Parents and students gathered in the "High TIDE" room at TIDE Academy, a new high school in Menlo Park, on Jan. 16 to recognize students' academic and athletic achievements and other accomplishments to mark the end of the school's first semester.

Students received awards for their participation in athletic activities, along with departmental honors and awards for exemplifying values such as respect.

"Today we make history here at TIDE" with the first awards ceremony, said Principal Allison Silvestri at the beginning of the event. "We make history every day here because we're the founding class and faculty."

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Menlo Park Mayor Cecilia Taylor also spoke and handed out awards.

The name of the Sequoia Union High School District school, which opened in August, is an acronym for technology, innovation, design and engineering – a nod to its mission of preparing students for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) careers.

TIDE is beginning with a freshman class of 106, chosen by lottery, according to district spokesperson Ana Maria Pulido. It will eventually grow to 400 students once grades nine through 12 are in place.

During the event, officials also introduced Tina Smith as the school's new vice principal. Smith started at TIDE in December, according to her LinkedIn profile. She taught science at Carlmont High School in Belmont for 18 years before joining the San Mateo County Office of Education as a career and technical education coordinator.

TIDE's curriculum includes classes in engineering, computer science, and design, with a focus on project-based learning, according to the school's website.

"In the case of TIDE Academy, the goal is to create an environment that replicates some of the largest tech companies in the world in order to make the Silicon Valley experience normal and in reach for TIDE students," according to a district press release. "Because of this, underrepresented groups will have the ability to pursue careers in the tech space, and in the process, help with its diversification."

TIDE's student council also announced the school's mascot – an astronaut, along with a logo designed by students. The logo can be viewed here.

Award winners include:

• Art department award: Denzel Marquez Orozco

• English department award: Leon Chow

• Math department award: Isaac Martinez

• Physical education department award: Annika Bai

• Science department award: Cambria Jones

• Social studies department award: Joaquim Tuason Cruz

• Service awards: Lucy Rutherford and Annika Bai

• Sports, basketball: Michael Girma

• Sports, cross-country: Solomon Cornell

• Sports, soccer: Zoe Maheras

• Value award for growth mindset: Kiara Velador

• Value award for community: Annika Bai

• Value award for respect: Paul Salceda

• Value award for responsibility: Micah Robinson

• Value award for solutionary: Solomon Cornell

Enrollment for ninth graders for the 2020-21 school year is open now until Feb. 1 at 4 p.m., according to the school's website. For more information, go here or contact the Student Services Department at (650) 369-1411 ext. 22111.

-