Cynthia MorenoCynthia MorenoThe MYSPACE caseThe MYSPACE case

Context & BackgroundContext & BackgroundWho is Cynthia Moreno?Who is Cynthia Moreno?

--Born in Hanford, California / Currently 28Born in Hanford, California / Currently 28--yearsyears--old.old.--Lived in Huron (small farming community for a few years)Lived in Huron (small farming community for a few years)--Kindergarten through High School in Coalinga Kindergarten through High School in Coalinga --Top 10% of my graduating classTop 10% of my graduating class--Very involved with Leadership all 4 years of high school / socceVery involved with Leadership all 4 years of high school / soccer / softball/ r / softball/ extracurricsextracurrics..--Parents involved with school projects / volunteer at school evenParents involved with school projects / volunteer at school eventsts--Automatic acceptance into all the Automatic acceptance into all the UCUC’’ss--Girls State RecipientGirls State Recipient--Honor Roll / Enrolled in Advanced Placement CoursesHonor Roll / Enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses--Took Summer School Courses at the Academic Talent Development PrTook Summer School Courses at the Academic Talent Development Program at UC Berkeleyogram at UC Berkeley--First Generation MexicanFirst Generation Mexican--AmericanAmerican--Parents born in Mexico / No opportunity for an educationParents born in Mexico / No opportunity for an education--First in my family to obtain a university degreeFirst in my family to obtain a university degree--Attended the University of California, Berkeley Attended the University of California, Berkeley --PrePre--lawlaw–– majored in Legal Studies majored in Legal Studies --Two sisters and a brotherTwo sisters and a brother-- Alma Moreno (Fresno State), Alma Moreno (Fresno State), AraceliAraceli Moreno (Community College) and Jason Moreno, Moreno (Community College) and Jason Moreno,

11 years old. 11 years old. Had sacrificed a lot; worked really hard; didnHad sacrificed a lot; worked really hard; didn’’t go to parties (or participate in all the regular stuff teenaget go to parties (or participate in all the regular stuff teenagers did). rs did). Goal was to attend an ivyGoal was to attend an ivy--league schoolleague school–– had lofty ambitions. Very driven, very motivated; wanted to makhad lofty ambitions. Very driven, very motivated; wanted to make e

parents proud. parents proud. Profound love of school and learning since I was a kid.Profound love of school and learning since I was a kid. First language was SpanishFirst language was Spanish–– didndidn’’t speak a single word in English upon entering school.t speak a single word in English upon entering school.

Where is Coalinga?Where is Coalinga? Small community off of Interstate 5Small community off of Interstate 5 Population approximately 10,000 people Population approximately 10,000 people ““SmallSmall--town community. Everyone knows everyonetown community. Everyone knows everyone”” Surrounded by prisons / known for oil fieldsSurrounded by prisons / known for oil fields At one point, CoalingaAt one point, Coalinga--Huron and Avenal (small schools in the Central Huron and Avenal (small schools in the Central

Valley) had the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state Valley) had the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state One junior and high school / one stopOne junior and high school / one stop--light light Predominately Caucasian / few minoritiesPredominately Caucasian / few minorities Family successful minority business ownersFamily successful minority business owners–– revenue approximately $2 revenue approximately $2

million + a year. million + a year. Family is product of the American Dream.Family is product of the American Dream. Not too many students went off to fourNot too many students went off to four--year universities, especially minority year universities, especially minority

students.students. Many graduating students didnMany graduating students didn’’t pursue a fourt pursue a four--year education. Most opted to year education. Most opted to

stay in the Central Valleystay in the Central Valley–– West Hills Community College or Fresno State. West Hills Community College or Fresno State.

Events leading up to the ODEEvents leading up to the ODE

In October 2005In October 2005–– Visit to Coalinga, California for Visit to Coalinga, California for Homecoming Game / Homecoming Game / AraceliAraceli cheerleadercheerleader

Comments about Appearance / returned to Berkeley Comments about Appearance / returned to Berkeley that same night / conversation with roommate that same night / conversation with roommate ––undergone same experiences. undergone same experiences.

Feelings postFeelings post--visit to Coalinga visit to Coalinga –– opinions formulatedopinions formulated––decision to write a decision to write a blogblog on social networking site, on social networking site, MYSPACE.comMYSPACE.com. .

DidnDidn’’t think much about the posting given I had posted t think much about the posting given I had posted previous previous blogsblogs in the pastin the past–– none had never caused a none had never caused a stir. stir.

‘‘ODE to CoalingaODE to Coalinga’’

What was it about?What was it about? A personal opinion A personal opinion –– a reflection of negative and bad a reflection of negative and bad

experiences undergone in high school experiences undergone in high school –– a sense of pride a sense of pride having overcome the odds having overcome the odds –– excited about the future excited about the future and helping my communityand helping my community–– anger at past experiencesanger at past experiences––happy to have worked really hard to fulfill ones happy to have worked really hard to fulfill ones dreamsdreams–– grateful for the grateful for the teachers, mentors and teachers, mentors and familyfamily who kept me on the right track. Happy to be who kept me on the right track. Happy to be out of a small community. out of a small community.

Experiences in high schoolExperiences in high school-- Nerd, bookworm, often Nerd, bookworm, often teased, chubby, poked fun of, etc, etc. teased, chubby, poked fun of, etc, etc.

I was 21I was 21--yearsyears--old at the time I wrote the old at the time I wrote the ‘‘ode.ode.’’

Publishing the Publishing the ‘‘ODEODE’’

Posted the Posted the ‘‘OdeOde’’ as a BLOG on as a BLOG on Myspace.comMyspace.comHad approximately 300 friends including most attending UC BerkelHad approximately 300 friends including most attending UC Berkeley and other ey and other

colleges; and a handful of friends that attended Coalinga High Scolleges; and a handful of friends that attended Coalinga High School with chool with me. me.

I did I did NOTNOT have any Coalinga teachers, counselors, current students and have any Coalinga teachers, counselors, current students and especially not any administrators or the principal or any media/especially not any administrators or the principal or any media/newspaper newspaper entities as friends. entities as friends.

Profile was PRIVATE (changed age to 14 to do so)Profile was PRIVATE (changed age to 14 to do so)Profile did NOT have my full name; nor did the BLOG. Profile did NOT have my full name; nor did the BLOG. Had a profile picture with my former roommate, Had a profile picture with my former roommate, PujaPuja Patel. Patel. Had multiple Had multiple blogsblogs posted about various subjects at the time the posted about various subjects at the time the ‘‘OdeOde’’ was was

printed from my personal printed from my personal MyspaceMyspace page including one about love and one page including one about love and one about my daily on goings. about my daily on goings.

BlogBlog was posted for 6 DAYS ONLY (OCTOBER 9, 2005) then I deleted thewas posted for 6 DAYS ONLY (OCTOBER 9, 2005) then I deleted theblogblog and its comments in its entiretyand its comments in its entirety–– completely erasing it from the social completely erasing it from the social networking site. networking site.

About About MyspaceMyspace

Search engineSearch engine–– type in type in ‘‘Cynthia MorenoCynthia Moreno’’ and thousands of and thousands of names would pop up. names would pop up.

Enormously popular social networking site at the timeEnormously popular social networking site at the time–– before before Twitter, Twitter, FacebookFacebook, , TumblrTumblr, Linked, etc, etc. , Linked, etc, etc.

Cannot Cannot ‘‘searchsearch’’ for a for a blogblog Cannot Cannot ‘‘googlegoogle’’ a a blogblog MyspaceMyspace had privacy settings. (Discuss later in regards to had privacy settings. (Discuss later in regards to

Newspaper)Newspaper) CoalingaCoalinga--HuronHuron--Unified School District had strict guidelines Unified School District had strict guidelines

about internet use and using certain items for school use (such about internet use and using certain items for school use (such as as the the blogblog, given the language and relevancy), given the language and relevancy)

Events after Publishing of the Events after Publishing of the ‘‘OdeOde’’

‘‘OdeOde’’ was published on Monday, October 3, 2005 on MYSPACE.was published on Monday, October 3, 2005 on MYSPACE. Only 3 responses were received after the Only 3 responses were received after the ‘‘OdeOde’’ was published. Best friend, Leticia Lopez (from was published. Best friend, Leticia Lopez (from

Avenal); Alma Velasquez (from Riverdale) and another from CoalinAvenal); Alma Velasquez (from Riverdale) and another from Coalinga Highga High–– a former student a former student named Felipe named Felipe CalzadaCalzada (Class of 2004). (Class of 2004).

AraceliAraceli, 14 came home that week to inform parents of the circulation of, 14 came home that week to inform parents of the circulation of the the blogblog at school. It was at school. It was apparently being discussed in various classrooms; there were priapparently being discussed in various classrooms; there were printouts made of the ntouts made of the blogblog; it was ; it was the topic of classroom discussions.the topic of classroom discussions.

Former English Teacher, Debra Bonilla had allowed a former studeFormer English Teacher, Debra Bonilla had allowed a former student enter her classroom during nt enter her classroom during school hours to print out the school hours to print out the blogblog directly from my MYSPACE page (on a school computer) and directly from my MYSPACE page (on a school computer) and she went ahead and made copies of it, distributed it to teachersshe went ahead and made copies of it, distributed it to teachers, students and held classroom , students and held classroom discussions (phone call). She had conversations about it with thdiscussions (phone call). She had conversations about it with the staff and felt very e staff and felt very ““offendedoffended”” by by what was written. what was written.

It had been three years since I graduated from High School. It had been three years since I graduated from High School. AraceliAraceli began getting harassed by students, teachers and staff. They wobegan getting harassed by students, teachers and staff. They would bully her about my uld bully her about my

decision to publish the ode; was told she wouldndecision to publish the ode; was told she wouldn’’t make next years cheerleading team; had heated t make next years cheerleading team; had heated altercations with teachers and staff culminating in the decisionaltercations with teachers and staff culminating in the decision to be removed from the school in to be removed from the school in DECEMBER 2005 (after a series of events occurred). DECEMBER 2005 (after a series of events occurred).

AraceliAraceli was unable to handle the school environment and felt she had nowas unable to handle the school environment and felt she had no one to support her and one to support her and no one to turn to. Couldnno one to turn to. Couldn’’t turn to her friends, teachers, staff, counselors and much lesst turn to her friends, teachers, staff, counselors and much less the the principal or school board because they were all principal or school board because they were all ““offended.offended.””

BlogBlog had little significance on MYSPACE UNTILhad little significance on MYSPACE UNTIL……

Events after publishing the Events after publishing the ‘‘OdeOde’’continuedcontinued……

Rumors had circulated that the Rumors had circulated that the blogblog was going to be published in the Coalinga Record (the only commwas going to be published in the Coalinga Record (the only community unity newspaper). It has already been the topic of the week at COALINGnewspaper). It has already been the topic of the week at COALINGA HIGH SCHOOL. A HIGH SCHOOL.

Father (David Moreno) contacted Pamela Pond on MONDAY, OCTOBER 1Father (David Moreno) contacted Pamela Pond on MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2005 then0, 2005 then--editor of the editor of the Coalinga Record and told her something I had written had been suCoalinga Record and told her something I had written had been submitted for publication and (both parents) bmitted for publication and (both parents) did not want it published. did not want it published.

Pamela Pond said, Pamela Pond said, ““DonDon’’t worry Mr. Moreno, it wont worry Mr. Moreno, it won’’t be in the newspaper.t be in the newspaper.”” Then, my father called back and Then, my father called back and asked who had submitted the asked who had submitted the blogblog for publication and she said it had been submitted from Coalingfor publication and she said it had been submitted from Coalinga High a High School. School.

MOTHER ON A QUESTMOTHER ON A QUEST––

On WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005, the ODE was published in the CoaOn WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005, the ODE was published in the Coalinga Record in the linga Record in the ‘‘Letters to the Letters to the EditorEditor’’ section of the paper in its entirety with my full name. (SHOW Nsection of the paper in its entirety with my full name. (SHOW NEWSPAPER)EWSPAPER)

Maria Moreno goes to Coalinga High School to find out who had seMaria Moreno goes to Coalinga High School to find out who had sent the BLOG to the newspaper. nt the BLOG to the newspaper.

Principal Roger Campbell said Principal Roger Campbell said ““somebodysomebody”” had placed a copy of the had placed a copy of the ‘‘odeode’’ on his desk and after he read it, he on his desk and after he read it, he thought it was thought it was ““VERY OFFENSIVEVERY OFFENSIVE”” and decided to send it to the newspaper so that the and decided to send it to the newspaper so that the ““whole community whole community would know about it.would know about it.””. (Intentional). (Intentional)

Campbell faxed a copy of the Campbell faxed a copy of the blogblog (during school hours) to the local newspaper, The Coalinga Reco(during school hours) to the local newspaper, The Coalinga Record for rd for republication.republication.

Events after publishing the Events after publishing the ‘‘OdeOde’’continuedcontinued……

What Roger Campbell said in his declaration (excerpt):What Roger Campbell said in his declaration (excerpt): ““I personally believed that the contents of the Ode I personally believed that the contents of the Ode

were a matter of concern to us at the school and of were a matter of concern to us at the school and of general interest to the community, since a student general interest to the community, since a student who I thought had received a quality education who I thought had received a quality education and good experience at Coalinga High, which had and good experience at Coalinga High, which had propelled her to attending a prestigious public propelled her to attending a prestigious public university, appeared to have such negative and university, appeared to have such negative and hostile feelings towards the school and the hostile feelings towards the school and the community at large. As a result of these feelings, I community at large. As a result of these feelings, I faxed a copy of the Ode to the Coalinga Record for faxed a copy of the Ode to the Coalinga Record for their review.their review.”” –– Declaration Aug. 12, 2010Declaration Aug. 12, 2010

Events after publishing the Events after publishing the ‘‘OdeOde’’continuedcontinued……

Deposition of Roger Campbell, April 26, 2010Deposition of Roger Campbell, April 26, 2010 My lawyer:My lawyer: Q: And now, did you actually push the button to fax Q: And now, did you actually push the button to fax

the [the [blogblog] to the record?] to the record? Roger Campbell: Roger Campbell: A: NoA: No My lawyer:My lawyer: Q: That was Ms. Serna? (School Secretary)Q: That was Ms. Serna? (School Secretary) A: YesA: Yes

Events after publishing the Events after publishing the ‘‘OdeOde’’continuedcontinued……

When When ‘‘OdeOde’’ was publishedwas published–– immediate outrage poured from the community.immediate outrage poured from the community. I began to receive a series of MYSPACE messages from thenI began to receive a series of MYSPACE messages from then--president of the High president of the High

School and other students where they harassed and threatened me.School and other students where they harassed and threatened me. All of them told All of them told me which teachers were holding classroom discussions, who had prme which teachers were holding classroom discussions, who had printed out the inted out the blogblogposting, what they had discussed about me and then delivered theposting, what they had discussed about me and then delivered their own personal ir own personal opinions. opinions. ““IgnorantIgnorant”” ““Throw a milkThrow a milk--shake in your face.shake in your face.”” etc. etc. etc. etc.

ALL of the responses claimed they had heard about the ALL of the responses claimed they had heard about the blogblog posting from the High posting from the High School before it HIT the newspaper. School before it HIT the newspaper.

The following week, the newspaperThe following week, the newspaper’’s s ‘‘OpinionOpinion’’ Section of the newspaper was filled Section of the newspaper was filled with responses from the community addressed to me because they wwith responses from the community addressed to me because they were under the ere under the impression that I had been the one that sent the impression that I had been the one that sent the blogblog to the newspaper for publication to the newspaper for publication when in fact, I DID NOT give the Coalinga Record permission to rwhen in fact, I DID NOT give the Coalinga Record permission to republish my epublish my blogblog. .

I called several editors at various newspapers to ensure that itI called several editors at various newspapers to ensure that items that are placed in the ems that are placed in the Opinion section of the newspaper or Letters to the Editor must hOpinion section of the newspaper or Letters to the Editor must have a signature and ave a signature and permission from the author in order to republish). Newspaper hadpermission from the author in order to republish). Newspaper had neither. neither.

I was told at one pointI was told at one point–– all of the newspapers in the region had SOLD OUTall of the newspapers in the region had SOLD OUT–– none none were available. were available.

How to remedy OUTRAGE in How to remedy OUTRAGE in Coalinga?Coalinga?

Mother spoke to Principal Roger CampbellMother spoke to Principal Roger Campbell Parents spoke to Dr. William McDermott, then Superintendent Parents spoke to Dr. William McDermott, then Superintendent

of Coalingaof Coalinga--Huron Unified School District. (Said he didnHuron Unified School District. (Said he didn’’t know t know the legal aspects of what had occurred and refused to have a the legal aspects of what had occurred and refused to have a meeting with meeting with AraceliAraceli and Roger Campbell to fix the situation)and Roger Campbell to fix the situation)

Parents expressed concern over Parents expressed concern over AraceliAraceli because she was a minor, because she was a minor, 14 years old and was receiving harassment from the faculty, staf14 years old and was receiving harassment from the faculty, staff f and students. NO WHERE TO TURN.and students. NO WHERE TO TURN.

I submitted a letter to the editor of the Coalinga Record (Pam I submitted a letter to the editor of the Coalinga Record (Pam Pond) in an attempt to calm the community and they refused to Pond) in an attempt to calm the community and they refused to publish it and did not give me reasons for NOT publishing it. Itpublish it and did not give me reasons for NOT publishing it. Itwas my attempt to let the community know what had happened. was my attempt to let the community know what had happened.

School Board President had responded negatively to the article. School Board President had responded negatively to the article.

How to remedy OUTRAGE in How to remedy OUTRAGE in Coalinga? ContinuedCoalinga? Continued……

Filed a series of complaints (verbal and written) including seveFiled a series of complaints (verbal and written) including several meetings.ral meetings. Meeting with Principal Roger CampbellMeeting with Principal Roger Campbell Meeting with Dr. William McDermott (Superintendent)Meeting with Dr. William McDermott (Superintendent) Verbal complaint with Fresno County Department of Education Verbal complaint with Fresno County Department of Education –– following a formal written following a formal written

complaint (no response)complaint (no response) State Department of Education (Sacramento) complaint filed (no rState Department of Education (Sacramento) complaint filed (no response)esponse) Office of Civil Rights in San Francisco (complaint) Office of Civil Rights in San Francisco (complaint) –– were unable to handle the complaint were unable to handle the complaint

because they needed proof that Principal Roger Campbellbecause they needed proof that Principal Roger Campbell’’s actions were discriminatory/racist s actions were discriminatory/racist against me. against me.

Spoke with Attorney for Fresno County Office of Education and waSpoke with Attorney for Fresno County Office of Education and was told to file a Uniform s told to file a Uniform Complaint Procedure Form and by lawComplaint Procedure Form and by law–– the Superintendent needed to respond. (I filed it and no the Superintendent needed to respond. (I filed it and no response)response)

Sacramento Office of Education suggested I filed a lawsuit. Sacramento Office of Education suggested I filed a lawsuit. Made a verbal complaint with then editorMade a verbal complaint with then editor--andand--chief of the Coalinga Recordchief of the Coalinga Record–– said he would said he would

conduct an investigation. A meeting followed in December and conconduct an investigation. A meeting followed in December and confirmed the firmed the blogblog was sent to was sent to the paper by Coalinga High School. Said he would follow up. Nevethe paper by Coalinga High School. Said he would follow up. Never heard from him again. r heard from him again.

Finally filed a lawsuit in late 2006 against CoalingaFinally filed a lawsuit in late 2006 against Coalinga--Huron Unified School District and Lee Huron Unified School District and Lee Enterprises Enterprises dbadba Coalinga Record. Coalinga Record.

Called tons of lawyers from around the state to take the caseCalled tons of lawyers from around the state to take the case–– none did or could (lack of none did or could (lack of knowledge, expertise, conflict of interest, etc)knowledge, expertise, conflict of interest, etc)

Unexpected Consequences as a Unexpected Consequences as a result of the Publication of the result of the Publication of the ‘‘OdeOde’’ Shooting at our countryside homeShooting at our countryside home Boycott of the 20 year business family owned and operated out ofBoycott of the 20 year business family owned and operated out of Coalinga. Parents Coalinga. Parents

had threats.had threats. AraceliAraceli continued to be harassed. Finally removed from Coalinga High Sccontinued to be harassed. Finally removed from Coalinga High School in hool in

December 2005. December 2005. I was dismissed from the University of California, Berkeley in DI was dismissed from the University of California, Berkeley in December 2005 (could ecember 2005 (could

not focus on midterms, finals)not focus on midterms, finals) Fell into a deep depression / family sought therapy, counseling Fell into a deep depression / family sought therapy, counseling and other means of and other means of

coping with the outrage of an entire community.coping with the outrage of an entire community. Parents had to make a sudden move to Clovis, CaliforniaParents had to make a sudden move to Clovis, California–– about an hour away from about an hour away from

Coalinga for safety, especially after the shooting. David was reCoalinga for safety, especially after the shooting. David was really concerned. ally concerned. Did I have a reasonable expectation of privacy? ABSOLUTELY. Did I have a reasonable expectation of privacy? ABSOLUTELY. WHY? I am not a public figure. Had already graduated from high sWHY? I am not a public figure. Had already graduated from high school three years chool three years

prior to the prior to the ‘‘odeode’’. Many people from the community didn. Many people from the community didn’’t know met know me–– learned about learned about me through the newspaper article. Some didnme through the newspaper article. Some didn’’t know where I ended up going to t know where I ended up going to college including the Principal Roger Campbell (Declaration: college including the Principal Roger Campbell (Declaration: ““didndidn’’t know what she t know what she was doing with her life after high school.was doing with her life after high school.””

The RESULTThe RESULT Five years of litigationFive years of litigation Set precedent for PRIVACY ISSUESet precedent for PRIVACY ISSUE–– nothing on nothing on MyspaceMyspace is private.is private. At TRIALAt TRIAL---- Reasons for lack of evidence in courtReasons for lack of evidence in court–– MOTIONS IN LIMINE were not addressed. MOTIONS IN LIMINE were not addressed. ““An original author has ownership of his or her creative work andAn original author has ownership of his or her creative work and another cannot another cannot

republish that work without permission of the author, even if threpublish that work without permission of the author, even if the work is in the public e work is in the public domain.domain.”” –– Instructions given to jury.Instructions given to jury.

Roger CampbellRoger Campbell’’s conduct was found to be s conduct was found to be ““OUTRAGEOUSOUTRAGEOUS”” but not enough to have caused but not enough to have caused intentional infliction of emotional distress.intentional infliction of emotional distress.

FRESNO BEE ARTICLES (before Jury deliberations, my employer, theFRESNO BEE ARTICLES (before Jury deliberations, my employer, the FRESNO BEE FRESNO BEE published an article on a SUNDAY (when circulation is at its peapublished an article on a SUNDAY (when circulation is at its peak) k) –– biased article about my case biased article about my case having first amendment implications. HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CASEhaving first amendment implications. HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CASE. Reporter did not . Reporter did not try to interview me. try to interview me.

FRESNO CITY COLLEGE ARTICLEFRESNO CITY COLLEGE ARTICLE–– Attempts to file for mistrial because of FRESNO BEE articleAttempts to file for mistrial because of FRESNO BEE article–– Judge did not agree.Judge did not agree. RESULT pending: OFFICAL complaint made to the Department of EducRESULT pending: OFFICAL complaint made to the Department of Education in ation in

Sacramento last year with all evidence of the case including misSacramento last year with all evidence of the case including misconduct by teachers and conduct by teachers and specifically Roger Campbell who has been promoted to Superintendspecifically Roger Campbell who has been promoted to Superintendent of Coalingaent of Coalinga--Huron Unified School District (despite his outrageous conduct). Huron Unified School District (despite his outrageous conduct). It has been over a year It has been over a year and the complaint is sitting at the and the complaint is sitting at the ““executive officeexecutive office”” pending a response. pending a response.

COALINGA RECORD went out of businessCOALINGA RECORD went out of business–– no longer in Coalinga. However, there was a no longer in Coalinga. However, there was a settlement agreement where we paid $20,000 in attorneys fees butsettlement agreement where we paid $20,000 in attorneys fees but they wanted over $100,000 in they wanted over $100,000 in the beginning. the beginning.

The RESULT continuedThe RESULT continued……

If the school district would have taken measures to remedy the If the school district would have taken measures to remedy the situation, there would have never been a lawsuit and the situation, there would have never been a lawsuit and the consequences thereof. consequences thereof.

As a family, we had no intentions up until that point to move As a family, we had no intentions up until that point to move away from Coalinga. away from Coalinga.

As a family, all we wanted was ACCOUNTABILITY for the As a family, all we wanted was ACCOUNTABILITY for the newspaper, the district and the teachers and principal who were newspaper, the district and the teachers and principal who were involved. Ideally, we would have wanted the principal removed involved. Ideally, we would have wanted the principal removed from his positionfrom his position–– given he was in a position of power.given he was in a position of power.

We feel Mr. Roger We feel Mr. Roger CambpellCambpell abused his power and used it to abused his power and used it to cause harm including Pamela Pond who was a friend of Roger cause harm including Pamela Pond who was a friend of Roger Campbell and was well aware of the family business. Campbell and was well aware of the family business.

What the Superintendent saidWhat the Superintendent said……

Superintendent Dr. William McDermott:Superintendent Dr. William McDermott: ““Many of the teachers you mentioned actually used Many of the teachers you mentioned actually used

the studentthe student’’s emotional reaction as a s emotional reaction as a ““teaching teaching momentmoment”” about free speech and respecting other about free speech and respecting other peoplepeople’’s opinionss opinions. You would certainly expect that . You would certainly expect that from Mr. Delano and Mr. Nielsen, who teach social from Mr. Delano and Mr. Nielsen, who teach social studies, and Mrs. Bonilla who is the A.S.B. advisor. studies, and Mrs. Bonilla who is the A.S.B. advisor. Under the circumstances Under the circumstances I was pleased with the I was pleased with the openness and frankness of the discussions in class openness and frankness of the discussions in class that were heldthat were held..”” (Response to Complaint filed against (Response to Complaint filed against Mr. Campbell)Mr. Campbell)

What Mr. Roger Campbell SaidWhat Mr. Roger Campbell Said…… ““In this weekIn this week’’s issue of the Coalinga Record, s issue of the Coalinga Record, an opinion piece was an opinion piece was

reprinted that originally was posted on the internet in the formreprinted that originally was posted on the internet in the form of a of a blogblog. The content of the article was written by a young lady who onc. The content of the article was written by a young lady who once e attended Coalinga schools and lived in Coalinga and was very negattended Coalinga schools and lived in Coalinga and was very negative ative towards many of the people and aspects of the Coalinga communitytowards many of the people and aspects of the Coalinga community. . Copies Copies of the of the blogblog have circulated around the school and have been the topic have circulated around the school and have been the topic of many conversations amongst staff as well as students. Even thof many conversations amongst staff as well as students. Even though ough the content of the article has been very controversial and even the content of the article has been very controversial and even distastefuldistasteful, it is important that neither the article nor the , it is important that neither the article nor the blogblog nor the nor the contents thereof be discussed with students or within students hcontents thereof be discussed with students or within students hearing. We earing. We may maintain our own personal opinions regarding the article thamay maintain our own personal opinions regarding the article that they need t they need to stay our own personal opinions. If your students approach youto stay our own personal opinions. If your students approach you in order to in order to discuss this article or the discuss this article or the blogblog, please tell them that , please tell them that this is not something this is not something that is appropriate for the school setting.that is appropriate for the school setting. The young lady is entitled to her The young lady is entitled to her own opinion and communicating her own opinion in whatever form sown opinion and communicating her own opinion in whatever form she he deems appropriate. We may disagree with what she has to say and deems appropriate. We may disagree with what she has to say and how she how she has publicly posted this information on the Internet, but has publicly posted this information on the Internet, but it should not it should not become fodder for conversations, debate, or further escalation obecome fodder for conversations, debate, or further escalation of f emotionsemotions..”” –– Roger Campbell, Principal Roger Campbell, Principal –– MEMO to staff October 13, 2005MEMO to staff October 13, 2005

Life after Life after ‘‘OdeOde’’ Went to a community college for two years (back to the beginningWent to a community college for two years (back to the beginning))–– had to get good grades to had to get good grades to

return to Berkeley.return to Berkeley. Reapplied and was readmitted to Berkeley in December 2008. GraduReapplied and was readmitted to Berkeley in December 2008. Graduated from Berkeley in ated from Berkeley in

December of 2009 with a degree in Legal Studies.December of 2009 with a degree in Legal Studies. Parents lost business and assets and health.Parents lost business and assets and health. In June 2010, I was hired as a general assignment reporter for VIn June 2010, I was hired as a general assignment reporter for Vida en el Valleida en el Valle–– bilingual bilingual

newspaper of the Fresno Bee. newspaper of the Fresno Bee. A little over a year, I was promoted to the Sacramento Office. IA little over a year, I was promoted to the Sacramento Office. I am the Political Correspondent am the Political Correspondent

for Vida en el Valle and I work out of the Sacramento Bee Capitofor Vida en el Valle and I work out of the Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau office. l Bureau office. II’’ve done commercials, have hosted my own television show in Spanive done commercials, have hosted my own television show in Spanish, have been the Mistress sh, have been the Mistress

of Ceremonies for many events, am a frequent public speaker at uof Ceremonies for many events, am a frequent public speaker at universities and schools across niversities and schools across the state, have been in programs in Mexico arising out of my jobthe state, have been in programs in Mexico arising out of my job and finally, am currently in the and finally, am currently in the process of obtaining a job at process of obtaining a job at UnivisionUnivision, have received numerous awards for my writing, Rotary , have received numerous awards for my writing, Rotary Fellowship to South Korea; tourism opportunities in Mexico (repoFellowship to South Korea; tourism opportunities in Mexico (reporting)rting)–– featured in local featured in local magazines. magazines.

AraceliAraceli has not pursued an education and refuses to get counseling. We has not pursued an education and refuses to get counseling. We do feel the impact of the do feel the impact of the ‘‘odeode’’ had a significant emotional impact on her being. (had run away had a significant emotional impact on her being. (had run away from home while living in from home while living in Clovis)Clovis)

Parents continue to live in Fresno in one of their investment hoParents continue to live in Fresno in one of their investment homesmes–– father is now disabled / father is now disabled / health problems.health problems.

However, we are fortunate there was not a death in the family, aHowever, we are fortunate there was not a death in the family, and this experience has helped me nd this experience has helped me become a better person overall.become a better person overall.

And finally, we refuse to go to Coalinga (even though we have faAnd finally, we refuse to go to Coalinga (even though we have family living there). mily living there).

Life nowLife now……

Passionate about my careerPassionate about my career Absolutely love journalism, my jobAbsolutely love journalism, my job–– the media the media

in general. in general. Helping my community in a way that is not Helping my community in a way that is not

through law (though attending law school in the through law (though attending law school in the future is not completely out of the question)future is not completely out of the question)

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?