San Diego Mesa College stock clerk Jesse Reyes was presented with two awards from the Philippine American Press Club in San Francisco on Oct. 7 for his work as a writer at the San Diego-based Filipino Press.

The Plaridel Awards – presented by Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr., an ambassador to the Philippines – honors journalists for the excellence of their work within the field of Filipino-American journalism.

During the PAPC awards ceremony, he was presented with an award in the category for “Best International News Reporting” for his article on the Czech involvement in the WWII Battle of Bataan. He also received an award for “Best Sports Story” for an article about late Philippine basketball player Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga, and Reyes was a finalist in the category of “Best Commentary/Editorial Essay” for an editorial about the Filipino community helping Syrian refugees.

“Why We Collect,” an art exhibit featuring work from renowned artists of the 20th century, will open at the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery Thursday, Oct. 13 with a reception at 4:30 p.m. in D-101, followed by a panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. in G-102.

Curator Kraig Cavanaugh is an adjunct instructor at Mesa College who teaches art history and color theory. He describes the idea of the exhibition as a grassroots effort to make art more accessible to students and the local art community, and to show that you don’t need to be rich to be an art collector.

Spirit Week is taking over San Diego Mesa College campus this week, and as faculty, staff and students start to don their blue and gold, there are plenty of activities to celebrate with.

Festivities start off early in the week with the Spirit Week Office Decorating Contest, the goal of which is to feature the school’s Olympian pride and spirit to increase a sense of community for the students. This year, eight departments on campus will be competing to win an office pizza party, $50 Mesa Café gift card or a basket of office treats for first, second and third prize respectively. The contest will be judged on Wednesday, Oct. 12, with winners being announced Thursday during the pep rally.

Local high school students were welcomed to join students from San Diego Mesa College as part of the school’s SEEDS (STEM Engagement for Enrichment of Diverse Students) Scholars Program’s second annual Sustainability Summit on Sept. 30.

A total of 94 students attended the event – a combination of 49 students from Kearny High School, Mission Bay Senior High School and James Madison High School, with 45 students from Mesa College. Some Mesa students participated in the Sustainability Summit by facilitating various sessions throughout the day, the Mesa College Ambassadors gave campus tours for the high school students throughout the day and other students were attendees learning about sustainability.

San Diego Mesa College’s women’s soccer team moved up to first place in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Junior College Division III on Oct. 4.

San Diego Mesa College’s Debate Team won first place in the 2-year school division at their first tournament of the academic season on Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 at the San Diego State University Aztec Invitational and Mills Invitational.

San Diego Mesa College students received information and advice about transferring to four-year colleges and universities during the Fall Transfer Fair on Oct. 4 at the Mesa Promenade.

Representatives from more than 78 colleges attended the event, handed out pamphlets and gave out advice about transferring to their colleges to the approximately 1,638 students who attended the event throughout the day.

San Diego Mesa College’s Vocal Ensemble traveled to Puebla, Mexico the week of August 19 to represent the school and the United States in the 17th Annual International Choir Ensemble Festival.