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STUDENTS JOIN OFFICIALS IN DEDICATION OF NEW PREUSS SCHOOL CAMPUS AT UCSD

"Preuss is the place, where by using our full potential, we will grow and mold ourselves into the people we wish to become," ninth grader Veronica Radnoty told 350 guests attending dedication ceremonies today for the Preuss School at the University of California, San Diego.

"Preuss is our school, yes," Radnoty, who serves as president of the Associated Student Body, said, "but we have also made it our home...a place where we have the feeling of belonging, safety and encouragement."

She was joined on the speakers platform by Emmanuel Leon, a seventh grader who last month began his first year at the school, and a number of University and civic dignitaries.

Doris Alvarez, Preuss School principal, served as master of ceremonies, while remarks were contributed by Richard Atkinson, president, University of California; Robert Dynes, chancellor, UCSD; Cecil Lytle, provost, Thurgood Marshall College; James Langley, vice chancellor, External Relations; Dede Alpert, state senator, 39th Senatorial District; Alan Bersin, superintendent, San Diego Unified School District, and Peggy and Peter Preuss, donors.

Chancellor Dynes noted that "most of us can remember when this corner was a vacant lot and a campus charter school was an impossible dream. Today, this is the site of an outstanding secondary school at a top university. These classrooms are filled with bright, energetic youngsters from all over San Diego. For these students, no dream will be impossible."

Alvarez addressed the students watching from classrooms via closed circuit television and the students in the audience, noting that "this is a moment to remember-the official dedication of your new school and a first hand look at many of the people who made it possible for us to have this school. Truly," she said, "this school is not only a 21st century wonder, and its mission a 21st century model, but the supporters are 21st century heroes."

The Preuss School is named in recognition of a $5 million gift made by Mr. and Mrs. Preuss, and at the close of the ceremony they received UCSD's Civis Universitatis award from Chancellor Dynes and Duane Roth, vice chair of the UC San Diego Foundation, and flowers from Deon Edom, representing Preuss School students. The Preusses also were the recipients of the school's "Spirit of Preuss" first community award.

A brunch reception and tours of the school followed the dedication ceremony.

Completed just 17 months since groundbreaking, the $13.1 million campus consists of five two-story classroom wings, administrative and library buildings, a multipurpose center and an expansive sports field. It is located on the east UCSD campus, adjacent to Genesee Ave.

The campus is centered around an outdoor amphitheatre, designed to accommodate the entire student body for assemblies and performances. One of the five classroom wings is dedicated to state-of-the-art science laboratories; the classroom wings are all wired for extensive computer use.

The school opened its doors at UCSD in the fall of 1999 in temporary quarters on the Thurgood Marshall College grounds. The 150 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students selected by lottery from 503 applicants set precedent as attendees at the only public charter school in the state to be established on a university campus with private donations and capital.

This year 416 sixth through ninth graders are enrolled. At steady state, in the year 2003, the school will accommodate 700 sixth through 12th graders.

The mission of the Preuss School is to prepare low income and educationally underserved students for admission to and graduation from a university. Students selected for the school must be low income, represent the first in their family to graduate from a four year university, and show academic potential and motivation.

Editors: Radnoty, 15, lives in University City; Leon, 11, is from South Bay.