Pennies are often maligned for taking up space in one’s pocket or purse, considering their lack of purchasing power for individual items. Recently, students enrolled at Community Learning Center (CLC) Tech, operated by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, proved you can make a difference, if you collect enough pennies. They pooled their "Pennies for Patients" and raised more than $2,200 to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Many of the students have a tough life of their own. Community schools give them a chance to stay in school, when for a variety of reasons they have become at risk of dropping out. Yet, the combined CLC Tech classes taught by Leonor Lopez, Dave Meek and Araceli Rivera accepted the challenge proposed by their teachers - to raise money to help others. Why get the students involved? Rivera had an answer. "Part of being a teacher is teaching civic education to our students," More