Oxnard City holds special meeting to honor student winners in speech, math, spelling and arts

Oxnard City Mayor MacArthur convened a special City Council meeting Tuesday, May 27, to recognize students from Oxnard schools who won or placed in local and county competitions in speech, math, spelling and art.

The awards program brought together students, parents, school officials and community partners in the City Hall chamber. The council opened the meeting with a pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence to honor former Mayor Dr. Tom Holden, who died May 26; the mayor and others briefly recalled his decades of public service.

“This is a special meeting that we’re holding in celebration of all the young people that have achieved so much here in our city,” Mayor MacArthur said, inviting students and families to the dais. He also encouraged students to try out civic roles, saying, “If any of you young persons wanna come up here and take their seats, you’re welcome to do that with your parent.”

The city and its partners presented awards across several programs. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (local chapter) staged its African American Speech Exposition for fifth and sixth graders; Mitzi, representing Alpha Kappa Alpha, said the sorority was founded at Howard University in 1908 and that 19 Oxnard schools participated this year, with plans to reach 20 next year. The city recognized first-place winner Amaya Faith Weaver; Weaver, a sixth grader, delivered part of her winning speech in the chamber and said, “When you’re meant for greatness, you will find greatness.” Second-place winner Maximo Diaz and third-place winner Jaylee Gomez were also acknowledged.

Oxnard School District math competitions and a county math contest were also celebrated. Matt Haber, manager of math for the Oxnard School District, described a recent “math mindset” competition involving 13 schools and said district teams later competed at a Ventura County-wide contest in which 30 of 32 schools participated countywide and eight schools placed. The council recognized individual and team winners from Curran Elementary and other schools.

The council presented a certificate to the citywide spelling bee champion, who won the final round on the word “cardboard.” The mayor’s remarks jokingly challenged the champion with a harder word, and council members and educators praised the student’s poise onstage.

Winners of the Cesar Chavez writing and art competition and the Migrant Education Speech and Debate were recognized as well. City and district officials thanked teachers, parents and community sponsors; the mayor noted that Gordo’s Chicken provided meal vouchers for certificate recipients.

Dr. Anna DeGina, superintendent of the Oxnard School District, thanked the city and called for continued collaboration: “I hope that this is just the beginning of a long partnership because I think it is really important that you as a city and we as a school district work together to highlight the future of Oxnard.”

The meeting concluded with photos and family congratulations. No formal votes, ordinances or budget actions were taken during the special session.