(March 26, 2004) — In the Sacramento Convention Center March 8, Clark Magnet’s Environmental and Spatial Technologies (EAST) team presented their project concerning swift water rescue in the Los Angeles River. With videos, posters, a dry suit with a lifejacket, slide shows and animations, the group exhibited their project at the Western Regional Conference for the nearly 80 other EAST groups from around the country. The team received the Founder’s Award for Excellence and the ThinkPad prize for their project, while Santa Ynez High School came in first place. At the beginning of the year, EAST students chose a project to research that would benefit the community. After two months, they presented their project to the class and the class decided on the project that they would like to present in Sacramento. Last years’ EAST team won first place with their analytical project on heavy metals in the sediment of the Los Angeles Harbor. The first night in Sacramento the eight members from Clark’s EAST class, along with science teacher Dominique Evans-Bye and principal Doug Dall, attended an orientation that consisted of guest speakers, heads of the EAST department, light displays, music and cameramen. At the actual convention on the second day, corporations taught different classes how to use new computer software. Clark’s EAST team presented their project to a panel of judges, EAST administrators and other participants from around the western region. Not only were they there to be judged, but the group also had to judge booths set up by other schools. Many groups such as Arcata High School, which helped design a greenhouse for an environmental organization, presented projects associated with many environmental factors present in our everyday lives such as highway accidents. Performing the same routine as they did the second day, the group presented to the public on the third day and then returned home. Dall commented that “the trip was an excellent experience for all involved. Clark showed itself as a leader.” Now they are working to create advertisements to promote public awareness on their swift water rescue project, and they also are hoping to distribute shirts bearing their seal mascot, Shavo.