Rene Mendoza, a social science teacher at Franklin High School, has been awarded a 2008 Keizai Koho Center Educator Fellowship by the National Association of Japan-America Societies.
During a 10-day visit to Japan, Mendoza will visit schools, major companies and industrial facilities. He also will participate in round-table discussions with educators and business leaders.
KKC is the independent, nonprofit organization affiliated with Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). Its mission has been to promote a better understanding of Japan's economy and society, both in Japan and abroad, through a variety of publications, programs, fellowships and exchanges.
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Christopher Sandin, a 2004 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, has received his second lieutenant commission in the U.S. Army.
Sandin serves with the Company 1-168th Aviation Regiment of the California Air National Guard based at Mather Field.
He will attend medic training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and later expects to attend helicopter pilot training school at Fort Rucker in Alabama.
He is the son of Greg Sandin of Elk Grove and Tracy Sandin of Sacramento.
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Katie A. Hall and Tina L. Nelson of Elk Grove made the scholastic honor roll during the spring term at Oregon State University. Both women earned grade-point averages of 3.5 or better.
Hall is a junior majoring in general science, while Nelson is a sophomore majoring in environmental science.
A total of 530 students earned a 4.0 GPA, while another 2,344 earned a GPA of 3.5 or better. To be on the honor roll, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work.
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Florin High School junior Damarys Solorzano, the Congressional Art Competition winner from California's 5th District, met with Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, in Washington, D.C., last week.
Solorzano's artwork and that of her fellow winners is being displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Congressional Art Competition. More than 650,000 high school students from across the nation have been involved in the program since its inception.
Solorzano's submission was an untitled piece featuring a design created with hole-punched paper.
She plans to pursue a career in art after graduating from Florin High.
Do you know a resident who deserves recognition? Call (916) 478-2515, e-mail elkgrove@sacbee.com, fax (916) 478-2673, or write to The Sacramento Bee, 9281 Office Park Circle, Suite 100, Elk Grove, CA 95758.

