College of the Desert has partnered with DAP Health to provide students with free access to sexual wellness services, ensuring those from underserved communities can receive essential health care.
“I hope word about our presence on campus spreads far and wide so that DAP Health can have a positive impact on the sexual and reproductive well-being of these young adults,” DAP Health Physician Assistant Madeleine Newhouse, who will oversee the Monday pop-up clinic at COD, said in a press release.
Also in this week’s education roundup: Cathedral City High School is calling on the community to support its clothing drive; a student from La Quinta High School takes gold in witness performance at the 43rd annual Riverside County Mock Trial competition; an alternative education teacher was named a finalist for a leadership and dedication award; three of the Coachella Valley’s top cybersecurity high school teams won the inaugural CV Cyber Cup; and the California Desert Association of Realtors has opened its scholarship application for high school seniors.
Did we miss a noteworthy education story? Raise your hand and send it my way: [email protected].
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College of the Desert partners with DAP Health to offer free sexual wellness services to students
Students at College of the Desert now have free access to sexual wellness services through a partnership with DAP Health.
“By partnering with DAP Health to offer free, stigma-free sexual wellness services on campus, we’re making sure students have the support they need to take care of their health without worrying about cost,” Interim Dean of Student Support Services Carlos Maldonado said in a press release. “For many of our students, this isn’t just about convenience — it’s about having access to care that can impact their ability to stay in school and thrive.”
The services, available at no cost and regardless of insurance, include:
- STI testing and treatment;
- Doxy PEP for STI prevention;
- Birth control consultations;
- Pregnancy testing;
- Emergency contraception;
- HIV testing; and
- PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention.
The DAP Health Sexual Wellness Clinic, located in Room 133 of the Cravens Student Services Building at COD’s Palm Desert campus, will offer 12 half-hour appointments for enrolled students on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. COD students can schedule an appointment by calling 760-656-8424, though walk-ins are also welcome.
For those who are not enrolled at COD, DAP Health also offers free sexual wellness services to all at its three locations: the Orange Clinic at 1695 North Sunrise Way in Palm Springs; the Stonewall Medical Center at 68-555 Ramon Road in Cathedral City; and its sexual wellness clinic at 81-719 Dr. Carreon Blvd., Suite D1, in Indio.
For more information: Visit collegeofthedesert.edu
More:DAP Health to open new sexual wellness clinic in Cathedral City; third in the valley
Cathedral City High School calling on the Coachella Valley community to support clothing drive
The Interact Club at Cathedral City High School is teaming up with Angel View to host a clothing drive from Feb. 18 to March 7, with all donations supporting families in need through sales at Angel View Thrift Marts.
Students and community members are invited to donate gently used clothing by dropping off bags at designated blue bins around the school. Donations can also be sent with students or dropped off directly at the school at 69-250 Dinah Shore Drive.
Greater Coachella Valley’s Student of the Month awards celebrates 21 resilient seniors
Twenty-one high school seniors from across the Coachella Valley were recognized on Feb. 4 for their academic achievements, leadership and dedication to their schools and communities.
Now in its second year, the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month event, hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education, honors students from Coachella Valley Unified, Desert Sands Unified and Palm Springs Unified school districts, as well as those in the Riverside County Office of Education.
“Every month we are inspired by the stories our students share with us,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said in a press release. “It is important that we recognize the greatness within our schools, as these students will continue to do amazing things as they pursue their dreams and shape the future of our county and world.”
These ambitious students took college-level courses, cheered in the pep band, held club officer positions and mentored younger peers — all while learning English, managing responsibilities at home after the death of a parent and recovering from brain tumor removal surgery. Through these challenges, they showed resilience and unwavering commitment to their education.
They will join a cohort who qualify for the Student of the Year Award, a scholarship that acknowledges their journey of self-improvement and transformation. The scholarship recipients will be announced at the final ceremony, set for Thursday, May 22.
The February honorees from each school district are as follows:
Coachella Valley Unified School District
- Ruben Cazares-Ayon, Coachella Valley High School
- Yumalay Ferro, West Shores High School
- Alondra Lorigo-Avila, NOVA Academy Early College High School
- Mya Mayoral, Coachella Valley Independent Study
- Irma Rodriguez, Desert Mirage High School
- Russell Silva, La Familia High School
Desert Sands Unified School District
- Audrey IsBell, La Quinta High School
- Anastasia Linkogel, Shadow Hills High School
- Edgar Magaña-Garcia, Indio High School
- Arnulfo Martinez Jr., Horizon High School
- Adrian Mendez, Amistad High School
- Jaden Richardson, Palm Desert High School
- Samara Serafini, Summit High School
Palm Springs Unified School District
- Alejandra Ayala, Cathedral City High School
- Ariana Fuentes, Desert Hot Springs High School
- Amia Jolie Mars, Desert Learning Academy
- Bijan Nasr, Palm Springs High School
- Jesus Madrid Rojas, Rancho Mirage High School
- William Rucker, Mt. San Jacinto High School
Riverside County Office of Education
- Raul Garcia Robles, Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center
- Luis Macias-Rodriguez, Palm Springs Community School
More:Palm Springs Unified executive assistant named 2025 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year
La Quinta High School student makes strong case as witness at the 43rd annual Riverside County Mock Trial competition
Although Coachella Valley high school teams did not reach the Elite Eight in the 43rd annual Riverside County Mock Trial Competition, La Quinta High School’s Angel Navarette earned the gold medal for one of the best witness performances after the fourth round on Feb. 8.
Sponsored by the Riverside County Superior Courts, the Riverside County Bar Association and the Riverside County Office of Education, the monthslong Mock Trial competition challenges high school students to argue cases before real judges while practicing attorneys score their performance, with teams filling roles such as attorneys, witnesses and clerks.
The semifinals take place on Feb. 13, and the 2025 champion will be crowned after the final round on Feb. 18 at the Riverside Historic Courthouse.
For more information: Visit rcoe.us
More:Palm Desert High School mock trial team makes the ‘Elite Eight’ in county competition
Alternative education teacher from Riverside County named finalist for leadership and dedication award
The California League of Educators has named Suzanne Davis, a career technical education instructor with the Riverside County Office of Education, as one of six finalists for the Region 10 Educator of the Year award, recognizing her leadership, commitment to educational reform and dedication to students.
Davis teaches at Palm Springs Community Day School in Palm Springs and Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center in Indio, specializing in career pathways in hospitality and related fields. She emphasizes students’ social-emotional development, using hands-on experiences to foster connection and communication.
“This recognition reflects the incredible teamwork and support I receive from my colleagues, students, and the entire school community,” Davis said in a statement. I am passionate about empowering my students and helping them realize their potential.”
More:What voters should know about Coachella Valley Unified’s special election in Imperial County
Coachella Valley’s best cybersecurity teenage minds compete in inaugural CV Cyber Cup
Students, educators and community leaders filled La Quinta High School with excitement on Jan. 29 for the inaugural CV Cyber Cup Awards, a cybersecurity competition hosted by the Air & Space Forces Association of Palm Springs.
Five teams from Coachella Valley’s three public K-12 school districts battled for cash prizes, certificates and a chance to compete in the national CyberPatriot finals in Washington, D.C. Representatives from Congressmen Ken Calvert and Raul Ruiz’s offices and Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez’s office presented official congressional certificates to all participants, recognizing their dedication and achievements in cybersecurity.
After months of rigorous cybersecurity challenges, the top teams claimed victory:
- Cyber Cup Champions: AFJROTC Blackhawk-1, coached by Master Sergeant Dean Temple;
- First Runner-Up: Cisco Detective from Coachella Valley High School, coached by Dana Sanchez; and
- Second Runner-Up: Cyber Mafia from La Quinta High School, led by coach Frank Ceja.
For more information: Visit afapalmsprings.wordpress.com
More:How a La Quinta High teacher’s dedication to students led to statewide recognition
Scholarship Spotlight: California Desert Association of Realtors scholarship application is now open for high school seniors
The California Desert Association of Realtors has opened its 2025 scholarship application period for Coachella Valley high school seniors and children of CDAR realtors to help cover educational expenses.
To apply, applicants must plan to attend a community college, four-year university or trade/vocational school. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and upload their high school transcripts, two letters of recommendation from a counselor and teacher or outside references, a personal statement from a parent or guardian, as well as a personal statement outlining their life and career goals and how they would bring them back to their community. School portfolios will also be accepted.
Each year, CDAR awards several $1,000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors, with one additional $1,000 scholarship for the child of a CDAR member.
The deadline to apply is Monday, March 31.
For more information: Visit cdaronline.org/scholarship.
Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected]
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