With the door closing on 2023 and 2024 entering the picture, it is time to look back at some of the highlights over the last 12 months from the College Times Courier circulation areas.

Among some of the reports that garnered attention:

JANUARY

The office of the District Attorney of San Diego County will not file criminal charges against several San Diego State University football players accused of sexually assaulting a minor in the College Area back in October of 2021. The DA’s office announced they had completed their review of the case in a December 2022 release.

The Patrick Henry girls’ soccer team captured the Parker Cup Finals with a 2-0 win over Francis Parker. It was Patrick Henry’s second girls’ soccer crown of the young season.

Three of four Crusaders Soccer Club teams won their respective divisions at the annual January Kick Off Soccer Tournament in Escondido.

FEBRUARY

With rising costs, many San Diego State University students are feeling a financial pinch with school expenses. Many students cited housing as taking up a majority of their budget. Shared bedrooms in off-campus student housing complexes can cost $1,100 or more per month. This price often does not include parking fees or electric bills. On-campus housing can also be costly for students, which non-local students are required to live in for their first two years at SDSU.

The only dedicated park in the College Area is receiving much needed attention per the City’s General Development Plan (GDP) Amendment for Montezuma Neighborhood Park. Located at 4941 Catoctin Drive, the park was built in 1974 and is documented as being just 1.6 acres of open space. It has no amenities common to most neighborhood parks, such as play structures for children and sports courts. That’s about to change. Proposed upgrades include separate playgrounds for children 2-5 and 5-12 years of age and off-leash areas for small and large dogs.

Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation was excited to share information on its new educational program for teenagers who love the outdoors and might want to pursue careers in nature-related fields.

The MTRP Foundation’s Eco Ambassadors program will provide inspiring programming at the park to a cohort of 20 high school students on Sunday afternoons.

MARCH

With more than 4,000 San Diego State University students involved in 44 sororities and fraternities on campus, SDSU Greek Life organizations are able to make a significant impact in the community through their philanthropic efforts. Each sorority or fraternity dedicates their fundraising proceeds to a different organization.

A revamped College Area Community Council (CACC) has been formed, separate of the College Area Community Planning Board. The CACC is now a non-profit, California public benefit corporation. It is a membership organization open to all residents, businesses and non-profits in the College Area.

The Patrick Henry High School girls’ soccer team captured the CIF Division II title. The Lady Patriots tallied a 2-1 victory over Francis Parker. It was the team’s first appearance in the Finals dating back to 2005.

Women’s History Month proved a good time to celebrate the business contributions of a number of area women. The National Women’s Business Council stated in one of its annual reports that 42 percent of all U.S. companies are owned by a woman. Women are also more likely to begin a business than are their male counterparts.

The seventh San Diego State University Day of Giving was slated for March 14. The 24-hour fundraising day is geared towards encouraging supporters and donors to come together as one to positively impact the school’s programs, and build upon a tradition of excellence.

Following a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the Jewish Family Service College Avenue Center reopened to the public for in-person programming weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The facility offers a wide-range of activities for the mind and body, prepared lunch and social connection for adults of all backgrounds, over the age of 60.

APRIL

Viejas Arena was packed on April 3 as Aztec fans came out in support of their team in the NCAA men’s basketball title game. SDSU ended up falling to UConn by a 76-59 score, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of so many Aztec backers.

Rolando residents were still seeking help in regards to the homeless issue in their area. It hasn’t been uncommon to see tents, shopping carts full of items, garbage and more on the streets as residents seek a solution from local officials.

In just a few weeks, thousands of seniors will graduate at San Diego State University, many of whom are feeling both excited and nervous about the prospect of leaving school. Other students will be continuing their education in post-baccalaureate or graduate school programs.

Martin and Kathleen White, co-owners of Enhancery Jewelers, are retiring after running their business for some 45 years. In 1978, Martin and Kathleen began the business as a young married couple. Maria Hopkins, who has worked for the business for 25 years, was set to move into the ownership position.

MAY

Patrick Henry High School seniors and teachers were preparing for graduation on June 14. Both COVID-19 and college applications had presented challenging situations for students in recent years.

A letter penned by local resident Danna Givot noted equity was missing when it comes to College-Rolando Library. Givot was asking Mayor Todd Gloria and Council President Sean Eo-Rivera to use the zoning leverage they have with developers at 6650 Montezuma Road to get the library the easement for permanent, exclusive parking spaces that equity demands. 

Sandrien Mekany, a fourth-year political science student, has become the first Truman Scholar in San Diego State University history. The Truman Foundation, which offers graduate scholarships for students interested in public service, chose 62 new scholars from more than 700 candidates.

Winners of the 29^th Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) photo were made public. The photos captured all over Mission Trails represented categories that included: Adults, plants, animals, landscapes, and people.

JUNE

With the school year finishing up, students and staff at St. Katharine Drexel Academy have been celebrating a successful year. Among highlights would be the second annual diversity dinner, a day with grandparents, field day at SKDA, and graduation day for the 18 members of the Class of 2023.

The Optimist Club of Allied Gardens was highlighted for the many good things it does in the community. The club works primarily with youth up to age 18. They partner with schools in the Allied Gardens area such as Foster Elementary, Lewis Middle and Patrick Henry High School, doing all they can to help those schools.

Some 600 students were on hand for the Patrick Henry High School prom held recently at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.

JULY

Patrick Henry High School Principal Michelle Irwin announced she was stepping down to take on a job as a Middle School Area Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District. Irwin has worked in the SUSD for nearly 30 years.

Four candidates were set to vie for the District 4 Supervisor position in a summer special election. They were Amy Reichert, Monica Montgomery Steppe, Janessa Goldbeck and Paul McQuigg. Reichert and Montgomery Steppe would emerge victorious and ultimately face off in the fall, with the latter winning the office.

College Area and Rolando residents of all ages worked together late last month to paint a vibrant mural on the wall of The Little Flower, a well-established floral shop located at 5547 El Cajon Blvd. The public arts project was funded by the College Area Community Council and College Area Business District in partnership with ArtReach, which provides in-class arts education and encourages community connections through its mural program. The mural design was envisioned by El Cerrito artist, Regan Russell.

AUGUST

The City of San Diego purchased the lot on the NW corner of Jackson Drive and Golfcrest Drive in preparation of building the new San Carlos Branch Library. On Saturday, Aug. 5, a special Navajo Area Community meeting was held, with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Mayor Todd Gloria, and City Councilmember Raul Campillo among the dignitaries. Branch Librarian , David Ege, was the MC.

The Navajo Community Planners scheduled a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 21 for a presentation and then to vote on, the All Peoples Church. The church wants to build a structure on land it owns near I-8 and College Avenue. NCP ultimately voted unanimously against the project.

Local treasure Dr. Douglas Grosmark was set to retire after 34 years of service to Del Cerro. Dr. Grosmark has served as a sole practitioner in the field of dentistry, serving everyone from two-year-olds to centenarians.

As summer winds down, San Diego State University students and faculty are preparing for the upcoming fall semester. The new academic school year, which starts on Aug. 21, will feature many of the same amenities from previous years, as well as some exciting new additions to the campus. One of the newest additions to the school is Ellen Ochoa Pavilion. Previously named “West Commons,” the area pays tribute to Ochoa, who became the first Hispanic woman to visit space in 1993. The remaining ceremony for the La Mesa native and SDSU grad took place in early May.

SEPTEMBER

Five years ago, College Area Business District got the idea to serve the unrecognized local market of home-based businesses by offering an affordable co-working space. Since then, another market opportunity arose out of the pandemic, the remote workers in the College area neighborhoods. Last year, after four years of planning and coordinating and sweat-equity, this dream became a reality with the opening of Firestation Innovation Cowork in the College Area Business District’s office.

The Rolando Community Council (RCC) recently hosted a very memorable movie night in Clay Neighborhood Park. By all accounts it was another great example of the valuable role community councils play in bringing residents together in positive ways. RCC members didn’t just bring neighbors together, they were good neighbors themselves, inviting nearby College Area residents to join in the fun.

The San Carlos LL 8/10’s made it to the recent Southern California state championship game where they fell to Golden Hill. A second loss in the tourney eliminated the local team. They were the first-ever team from San Carlos to have advanced to the state title game.

OCTOBER

From windshields to front yards, San Diego residents have woken up morning after morning to antisemtic flyers littering their property. At least eight separate neighborhoods, including Del Cerro, San Carlos, and Allied Gardens, have been hit over the past few months.

The San Diego Police Department is investigating two reports of assault from San Diego State University students. In both incidents, students said they got into vehicles in the College Area that they believed to be the ride shares they had ordered. The driver allegedly assaulted them and let them out of the car elsewhere.

Seven San Diego State fraternities have been placed on interim suspension as the university investigates reports of misconduct. The fraternities include Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Phi.

NOVEMBER

During the academic school year of 2023-24, Patrick Henry High School’s principal position has been passed from retired principal to retired principal after the previous administrator, Michelle Irwin, stepped into a new role as a Middle School Area Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District in June. Originally, the Mission Times Courier reported that the school’s goal was to have the position filled by Aug. 21, the start of the academic school year; however, the search continues.

The Israel-Hamas war prompts activism on the SDSU campus. On Oct. 9, approximately 100 students and community members made a peaceful walk around campus in support of Israel, wearing shirts that said “Fighting with Love” and carrying Israeli flags. The march was organized by the Hillel Center, Alpha Epsilon Pi and Students Supporting Israel to show support for the Jewish and Israeli community. There were also events held in support of Palestine. A march was held on Oct. 11, where students gathered with Palestinian flags and signs, including a large banner reading “End U.S. Funds to Israel.” When the group reached Hepner Hall, they chanted “Free Palestine.”

The San Diego State women’s soccer team won its seventh regular season title late last month after a 2-0 victory over New Mexico at the SDSU Sports Deck. SDSU finished with a 9-1-1 record in conference play.

DECEMBER

Patrick Henry High ASB (Associated Student Body) donates more than 1,600 pounds of food during holidays. According to the San Diego Food Bank, an estimated 743,000 individuals are nutrition insecure – 23% of San Diegans. Of that percentage, 194,000 are children.

With the holidays upon us, giving back to those a little less fortunate oftentimes takes the spotlight. Between the 25 service-based student organizations and the large Greek life community, San Diego State University students have contributed countless hours of community service to different causes. Service projects both here and across the border have taken place to help others out.

Ask any student today about their LinkedIn profile and they will most likely be able to list off skills they’ve been endorsed in, people they’ve reached out to for coffee and their hopes for growing their network. However, SDSU students and alumni may have a new outlook on social networking with the launch of an online platform. LinkedIn may have some competition. Aztec Network is a new platform created in partnership between Career Services and SDSU Alumni.

Editor’s note: Jessica Mills, Juri Kim, Lainie Alfaro, Natali Gonzalez, Noah Lyons, Tamar Caspi, Karen Austin, Jessica Parga, Eugenie Budnik, David Frerker, Jay Wilson, Shain Haug, Mickey Zeichick contributed to this article.