Family Album: Tehachapi News

Savannah Danielle DiLeva

Savannah Danielle DiLeva was born June 7, 2008 at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield to proud mother, Nicole DiLeva. She weighed 7-pounds, 14-ounces and was 18-inches long. She was welcomed by maternal grandparents Jodine Dorner, of Tehachapi, and Louie DiLeva of San Pedro.

She was also welcomed by her aunt and uncle, Danielle and Andrew Harrington; great-grandmothers Joyce Dorner and Frances DiLeva; great-grandfather Louie DiLeva, Sr.; great-uncle Mike Dorner; great-aunt Michelle Dorner, cousins Adam and Nick Dorner; great-aunt D.J. Chapman; great-uncle John Chapman and cousins Derik and Devin Wells and cousin J.C. Chapman.

Stankorb, Armbrecht to wed

Steven and Tricia Stankorb, of Tehachapi are proud to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Tiana Stankorb, to Ty Armbrecht, the son of Kim and Paula Armbrecht, of Tehachapi.

The happy couple plan to be wed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tehachapi, on Nov. 22, 2008.

Tiana is a 2007 graduate of Tehachapi High School, and she is currently enrolled at Bakersfield College, where she is studying to become a veterinary technician.
Ty is also a 2007 THS grad, and BC student, studying to become a professional welder. He is currently employed at PCL in Bakersfield, as a welder.

Welcome baby Matthew!

Welcome baby Matthew!
Jeannie Thompson of Tehachapi is proud to announce the birth of her grandson Matthew Dale Warren Corp. Matthew was born in Rogers, Ark. on Sept. 30, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. to Christopher Matt and Joni (Thompson) Corp, of Prairie Grove, Ark.

Matthew’s uncle Eric Schrock assisted in the caesarean section while dad Matt watched the birth via video satellite conference from his post in Baghdad, Iraq, where he is currently deployed with the 39th Infantry Brigade, of Arkansas. Baby Matthew weighed 7-pounds, 5- ounces and was 19-inches long. The video conference was made available courtesy of Freedom Calls International.

Tehachapi Alumni Travis Workman awarded Ph.D.

Travis Workman recently completed his Doctorate in East Asian Literature at Cornell University in New York. Travis attended Cummings Valley Elementary, Tompkins Elementary, Jacobsen Jr. High and graduated from Tehachapi High School in 1996.

After high school, Travis attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where he majored in Modern Literary Studies, and spent his senior year studying in Japan.

Upon graduation he was offered full-fellowships for his doctoral studies at several major universities, including Harvard and Stanford, finally deciding on Cornell. As part of that course of study he traveled and lived in Japan again as well as Korea, studying those languages.

Having completed this program and his dissertation over this past summer, Travis was awarded his Doctorate from Cornell University, and will begin teaching in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of California Los Angeles this fall.

Travis expresses his gratitude to the many fine educators of Tehachapi who took the time to nurture his talents. Among his many other proud family members are his mother Monica George-Halling and Step-father Bill Halling, who maintain their home in Bear Valley, as well as his aunt and uncle, Angela and John Guy, of Bear Valley.

Welcome baby Benson

Congratulations to Richard and Sharon Benson on the birth of their son, Grant Benson, born Sept. 8, 2008.

— Love Grandpa and Elba Benson

Tehachapi News Salutes...

Under a hot Mideast sun at Mina Salman Anchorage in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Lt. Cmdr. Mark Stefanik assumed command of Mine Counter Measures Crew Leader, as well as USS Dextrous, one of the Navy's forward-deployed minesweepers.

As Captain he now has absolute responsibility for the ship and her crew of 80 sailors, and places him as one of only 14 officers in the Navy to command a ship at his relatively junior rank.

Stefanik was selected for early command-at-sea in 2006 and has served as MCM Crew Leader’s executive officer onboard USS Warrior and USS Dextrous before becoming the ship's commanding officer. MCM Crew Leader is a rotational crew which trains in Ingleside, TX and then deploys to one of the four minesweepers that remain in the Persian Gulf year-round. USS Dextrous was commissioned in 1994 and is the second ship to bear that name in the U.S. Navy. She has been homeported in Bahrain since 1996. The sailors of MCM Crew Leader represent almost every state and range in age from 18 to 45. The crew is currently on the fifth month of a seven month deployment which has consisted of routine security patrols of the Persian Gulf and two major mine clearance exercises with British allies.

Capt. Stefanik is a 1994 graduate of Tehachapi High School and a 1998 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Since 1998 he has served on three other warships and has made five deployments. He is married to the former Catina Bloodworth, of Georgia, and they have three daughters, Ashton, Makenzie and Kelsyn. His parents, Rhonda and Jerry Stefanik, and his grandparents, Howard and Mary Kelso, still live in Brite Valley.

50th Anniversary Celebrated

On June 1st at 3 o'clock, Geraldine Bird walked down the aisle at Catalina Methodist Church in Tucson, AZ., to become the bride of her high school sweetheart and best friend, James A. Laubscher. It was the beginning of a joyous and wonderful life together. This union is blessed with 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Their oldest daughter, Laura, died in 2000. Their other children, Robert, President and CEO of American Tombow Company in Suwanee, GA., Daniel, a California Highway Patrol Officer and Elizabeth, a Certified Interior Designer, and their spouses joined together in sending them to Hawaii for a week's cruise in January to four islands as their gift to them. Jim and Geri say, "It was a generous and awesome trip to be remembered for years to come."

Jim received his BS and MS degrees in Agriculture and Agricultural Chemistry from the University of Arizona. Shortly after receiving his degree, they moved to California where they lived for two years, then moved to Memphis, TN, where he was president of Woodson-Tenent Laboratories, Inc. for seven years. They then moved back to CA where he started Morning Star Laboratories, Inc., which they had for over 20 years. They tested foods, feeds, cosmetics and othr products for various companies. Geri stayed home with their children until they were grown, then had various jobs; secretary of their laboratory, manager of a Christian bookstore in Thousand Oaks, CA and after moving to Tehachapi was secretary of Christian Life Assembly Church there. They love the Lord and have sung in choirs and together since they were kids. They moved to Talking Rock, GA. two years ago. Jim is now building a house there and Geri stays busy with the quilt guild and the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) whre she is a member.

God has blessed us with a wonderful life together filled with love, family and friends. They say they are "kinda retired."

Welcom Baby Wilson

Tim and Kim Wilson are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Natalie Michelle Wilson. She was born on Aug. 19 at 1:40 a.m. and was 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20.5 inches long.

In Loving Memory

Sharon L Payne

August 6, 1940 - Sept. 20, 2007

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since you went home to the Lord. We all miss you a lot and think about you everyday. We thank God that we were blessed to have such a wonderful Mom and Grandma. You were not only our Mom/Grandma but our Best Friend and with losing you then Grandma and Ned soon after really hit us hard.

You are now home with God and surrounded by many loved ones and friends and we take comfort in knowing that someday we will be reunited with you again.

We love and miss you!!

Christi,Bill,Mike,Joey,Emily,Matthew,Jim,Jason,Kyle,Josh, and the entire Family.

Jocelyn Lambeth Selected as 2008 President's Scholar

Jocelyn Lambeth, a 2008 graduate from Tehachapi High School, has been selected as one of 25 President's Scholars for California State University, Fullerton.

Based solely on merit, the President's Scholars Program recognizes the outstanding achievements of incoming freshmen who have demonstrated excellence in academic work, leadership ability and community service.

Scholars hold a privileged position at Cal State Fullerton. They receive a four-year scholarship that covers California State University enrollment fees. Benefits also include an annual allowance of $750 for books and supplies; a Dell laptop computer for each scholar's personal use during the four-year program; automatic admission to the University Honors Program; priority registration for classes and priority consideration for on-campus housing; complimentary parking permits for fall and spring semesters; opportunities for up to 20 hours per week of on-campus employment, invitations to numerous social, cultural and athletic events, and letters of recommendation from the president of the university.

Jocelyn was recognized as the Co-Salutatorian of the Class of 2008 and maintained a 4.27 GPA. She was a member of the THS Cross Country team (3 years), JV basketball team (2 years) and Varsity Softball team (4 years). She was class president for all four years at THS, member of NHS, CSF and Pep Squad. Jocelyn also managed to work two jobs as a Lifeguard/Assistant Manager for the TVPRD Pool and also as a busser at City Slickers Restaurant & Saloon.

Ms. Lambeth is taking her general education courses now with hopes of studying Nursing in the future. She would eventually like to become a Midwife.

THS alumni named Teacher of the Year

Peggy Buckley, daughter of Phyllis and the late Thurman Belcher, has been selected as Stanislaus County Teacher of the year. Peggy attended Tehachapi schools from second grade through high school. After graduating from Tehachapi High School, she received her Bachelors degree from University of Kansas.

Peggy teaches first grade in Ceres, Calif.

She said, “It's not an exaggeration to say that teaching is in my blood. My grandparents and my parents were teachers. From an early age I saw the challenges faced, the sacrifices made and the struggles encountered by teachers. I chose to teach anyway. For me, being a teacher isn't just a job. It's who I am.”

Along with the honor, Peggy received a $1,000 cash award to use in her classroom

Welcome Ms. Bailey Renee Jackson

Welcome Ms. Bailey Renee Jackson
Proud parents Vanessa Jackson and Cody Acord welcomed their daughter, Bailey Renee Jackson, on August 21, 2008 at San Joaquin Hospital. Ms. Bailey weighed 5 lbs, 11 ounces, and measured 18 1/2 inches in length.

Airman 1st class Sibley deployed to Baghdad

United States Air Force Airman First Class Ryan A. Sibley was deployed to Baghdad Iraq on Aug. 20. Ryan is the son of La Bella Amore Italian Bistro owner Cathie Sibley, of Tehachapi, and Rhon Sibley, of Quartz Hill. Ryan is a 2005 graduate of Quartz Hill High School and will celebrate his 21st birthday in Baghdad. After his one year deployment Ryan plans to return to California, complete the California Highway Patrol academy, and become a CHP officer. Please keep Ryan and all of our troops in your prayers.

Lt. Col David M. Sampson retires

Bear Valley Springs resident Lt. Col David M. Sampson retired from the United States Air Force after 23 years of active duty with a ceremony performed at Edwards Air Force Base by Vice Commander Colonel Daniel P. Morin. Lt. Col. Sampson graduated from USC in 1988 and during his military career was station in England, Washington D.C., Bosnia, Pakistan and Korea, to name a few, as well as four years at Edwards Air Force Base. Lt. Col. Sampson was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during Operation Enduring Freedom while stationed in Pakistan. David’s family, friends and community are extremely proud of his distinguished service.

Siegmund and Spratt announce their engagement

Christen Marie Siegmund and Shane Rydel Spratt are proud to announce their engagement. The couple became engaged on May 18 on the empty lot for their new home. The wedding is planned for Oct. 25, 2008 at Cub Lake in Bear Valley Springs.
The prospective bride is the proud mother of her four-year-old son, Payton, and the daughter of Robert and Christine Siegmund, of Tehachapi. She is a 2008 graduate of California State University Bakersfield, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Political Science, with a minor in Philosophy.

The prospective groom is the son of Sean Spratt, of Redwood City, Calif., and Kim Spratt, of Arvada, Colo. He obtained his Bachelors Degree at California State University Monterey Bay, and his Masters Degree in Computer Science at the University of Colorado at Denver. He is currently employed as a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman in Palmdale.

The couple met at the Bear Valley Country Club while Shane was visiting his grandparents, Ray and Mel Spratt, of Bear Valley. After the wedding the trio will move into their new KB home, which is being built in the Orchard Glen community in Tehachapi.