EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – Pleasant Valley Middle School (PVM) students Emmy Emmons and Hazel Gillihan recently became the first students to present at the Gold Oak Union School District (GOUSD) February Board Meeting, sharing their experiences at Science Camp at Sly Park Environmental Education Center in Pollock Pines this past September.
Working as a team, Emmy and Hazel prepared a polished slide presentation and speech highlighting their time at Science Camp. They spoke about overcoming fears, building confidence, creating lasting memories, and experiencing hands-on learning in an outdoor setting.
6th Grade Science Teacher Jessica Trumble shared her pride in their accomplishments:
“I cannot express how proud and excited I am to see the growth of all our 6th graders this past year—especially Emmy and Hazel. Science Camp helped them overcome fears, create lasting memories, and experience meaningful learning outside the classroom. It made a difference for them, and now they are helping inspire next year’s 6th graders.”
GOUSD looks forward to launching preparations for the 2026–2027 Science Camp program with Sly Park Environmental Education Center. The district remains committed to mentoring and supporting students as they grow and progress throughout their academic journey at Gold Oak Elementary and Pleasant Valley Middle School—providing opportunities for both academic achievement and personal growth.
For more information about GOUSD please visit: https://goes.gousd.org/