Rock Blog http://www.graniterock.com/blogs en Get the latest new on the rock instantly from the Graniterock Rock Blog Empowering young minds in mathematics – The Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy returns in-person after four years http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/empowering-young-minds-in-mathematics http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/empowering-young-minds-in-mathematics Shanna McCord Crigger Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:15:19 -0700 Watsonville - The Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy is back with renewed vigor, marking its first in-person session in four years. Scheduled to run July 31 to Aug. 4, the academy takes place at Graniterock’s headquarters and Driscoll’s Cassin Ranch facility. Bringing together 75 eighth-graders from middle schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Hollister Unified School District, Aromas-San Juan Unified School District and Southside School in Tres Pinos, this immersive educational experience aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for mathematics. “We are very excited to bring the students back to the businesses for their algebra immersion week,” said Christy Sessions, the Academy’s Executive Director. “This is the main thing Bruce wanted when he created the Academy in 2010, for the kids to see with their own eyes how what they’re studying relates to business and inspire them to study math and science in college.” The academy's daily schedule, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., will be filled with engaging activities, games and comprehensive lessons taught by professors from Cal State University Monterey Bay and UC Santa Cruz. CSUMB Professor Hongde Hu, whose partnership with the late Bruce W. Woolpert was instrumental in the Academy’s creation, will return to the summer program along with his colleague Noah Doss and UCSC math professor Justin Lake. In addition to the college professors, 10 Academy alums, now seniors in high school, will serve as teaching assistants during the immersion week. These dedicated educators will provide personalized instruction and mentorship to nurture the students' mathematical talents. The Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy places significant emphasis on experiential learning, aiming to make the subject matter relevant and exciting for the young participants. Several members of the Graniterock team will kick off the Academy each day with inspirational talks of their own experiences in school and how math is used in their daily jobs. As part of the Academy curriculum, the students will visit the CSUMB campus on Wednesday, Aug. 2. This excursion will allow them to explore a real-world academic setting, eat at the college dining commons and interact with college faculty and students. After three years of bringing its instruction online due to the pandemic, the academy is returning to its traditional locations at Graniterock’s corporate office and Driscoll’s Cassin Ranch facility, both in Watsonville. "We are thrilled to bring back the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy in its in-person format after four years," said Rose Ann Woolpert, Graniterock family owner and Academy board member. "The academy has always been committed to equipping our students with a strong foundation in algebra and fostering a love for math. This year, with the collaboration of professors and the inclusion of an exciting campus visit, we are confident that our students will leave the academy with greater knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm for mathematics." The return of the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy is made possible through the support of Graniterock and Driscoll’s, whose dedication to educational initiatives and community development is unwavering. For more information about the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy, please visit www.bwwaa.org. Contact: Shanna Crigger, Communications Director at scrigger@graniterock.com.     Students lobby lawmakers with Graniterock rubberized asphalt http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/students-lobby-lawmakers-with-graniteroc http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/students-lobby-lawmakers-with-graniteroc Shanna McCord Crigger Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:08:52 -0700 Washington, DC – Graniterock’s rubberized asphalt landed at the nation’s capital this summer for a pitch to lawmakers by elementary school students from southern Virginia who want to see old tires put to new use. Fifth and sixth-graders from Willow Springs Elementary School brought the rubberized asphalt samples to meetings with Senate and House of Representatives staffers to lobby them on productive uses of recycled tires, chiefly the production of rubberized asphalt for paving federal highways. The effort was part of their Global Awareness Project. One of the students’ mothers, Linda Kim, did some digging online and discovered Graniterock is one of the nation’s leading producers of Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC). She called the company’s asphalt testing manager Doug Lemon and asked if he would send her some asphalt. Doug and his RTS team compacted rubberized asphalt specimens from the Highway 17 paving project, packaged them in individual boxes to prevent breakage and shipped them to the East Coast. “It was rewarding to help these students with their project and it was great to see Graniterock’s asphalt in Washington, D.C.,” Doug said. “It’s important to spread the message about recycling old tires instead of dumping them in landfills.” Graniterock uses about 2,000 tons of recycled rubber annually. Rubberized asphalt incorporates ground tire (crumb) rubber into the hot mix. Crumb rubber is ground or granulated rubber particles derived from auto, light truck or other sources that use a high content of natural rubber.  Rubberized asphalt has many benefits as it is highly skid-resistant, quieter, porous and long-lasting in addition to being environmentally friendly. “We are so thankful for Graniterock’s generosity,” Linda said. “We hope our representatives were listening.”  Community fun run at Graniterock quarry in Hollister raises $17,500 for YMCA http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/community-fun-run-at-graniterock-quarry http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/community-fun-run-at-graniterock-quarry Keith Severson Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:03:43 -0700 At Graniterock, we believe that every step we take should lead to a stronger, healthier community. That's why we're thrilled to share the news of our recent River Run event in Hollister, where we raised $17,500 in support of the YMCA of San Benito County. The YMCA has been making a significant impact on our community by focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The funds raised during the River Run event will directly contribute to the YMCA's vital programs and initiatives, ensuring that they can continue making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors. Graniterock believes in the power of community, and the success of this event exemplifies that belief. We're grateful to all the participants, sponsors and volunteers who played a role in making this event a resounding success. To everyone who joined us at the River Run, donated, and cheered us on from the sidelines, thank you! Your support makes events like these possible. Graniterock recognized for environmental excellence http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-recognized-for-environmental http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-recognized-for-environmental Shanna McCord Crigger Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:21:04 -0700 Graniterock has been named Environmental Team of the Year by Mapistry, a leading software company whose mobile solutions have transformed how the Company manages environmental compliance at our quarries and materials plants. The award underscores Graniterock’s dedication to sustainable practices and innovation, made possible by the consistent work of team members Nikhita Collins, Reed Carter, Amy Nama, and Josh Basanese, who have been at the forefront of the Mapistry initiative since 2020. They operate within a broader environmental team, including Jon Erskine, Rachel Reed and Kala Buthman. With Mapistry's state-of-the-art software, Graniterock has reshaped its approach to environmental issues such as storm water pollution prevention, air quality and hazardous waste management. “Before Mapistry, all of our inspections were done with paper and binders,” Nikhita said. “Now everything is electronic and there’s no more binders. The best part is we don’t have to dig through old binders to see if something has been fixed or corrected. When an inspector comes to one of our sites, instead of a binder, we show them Mapistry.” Mapistry seamlessly integrates with Graniterock quarries and concrete and asphalt plants, providing branches with the tools and insights necessary to monitor, manage and optimize environmental performance. The tool has become an indispensable part of daily operations, empowering team members to make data-driven decisions that keep the Company in compliance with environmental regulations and reduce overall environmental impact. “What Mapistry helps us do is see quickly where any gaps are in Graniterock’s compliance,” Reed said. “It’s also allowing us to drive value in the businesses by identifying areas we can better utilize our time and attention with the teams we rely on to drive compliance efforts.” The environmental team's dedication and collaboration have streamlined inspections and other processes, enabling Graniterock to surpass industry standards for environmental compliance. Rock N Run raises $40,000 for education and youth in our community http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/rock-n-run-raises-40-000-for-education http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/rock-n-run-raises-40-000-for-education Keith Severson Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:26:51 -0700 Helping our community thrive! The annual Rock N Run, held at the Wilson Quarry, surpassed all expectations by drawing more than 300 dedicated runners and raising $40,000 to support education and local youth at Aromas School and San Juan Elementary School This is a testament to the impact a passionate community can make when we come together. Giving back to our communities has been an important part of Graniterock’s culture since 1900. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every runner, volunteer and sponsor who played an essential role in making this event a reality. We look forward to doing it again next October! Graniterock’s assistance to firefighters sparks gratitude from Aromas community http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-s-assistance-to-firefighters http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-s-assistance-to-firefighters Shanna McCord Crigger Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:23:17 -0800 Quick action by Wilson Quarry haul truck drivers helped Cal Fire firefighters get a handle on a blaze that threatened the Quarry and nearby properties. The blaze started on a neighboring property – a lumber storage yard on Quarry Road. Tracy Rego and Robert Ramirez were awakened around 3:15 a.m. Oct. 31 with a phone call from Quarry Manager Nick Wenzel, asking if they could help Cal Fire with additional resources. By 4 a.m., they had loaded up Graniterock water trucks to assist firefighters on the frontline. Combined, they provided about 17,000 gallons of water from the Quarry pond, which proved to be critical for containing the blaze to the neighboring eucalyptus lumber yard that lies adjacent to Quarry property. “When I showed up on scene, they were running low on water and were grateful to have an additional supply,” Tracy said. “I hooked up to their engine and stayed there until 4 p.m. Robert went back and forth all day bringing them water.” In addition, primary operations manager Jeremy Hunzie spent most of the day directing traffic on Quarry Road. Tracy and Robert’s contributions were noted in the Cal Fire press release and in a letter Aromas School Principal Heather Howell sent to the San Juan Unified School District’s board of trustees. Heather praised Graniterock for how the Company assisted fire fighters and donated generously to the Go Fund Me that was set up to help an Aromas family who lost their home in the blaze. Land manager Pat Mapelli led Graniterock in providing temporary housing for the family. With Aromas School canceled on Halloween due to fire-related air quality concerns, Graniterock team members rallied to support a post-Halloween Trunk or Treat celebration for the students later that week. “We would also like to thank our generous community partner Graniterock,” Heather wrote trustees. “They have assisted the family of our Aromas School student with securing housing and they made a generous donation to the Go Fund Me effort.” Longtime Aromas resident Voyoko Haneta, whose family owns Aromas Nursery, visited the Quarry to express her gratitude for Graniterock’s help in protecting her family’s property. She brought Tracy and Robert each a box of See’s Candies. Thankfully, the fire, which destroyed two homes and more than five acres, did not reach the Wilson Quarry. Graniterock team member receives top safety award from California industry leaders http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-team-member-receives-top-saf http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/graniterock-team-member-receives-top-saf Shanna McCord Crigger Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:49:01 -0800 When it comes to safety leadership in the construction industry, few individuals stand out like Mike Herges, Graniterock's safety director of 24 years. His contributions were recognized by the industry last week as he was awarded Safety Professional of the Year by the California Construction & Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA). Mike has been the driving force behind many of Graniterock's safety initiatives. From leading SafeStart to spearheading Smith Driving training, MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) trainings and various other safety efforts. He has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to ensuring the well-being of Graniterock People. In addition, he has served as chair or co-chair of the Safety and Health Committee for CalCIMA for over 20 years. Mike has been instrumental in helping CalCIMA develop truck safety training materials, including signs, brochures, videos, and pamphlets.   He has participated in national studies on technological solutions for safe operation of haul trucks and conveyors. The Safety Professional of the Year award from CalCIMA is a testament to Mike's leadership and impact in the field of safety within the construction and industrial materials industry. The award acknowledges not only his individual achievements but also the broader influence of his work on promoting a culture of safety. Congratulations Mike! 20 years of producing sustainable concrete http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/20-years-of-producing-sustainable-concre http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/20-years-of-producing-sustainable-concre Shanna McCord Crigger Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:59:21 -0700   In an era of growing environmental concerns, Graniterock has made great strides in producing low carbon concrete over the past two decades. Through increased use of supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs), Graniterock has helped transform the construction materials industry by significantly reducing carbon emissions. This achievement showcases the company’s commitment to sustainability and a greener future. Over the span of 20 years, Graniterock’s use of SCMs has shot up from an average of 7 percent replacement per yard in 2003 to 30 percent in 2023. This shift signifies the 123-year-old construction materials company’s proactive approach to embracing eco-friendly alternatives and reducing its reliance on traditional cement, which is notorious for high carbon emissions. Graniterock's dedication to sustainability is further highlighted by the amount of replacement materials used in lieu of cement. In the last two decades, Graniterock has successfully averted more than 700 million pounds in CO2 emissions. This achievement is equivalent to the emissions produced by 73,000 homes in a year or 67,000 cars driven for an entire year. By significantly reducing its carbon footprint, Graniterock is actively contributing to the fight against climate change and preserving our planet for future generations. The beauty of Graniterock's accomplishments lies not only in the environmental impact but also in practicality and functionality of the low carbon concrete. Concrete produced with increased SCM content possesses the same strength, durability and visual appeal as traditional mix designs. This means buildings, bridges and other infrastructure constructed with Graniterock's sustainable concrete are environmentally friendly and of the highest quality. Another key to Graniterock’s low carbon concrete is the locally produced aggregates from the company’s hard rock quarry located near Watsonville. The aggregates are shipped to Graniterock’s concrete plants in Redwood City and San Jose by rail, which further reduces the concrete’s carbon footprint by taking trucks off the highway. One rail car of aggregate replaces four trucks. Graniterock's achievements in low carbon concrete production and increased use of SCMs mark a significant milestone in the construction industry. By embracing sustainable alternatives, the company continues to demonstrate innovative thinking and responsible practices go hand in hand. Bruce W. Woolpert Scholarship adds up to successful life for pro soccer player http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/bruce-w-woolpert-scholarship-adds-up-to http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/bruce-w-woolpert-scholarship-adds-up-to Graniterock Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:02:35 -0800 Article from Foundation of California State University Monterey Bay For Adrian Rebollar, who graduated from California State University Monterey Bay in 2021, the addition of a scholarship had an exponential impact on his ability to succeed. Today, the Watsonville native plays midfield with the region’s professional soccer team, the Monterey Bay Football Club of the USL Championship league, and runs a soccer program business with his teammate. Rebollar attended CSUMB because they offered the mathematics major he wanted, he was given a scholarship to play in the men’s soccer program and he could stay close to his family. His parents worked in Watsonville’s agricultural fields, picking strawberries and raspberries. Over summers in high school, Rebollar joined them, picking raspberries and blackberries in the cold early mornings. He recalls his first semester at CSUMB as deeply challenging. “I remember working at Wendy's and then at Home Depot, all while balancing my class assignments and soccer training and games,” he said. Things changed when he received the Bruce W. Woolpert Scholarship, a scholarship for math majors at CSUMB that prioritizes youth from Watsonville and participants from the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy. For Rebollar, having the scholarship to cover the costs of his tuition meant he could stop working outside jobs. “After receiving the scholarship, I remember feeling that I could completely focus on just my academics and soccer,” he said. “The Bruce W. Woolpert scholarship assisted in giving me the freedom to study and play, which I continue to do now at the professional level.” Rose Ann Woolpert created the scholarship in memory of her late husband, Bruce, who had been a big supporter of CSUMB, especially the math program, and who wanted to create pathways for Watsonville youth to pursue higher education. Bruce, the president of Graniterock, had formed a close friendship with CSUMB math professor Hongde Hu. Together the two created the Algebra Academy, a summer immersion program for middle school students to learn and advance in the field of mathematics. Tragically, Bruce’s life was cut short in a boating accident in 2012, but the Algebra Academy and mathematics scholarship keep Bruce’s spirit alive.  “To see someone like Adrian, who excels in math, earn a degree with help of this scholarship, become a star athlete — it's a success story in every way!” said Rose Ann. Excelling both academically and on the field still took a lot of effort, but the scholarship also helped Rebollar feel connected to a supportive community. “Receiving the scholarship also opened up relationships to the fellow recipient as well as other staff from the university. The scholarship gave me a sense of having a friendly ‘mathematics’ community,” he said. This sense of community helped during challenging times, when Rebollar had to miss class due to soccer games and find ways to learn the material on his own or with one-on-one help from the professors. “One of the most significant challenges I faced during my education was the balance of my academics and soccer.  If I did not have the help from the scholarship and I had to have a job to continue to pay for tuition, then balancing the workload from class and the team would be even harder.” “Education is the foundation of a strong community, but it is not easy for students to afford good education,” noted Rose Ann Woolpert. “Our business has been based in Watsonville for 124 years. No one has deeper roots in the region than Graniterock, and we feel a connection and responsibility to our community, to give back, to create good jobs and lives for people in our region. One of the ways we can accomplish that is to remove the economic obstacles to education.” Even as a student, Rebollar gave back by teaching the middle-schoolers who followed his footsteps in the Algebra Academy. “Apart from supporting me financially, the scholarship gave me the opportunity to connect with young students who showed interest in mathematics and attending the university once they got older. This gave me the chance to see how important community is to the Bruce W. Woolpert Scholarship program,” he said. Now as a professional athlete, he continues to encourage young people to follow their dreams. “I have gone to multiple schools and soccer programs to speak on my journey and hopefully inspire the next generation to continue to grow and achieve anything they can imagine. One of my biggest aspirations is to become someone in my community who young people can come for assistance and guidance on their journey to success,” he said. Adrian and his teammate/business partner are already planning on creating scholarships through their business. “I think that scholarships are a necessity. There are numerous young adults aspiring to become exceptional leaders who without assistance may fall short. Giving them the opportunity to become who they aspire to be can be one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.” Rose Ann Woolpert agrees, which is why it has been so rewarding to see her husband’s memory live on through the scholarship program. “[The students] are able to take this experience, all they’re learning, and transfer it into successful careers as well-educated, accomplished people in the workforce. For our family, that's what it's about. It gives us an opportunity to make a difference in that way.” “My biggest advice for future scholarship recipients is to take advantage of the opportunity at hand,” said Rebollar.   Empowering veterans and communities: A day of service with CHEER and VFW http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/empowering-veterans-and-communities-a-d http://www.graniterock.com/blogs/empowering-veterans-and-communities-a-d Graniterock Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:44:34 -0700 Coastal Habitat Education and Environmental Reclamation (CHEER) organization joined forces with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for a noble cause – a trash clean-up along Uvas Creek in Gilroy. The Graniterock team was proud to be a part of this initiative, lending a helping hand to the hardworking volunteers. Not only did we assist with the clean-up efforts, but we also provided snacks and beverages to keep everyone energized throughout the day. This volunteer event held special significance as it aligned with VFW's mission to empower veterans to continue serving their local communities long after their military service has ended. By partnering with organizations like CHEER, VFW aims to harness the skills and dedication of veterans to make a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole. Together, we made a difference along the banks of Uvas Creek. It's moments like these that remind us of the power of collaboration and the importance of giving back to the places we call home. As we reflect on the success of this day of service, let's carry forward the spirit of camaraderie and service, knowing that together, we can continue to make a lasting and positive impact on our communities and the world around us.