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Valley Times
50 CENTS serving blythe,california Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Ruth
Brown
principal
placed
on leave
Officials said Monday
the action was due to
a personnel matter
By Cathyleen Rice
Times Reporter

Laura Matthews, principal of
Ruth Brown Elementary School,
has been placed on administra-
tive leave, according to Superin-
tendent Charles Bush of the Palo
Verde Unified School District.
Officials said on Monday, they
could not elaborate on what led
up to the action, because its a
personnel matter.
However Bush was able to ex-
plain the boards actions.
The short version of it is, on or
before March 15 in a year, school
administrators can be notified
that for the following year, they
can be reassigned to any position
in which they hold a credential,
Bush said. And thats the deci-
sion the board made; to reassign
Mrs. Matthews for next school
year.
Nonetheless, the decision as to
what position or at what school
site Matthews will be assigned to
is, unknown as of right now.
Whenever we know what po-
sition we have open, well find a
position for her, based on her cre-
dentials, Bush said.
Working in the school district
for 20+ years, Matthews has been
both an educator and principal.
However, given the fact that all
administrators arent exactly put
on leave because of a job change,
Bush said in this case, the board
determined that it was appropri-
ate to put Matthews on adminis-
trative leave.
Mrs. Matthews is not in any
trouble, Superintendent Bush
said. She hasnt done anything
See principal/A5
Crowned
Marie Smith named 2017 Miss Blythe
Outstanding Teen
The night was packed
with many surprises, but
only one girl walked away
with the crown and sash
at the 9th Miss Blythe Out-
standing Teen Pageant on
Saturday, March 4.
Announcing the winner
by 7 p.m., Marie Smith sunk
to the floor in happy tears,
as she was crowned by
former Outstanding Teen
Tayler Elms and sashed by
reigning Miss Blythe Jas-
mine Gima.
Competing alongside five
other contestants, Saturday
night was bittersweet for
all who had the pleasure to
meet Elms and bid her fare-
well in her future endeav-
ors.
Hosted by Miss Califor-
nia 2015 Bree Morse, the
PhotoS by Cathyleen Rice/Palo Verde Valley Times audience was swept back to
TOP: Saturday night held many surprises at the 2017 Miss Blythe 1978, as the contestants, Mr.
Outstanding Teen. From right to left: Peoples Choice, Anysse Mora, 2nd Blythe Payton Cox, Elms
Runner Up and Miss Photogenic Allee Allen, 1st Runner Up and Miss and Gima took the stage for
Top Fitness Riley Mefford, Miss Blythe Outstanding Teen 2017 and Top a Grease performance.
Talent Marie Smith, Miss Blythe Jasmine Gima, Mr. Blythe Payton Cox. Playing the iconic
Contestant No. 4 Shaula Watson and Contestant No. 5 Samantha Teater. soundtrack supplemented
ABOVE: The New Miss Blythe Outstanding Teen was crowned on Saturday. by smooth moves of the
From left to right: 2nd Runner Up- Allee Allen, the newly crowned Miss strut by Cox, hand jiving
Blythe Outstanding Teen Marie Smith and 1st Runner Up- Riley Mefford. and shimmying, the night
slowly began.
Performing lyrical dance
solos, gymnastics on the
mat, songs and classical
pieces on the piano, the
contestants showed off
their talents and skills to
be named as Blythes out-
standing teen.
As part of the judging cri-
teria, the five notable panel
of judges scored 15 percent
for lifestyle and physical
fitness, 25 for interview, 25
percent for evening wear
and onstage question and 35
percent on talent.
To receive high scores,
the young ladies had to ex-
ecute a highly confident
onstage presence, display
great skill and personality
in their talent through body
use and choreography and
walk with grace and correct
posture.
There to show them how
its done, Elms performed
one last time and Gima took
the stage for a vocal perfor-
mance.
Hoping to one day shine
on the big stage and join in
See crowned/A5

A+ for attendance: Appleby Elementary holds dinner for students

who make going to school a priority
By Cathyleen Rice
Times Reporter
Beginning a schoolwide initiative to encourage
promptness and prepare students early for the
real world, the staff of Felix J. Appleby Elemen-
tary held its first perfect attendance dinner for
the month of February on March 1.
By invitation only, students
who werent late to school/ February
missed school, happily came
with proud grandparents and Students of the
parents who make it their top Month named.
priority to get their little boys See page A9
and girls to school on time. Photos by Cathyleen Rice/Palo Verde Valley Times
Rewarded for their efforts, LEFT: The Granados enjoyed a quiet dinner for three, at a
the staff of Appleby gave guardians time off from table tucked quietly to the right of the cafeteria. From left to right:
cooking and served them a savory spaghetti din- Christian, David and Camron. ABOVE: Staff of Appleby serves dinner
ner, including salad, dessert and beverage. to the deserving students and parents for outstanding perfect
For the sake of students being more likely to
attendance. From left to right: Mrs. Brandon, Principal De La Pena,
See dinner/A5 Miss OBrien and Mrs. and Mr. Hackney.