Annalicia Anaya
Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year
Recently Mayor Steve Tate presented Annalicia Anaya with a certificate and Chamber CEO John Horner gave her a bouquet of flowers as she was told that she was to be the 2016 Student of the Year.
A senior, after graduation she wants to go to college and study Sociology for a career in non-profit work. She became interested in doing this while involved in the Sobrato Interact Club, a youth service club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill. She serves as the club’ s area director in charge of all the schools in Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister.
She has also served as the co-president of the Sobrato Random Acts of Kindness Club and has served on the Associated Student Body government as its treasurer for all four years of high school.
Anaya has applied to U. C. Santa Cruz, U. C. Santa Barbara, U. C. San Diego, and recently found out she was accepted at the University of Portland in Oregon.
Jesse Calderon
Gilroy Chamber Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award
Jesse Calderon has been involved in sports, the California Scholarship Federation, student government, Sister Cities Club and Interact Club. He has also participated in leadership camps such as California Association of Directors of Activities and RYLA( Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).
Jesse’ s proudest moment in high school was planning and leading a workshop for the influential leaders of Christopher High School. The purpose of the event was to emphasize the importance of overcoming adversity and accepting others, which was meant to be reflected in the school.
When asked what advice Jesse would give other students interested in leadership and volunteerism, he said,“… It is essential to experience new things and put yourself in positions that may initially seem uncomfortable but will eventually lead to growth as a leader and as a person.”
Brandon Ellemberg
Gilroy Chamber Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award
Brandon Ellemberg has exemplified leadership through volunteerism. He has been actively involved at Christopher High School in sports, student government, academics, entrepreneurialism and club activities. Brandon is the founder and President of a club called, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft.”
When asked who inspires him to be the leader he is, Brandon replied,“ Courageous leaders inspire me. Leaders like Pope Francis, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Jobs, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi inspire me to be better, to do good work. When someone has the courage to step out of their comfort zone and use their efforts for impact, it inspires me.”
Moving forward, Brandon wants to get a Bachelors in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. For