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Lodi Unified spotlights student performers and Vinewood Elementary named California Distinguished School
Summary
At its April 15 board meeting, Lodi Unified highlighted student achievements — Lodi High’s concert choir and speech & debate team performed and were honored — and Vinewood Elementary was recognized as a 2025 California Distinguished School for academic gains and enrichment programs.
Lodi Unified School District’s Board of Education used part of its April 15 meeting to celebrate student achievements and school recognition. Board President Doctor Ball introduced spotlights on Lodi High School’s concert choir, the speech and debate team and Vinewood Elementary, which was named a 2025 California Distinguished School.
Lodi High choir director Carol Keller told the board the concert choir includes 22 students who performed and will present a pops concert on May 19. Soloist Sophia Van Allen, a senior, told the board choir helped her build confidence, teamwork and leadership during high school. Principal Dr. Jesus Marrone introduced the choir and later introduced the school’s speech and debate coach, Kyle Shellcross, who reviewed the program’s season highlights.
Shellcross said the speech and debate team competed in eight Yosemite Forensics League tournaments, earned medals at the University of the Pacific and MLK Invitationals, and won the sweepstakes award at UOP with 415 career speaker points. He named students advancing to the California High School Speech Association state championship in Culver City and noted renewed recruitment from feeder school Millswood.
Superintendent Young and board members also recognized Coach Haley Rhodes of Tokay High for earning a CIFSJS Model Coach award and invited Vinewood Elementary Principal Ben Coe and staff to describe the school’s programs. Vinewood staff highlighted new and existing enrichment funded in part by Proposition 28, including band, choir, modern band, coding and Science Olympiad. Teachers described early literacy efforts through SIPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonics, Phonemic Awareness and Sight Words), small-group intervention funded by site dollars and Accelerated Reader/STAR routines intended to encourage 30 minutes of daily independent reading.
Board members praised the students and staff and urged the public to attend upcoming events including the district art show and Music in Our Schools festival. The board also presented small gifts to outgoing student representatives and thanked them for their service.
