community DIGEST
Jared Huddleston
Written By Jordan Rosenfeld
not only because he’s often accompanied by his well-known grandfather, Morgan
Hill Mayor, Steve Tate, but at six-foot-fi ve, he towers above most people.
With height like his, it’s no wonder the high school senior has been playing
football since Freshman year at Christopher High, the sport that is his self-pro-
claimed passion. “I’ve had a natural ability to play football,” Huddleston says. “It
was something that was always just in me.” When he isn’t playing football, he likes
to watch recordings of games—be they his own team, or college football, which
he watches in slow motion so he can analyze their strategies. His commitment and
physical acuity have won him more than a few honorable mentions in his school’s
football league and even a “most valuable player of offensive linemen.”
His social nature accords well with a sport that requires constant teamwork. “I
like talking to people, so having a big group around me is awesome.” His role as
left tackle, supporting the quarterback against a physical blind spot, has thematic
resonance for a young man whose life goals include supporting the public through
service. Though he’s learned a lot from his grandfather’s political service, his inter-
ests lie more in protecting people, as either a fire fighter or police officer. What he
loves about football is not unlike what he likes about his intended future career.
A recent ride-along for a day in a firehouse clinched it as the direction he’d like
his career to go. “I love that [in a firehouse] there’s a bunch of people, guys all
cracking jokes one minute, then, when you get a call it’s all game face and serious
business,” he says. “Then you have your after the game relaxing in the house.”
He is enrolled in San Mateo College’s Fire Academy, where he will study
fi re technology and EMT training in the fall. He plans to live at home the fi rst
couple of years, but ultimately, he’s got his eyes on the future. “I’m always talking
about the future, coming up with ideas, and planning for it. I can’t wait to get the
career, the house, the wife, the family.”
WHEN 18-YEAR-OLD JARED HUDDLESTON walks into a room, people notice. It’s
Jared with grandfather,
Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate
Congratulations to first place winner, Nikhita Gopisetty of Oakwood
High School (second from the left), Channing Bushman of Oakwood
High School, second place and Austin Flower of Central High School,
recognized for third place.
26
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
THE ROTARY CLUB OF MORGAN HILL together with
Rotary Clubs of District 5170 sponsored the Richard
D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest at the Morgan
Hill Community and Cultural Center during the regular
Rotary meeting. Dan Makinstir, host and lead Rotarian
for this event explained that this year the seven student
participants represented all four of our Morgan Hill high
schools: Ann Sobrato, Oakwood, Live Oak, and Central.
The theme for the speech was: “Be a gift to the
World.” Each contestant had four minutes to incorpo-
rate the theme and at least one aspect of the Rotarian
four way test. This year, some speakers touched on hav-
ing personal aspirations to lead the charge in being a gift
to the world by service, while others used the opportu-
nity to express gratitude toward gifts of the world that
currently exist. In the end, it is important to note that all
seven contestants are sure to make a powerful and posi-
tive impact in the future.
First place winner, Nikhita Gopisetty, of Oakwood
High School will advance to the Area level.
MARCH/APRIL 2016
gmhtoday.com
HILL ROTARY
Morgan Hill Rotary Announces Youth Speech Contest Winners