May 23, 2012 (Sacramento):  State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will appear at Kit Carson Middle School’s Annual Career Day on Friday (May 25) after a 14-year-old 4.0 GPA student, who emigrated with her mother from Costa Rica in 2008, asked California’s schools chief to attend.

Rebeca Corrales wrote Torlakson a letter in which she credited Kit Carson Principal Charlie Watters and the school’s teachers and staff for helping her and asked California’s top educator to attend Friday’s event.

“I believe that with all the love and patience the staff gave, I am the student I am today,” Corrales said in her letter to Torlakson.

“I was touched by Rebeca’s letter and impressed by everything she’s accomplished,” said Torlakson, who will speak during the morning program. “Rebeca’s success is a terrific example of what California’s students can accomplish, and I am grateful for all the talented and dedicated teachers and other school professionals who help our students dream big and reach their full potential.”

Other invited speakers include Assemblyman Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), Assemblyman Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento), Mayor Kevin Johnson, City Councilman Kevin McCarty, Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) Superintendent Jonathan Raymond and more than 50 others.

Representatives from local employers, organizations, state agencies, higher education, law enforcement, the legal profession and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., also will be sharing their journeys with Kit Carson students.

Hiram Johnson High School Junior ROTC “Warriors” Color Guard will present the colors. Sponsors of Career Day include John Grigg Photography.

                WHAT:                 Kit Carson Middle School Annual Career Day
                WHEN:                 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012 (Superintendent Torlakson is                                                                                      scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m.)
                WHERE:               Kit Carson Middle School, 5301 N St., Sacramento, CA 95819
                CONTACT:           Ken McPeters, Kit Carson Middle School, SCUSD
                                                E-mail: ken-mcpeters@scusd.edu
                                                Phone: 916-277-6750, ext. 1602