her new friend Kelly, a teammate on a Global Explorers trip to the Grand Canyon in July. Kelly, 17, who is visually impaired, had never before seen the night sky clearly, due to the presence of city lights. “Every time I look at the stars I image her seeing them for the fi rst time and it makes them that much better,” said Hoyt, a senior at Monte Vista High School. “I know I’ll think about that trip every single day of my life because it’s defi nitely something that wakes you up and makes you ap-preciate everything.” The team of 10 teens — fi ve of them blind or visually impaired — was chosen from across the country and Canada to participate in the nine-month Leading the Way program. It aims at helping young people become true citizens of the world and understand that everyone has a role to play in making it better. Hoyt’s application began her journey of self-discovery. “We had to write an essay saying our strengths and weaknesses as a leader and why we would be a good addition to the program,” she recalled. “You don’t really think about how you’re going to be a leader.” After the team was assembled, the members began in January to

become acquainted with each other via conference calls. They also did projects to introduce them to Grand Canyon history, desert ecology, leadership styles and service. In April, they met in Colorado for a week-end retreat where they learned guiding techniques from Erik Weihen-

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See STARS on Page 4

STEPHANIE KUNZEAnna Hoyt gets a chance to row the boat during a calm stretch of the Grand Canyon. Hoyt was one of 10 students selected nationally to participate in the Global Explorers Leading the Way expedition that combines blind/ visually impaired and sighted students for the educa-tional adventure of a lifetime.

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mayer, a world-renowned blind adventurer. The highlight of the program was the 16-day expedition to the Grand Canyon, where they rafted the upper half of the Colorado River, journeyed on trails near the river by foot, helped fix up a ranger station, and performed sound experiments. “We actually recorded sounds, natural and unnatural, all part of research for noise pollution in the Grand Canyon,” Hoyt explained. “All these helicopter rides are available in the Grand Canyon, and all the noise disturbs everyone else in the canyon. All these backpackers spend days trying to get to where they are to enjoy peaceful quietness, and then there are helicopters and airplanes. ... We would sit there for half an hour or an hour recording sounds.” Living 16 days in the wilderness opened Hoyt’s eyes in many ways, especially as she became acquainted with the teens that were visually impaired. “There were four boys and six girls,” said Hoyt. “Two were way more blind, one could see a little light perception in his right eye, another could tell shadows a little but not really. Others had no peripheral vision, one was color blind, another couldn’t tell minute details far away.” She said one thing she learned is that the visually impaired people were different than she had imagined. “It blew me away how much they could function without using their eyes,” she said. “I personally depend on my eyes for everything.” She’s a hiker and said she’s become more aware of her surroundings and all that she can see while walking on Mount Diablo trials. “We talked about struggles they went through, what they could do,” Hoyt remem-bered. “It’s incredible how people will perceive blind people — and what they’re capable of. It was interesting because everybody saw things differently, so when guiding, you have to think, ‘OK, how much guiding do they need?’” “We did night hikes, when the visually impaired kids guided us,” she added, “when it was pitch black, and when we would go in tunnels.” It was hot in the daytime but really cold at night, Hoyt said. They slept outdoors under the stars every night, during their time in the canyon and on the rim. When Kelly saw stars for the first time, recalled Hoyt, “She said, “I finally know what ev-eryone is talking about.’” Hoyt said although she is a runner and a hiker it was still different for her to spend so much time outdoors and never be indoors on her computer. Some of the kids had a big adjustment to life without cell phones, Hoyt noted, although she personally wasn’t phased. “We had a ceremony unhooking the cell phone and putting it in box,” she re-called with a laugh. “One guy would always be texting with his cell phone — for a few days he kept twitching his fingers, it was such a habit.” Others missed their iPods, and it was a struggle for some girls to do without hair dryers and makeup, which was not allowed. “It definitely saves time in the morning,” Hoyt said with a laugh.” They weren’t allowed to wear lotions or deodorant either because they attract mosquitoes and bugs. “We were camping on the rim for five days, with layers of dirt all over you, you feel so gross,” she said. “No matter how much you used baby wipes, you never got it off. We got used to walking around being gross from backpacking.” Hoyt was used to hiking and running on the Monte Vista cross country team so she could deal with sweat and dirt, she said. “But a lot of people were way more out of their comfort zone, being outside and getting dirty.” “By the end of eight days, we did not smell good. I took the most amazing show-er of my life in between rim portion and river portion,” she added. “That shower was a big highlight, we all agreed.” They took turns cooking and doing other camping chores. “We were a pretty happy group, we were a big family.” For the Colorado River trip, the group had six boats, each with a guide. “They were all such characters,” said Hoyt. “They were amazing. They knew everything about the Grand Canyon that there was to know.” Plus one played the ultimate game of Frisbee with them on the beach. “We rafted for eight days and stopped for hikes, lots of challenging hikes,” she said. “It was pretty action-packed.” Arriving home in Alamo was also a transition. “It was very shocking,” she said. “It was very loud, I realized. I noticed very min-ute sounds I didn’t think about before at home — airplanes, the AC going. It was really weird.” Plus she had to adjust to life without her new friends and all the inside jokes they’d shared. She missed their constant companionship. She even missed the dirt. “I feel like I found a new thing,” she reflected. “When you are put into a situation with people you don’t know really well (like your family and best friends at home), you learn a lot about your self and how you deal with situations and how you should deal with situations.” “It’s pretty eye opening,” she continued. “I realize how important it is to be your-self; no matter how weird you are, it’s important to be yourself. Live is too short to try to fit in constantly and fit in and please other people.” n

starsContinued from Page 1

December 11, 2009 | www.DanvilleExpress.com | PAGE 5

‘Christmas Pops!’Danville Community Band presents “Christmas Pops!” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, at East Bay Fellowship, 2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville. A program of joyful and exciting music will be performed to celebrate the holidays featuring Nancy Groeneveld with the Com-munity Presbyterian Church Choir, and the DCB Brass Ensemble. This concert is free. Call 372-8420 or visit www.danvilleband.org.

Monte Vista Winter Choral ConcertListen to the voices of the Monte Vista HS Choirs perform at 7 p.m., Wednesday-Thurs-day, Dec. 16-17, at Monte Vista High School, Al Gentile Theater, 3131 Stone Valley Rd., Danville. Tickets are $10 through the Web site www.mvchoir.org. Donation of a new or gently used blanket will be encouraged to benefi t “Christmas for Everyone.” Call 202-7430 or visit www.mvchoir.org.

She’s All That!’Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley will host “She’s All That!” for middle school-aged girls from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at Cal High School in San Ramon. There will be an inspirational keynote presentation, a choice of three 60-minute sessions for the girls and three 90-minute sessions for parents. Pre-registration is required; cost is $25 before Jan. 15; $30 afterwards. Call 355-2442 or visit www.soroptimist-sr.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’Friends and family gather at the Dickens’ home asking for a story, but Dickens refuses to work on Christmas Eve. If there will be a story, each guest must play a part in its telling. Enjoy this classic at 8 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 17-20, at the Village Theatre, 233 Front St., Danville. Tickets are $20, $23 and $25. Call 314-3400 or visit www.villagetheatreshows.com.

Symphonic Holiday ConcertEnjoy the majesty of live concert music featuring holiday favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and many others, 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. Join the 75-member San Ramon Symphonic Band for a delightful concert that will brighten your holiday season. Adult tick-ets are $6; kids and teens are free with student ID. Visit www.sanramonperformingarts.com or call 973-ARTS.

Santa PawsSanta is for pets too! Take photos with your furry friends and Santa from 5-7 p.m., Wednes-day, Dec. 16, at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. Proceeds benefi t Guide Dogs for the Blind, which partner blind and visually impaired people with trained Guide Dogs free-of-charge. Visit www.theshopsatblackhawk.com.

Sentinels of Freedom Holiday Welcome Home Ceremony and ReceptionTown of Danville will host its annual Holiday Welcome Home Ceremony and Reception for Armed Forces from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Veterans Me-morial Building, 400 Hartz Ave., Danville. This event will honor all current members of all Armed Forces who are home on holiday leave. A reception of cof-fee and cookies will follow the reception. The public is invited. If you know a members that will be home for the holidays, call Rochelle Flotten for Danville: 314-3328; Jennifer Quallick for Alamo/Blackhawk: 820-8683; or Karen McHenry-Smith for San Ramon: 973-2532.

which partner blind and visually impaired people with trained Guide Dogs free-of-charge. Visit www.theshopsatblackhawk.com.

Town of Danville will host its annual Holiday Welcome Home Ceremony and Reception for Armed Forces

fee and cookies will follow the reception. The public is invited. If you know a members that will be home for the holidays, call Rochelle Flotten for Danville: 314-3328; Jennifer Quallick for Alamo/Blackhawk: 820-8683; or Karen McHenry-Smith for San Ramon: 973-2532.

Community Calendar

Sign UpDanville Express is both a website, where you’ll find lots of local information 24/7 when-ever you want, and a daily e-mail news digest that goes directly to your in-box. Sign up for your daily update on what’s happening in Danville by going to DanvilleExpress.com and clicking on the “Sign up for Express” link.

Early Options on the Road to CollegeJust this week at San Ramon Valley High School we voted for our “Senior Superlatives.” The week before we bought our cap-and-gown. Around mid-December, students will start hearing back from colleges for those who applied Early Decision/Early Action. But I look outside and it doesn’t remotely seem like graduation time yet, much less spring, much less summer. Far from it.Posted by Daniel Morizono, a member of the San Ramon Valley High School community, on Dec. 8 at 10:00 pm

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