 Milpitas High School’s student-run club, MHSCode4Good, continues to expose our Milpitas Unified School District learners to coding, website development, data science, artificial intelligence and more through a series of virtual and in-person workshops.
“Our efforts have resulted in opportunities for a fifth-grader to delve into the world of coding and website development, as well as the ability to provide tutoring services to 12th-graders, which resulted in better grades in AP Computer Science,” said Vidhi Patra, a senior at MHS and president of MHSCode4Good. In June 2023, the student-run club hosted Milpitas’ inaugural hybrid hackathon, which took place both in-person at the Alum Rock Library and online through Devpost. The club officers organized technical workshops in addition to mentorship for participants. Students from Rancho Milpitas and Thomas Russell middle schools, as well as Milpitas High School, participated in the hackathon. Five winners were selected at the end and given corporate-sponsor prizes. MHSCode4Good has organized a variety of events for MUSD students, including four HTML (coding) workshops via Zoom on the weekends in March 2023; 11 Python coding workshops via Zoom in July 2023; and a Tech Gallery Exhibit at Milpitas HS aimed to inspire new coders and showcase coding projects in September 2023. The club members offer weekly coding workshops during lunch, supporting MHS students with HTML, Python, data science and Artificial Intelligence as well as assisting with coding projects. In addition, they have worked with other MHS clubs to help create customized websites for them to showcase their activities and raise awareness. “Our club offers AP Computer Science test prep during lunchtime on the day before the AP Computer Science unit tests,” shared Patra, whose club officers have worked with more than 1,200 students overall through the multitude of these programs.  The Kiwanis Club of Milpitas currently has 23 members, all local residents, many of whom have been involved as community volunteers in many organizations and projects over time, most, but not all, with the school district.
Kiwanis International is focused on “serving the children of the world,” and the work that our Club does is part of that mission, according to Ron Lind, Kiwanis Club Secretary. “I joined Kiwanis because I wanted to make a difference in the community in which I reside,” said Lind, the longest-serving Kiwanis member who has served as the Club President five times over the last 25 years with the Club. “I joined because I found the community-based projects of the Club to be compelling and greatly-needed.” Some of the different ways Kiwanis has and continues to support the underserved youth in the Milpitas community include:
“MUSD truly appreciates the support our local Kiwanis provides to the MUSD community, especially to our most vulnerable students and families through initiatives such as The Kohl’s shopping spree, Turnaround scholarship and Milpitas Reads program,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. Milpitas Kiwanis has distributed approximately $400,000 in support over the years to underserved youth in addition to working with Milpitas Food Pantry on volunteer needs, fundraising and the annual Jack Emery food drive and distribution. “We partner with Kiwanis International on various programs including the Kiwanis Children’s Fund,” Lind added. “We also raised money for a program that builds classrooms in rural areas in South America.”  When Randall World Languages School third grader Catherine Haughey learned about the devastation of the fires in Maui, she immediately wanted to find a way to help the victims, their families and the local community over there.
“Every year, me and my family go to Hawaii. When we saw what had happened on the news, my mom and dad were so sad,” shared Haughey, who jumped into action and started making beaded bracelets to sell at school as a fundraiser. “I have a bracelet set and hadn't opened the box so my mom helped me make them.” Haughey now sells the bracelets for $1 during recess and lunch to her schoolmates and Randall staff. “She approached us almost immediately after the fires were reported and just started selling the bracelets this week,” added Randall co-Principal Kristan Prolo, who gladly supported her student’s humanitarian efforts. Haughey then recruited her friend Livia Anna Devine who was onboard right away and “donated my bracelets to help out because I also felt bad about the fires.” All funds raised for the bracelets will be donated to a Maui relief fund that Haughey’s dad saw on the news. “I hope we raise enough money to help them a little bit,” added Devine, also a Randall third grader. “I hope they are all OK.”  Building character through competition, specifically in the Milpitas Elementary Olympics (MEO) and on the football gridiron, 1987 Milpitas High School alumnus Stacey Boyd grew into an education leader of today.
As the Superintendent of Maricopa County Community College High School District, Boyd’s leadership position “not only provides me the privilege to oversee the day-to-day operations of our school district, but allows me the provisions to influence change, inspire teachers, and serve my community.” The now 54-year-old professional educator, who owns a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, and working toward his Doctorate in Education (2025), attended Spangler Elementary, Thomas Russell Middle School and then MHS. Beginning in elementary school, the aspiring track star blossomed in the athletic forum. “The MEO’s provided the platform to showcase my talents in the area of track and field, which was definitely more natural than studying for those weekly Spangler spelling tests,” Boyd shared. “Each year was a new opportunity to compete against my nemesis, Sidney Crummie, the Zanker speedster. What fond memories! Though we were extremely competitive, we created a bond that lasted for years.” When he reached MHS, Boyd found even more drive and inspiration from math teacher and football coach Kelly King, who continues in those capacities today at MHS. As he continued to work on his craft, Boyd, a MHS Athlete of the Year and Leo B. Murphy Award recipient, became a more well-rounded student-athlete. “Coach Kelly inspired me to do my best in the classroom and on the field. He was a mentor who taught me the value of hard work,” Boyd recalled. “He took the time to explain the importance of math in its practical sense and how it applied to real world scenarios. He helped me acquire my first job, which taught me to be organized, accountable and timely. The skills I currently use daily.” Today, Boyd’s two sons, Stacey Boyd II and Shayden Boyd, are making their own marks in track and field. Stacey Boyd II is a college senior and 2018 High School Track & Field State Champion in the 100m and 200m. Shayden Boyd is currently a 5th grader and is the Arizona State Track and Field Record Holder in the 200m, 400m and 800m in his age group. He is currently ranked #2 in the country! As for some words of wisdom for the younger MUSD generations, Boyd shared this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination.” |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
October 2023
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