The rhythm of traditional Mexican folk music resonates every Wednesday afternoon at Grand Terrace High School as Grupo Folklórico De GT rehearses the student-led dance group has quickly grown into a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and heritage captivating both the campus and the local community Led by seniors Ramses Muñoz and Exzavior Oliver the group is more than an extracurricular activity—it is a testament to the power of tradition “I’m proud to have started this group,” said Muñoz and the support we’ve received from the community and my mom has helped us keep these traditions alive through music and dance.”  the love for Folklórico began at the age of seven during a Cinco de Mayo event where he first dressed as a charro is a traditional horseman from the countryside who worked on haciendas “My mom pushed me to learn about where I came from and our traditions,” he recalled Folklórico is about the art and beauty of our culture especially for men—you want to look strong It’s about embracing the stories behind every dance.” who joined the group as an instructor while still learning himself was drawn to Folklórico by the vibrant dresses and intricate dances teaching the dances and preparing for events like school rallies,” he said It’s not just about learning the steps—it’s about understanding the culture and the meaning behind them.” shared how the tradition became a key part of her identity who are first-generation Mexican Americans encouraged me to connect with my heritage,” she said I wasn’t interested—I was focused on ballet all of whom work tirelessly to perfect their craft Practices begin with warm-ups and stretching before diving into the intricate steps and choreography Villarruel focuses on teaching the women how to hold and move their skirts “Each region’s dance has its own unique style and story,” she explained Jalisco’s dresses are colorful and vibrant while Chiapas dresses are black with bright flowers These details are what make Folklórico so special.” ASB Activities Director Marcos Ruiz applauded the group for its impact on campus “The response from the student body has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ruiz said “It’s important for students to feel connected to their campus and this group has done an incredible job fostering that connection while exposing students to culture I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished and the leadership they’ve shown.” The group’s performances have already made waves From school rallies to the “Light Up the Season” Christmas event in Grand Terrace their precision and energy have captured audiences “Seeing everyone move in sync and knowing we represented our culture well was an amazing feeling.” starting the group came with its own hurdles—particularly in encouraging other young men to join “It’s tough because many guys think dancing isn’t masculine,” he said “But I want to show that you can be strong I’m proud that so many men have joined us at Grand Terrace It’s not easy to get up and dance in front of your peers The group also relies on creative fundraisers to support their efforts These efforts help pay for the traditional dresses and suits that are essential to their performances there’s a unique outfit,” Villarruel explained “It’s not just about looking beautiful—it’s about honoring the culture and traditions of each place.” As the group’s founders prepare to graduate they are determined to ensure the group’s legacy continues “I have big plans,” said Muñoz I want to organize a showcase with Folklórico groups from other schools like Bloomington and Poly It’s important for the community to come together and celebrate Hispanic culture.” Villarruel also sees a future in Folklórico “I plan to join a college group and maybe start my own someday,” she said “It’s become such a big part of my life.” the experience has been transformative as he has taken the time and put in effort to learn about a culture completely different from his own I didn’t realize how much this would mean to me,” he said “It’s not just about dancing—it’s about the friendships and connections we’ve built In a world where cultural traditions risk fading Grupo Folklórico De GT stands as a testament to the resilience and passion of young people determined to keep their heritage alive.  “Folklórico is more than just dance—it’s a way to connect with where we come from and share that with others,” said Muñoz “I hope this group inspires others to embrace and celebrate their culture I had the opportunity to stay in a Grand Terrance Suite on Margaritaville’s newest cruise ship on a 4-night voyage from Florida to Mexico and was more impressed than I thought I would be.  Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander started as Costa Atlantica offering cruises for Costa from 2000 until 2019 Margaritaville didn't purchase the ship until 2023.  all 1,105 cabins received a major refurbishment as well as the public areas like the atrium The Margaritaville theming brought a vibrant and tropical atmosphere to the entire ship and combined classic cruising with the laid-back vibe of the Margaritaville brand.  Islander embarked on her first cruise on June 14 which is where she is currently homeported Initially, we had reserved a standard interior stateroom for $863.58 Margaritaville graciously upgraded us to one of the ship's Grand Terrace Suites It was a nice gesture and set the tone for a great voyage these suites start at over $1,000 per person for a 4-night cruise in 2025.  Our Grand Terrace Suite on Deck 6 measured over 270 square feet making it more spacious than standard cabins a traditional interior stateroom on Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander is less than 160 square feet from the comfortable sitting area to the additional dressing area It was the perfect amount of room for two people to spread out and relax I don't think we would have been tripping over each other if we were cruising with a third guest.  My first impression of the cabin was that it didn't feel like it was on a 20+-year-old ship I cruised on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation two older ships operating for Royal Caribbean and Carnival While they're a little older than Islander launching in 1998 versus 2000, the cabins were far more outdated my stateroom on Vision of the Seas had just two standard American outlets!  the Grand Terrace Suite on Islander felt more modern and well-maintained It was evident a lot of thought went into the stateroom's refurbishment.  I didn't expect the stateroom to feel dark or dingy but I didn't think it would feel like a hotel room on Key West where the original Margaritaville restaurant is located there was a bar-like surface with two stools that housed the ice bucket and mini-fridge The vanity area was separate from the cabin which helped divide the bathroom from the living and sleeping areas.  It was far more spacious than traditional vanities Because it didn't house the stateroom's only outlets there weren't cables everywhere or miscellaneous bottles of sunscreen.  Sometimes I'd begin my makeup at the vanity and finish it in the living area with more natural light.  The vanity area had four drawers and a closet There was also an extra closet adjacent to the bed Next to that closet was a built-in dresser with two large cabinets and even more drawers!  because we were only onboard for four nights so we weren't worried about tripping over our suitcases.  we had plenty of room to navigate the cabin we would have likely immediately unpacked to take advantage of the limited space.  the bathroom was more akin to a traditional hotel my knees didn't hit the sink when using the restroom!  There were six shelves for our toiletries and other products and the dual sinks made getting ready more efficient I also appreciated the liquid hand soap and lotion since standard cruise ship bar soap quickly dries my hands out.  Though Islander never operated for Carnival Cruise Line the bathroom reminded me of pictures I've seen of suites on Spirit Class ships such as Carnival Pride; the backsplash was identical This is because Costa is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc.  The layout was also similar to the bathroom in my Junior Suite on Carnival Vista which had the same dual sinks and shower-tub combination.  While I loved how spacious the bathroom was After my experience aboard Carnival Elation last year I've become hesitant about cruise ship bathrooms.  The shower head was gross and showed obvious limescale build-up The same couldn't be said about the shower on Islander It was clean and had great shower pressure There wasn't a clingy shower curtain!  The Grand Terrace Suite also came equipped with separate shampoo It smelled just as tropical and coconutty as you'd expect I always bring my own products because I color my hair; however my friend forgot travel-sized toiletries and used the provided shampoo and conditioner Another pleasant surprise was the number of outlets This means you can charge multiple devices without getting up and plugging in your phone or headphones at the vanity or bar top when you're half asleep.  You could easily do morning stretches on the balcony each morning watching your ship pull into port.  my habit would be far more expensive!  the suite had comparable benefits to my cabin aboard Carnival Vista but the Port of Tampa was so small that we breezed onboard We also received priority disembarkation in Progreso Perhaps my favorite benefit was the complimentary Nespresso coffee in the Concierge Lounge The most disappointing aspect of Margaritaville's drink package was that it did not include specialty coffees The lounge also had complimentary water bottles and soda like Coke you don't have to go the entire week without a crisp soda also arranged for a Bridge tour with other suite guests on the first full day onboard this was my friend's first cruise since 2004 She was impressed by how well the Staff Captain explained the complex navigational systems and enjoyed learning about Azipods.  she was incredibly helpful throughout the cruise and always went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed.  since Margaritaville doesn't have a mobile app we stood in the Guest Services line on the final evening to get a copy of our onboard spending statement Diana spotted us and guided us to the Concierge Lounge where she immediately printed our statements out for us.  I'd definitely consider booking the Grand Terrace Suite on future cruises especially if the itinerary was longer and we had more days at sea.  and by the time we started preparing for disembarkation we wished we had one more day to lounge on the balcony and sip on Nespresso coffee from the Concierge Lounge!  Read more: Is Upgrading to a Cruise Ship Suite Worth It? Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising The City of Grand Terrace, in collaboration with Arevon Energy Inc. and Grand Terrace High School celebrated the official launch of the Condor Energy Storage Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30 will provide 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity and 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage enough to power up to 150,000 homes for up to four hours during peak demand The project marks a significant step toward meeting the region’s Climate Action Plan goals and showcases the collective efforts of the city The event highlighted the project’s potential to generate approximately $25 million in property tax revenue over its lifespan benefiting both the county and the local education system Grand Terrace High School Principal Charles Neighbours Senior Vice President of Rosendin Electric joined Arevon CEO Kevin Smith in addressing the attendees “The Condor Energy Storage Project signifies our ongoing commitment to energy storage technologies and advancing clean renewable energy across the nation,” said Smith “As California looks to achieve its sustainability goals battery storage is essential to ensure grid reliability and facilitate further renewable energy adoption Our projects here provide viable economic revenue and reliable energy access throughout the state.” Mayor Hussey emphasized the collaborative nature of the project “The government has identified the need for clean renewable energy and Arevon has come up with a solution for that need We are excited to work with Arevon on our energy and educational needs especially as we look to inspire our students with real-world applications of this technology.” Rosendin Electric played a key role as the project’s engineering employing local labor from various trade unions “Rosendin values every member of these hardworking collaborative teams that dedicated 280,000 work hours on this project and homes when energy demand is at its peak,” said Lincoln Arevon partnered with Grand Terrace High School students and Riverside-based Industrial Metal Supply to create a 15-foot metal sculpture displayed at the ceremony demonstrating the educational and community-focused aspects of the project The sculpture will be a permanent fixture at the Condor facility Arevon’s commitment to the local community was further demonstrated through donations to the Grand Terrace Foundation Arevon has pledged $200,000 to provide shade structures at Grand Terrace High School supporting the educational environment for students equipped with Tesla’s advanced Megapack 2 XL technology represents a significant milestone in California’s renewable energy landscape The project underscores the importance of community partnerships and innovation in driving the state’s clean energy future Palm Springs High School's football team was forced to play its home opener on the road Friday evening Yet the change of venue didn't spoil a big night for the Indians The 33-21 win over Grand Terrace gave the Indians their first win of the season and showed just how dynamic the Palm Springs offense could be this season squashing any doubts after a tough loss to open the season Junior quarterback Bishop Miller threw four touchdown passes to three different receivers and looked like he will be a player to watch in the valley this season The game was played at Rancho Mirage High because of a water main break near Ralph Watt Stadium which required some construction near the home bleachers at Palm Springs High Principal Michael Ventura said that work is nearly complete and that the Indians are hopeful that the stadium will be ready for their next home game The game marked the second time Palm Springs has been the home team at Rancho Mirage High glass on the field at Ralph Watt Stadium forced the Indians to face Palm Desert at Rancho Mirage High which had just opened yet did not have a varsity football team Miller led the Indians on three second half touchdown drives and a potential fourth was lost on a fumble by senior Favian Galvez as Galvez stretched his arms out to break the plane at the goal line "Bishop had a good game for us," Indians head coach Darryl Goree said Miller threw a pair of touchdown passes to sophomore Sean Meza and others to seniors Damonte Lee and Rodney Miker Miller's four touchdown passes showed how comfortable he can be in the pocket but he also looked very dangerous as a read-option threat on the ground Miller finished the night 7-for-13 for 105 yards passing and 50 yards on nine carries but both went for touchdowns in the second half as the Indians held off a potential Grand Terrace comeback Johnson didn’t score but he ran for 101 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 44 yards including a 31-yard reception that set up a touchdown Rapolla recorded a sack and tipped a pass that likely would have otherwise resulted in a Grand Terrace touchdown He also ran for 40 yards and a touchdown on offense intercepted a pass in the second half and deflected a pass that nearly resulted in another interception late in the game The chatterMiller on the win: "We are focusing this season on finishing games "We have a young team and we're only going to get better Goree on the win: "We did some good things tonight We still made some mistakes and we need to do better in some areas But this should help us build our confidence and build on what worked." Grand Terrace isn't one of the better teams Palm Springs will play this season but this win was still a significant one for the Indians you have to build confidence and find ways to challenge yourself and I think Palm Springs has done that in the first two weeks of the season Friday's win should be a giant step forward for a young team that I now believe has a chance to be very competitive in the Desert Empire League that was noteworthy on Friday was the play of Miller and the passing game the Indians have a pair of dynamic ballcarriers who'll give Palm Springs a strong run game But if Miller can continue to improve as a passer and lean into his abilities as someone who can keep defenses honest and what La Quinta also appears to have this year The Indians forced Grand Terrace to go 3-and-out four times and only allowed one first half touchdown which came on a short field following a turnover But the Indians allowed two big 40-plus yard touchdowns late in the game and that kept the game more interesting than it should have been Palm Springs will obviously need to clean that up moving forward Palm Springs will face Eisenhower (Rialto) on Friday It's still undetermined if that game will be at Palm Springs High or again at Rancho Mirage Eisenhower won each of the last two meetings between the schools but both of those games were played in Rialto Andrew John covers sports for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Grand Terrace High School’s Class of 2025 transformed the school’s parking lot into a vibrant display of creativity during the inaugural Senior Parking Spot Painting Event hosted by the Associated Student Body (ASB) What was once a typical parking lot has now become a colorful array of personalized designs, each parking spot reflecting the unique flair and school spirit of GTHS seniors spent the day turning their parking spaces into expressive canvases that celebrate their individuality and mark their senior year in style “A new tradition began this weekend as GTHS seniors and friends came together to transform parking spaces into custom Thank you to everyone who joined us in creating this memorable bonding experience,” said ASB Activities Director Marcos Ruiz The event showcased not only the artistic talents of the students This inaugural event has set a new standard for senior traditions at Grand Terrace High School filling the campus with creativity and pride that will undoubtedly inspire future classes to continue this vibrant tradition Solar Power World By | August 8 Arevon Energy hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion and start of operations of its 200-MW/800-MWh Condor Energy Storage Project in San Bernardino County The project will annually power up to 150,000 homes for up to four hours during peak electricity demand periods and will provide an estimated $25 million in property tax payments over its lifespan supporting the county as well as the local school district With the project stakeholders in attendance the ribbon-cutting event not only celebrated the project’s completion but also the community support for helping San Bernardino County meet its Climate Action Plan goals City of Grand Terrace; Council Member Jeff Allen Senior Vice President at Rosendin Electric “The Condor Energy Storage Project signifies our ongoing commitment to energy storage technologies and to advancing clean renewable energy across the nation,” Smith said “As California looks to achieve its sustainability goals and brings more renewable energy online battery storage is an essential component to ensure grid reliability and facilitate further renewable energy adoption and reliable energy access throughout the state.” The Condor ribbon-cutting ceremony recognized the efforts and collaboration of the project’s commercial partners and local labor organizations that contributed to bringing the facility online Tesla’s utility-scale battery energy storage system which is the most advanced technology available on the market today and provides superior safety and protection for both the project and the surrounding community Tesla has also been contracted to provide operations and maintenance services for the project Southern California Edison (SCE) has purchased the project’s capacity under a long-term agreement procurement and construction provider and hired local electrical workers from IBEW Local 477 and Carpenters Local 909 to build the facility collaborative teams that dedicated 280,000 work hours on this project that will help power local businesses schools and homes when energy demand is at its peak,” Lincoln said we are proud to work with them to deliver energy projects that strengthen local communities while providing jobs and building our future workforce.” As the long-term owner of the Condor Energy Storage Project Arevon is committed to supporting the local community and its worthy initiatives Arevon was privileged to present donations to the Women’s Club Arevon partnered with Grand Terrace High School and Riverside-based Industrial Metal Supply to initiate the creation of a 3D metal sculpture which was on display during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) students owned the entire process from conception and design to welding the sculpture Each element was carefully separated out to ensure that no material was wasted and Arevon worked with Industrial Metal Supply to order the steel for the sculpture the Condor Energy Storage Project has committed to a contribution of $200,000 to provide shade for students at Grand Terrace High School along with a donation to the GTHS School Site Council Kelsey Misbrener is currently managing editor of Solar Power World and has been reporting on policy August 13, 2024 at 3:05 pm Do you know the proximity of the BESS site and the school Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media Privacy Policy | RSS Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative We're working on a visual shortcode editor until then please follow these instructions Email us to support@plugin.builders for any problems On the inaugural sailing of the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander  from Tampa my children ran around the outer deck exploring the world’s first cornhole-meets-mini-golf-course at sea They swung on a kid-sized hammock strung between palm trees climbed onto a giant cheeseburger and posed for photos next to a whimsical replica of Key West’s Southernmost Point Buoy Despite the beverage reference in its name, the Margaritaville brand aims to create spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for all ages — and the newest ship in its cruise portfolio does just that It’s a vessel truly designed to appeal to everyone from multigenerational families and groups to solo travelers and couples Islander is an exciting step up from the brand’s first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise which launched in 2022 and sails from West Palm Beach A Spirit-class cruise ship that originally sailed as the Costa Atlantica for Costa Cruises (built in 2000) Islander has undergone an extensive transformation but a highlight of its tropical redesign is the soaring 14-story atrium colorful parrot and fish sculptures “flying” through midair a giant Margaritaville flip flop and three sparkling multi-story margarita glass chandeliers suspended above a lively bar The branding is immersive and strikes a healthy balance between ocean-inspired and casual chic with endless details that nod to Jimmy Buffet One note for larger families: the ship’s staterooms aren’t designed for more than four passengers but booking staterooms or suites side by side is an option we opted for two spacious Grand Terrace Suites We slipped into the cozy bathrobes and slippers that were waiting for us in the closets and our kids loved zipping between the suites and calling each other on the room phones The extra space was a luxury; I highly recommend it for families or groups of five or more With certain amenities on the ship designed specifically for adults or children one of Islander’s greatest strengths is its many offerings designed to appeal to a multigenerational audience Highlights on the outer deck for all ages include the sun-soaked Paradise Pickleball at Sea area and the colorful Dis and Dat Activity Zone My kids also loved the ship’s multiple pools and elevated Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad and Slide a playground high above the ocean for little ones Islander offers complimentary kids programs organized by age group our children enjoyed the Jolly Mon and Parakeet Kids’ Clubs while we checked out the adults-only spaces casino and multiple bars keep the party going late into the evenings Somewhere Spa & Salon beckons with massages For foodies, the Islander offers an exciting array of notable dining options Included with clients’ cruise fare are five restaurants: Mexican Cutie Cantina the build-your-own burger venue Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar the Port of Indecision Buffet and Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria which serves exceptionally delicious pizza Specialty dining options include the signature JWB Prime Steakhouse (which offers exclusive fine dining at the top of the ship’s atrium) a sushi bar and the beloved Margaritaville Coffee Shop my husband and I sipped Volcano Blast boat drinks and savored flavorful teriyaki salmon ahi tuna and for dessert a hazelnut “honey do” cake Each of the ship’s 13 bars and lounges boasts its own unique beverage menu designed to match its ambiance The Coral Reef Lounge serves up a selection of both cocktails and mocktails (which my kids loved) while the Far Side of the World Sushi Bar and Lounge offers teen-friendly drinks such as boba milk tea The star entertainment options on the Islander are its two stage productions which feature triple-threat performers who sing dance and play instruments in high-energy shows “Conky Tonkin’ at Sea” features a montage of contemporary and classic country favorites with live musicians, while “Caribbean Heat Remix” offers a colorful celebration of Caribbean music with a Mexican twist Highlights of both shows are star aerialists Viviana and Ricardo two of the most captivating performers I’ve ever seen there are ongoing live music options throughout the ship on its pool decks and in bars and lounges At Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar and Lounge the Fama Latin Duo keeps a lively party going each evening while guitarist Emman provides electric guitar melodies at Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits A major plus of the brand’s new port is its accessibility plus the many amenities and restaurants nearby There’s an Amtrak station within walking distance from the port and Tampa International Airport is 15 minutes away My own family arrived via train from our home in West Palm Beach and on the morning we disembarked from the ship we visited The Florida Aquarium (a five-minute walk from the terminal) where we were able to check our luggage and enjoy the venue before catching our train to head home Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 CJUSD’s Grand Terrace High School is one of just 293 middle and high schools from throughout California selected for the prestigious 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program recognizing the exceptional work of its students “GTHS’s motto is Be G.R.E.A.T… Graduate,” Principal Charles Neighbours said “As our students and staff strive to be GREAT every day it’s a fantastic accomplishment to be recognized as a California Distinguished School.” Schools were selected for the distinction by the California Department of Education by analyzing data reported through its 2023 Dashboard with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate “Being recognized as a distinguished school is an incredible honor that I feel is an accurate reflection of our academic excellence and school culture here at GTHS,” ASB President Alyssia Pelayo said “Students on our campus are motivated to come to school everyday and look forward to participating in our student-led activities ASB works hard to promote inclusivity on campus and make our school a place where everyone feels welcome.” GTHS earned the distinction in the category of closing the achievement gap Schools must have at least 40 percent of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and in addition to demonstrating exemplary overall performance in English language arts and math achieve accelerated academic growth for one or more historically underserved student groups GTHS’s 2023 dashboard results reflect a 29 point increase in English language arts a 17.6 point increase in mathematics and a 90 percent graduation rate.  “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our secondary educators and school staff who help our young adults discover passions and access college- and career-ready experiences that will propel them through life,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a news release GTHS offers students a wide array of opportunities including championship athletics a student wellness center and career technical classes and pathways in areas including “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of staff and administration at Grand Terrace High School,” Superintendent Miranda said challenging and enriching opportunities for our students to give them the tools they need to reach their full potential both now and in the future.”