Education

Best local documentary
A Gift of Life
Recent winner of a Northern California Emmy for Public Service, producer Joyce Mitchell’s documentary features local AIDS activists and survivors and explains the CARE project and local treatment and support of AIDS patients. This brave, incredible film was released on Access Sacramento, the only local television station willing to broadcast the show in its entirety. Don’t miss the chance to watch A Gift of Life when it next airs in Sacramento.

Best professor teaching art-on-a-wall
Malaquias Montoya
One of the most popular art courses at UC Davis last year was Chicano Studies 171, better known to students as “the mural class.” Montoya, who teaches the Mexican tradition of mural design and painting, gives his students the opportunity to make a lasting impression on their community. After touring regional murals and reviewing historic murals, students in the class learn how to construct and paint their own. “Creating a mural is an empowering experience,” says Montoya, who is, naturally, a member of Sacramento’s infamous and artistic Montoya clan. “The students take this class to learn not only how to express their ideas in pictures, but also how to be part of a community.” Amen to that. Here’s hoping for more local murals.

Best opportunity for high school students to stay interested in high school
Humanities and International Studies Program
McClatchy High School, 3066 Freeport Blvd., 264-4400
For years now, several instructors at McClatchy have been offering this program for high-achieving students. Each semester, in addition to their regular courses, HISP students take two or three more advanced classes—with an emphasis on additional reading and writing assignments. They’re even assigned a summer reading list, which they must complete before returning to classes in September. Besides getting a chance to perform in these tougher classes, they also get to participate in other enrichment programs, including special speakers (HISP students were treated to a special conversation with Hillary Clinton last year) and trips, such as an annual one they take to Ashland for the Shakespeare festival.

Best place to reach new heights
Granite Arch Climbing Center
11335 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, (916) 638-4605
If you’ve always wanted to be one of those people climbing at Yosemite, instead of all those people on the ground gawking and envying them, Granite Arch is the place to put on your first harness and head up the wall. They offer lessons, 17,000 square feet of hand-sculpted climbing walls that are 36 feet high—plus all the climbing equipment you could ever possibly want to rent or buy, all in one place. They also offer field trips, summer camps, birthday party activities and team building classes, among many other activities. .

Best celebration of a Sacramento tradition
St. Francis Girls High School
6051 M St., (916) 452-3461
To some people, St Francis may be just another Catholic girls’ school, but to anyone who knows the place—or knows anyone who has ever attended school there—you know that this place is special. Not every girl is academically or athletically gifted, of course, but by and large those girls are bright, talented, motivated and superstar athletes. Some of the greatest basketball and softball players in Sacramento’s history went to St. Francis. If you want to see the place for yourself, they’re celebrating their 60th anniversary Sept. 24—starting at 11 a.m—with an open house, lots of activities, music by Mumbo Gumbo and much more.