South El Monte High Students Participate in MESA Day

by Anne Donofrio-Holter
3/16/11

Students from South El Monte High School's Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program (MESA) participated in Cal State Los Angeles' regional MESA Day competition and had their best showing yet, dominating in several events.

In mathematics, Meng Lin placed first with Kevin Alvillar coming in third.  In algebra II, Tony Hua came in first.  In the glider competition, the team of Khoa Ho and Victor Loera placed first with Hugo Espitia and Martin Legaspi placing second.  In the mousetrap car competition, the team of Tonly Lai and Humberto Maya placed second.  Thalia Mendoza came in second in car design and captured first place overall.  In the civil engineering competition, Ana Vargas placed third with her balsa wood bridge.  In the manila folder bridge competition, Tony Hua earned a second place in bridge design and first place over all with a 68-gram bridge capable of holding a load of 38 pounds.
   According to South El Monte High School MESA advisors Javier Solorzano and Dolores Bravo, this is the first year the school had entries in the science competitions.

"I am pleased to say the team of Grecia Salazar and Sharon Tejeda placed third on the egg drop competition and the team of Jacquie Leiva and Albert Cortes placed second in the prosthetic robotic arm competition," said Solorzano.  "In the airplane competition, South El Monte High School dominated with the top five spots - fifth place, Thalia Mendoza, fourth place, Lena Truong, third place, Arturo Nava, second place, Kend Leon and in first place, with a total flight time of 36 seconds, was Ting Lin."
  According to Solorzano, the top four were separated by less than five seconds.

"This is our third year with the program and it has been our best year yet, said Solorzano.  "Working with students outside the classroom, as any coach will tell you, gives another dimension to teaching that you just can't get in the classroom.  For Dolores and myself, working with students outside of the classroom has always been a part of our teaching."

Solorzano went on to say he hopes to have a larger number of students involved in the MESA club in the future and have the students participate in more competitions during the year.

Cal State Los Angeles' MESA program was created in 1978 to "stimulate early interest in math, science and engineering and to recruit students to pursue these subject areas in college.  Through a variety of interactive events, hands-on activities, and educational projects, students are guided in a college-bound direction, receiving regular support and encouragement from staff and advisors."

"Congratulations to every student that represented South El Monte High School so well," said Nick Salerno, superintendent.  "The time and effort you devoted to this endeavor paid off."