12125 Folsom Blvd. Rancho Cordova
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VILLAGE CAMERON PARK
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■ THIS SYMPHONY SCORES Guest artists join ™ the Folsom Lake Symphony for film music shows. ■ INSIDE, B2
SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF EL DORADO HILLS AND CAMERON PARK
VOL. 32 ■ ISSUE NO. 11 ■ JUNE 4, 2025
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES
Photo by Laurie Edwards
Best friends Kate Robinson, left, and Saige Edwards share a congratulatory hug following the May 23 Ponderosa High School commencement. Kate will attend Folsom Lake College while Saige plans to begin studies at San Diego Mesa College this fall.
Village Life photo by Shelly Thorene
Oak Ridge High School 2025 graduates toss their caps in the air after the commencement ceremony May 23. There were more than 600 graduating seniors this year. See more graduation photos on A6.
Former Guiding Trojans boast three-straight section titles Hands School staff enter guilty pleas OAK RIDGE SOFTBALL LEAVES A LEGACY Thomas Frey
Special to Village Life
For the third consecutive season, Oak Ridge High School’s varsity softball team wins the Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship, topping nationally ranked No. 11 Del Oro on May 24 at California State University, Sacramento. The No. 23 Trojans trailed 1-0 until scoring three runs in the sixth and hanging on to win 3-2. “It means the world just because of all the hard work we put in,” said senior Carmen Montes de Oca, who has been on all three title teams. “To do it with these girls, like I love each and every one of them and I have been working with some of them for five to 10 years.” Montes de Oca, Carly Short, Ellison Schroeder, Emery Glaser and Brooklyn Paratore have been on all three section title teams. Del Oro leapt out to
Chris Woodard Staff writer
Photo by Thomas Frey
The Oak Ridge softball team poses with the blue banner after defeating Del Oro 3-2 in the Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship. a 1-0 lead in the fourth after putting together consecutive hits. Then in the sixth Oak Ridge sophomore Molly
Railey led off the inning with a base knock out of the nine-spot in the batting order. “That was huge to
see Molly produce and get the rally going,” Schroeder said. “It was ■ See CHAMPS, page A8
Three former staff members of the now-closed Guiding Hands School pleaded guilty May 19, avoiding a trial in the death of a 13-year-old student with autism, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Max Benson died after he was held in a restrained prone position for about 90 minutes at the El Dorado Hills school that served students with special needs. Witness testimony in preliminary hearings noted Max begged to be stood up before he became unresponsive, according to witness testimony, which also alleged that school staff delayed seeking medical care. Max was transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where he died on Nov. 28, 2018. An investigation by California Department of Education officials determined Guiding Hands staff violated state rules regarding student restraint. Teacher Kimberly Wohlwend pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, while site administrator Cindy Keller and Principal Staranne Meyers pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse. The People v. Guiding Hands School was originally set for jury trial on May 27, but the trial is dismissed as the defendants pleaded guilty. Sentencing is set for June 16 at 1:30 p.m. at El Dorado County Superior Court. Guiding Hands School was a private, kindergar■ See PLEAS, page A8
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 32 ■ ISSUE NO. 11 FOR GUARANTEED WEEKLY DELIVERY, SUBSCRIBE BY CALLING 530 3445000
■ NEW BUILD A FANTASTIC FIND
■ THE BANDS PLAY ON ... AND WIN
No detail was overlooked in this gorgeous El Dorado Hills home built in the Serrano gated community.
Rescue Union School District celebrates its talented, award-winning band programs.
■ VILLAGE HOMES, B1
■ INSIDE, B5
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