Ace Rail Struck and Killed a Sierra High School Student

Tuesday Ace Rail struck and killed a teenager
This scene just sickens me.  Can you imagine the father performing CPR.  It is unclear if this is the friend's father, or the victims's father, but either way it was tragic.  The train engineer probably could see this coming for some time, with nothing he could do. Trains do not stop quickly.  the article says the train continued for 100 yards before it could stop.   The child was a student at Sierra High School, where my son graduated a few years ago.  It appears to have happened close to victim's residence.  The way I understand the story, they were crossing the San Joaquin River on the train trestle.  Two friends, one made it across, and the other was struck about ten feet short of the end of trestle where he could have gotten off.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The next day I took some pictures of the site when I went past on Wednesday, and there was a spontaneous remembrance taking place.

Hot Spud at Lobo Gold Rally, Nov 2, 2012

This Hot Spud song includes a couple guest performer including their band teach Rick Hammerstrom.

Caleb and Annie singing together: How Like a Winter, Sierra High School In Harmony Choir

Caleb is top right.  Annie is bottom right of the women.  They are now engaged.  And Simon is bottom right of the men.

Caleb's Graduation Sierra High School May 24, 2013

Well, Caleb has done it, and he is home from the sober party, which lasted until 4 a.m.  Here are some views of his graduation.

 Caleb was in the first row.  I didn't see him come in as I was expecting him later.

Caleb is a bit forward in this picture, front row

 Caleb, Eliott, Simon and Kenny sang a quartet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyqo_MTHCtE

Hot Spud

With Sierra

With Natalie

family

With Miranda

With Tony

With Nicole (she sang National Anthem)

friends

Sierra High School Bacalauriat 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d4sFbkBgIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrxRs6IGD8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msneS8Ute_o

Sierra High School Bacalauriat was held in the church at Union and Wowona.  The Sierra High School Choir sang, Emma Hunt, Simon McHenry and Maddie Banks did a song, as did Emily.  It was not very well attended.  I counted about forty seniors.  At the last minute Caleb filled in play prelude, processional and postlude music.  Anthony Chapman spoke.  He is an educator at Sierra.  He talked about a story of lifting a large piano which was hard to do, until someone suggested, "Stand close together, and lift where you stand."   His theme was to lift where you are, rather than waiting for some future evenr to lift.  If we are always waiting for the future to make our mark, it may pass us by.
Father Joe also spoke.  He talked about educators and parents.  How parents have unconditional love for babies, but seem to loss this as children get older and make mistakes.  We all make mistakes.  He talked about being the best you can be at whatever you choose to be.
After we went to Applebys and celebrated both Caleb's graduation, but also Tony's kindergarten graduation.

Caleb: Spring Choir: 2013

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaStaCkC464
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2gm1bwZdcQ
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fk6nD5PdC4
A sample
Caleb's choir finally had a formal concert.  They had missed previous ones as they were very involved with the musical rather than choir rehearsal.  Caleb received a certificate for section leader and another reward for attitude.

section leaders

boring awards part

With Annie and Maddie

With Sierra and Tony

With Nicole

Caleb's Last Band Concert: Sierra High School Spring Band Concert 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Q4Ta2lBlA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RO6iSi5Dz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14mPzUHCEsM

Friday I came home early on the train to be there on time for Caleb's band concert.  I then walked from the train station to the high school, normally no big deal, but it was hot.  I was dragging when I got there; but had time to recuperate. 
Caleb was presented as a senior.  Instead of escorts he chose guards.

Caleb and his guards

Mr Rick Hammerstrom

Caleb has been doing band four years, two years Jazz band at Sierra High School, two years marching band at Cupertino High School.  He also played trumpet three years at Hyde Middle School.

Senior Prom: Caleb and Sierra; Matt and Katie; Simon and Maddie

I have added a link to Caleb's prom proposal.  You have to see it.
Caleb is off to the Prom.  He is taking Sierra.  They doubled dated with Matthew Elliott and Katie Crockett.  They also met Maddie Banks and Simon McHenry.