Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 114

State track championships: Adams of North Salinas disqualified after finishing first in 400

CLOVIS — It was an expectation — the entire reason Clara Adams set foot on the track. Yet, after she became a state track and field champion in the 400 meters Saturday, controversy surrounded what was thought to be a historic achievement.

In a celebratory moment between Adams and her father, the North Salinas sophomore took a fire extinguisher from her dad away from the track and sprayed off her shoes with it after winning the race at Buchanan High in Clovis.

“I gave her the fire extinguisher,” said Adams’ father David. “She walked off the track, faced me and blew her shoes off. I told Clara you’re on fire. It was a father-daughter moment. She did not do it in front of her opponents. She wasn’t disrespecting anyone.”

Apparently, California Interscholastic Federation officials felt differently, immediately disqualifying Adams and stripping her of her state title, leaving her in a state of disbelief moments before she was scheduled to run the 200 meters.

“I don’t know what’s going through my mind right now,” Clara Adams said. “I’m disappointed and I feel robbed. I am in shock. They (officials) yelled at me and told me we’re not letting you on the podium. They took my moment away from me.”

The day only got worse. Because Adams was disqualified for an alleged unsportsmanlike act after winning the 400, she was also disqualified from the meet and was not allowed to run in the 200.

“I have video of it,” said David Adams, who is also his daughter’s sprint coach. “She was on the other side of the wall. I told her step off the track. She did not spray her shoes on the track. We have protested the decision. I feel it was racially motivated.”

The protest fell on deaf ears as the decision to disqualify Adams was upheld, preventing her from her second straight podium finish in the event — having finished fourth last year as a freshman.

“It’s a very unfortunate event,” said outgoing North Salinas head track coach Alan Green. “We are all heartbroken. Clara ran an incredible 400 race and is the fastest 400 meter girl in the state.”

Adams had hoped to match Calvin Harrison’s achievement 32 years ago of winning the 200 and 400, even wearing the throwback North Salinas uniforms from that era. But with the protest upheld, her day was finished.

“She was trying to have some fun at the finish line after the 400,” said Green, choosing his words carefully. “It was interpreted as unsportsmanlike. What an incredible season and run. It’s unfortunate.”

Adams, who advanced to the finals after clocking the second fastest time in the trials on Friday, nearly matched her state-leading time of 53.23 seconds, achieved at the Central Coast Section finals last week, blistered the track out of Lane 6, clocking 53.24.

Before being disqualified, Adams had become the first athlete from North Salinas to win a state title since Harrison won the 200 and 400 in 1993. Last year she became the first female at the school to podium at the state meet.

“The official yelling at me said ‘we’re going to DQ you for unsportsmanlike conduct,” Clara Adams said. “I found out 10 minutes before the 200 was going to start that I couldn’t run in it as well.”

Adams made a statement on Friday in the 200, shaving nearly half a second in clocking 23.71, going from being ranked 12th to No. 2 going into the finals.

Adams, who broke the CCS finals record in the 400 last week and is the county record holder, is now No. 2 all-time in the county in the 200, behind Monterey’s Sani Roseby’s mark of 23.52, set in 1999.

During the season, the Cypress Division 100, 200 and 400 meter champion set school records at North Salinas in the 100, 200, 400 and 800.

“Clara is taking it really hard,” said her father David. “But she’s had a lot of support from people in the stadium.”

Adams was the only county athlete among the six that qualified for the state meet to advance to Saturday’s finals.

CCS DV softball finals: King City brings home program’s first championship

SAN JOSE — Five consecutive trips to the postseason for King City following a 27-year absence have been looked upon as building blocks.

Four previous appearances produced one playoff win. In a span of seven days, the Mustangs have tripled that total — bringing home the softball program’s first ever Central Coast Section title.

Erupting for five runs in the third inning and five more in the sixth, King City celebrated a milestone moment after knocking off No. 2 seed South San Francisco 11-4 Saturday at San Jose City College.

“This was for our seniors,” sophomore pitcher Alizah Carrillo said. “I didn’t want this ride to end with them. I’m beyond happy. I am glad someone in our family was able to achieve this.”

The title was the first CCS crown in a girls’ sport at King City since the basketball team did it in 1992. The only other programs to win section titles in girls’ sports were the volleyball team in 1991 and the track and field program in 1974.

“It’s been a process for us,” King City coach Artie Carrillo said. “We’ve had a lot of good players come through. We’ve been building off of what we’ve been doing. Honestly, this group of seniors have been a different group. They’ve enjoyed the journey.”

King City will go into the Northern California playoffs, which begin on Tuesday, having produced 36 runs in three postseason games.

Over the season, the Mustangs, who finished fourth in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division, have scored 279 runs in 29 games, second to Carmel in the league.

“It’s one of those things where I don’t think anyone expected us to reach this point,” Artie Carrillo said. “The goal all year was to be competitive and make a push. Once we got to the playoffs, the time to go is right now.”

Included in the Mustangs’ ride to the finals was a stunning 16-0 win over top-seed Independence of San Jose in the semifinals last Thursday, while South San Francisco shut down Soledad 11-1 in five innings.

In fact, the Warriors came into the game riding a five-game winning streak, having scored 77 runs, including 27 runs in their first two postseason games.

On the heels of tossing a two-hitter in the semifinals. Alizah Carrillo won her 18th game of the season in the circle for the Mustangs, finishing with six strikeouts, limiting South San Francisco to three hits after the first inning.

“This was one of my best pitched games,” said the younger Carrillo. “I relied on my screwball and came in with a back-door pitch. I felt some pressure down 2-0. As soon as my team made a difference in the game, it took the pressure off my chest.”

A mild threat in the seventh inning for South San Francisco ended when freshman third baseman Crystal Paramo tagged out the runner to end the game, creating pandemonium.

“At first, I was in shock,” the younger Carrillo said. “I looked at my teammates. We all raced toward Crystal. That’s when it became a reality.”

Staring at a 2-0 deficit in the third inning, once the nerves subsided, the Mustangs’ bats awoke as Janesa Lopez ignited a five-run outburst with a two-run triple, while Raylie Moore added a run-scoring double.

In three postseason games hitting out of the seventh hole, Lopez has six hits and has driven in eight runs for King City, while Moore has knocked in five runs.

“The motto has been lean on each other and come back in strength in numbers,” Artie Carrillo said. “Hitting is contagious. Keep passing the bat to each other.”

Looking for insurance, King City (18-11) struck again with five runs in the sixth inning, two coming on Amity Hearne’s double, with Paramo collecting a run-scoring double.

“To see something like this happen is good for the program, the school and community,” Artie Carrillo said. “The support has always been like this. It’s a very special moment.”

Ray caps off best month of career, takes loss as Marlins silence SF Giants

The Giants couldn’t ask more of Robbie Ray. Seven innings, one run, nine strikeouts — all of which amounted to a seventh consecutive quality start.

On an evening where the offense couldn’t muster a single run, though, Ray couldn’t avoid taking his first loss of the season.

Despite Ray’s excellence, the Giants lost to the Miami Marlins, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at LoanDepot Park as the offense — due in part to two excellent defensive plays by Miami — couldn’t cash in on numerous opportunities to score. San Francisco has now gone 13 consecutive games without scoring more than four runs, the longest such streak since 1988.

“Just got to fight out of it, unfortunately,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters in Miami.

Ray finished May with a 1.38 ERA over six starts with 45 strikeouts over 39 innings, the lowest ERA he’s ever posted in a calendar month in his career. The left-hander has allowed just eight runs over 46 innings (1.57 ERA) with 53 strikeouts over his stretch of seven straight quality starts.

The left-hander struggled early with his four-seam fastball command Saturday and leaned heavily on his changeup, the offering that he re-introduced this spring with the help of the Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal. Ray’s 32 changeups were the second-most he’s thrown in a start in his career, and his 12 whiffs with the pitch were the most he’s generated in a single start.

“Could just tell that I was getting some bad swings on it and some soft contact,” Ray told reporters. “Just kind of leaned on it tonight. It was very effective.”

“I thought all his pitches were working well today,” Melvin said. “Walked a few guys early on, but as the game went along, his stuff got better and better.”

Ray’s efforts would’ve been rewarded with a victory on most days, but not on a day where the Giants left 11 men on base and finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Two of those missed opportunities, though, were a product of stellar defense from Miami.

In the top of the fourth, second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald sent a deep drive to the left-field warning track, but left fielder Heriberto Hernandez made a leaping catch to take away extra bases — and a potential home run.

In the seventh, Jung Hoo Lee sent a changeup from reliever Ronny Henriquez to center field that would’ve easily scored Heliot Ramos from first base had it landed, but center fielder Dane Myers made a leaping catch — banging into the wall in the process — to save a run.

Related Articles Harrison, bullpen snap SF Giants’ losing streak with win over Marlins Kurtenbach: The SF Giants desperately need offense. Buster Posey should look at these four trade-deadline targets SF Giants take 3-0 lead, but can’t hold it and are swept by Tigers Bob Melvin ejected, Logan Webb hit around in SF Giants’ loss to Tigers SF Giants’ Willy Adames kills rallies in 3-1 series-opening loss in Detroit

San Francisco’s inability to score a single run wasn’t entirely a product of Miami’s defense.

In the first, the Giants loaded the bases but ended the frame without a run as both Willy Adames and Mike Yastrzemski struck out. In the sixth, Henriquez entered for starter Edward Cabrera and struck out Fitzgerald to strand runners on first and second with two outs. Two innings later, San Francisco put runners on first and second with one out, but Yastrzemski flew out and Fitzgerald struck out.

“We got a bunch of hits last night and scored two runs,” said Melvin, whose team had eight hits Saturday. “Today, our at-bats, again, were pretty good. Couldn’t come through in a big situation. I thought Fitzy’s ball was gone. I thought Jung Hoo’s ball was at least off the wall. Just have to fight through these things when things aren’t going your way.”

Local books: The shoulders on which we stand

Imagine. A young contemporary San Francisco woman takes a DNA test to confirm her white, Northern European ancestry and to preempt the possibility of any genetic health issues, only to find that the only thing she recognizes about her heritage is her name. This launches her on an investigation of her roots, a brilliant vehicle that enabled celebrated author Mary Smathers to research and write the historical California narrative that informed her award-winning debut novel, “In This Land of Plenty” (2020).

While the setup for the novel is a present-day circumstance, the saga quickly rolls back to 1767 which, if you remember from fourth-grade history lessons, marked the removal of the Jesuits from Spanish territories, including the 14 missions in Baja California. This led to an assignment of the Franciscans to take over the missions, with Father Junípero Serra appointed the new Superior of the region. Which is relevant to the storyline.

The novel ends, putting the saga on pause in 1850, as California is becoming a state, following the United States winning the 1848 Mexican-American War, and the rush to find gold after carpenter James Marshall found some while working at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma. A heady time for the novel to cease, begging for a sequel.

Author Mary Smathers (Courtesy image)

The contemporary pandemic era became a fortuitous period in which to ponder one’s own past, present, and future, and also to invest in deep research for the sequel to Smathers’ novel, while sheltering in place. The result is “Unfamiliar Territory,” published April 20.

Where “In This Land of Plenty” ends, “Unfamiliar Territory” picks up the story and the pace of this saga, escorting readers from 1850 to 1873, when the “Panic of 1873” led to the country’s first “Great Depression,” giving original protagonist Nicole much more context to her DNA. Yet this sequel actually focuses on the effects the Gold Rush and the subsequent financial fall-out on protagonist of the era, Juanita Castro de la Cruz.

What happened to her family plays out in Smathers’ first book. What becomes of this descendant unfolds in the sequel.

“Anchored by four generations on a Mexican land-grant ranch,” said Smathers, “we are looking at the effects of history on this descendant, a character I made up based on history. Juanita now faces unimaginable upheaval as her homeland becomes an American state, and she is exposed to an unfamiliar language, religion, economy, and culture.”

“Unfamiliar Territory” explores a constant that frames California history, known as conflict. And the themes that arise from this include strong women in a time when their gender recognition was just emerging—through the eyes of the protagonist—as well as unlikely relationships that form through the circumstances which test a person’s mettle, plus the meaning of family, of generational ties, of diversity, tenacity, and courage.

Smathers, who devotes herself to an admitted “tremendous degree of research” behind her epic novels, loves the process and leans into it as she develops her storyline and the scaffolding that supports it.

“I found, in doing research,” she said, “that letters were so important in the 1850s and going forward. It was the only way to get news. I love primary-source material, those crafted from contracts, collections of letters, old newspaper articles, journals, and what reporters could uncover across the country.”

What Smathers finds fascinating about poring through old letters is what they reveal, not only about events of the day but also how people felt about their impact on their lives. And to think, she said, people had to wait months in those days to find out what was going on with family members across the country.

Readers will learn a lot about early California history—what drove people to wagon-train their way across the country, how few made it, and what they found when they arrived. And, with a little patience, we’ll discover a lot more, since subsequent sequels are in the works.

A native of northern California, Smathers earned a degree in Latin American Studies from UC Berkeley before completing a master’s in education and second in educational administration and policy analysis from Stanford — a quintessential straddling of “the great divide,” at least during football season. While developing her public school career as a high school teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, educational grant writer and educational entrepreneur, she, with husband David Payne, raised their children in Morgan Hill before settling in Carmel. In addition to her early California duology, Smathers has published a collection of contemporary short stories, “Fertile Soil: Stories of the California Dream,” plus a bilingual children’s picture book series, “Tropical Tales.”

Currently, the couple divides their year between Costa Rica, where he surfs and she is working on a subsequent sequel, as well as her picture book series; and Carmel, where she plays tennis, and he swims.

Smathers will present a book launch event for “Unfamiliar Territory” on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Carmel Valley Creamery. “In This Land of Plenty” and “Unfamiliar Territory” are available at River House Books and at Pilgrim’s Way in Carmel, and at Bookworks in Pacific Grove, as well as via Amazon.com.

CCS DIV softball finals: Magic runs out as Palma falls to Woodside

SAN JOSE  — A roster littered with underclassmen in its inaugural season took its lumps early, overcoming growing pains in one of the top leagues in the section.

Having girls’ sports for the first time in 60 years did not dampen expectations at Palma high, despite a handful of players forced to miss the first half of the softball season due to the state transfer rule.

Yet, the identity of the program began to take shape when it mattered most, closing the regular season with a pair of wins to secure a spot in the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs.

“All year long we knew we had the talent, no matter the grade,” Palma coach Sam Salter said. “I felt if we switched our mindset, we could get here. It was more about making sure we were all on the same page. Don’t think like underclassmen.”

A wave of emotion during a current five-game winning streak came to a halt Saturday as late-inning dramatics by the No. 8 seeded Chieftains fell short in a 4-3 loss to Woodside in the Division IV title game at San Jose City College.

Palma’s run to a section finals appearance in its first season included knocking off top seed Notre Dame-San Jose and No. 5 seed and WCAL power Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco by identical 3-2 scores.

“I told them after the game, if anything, this gave us the experience we need to return to this stage,” Salter said. “We have a taste of how it feels to lose. It’s the first step. But it’s a huge step.”

Enduring a 1-5 start to the season, and a six-game losing streak during league play — tested the fortitude of a squad that has seven freshmen and seven sophomores on its roster.

“We had some practices where we didn’t do softball,” said Salter, who pitched for Bakersfield State University. “We had competitive games like football and Red Rover. We tried to get back to having fun and bonding more.”

During Palma’s five-game winning streak, pitcher Sophie Cardinale showcased why she’s headed to Santa Clara University, tossing a pair of shutouts while striking out 13 against Sacred Heart Cathedral in the semifinal game.

“The way Sophie’s been performing, we definitely believed we had a chance,” Salter said. “It started slow. There were some nerves. But she has carried us during this run.”

After being touched for a two-out, three-run double by Victoria Torah in the first inning, Cardinale settled into a groove, limiting the Wildcats to a single run.

“Our infield has really evolved,” Salter said. “We had a lot of errors earlier in the year. We focused on reps and ground balls. Read the situation. The infield was key down the stretch.”

Members of the Peninsula Bay Division, Woodside (16-11) knocked off San Lorenzo Valley and No. 2 seed Watsonville to reach the finals.

Having left runners stranded on the bases in three of the first four innings, Palma cut a 4-0 deficit in half in the sixth when freshman Analysia Rocha tripled home fellow freshman Ashlyn Urmanita, with Maya Martinez adding a run-scoring single.

Down to their last three outs, freshman Reese Amaral ripped a single, stole second, and scored on freshman Keilani Pato’s sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Rocha, who doubled and tripled in the game, and hit six homers this spring, followed with a two-out blast that was run down in deep center to end the Chieftains’ rally.

“Honestly, it goes back to the first inning,” Salter said. “We were just a little nervous. It was a big stage. I don’t know if we were prepared for the moment. Next year it won’t feel overwhelming.”

Chris Christie, James Carville to be featured in latest Panetta Lecture Series

MONTEREY – Chris Christie and James Carville, who have both served as presidential advisors and aren’t known to shy away from controversial statements, will be on the panel of the Panetta Lecture Series finale, which will discuss “What Will Be the Governing Legacy of the Trump Era?” on June 9.

The panel will be led by former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and will also include Mary Matalin, a Republican political consultant and White House advisor to President George W. Bush. Matalin is also married to Carville.

President Donald Trump “relies on Executive Orders instead of passing laws,” Panetta said in a press release. “Republicans are struggling to stay united and loyal to the President when his policies threaten popular programs like Medicare and Medicaid and dramatically increase the size of the deficit. Democrats are struggling as a result of the election defeat … but are looking toward the midterms to reinvigorate a frustrated base even as they work to take action against Trump’s ‘flood the zone’ approach to politics. Is this any way to lead our country?”

Leon Panetta will welcome former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a panelist in this season's Panetta Lecture Series. (Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald file)

Christie, a former New Jersey governor, ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican Primary and has been an outspoken critic of the president. He had served as an advisor to Trump during his first administration. Carville was the lead strategist on Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, who is credited with having coined the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid.” The political pundit is frequently featured on television. Matalin’s career spans more than 40 years in senior Republican positions as chief of staff and campaign manager, among other roles. She served as deputy campaign manager on President George H. W. Bush’s 1992 re-election bid and was later assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney.

Panetta plans to discuss what Trump’s governing style means to democracy.

“In my over 50 years of public service, I have seen Washington at its best and its worst. I have seen Washington when Republicans and Democrats were working together on bipartisan legislation,” Panetta said. “I have also seen it deeply partisan and dysfunctional. The result is a failure to govern.”

The 28th annual season’s overarching theme has been “What Will Be the Legacy of the Trump Era?” The event, the fourth and final of the season’s series, will be held at the Monterey Conference Center at 7 p.m. on June 9.

Individual tickets to the lecture sell for $100. To order, call the Panetta Institute at (831) 582-4200 to pay with a credit card.

For additional information on tickets, subscriptions or broadcast details, please call the Panetta Institute or visit www.panettainstitute.org.

Herald Heroes: Julie Kelly builds connections, both in and out of the classroom

Editor’s note — Recently we invited readers to send in their nominations for “Herald Heroes,” an effort to recognize the heroics of people doing great things behind the scenes. We then pursued the nearly impossible task of winnowing the list to five finalists and one winner among them. In the coming weeks, we will feature a different finalist each Sunday, acknowledging the good work they’ve contributed on behalf of our community and finishing with a feature on our winning Herald Hero, who will receive a $500 award.

PACIFIC GROVE — Julie Kelly has spent the past 30 years teaching, 11 in Pacific Grove as a transition kindergarten and kindergarten teacher. While the school day at Robert Down Elementary School ends at the bell, Kelly has taken the initiative to stay involved in her students’ lives outside of the classroom.

“She builds deep relationships with families by attending students’ extracurriculars, offering rides (even to urgent care for a parent), organizing meal trains, volunteering to babysit, joining a running race and always being there when needed. Whether it’s inviting everyone over to trick-or-treat or attending monthly moms’ night out events, Julie ensures everyone feels supported,” said Bonnie Post in her nomination for Kelly.

“Her advocacy for students, mentorship of new teachers, and contributions to school committees all reflect her commitment to a better community. Julie’s unwavering commitment to others, both in and out of the classroom, makes her not just an outstanding teacher, but a remarkable person and hero.”

Kelly always knew she wanted to be a teacher. As a kid, she would play school and always loved school. She said it was really important for her to give back and be part of other kids’ education.

“They teach me to let the little things go and just be able to focus on them and be able to be a part of their world. So I think the primary thing is I just love being around kids,” she said. “I think that they’re just a fun energy and they just see the world through these great lenses of just everything being awesome.”

While Kelly has primarily taught kindergarten, she has taught a little bit of everything.

“I worked at a safe house in Sacramento for girls who were underage, sex trafficked and I wrote curriculum for them … so they could be safe and do basically a homeschool on site,” she said. “I also taught in the classroom. I taught fourth grade, and I also taught remedial college mathematics. So I’ve kind of been a little bit of everything.”

In kindergarten, Kelly’s students do everything you’d expect. They paint, color, learn executive functioning skills, language arts, math, social studies and science.

“The most important thing we learn is how to make the world a better place,” said Kelly.

Kelly’s favorite part of her day-to-day teaching is the dance parties. She pulls out bubble machines, disco lights and puts on music for the kids.

 

Julie Kelly has been teaching in Pacific Grove for the past 11 years. She currently teaches TK and kindergarten at Robert Down Elementary School. (Arianna Nalbach - Monterey Herald)

“They really like freestyle. So that’s a dance where they just all get to show their moves,” she said.

Kelly’s love of teaching runs in her family – her son, Will, is a kindergarten teacher in Riverside. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly and her son collaborated with one another and teach each other’s classes.

“We did Wacky Will, and he would do directed drawings and put these funny glasses on where the eyeballs pop out. And then I would go on his Zooms later in the afternoon and do science with his kids,” she said.

Having a personal connection with her students is important to Kelly. During the pandemic, Kelly did the teacher truck – one of her favorite memories.

She said on Fridays, she would drive the truck around Pacific Grove and do arts and crafts out of the back with the kids to help build a trusting relationship with them outside of a screen.

“We did arts and crafts out of the back of a truck because the kids couldn’t come to school,” she said. “Doing the teacher truck during COVID brought a connection between the students and myself and then also we got to do a super fun activity, which was always really exciting, so something they always looked forward to is that personal contact during COVID.”

Kelly’s involvement doesn’t end with the school day. She has worked to develop relationships with both her students and their parents outside of the classroom.

Kelly said that especially after the pandemic, there has been a shift in parental interaction in the classroom. While parents use to volunteer more regularly, the nuance with needing to be fingerprinted and background checked may make it a little harder, Kelly said.

“There’s not as many parents that are available to help out, whether they’re working or just have other stuff going on in their life. I would say after COVID, I’ve definitely seen a shift in that, which has really allowed me the opportunity to work a little bit harder at making sure we have those connections,” she said.

“I think that the thing that I learned that’s most important is that involving families in our community, our classroom community; it’s really, really important when kids come to school in TK or in kindergarten,” she said.

Kelly’s current group of students is a rollover class – kindergarteners that she taught in TK the previous year – but she said getting the families involved in TK was really important “so they felt connected to the community and connected to our school.”

One thing she has done to help connect the parents is a mom’s night out once a month, where they come to the school and get a chance to get to know each other.

“We try to do other activities that parents can kind of get to know each other and feel part of the school community, but also feel like they’re part of our class,” she said. “And I think that’s been really magical.”

Kelly also makes the effort to see her students doing their extracurriculars and things that are important to them – something she has done since she first started teaching.

“It’s important for the kids to know that I’m not just their person at school, but I’m their person in their life to support them in what they do,” she said.

Her students love it, too.

“When they come to school, they’re part of the school world, and then when I go into their world, it’s to get to see what they do outside of school. Some of the kids take gymnastics, so I’ve been over to see gymnastics and t-ball, so I go see their t-ball games. If they do ballet or they have a recital for a musical instrument, I try to get over there to go see them and be a part of their life outside of school,” she said.

“When I show up, the kids just beam with excitement … I’m doing what’s important to them because I’m a part of their world. I’m not making them a part of my world.”

Another thing Kelly does  for holidays is have the kids make a model of themselves on paper to take home, then she’ll “sneak around to their houses and drop off a treat.” She mentioned she’s done it at the beginning of the year, a leprechaun and Easter one in the spring, and a gingerbread house in the winter.

“It’s that magical part of just being young where you believe in these things that are fun and really exciting,” she said. “I think those are ways that I want to be a part of their life. … it’s fun to drive around town and see the little gingerbreads or their things on their door.”

One of Kelly’s favorite things about teaching in Pacific Grove is watching her students grow up, because she gets to see them over and over again.

“I think that so many times we look at kids and we think they’re just heading down the wrong track or this or that,” she said. “And just to really be able to open your eyes and say it’s their journey. They get to choose this road for themselves, and my job is to love them every single step of the way regardless of where they’re at and their lives.”

Keeping the connections she’s built with her students is really important to Kelly, even as they grow up and go through the school system.

“I had kids that were in fifth grade last year, really struggling, and they would come down to TK just for a hug or just to be able to hang out with us and just, and they really just needed a place to fit in … I really learned a lot about loving these kids through the stages of their life because that’s the most important; that people feel accepted and cared for and respected and loved is so important.”

Kelly also wanted to highlight the importance of her classroom team.

“I am not a one woman show, and without the teamwork of my co-teachers Mrs. (Caroline) Wade, Mrs. (Jennifer) Ross and Mrs. (Katie) Wrolstad, I would not be who I am in and out of the classroom,” she later said in an email to the Herald. “I am so grateful for the love and support of my family for the many hours I spend outside of school hours attending plays, sporting events, dance recitals, home visits, lemonade stands and any other activities my Kinder Otters engage in. This job takes a village and I work hard to build a classroom community for the families and teachers.”

Having adult, positive people in her life has been instrumental, Kelly said, expressing her gratitude for her fellow teachers and the parents.

“I have such a grateful heart. I’m so grateful for the families that I have in my classes, always,” she said. “I’m just so grateful that families show up for their kids and that they love their kids enough to show up and their willingness to always help.”

A championship celebration for Carmel High baseball

Horoscopes May 31, 2025: Clint Eastwood, engage in whatever comes your way

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Colin Farrell, 49; Brooke Shields, 60; Tom Berenger, 76; Clint Eastwood, 95.

Happy Birthday: Engage in whatever comes your way. A change or encounter may not be expected or wanted, but it will be necessary if you want to take advantage of the opportunities that unfold this year. Trust your intelligence and intuition, and leave nothing to chance. It’s important to read between the lines, ask questions and set comfortable boundaries and budgets. Domestic improvements are within reach; put your energy where it counts. Your numbers are 2, 13, 20, 27, 36, 39, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Use your insight and pioneering attitude to enforce positive change that helps bring in more cash or lower your overhead. Picking up knowledge and experience, making cold calls and updating your resume will help you bypass setbacks. An opportunity to engage in talks and promote your attributes will encourage growth and expansion. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put anger aside and do what’s necessary to maintain balance, integrity and financial stability. Refuse to let your emotions dictate when common sense is how to protect yourself, your assets and your future. Talk to experts, thoroughly assess your situation and do what you can to preserve your reputation and position. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stick to your devices. Outside influences will cost you. Engage in every aspect of your pursuits and limit the information you share with others. Your home is your castle, requiring attention to ensure your comfort. An emotional conversation with those closest to you will ease stress and lead to better days. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Hunker down and observe what’s happening around you. Patience and timing are essential to maintain and expand your interests. Set a budget, build equity and position yourself for long-term gains. Focus on personal growth, physical strength and emotional clarity regarding your financial expectations. Stop talking, start doing and make a difference. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’re well positioned. Participation will give you the insight you want with those who share your beliefs and strategy. A passionate point of view followed by action will make others take note and join your team. Romance is in the stars, and personal improvement will be noticed by those you encounter. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Rethink your current position, your next move and what it might cost. A change may beckon you, but building momentum will be necessary to clear the obstacles others cast your way. Look at every angle, listen to strategists and experts, and make choices and changes when you feel confident of the outcome. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Huddle with your inner circle and gather input before you make a bold move. There is plenty to look forward to, but making your life comfortable and transitioning quickly to where you find peace will help you reach your expectations without interference. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Avoid putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Sit back, observe and be patient, and you’ll buy enough time to make minor but crucial decisions and changes to avoid emotional setbacks. Charm, sophistication and showing interest will win the support of someone who can make a difference to your prospects. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pick up the pace and head toward your destination with enthusiasm. Voice your opinion and put your energy into how you earn your living, handle investments and deal with associates. Networking and social events will offer insight into how others feel about you. A domestic change looks promising, and personal gain is favored. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Avoid getting caught in excessive, tempting or fake situations. Question everything and everyone. Ask an expert and protect your assets, health and emotional well-being. A change is likely, but first, you must map out a journey that serves your purpose. Deep discussions with someone close to you will help you make better decisions. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Ignore the changes others make and do what’s best for you. Put your imprint on what makes sense and will do you justice. Use your skills to bring about positive change at home and your charm to kindle opportunities. The support you drum up will lead to worthwhile connections and promising partnerships. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Too much, too quick will promote controversy. Transparency and giving those close to you a voice will offer a worthwhile suggestion to consider. Leave no stone unturned; time is on your side, and patience will save you emotional and financial setbacks. Confusion is the first sign there is a weakness in your strategy. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are captivating, intense and passionate. You are impulsive and pioneering.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

CCS DIII baseball finals: Lewis’ walk-off single lifts Carmel to 10th title

SANTA CLARA — As Bo Lewis rounded first base, sporting a smile the size of a baseball field, 21 teammates were on his heels in a celebration for the ages.

“When it’s your turn to help affect the team, you have to find a way,” the Carmel senior left fielder said. “This is the best feeling in my life.”

Lewis delivered the hit of the season for the Padres, singling home Ty Arnold with the game-winning run Friday, lifting them to a 3-2 eight-inning win over Willow Glen in the Central Coast Section Division III finals at Santa Clara University.

The section title was the 10th in Carmel’s storied baseball program — ninth under head coach Mike Kelly, second only in the county to Palma’s 12 CCS football titles.

The Padres (21-10) will be seeded into the State Northern California tournament for the third straight year on Sunday, matching the highest total of appearances in the CCS with Valley Christian.

“I think our body of work over the course of the season deserves a home game,” Kelly said. “People like coming to the peninsula. But I have no control over that.”

Where Carmel will be seeded is open for debate. Because the State tournament narrows the divisions from six to five, one section champion among the eight teams in each bracket will likely not get a home game.

“I’m just excited to play another game with these guys,” said Lewis, one of three seniors on the roster. “This is probably it for me. I want to make it last as long as we can.”

Lewis, who came into the game fifth on the team in hits, had a plan coming to the plate with two outs in the eighth inning against the No. 3 seeded Rams, who came into the game riding a 13-game winning streak.

“When I was walking up there, I was thinking just do your job, get something over the infielders,” Lewis said. “Honestly, it’s kind of a blur right now. I kind of blacked out after I hit the ball.”

For the top-seeded Padres, it was their second CCS title in the last three years, capturing the Division III crown in 2023. Last spring, Carmel was bumped to Division I after winning the Gabilan Division title.

“It was the most exciting ending we’ve ever had in a CCS title game,” Kelly said. “I don’t think we’ve ever gone extra innings in a title game. The heart and fire that everyone showed, the intensity to be on the edge of your seat with effort.”

Even with the plaque in hand, it still hadn’t hit Lewis, who hits in the cleanup spot for Carmel.

“It probably won’t sink in until the bus ride back,” Lewis said. “It’s so nice to help my team. We’ve put so much work into this season. I am just so excited, filled with emotion.”

Pitching, which has carried Carmel through the postseason with back-to-back shutouts, delivered again as Stanford-bound Matt Maxon struck out seven over seven innings.

Kelly then went with Lucas Rocha, who tossed a gem in Saturday’s 7-0 quarterfinal win over Santa Cruz, as the sophomore fired a scoreless eighth.

“Scott (Brown) has done a fantastic job with this staff,” Kelly said. “They are so young and still growing up. Our three starters spend a lot of time at their craft. It’s not them just showing up and pitching.”

Kelly was speaking about Maxon, Rocha and freshman Kenny Sanchez, all of which will be back next year for Carmel, while Arnold has been magical as a closer.

“It was a no doubter that we were going with Lucas in the eighth,” Kelly said. “That was our plan. Our pitchers are very efficient. It’s seldom that they throw 90-plus pitches in a start.”

Without the benefit of a hit in the third inning, the Padres produced a pair of runs on sacrifice flies from Maxon and Arnold to build a 2-0 lead.

Maxon, who set down the first six hitters he faced, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third before being touched for single runs in the fourth and fifth by the Rams (23-6) to tie the game at two.

Carmel threatened in the seventh inning when Alex Hirschfield and Skyler Brown both singled, but weren’t able to push across a run to end it in regulation.

“You just have to think about the next move,” Kelly said. “I don’t let things get to me. What kind of moves can we make, how to keep kids in the right spot. I felt good going into the eighth. We had the top of our lineup coming up. What was cool to see was a senior knocking in a senior.”